Whereas watching a latest Pink Sox/Oakland A’s telecast on NESN, commentator Dave O’Brien and analyst Kevin Youkilis began discussing ticket costs for the upcoming opening sport of the NBA finals that includes the Boston Celtics vs. the Golden State Warriors. Of their dialog it was talked about that some tickets had been promoting for upwards of $60,000 on the open market!
It introduced again a way back reminiscence of an expertise I had in April of 1966 after I was working my first job out of highschool within the basement mailroom of Blue Cross Blue Defend in Boston. It was a way back reminiscence that, in at this time’s financial local weather of greed and avarice, could be close to not possible to copy.
A gentleman from the accounting workplace on the fourth flooring of our constructing entered the mailroom and introduced he had a ticket for that night time’s seventh sport of the NBA finals between the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers on the outdated Boston Backyard. He couldn’t, or didn’t wish to attend, and he was promoting it at face worth. The value of the ticket was $4! I instantly shouted I’ll purchase it and took all the cash I had in my pocket ($7) out and began to calculate find out how to afford your complete expertise.
It was 25 cents for the subway to the sport, $1.50 for supper (two scorching canines, a coke and bag of peanuts) and 50 cents for the subway and bus again to my hometown of Quincy. That left me with 75 cents to get to work the subsequent day (payday). I handed the person the cash, took the ticket and put it in my pockets and couldn’t consider my stroke of luck. I used to be going to the seventh sport of the NBA finals!
Not solely that, but it surely was to be the Celtics’ legendary coach Pink Auerbach’s final sport on the helm of a crew that was making an attempt to win their eighth NBA championship in a row. The Celtics had a crew that featured future Corridor of Famers Invoice Russell, Sam & Okay.C. Jones and John Havlicek. On the Lakers had been greats akin to Elgin Baylor and Jerry West. The sport didn’t disappoint.
With a little bit over a minute left and the Celtics forward 93-85, Sam Jones let free with a two handed set shot from 35 ft that not solely beat the 24 second shot by one second but additionally went in off the backboard to go forward by 10 (there was no 3 level shot at the moment). The Lakers ended the sport with a coronary heart stopping rally that fell simply quick and misplaced 95-93. Auerbach went out a winner, the Celtics had received their eighth straight and I went residence a cheerful camper realizing I had simply attended a historic second in Boston Sports activities Historical past. Nevertheless…
Upon additional evaluation and thought on my half I additionally realized how inflation and greed now permeate each side of society. Going to a sport at this time for a younger man prices upwards of a weeks wage if you happen to’re fortunate. Gasoline costs are by the roof. Actual property, for many, is unattainable and medical insurance not simply accessible. How ironic I discover it that the corporate I labored for out of highschool, Blue Cross Blue Defend, a forerunner of Anthem Blue Cross, in 1966, was a non-profit group! Can You Consider It?
— Particular to the Telegram
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