John M. "Johnny" Most (June 15, 1923 – January 3, 1993) was an American sports announcer, known primarily as the raspy radio voice of the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1953 to 1990.He is perhaps best remembered for his excited call of “Havlicek stole the ball!” during the final moments of Game 7 of the 1965 NBA Eastern Division Finals. The play sealed the victory for the Boston Celtics. The complete call for that play was, "Greer is putting the ball in play. He gets it out deep, and Havlicek steals it!! Over to Sam Jones!! Havlicek stole the ball!! It's all over … It's all over!! Johnny Havlicek is being mobbed by the fans! It's all over! Johnny Havlicek stole the ball! Oh my, what a play by Havlicek at the end of this ball game!"He was a legend to Boston Celtics fans during the franchise's golden era from the 1950s through the 1980s, and was as well-known a figure in New England as Bill Russell, Bob Cousy and Larry Bird. When watching the Celtics play on television, many fans would turn the sound down on their TV and turn on Most's radio broadcast for his call of the game. He, along with Fred Cusick (Bruins), Ned Martin (Red Sox), Curt Gowdy (Red Sox), Gil Santos (Patriots) and Bob Wilson (Bruins) are considered among the greatest announcers in Boston sports history.
Was track announcer for the stock car races at the Norwood Arena in Norwood, Massachusetts.
2
Grandson of German immigrant and radical Johann Joseph Most (1846-1906).
3
Inducted into the media category of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame at the University of Rhode Island (4 October 2002).
4
Announced his retirement due to health problems. [October 1990]
5
He and Red Auerbach were the only two people with the Celtics organization for its first 16 NBA titles.
6
The radio voice of the NBA's Boston Celtics (1953-1990).
7
Honored with the permanent installation at Boston Garden of his microphone, silver-plated and encased in a Celtic-green frame, to the facade of the radio booth, the vantage point Most always described as "high above courtside." [December 1990]
8
Postumously awarded the 1993 Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Trustees of the Basketball Hall of Fame for his contribution to basketball. Ironically, Most replaced Gowdy as the Celtics' play-by-play announcer.