On February 4, 1993, the Boston Celtics Retire Larry Bird's Jersey at Boston Garden

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Image Courtesy of Mass Moments

Thursday, February 4, 1993 was Larry Bird Night at the old Boston Garden, when the Boston Celtics officially retired Larry Bird '33 jersey and hoisted it to the rafters. It was an event for the ages, with Larry's former teammates and coaches returning en masse to honor one of the most consequential basketball players in NBA history, and certainly one of the Celtics' most legendary players. 

During his 13 year career with the Boston Celtics Bird led the team to NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986. He is also the only person in NBA history to win MVP, Coach of the Year, and Executive of the Year. 

At the Larry Bird Night, Magic Johnson was there, and so were teammates Cedric Maxwell, Rick Robey and M.L.Carr, along with Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. Bird's wife Dinah and son Connor were on the parquet, along with Bird's mother Georgia, his sister Linda and brothers, Mike, Mark, Jeff and Eddie. 

The Garden itself was packed to the rafters, the loyal fans soaking in every moment, chanting Larr-eee continuously.

At Bird's speech, he thanked his family, his teammates and coaches, Red Auerbach, and Magic Johnson. But mainly he addressed the fans. "I was very proud to play for the Boston Celtics. I'm gonna miss the fans of Boston and the people of Boston. I leave basketball forever. I leave a game that I love. I dedicated my life to basketball and I dedicated my life to the Boston Celtics. I dedicated my life to the fans of Boston. I want you know what you meant to me as a player."


It was front page news in Boston and newspapers around New England.  The Boston Globe issued a 26 page souvenir special supplement inside the paper, charting Bird's 13 year career with the Celtics, his first and only NBA team.


Read more about the Boston Celtics. 

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