John Havlicek: A Hero of “Olympian” Proportion

For us Boston Baby Boomers who were growing into sports fans during the 1960’s, there were two milestone moments – the Red Sox’ Carl Yastrzemski-led Impossible Dream 1967 season, and John Havlicek’s Game 7-saving swipe of a certain Hal Greer in-bounds pass two years earlier.

Still have mine! These exploits became part and parcel of the “soundtrack of our lives” due, in large part, to commemorative record albums produced for each occasion … but also because Carl and John (ironically born less than a year apart) were to be cornerstones of their respective franchises throughout Hall of Fame careers.

Carl was very much an “Everyman” – average-sized and normal in most ways, excepting his uncanny…