Bringing People Together

We sat in the studio, watching via satellite, as Don Shane stood on the third base line at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Mere moments had passed since the Tigers lost the 2006 World Series, and our legendary leader was recapping the mistakes that cost the boys victory while also recounting indelible memories the team had created that summer and fall. His ability to poetically, intelligently and thoroughly encapsulate a moment, live, was one of the many characteristics that set him apart. On this night, specifically, he spoke for more than eight minutes, alone, uninterrupted. 

It was riveting. Every second. 

With seemingly no effort, Don narrated a scene better than anyone else, not just "filling the air," but providing context, perspective, humor and gravitas. If it was a big game, Don was there. He was an embedded fixture of your viewing experience. 

Don covered it all - the biggest fights, the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals, the Rose Bowl, the Final Four, the World Series, the Super Bowl, you name it. He was equally dedicated to our local athletes, spotlighting high schoolers in and out of the classroom and making sure that connection with Detroit was never forgotten. 

"There are people in this community that have woven themselves into the fabric of this community," said Basketball Hall-of-Famer Joe Dumars. "And he's absolutely one of 'em." 

Don's impact on the people of Detroit was significant and real, largely because he came to personify the personality of Motown's people. He was lovable and energetic, knowledgeable and unafraid to challenge authority, asking tough questions when they needed to be asked. 

"You think you know him," said former Red Wings coach Mike Babcock "I'm sure it happened a lot in his life. People would walk by, 'Hey, how are you?'  And he doesn't know who they are, but they're watching him every night. They've become part of your life." 

Don's life was one of action and he was a pillar upon which the Channel 7 brand was built. He WAS personality and as WXYZ built a dominant news team, leadership focused on spotlighting the top personalities and letting them shine - Bill Bonds, Diana Lewis, Jerry Hodak, Robbie Timmons, Erik Smith, Frank Turner, Mary Conway, Cheryl Chodun, Don Shane, to name a few. It's a strategy most news organizations have moved away from, but not before Don's personality left an everlasting mark on millions of viewers over the course of four decades. 

His "Dare Don" segments live forever as some of the most wild, ingenious, creative television programming ever produced at the local level, the diminutive sports anchor interacting with some of the top athletes in the world, playing out fantasies time and again for Detroiters to watch. 

"He's Detroit," was how Hall-Of-Fame trainer Emanuel Steward summed up Don in 2012. 

Not always. Don's career on the big stage took him from Detroit to Chicago to Boston and back to Detroit.  He launched Sports Final Edition at WDIV in the early 80s and later launched the Sunday Sports Update at WXYZ upon his return to Michigan. Sandwiched between those stints, he teamed with Bob Lobel at WBZ-TV in Boston as the Celtics won championships, the Patriots went to Super Bowl XX, Roger Clemens struck out 20 and the the Red Sox went to the World Series. 

"Don understood that you can break stories and you can be the people that generate stories, not just the newspapers," said long-time play-by-play broadcaster Mark Champion.  "Don was very good at that."

"He was emotional," said former Red Wings forward Kris Draper. "Because he cares." 

"He brought a lot of energy, a lot of passion, to what he did," said Basketball Hall-Of-Famer Ben Wallace. 

"When you saw Don interviewing myself, or Drapes, or whoever, it was just two buddies talking," said former Red Wings forward Darren McCarty. 

I'm lucky to say Don was a true buddy and we had many conversations. Conversations about career. Conversations about fatherhood. Conversations about how to be better. Don truly cared about me. He cared about my development and my family and there's no chance I would have enjoyed the level of success I have enjoyed without his mentorship. Don made it look easy and just soaking in how he did things, every day, made me a better professional. 

Inevitably, it took awhile to weave through a crowd on our way back to the car after a game. Fans would constantly stop us to take a picture with Don or share a laugh and he would always engage with a smile on his face. Don was one of those guys you just wanted to be around. People constantly swung by the sports office to share a laugh or listen to a story. 

I can't tell you the number of times I pinched myself, realizing in the moment how fortunate I was to have a front row seat.  

Donnie - Reggie and Reimont have prepared a spot for you and, as always, are ready to make you shine!   

The family gatherings, most notably the storied Fourth of July celebrations in Hampton Beach, NH, date back more than 80 years. “Cousin Camp” has stood the test of time, gathering kids of all ages under one roof. Rooted in laughter and camaraderie, the Perry family convenes for the fun of it. They find joy in each other’s company and love competing.  

Inevitably, the conversation always turns to football – unavoidable when four coaches, a bunch of baseball players and an aspiring pro quarterback start swapping stories.  

E.J. Perry IV is weeks away from getting the call he’s envisioned since the first day he grabbed a football.  The former Andover High School standout, who began his college career at Boston College and finished at Brown University, will likely be selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. All signs are pointing in that direction.

STORY CONTINUED AT BOSTONMANMAGAZINE.COM

A week ago, when I first learned Hall of Famer Mike Bossy was approaching death, I immediately thought of my old boss and lifelong friend, Bill Mitchell.   

The affable, lovable master-connector had a special connection with Bossy, dating back to the days when the Islanders dominated the NHL and the Mitchells were beginning their run as one of the nation's top clothiers.   

Bill and his family watched Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum from a suite, and naturally, Mitchell and Bossy became good friends. Mike's wife, Lucie, was learning English and Mike had asked Bill if she could watch the games from the sanctuary of the Mitchell suite.   

Of course Bill said yes and wanted nothing in return but friendship, something Mike returned with sincerity. Their bond grew along with their respective legends. The Isles, led by Bossy, took home the Stanley Cup four consecutive years. The Mitchell empire was just taking off, with a who's who of clientele walking through the doors to buy suits, ties and sportswear.   

Bossy was one of many celebrities who stopped by Mitchell's in the late 80s when I first started working behind the customer service desk. As an aspiring sportscaster and huge fan, I was in awe of the steely, yet friendly, glare, the strong handshake and a humility that was evident from the first introduction.   

Today, I called Bill and he shared some Mike Bossy stories in only the way Bill can. At times getting choked up, he recalled the most meaningful memory from their decades-long friendship.   

It was 1986, and Westport had suffered a terrible tragedy. Michael Kowall, a friend and baseball teammate of mine, collided with another player during a soccer game. Mike was knocked out, never regained consciousness and later died from a brain hemorrhage. In the wake of his death, Michael's soccer teammates, a collection of incredibly talented eighth-graders, were stunned, shocked and unmotivated to press on.   

Bill, along with his friend and coach Dave Harrison, made a decision that ultimately re-energized and re-focused the squad.   

The Islanders had two home games approaching on the schedule and the dads decided to split the team in two and take the players to those games - half for the first game and the other half two nights later. Bill called Bossy and asked if the future Hall Of Famer would visit with the players in Bill's suite after the game and talk to them.   

"Would it be possible to bring some sticks and pucks for the kids?" asked Bill. "And you better score a couple goals to make it worth their while."   

Bossy agreed to do it. Bill convinced the guy who ran Nassau Coliseum to keep the lights on both nights, and the enduring magic ensued.   

The Islanders superstar spent an hour in the suite both nights, shaking hands, taking pictures and answering questions. One question focused on the fear of something bad happening again and how to handle that fear. Bossy described his own acceptance of hockey's inherent danger and stressed how he couldn't ever allow himself to think about it if he wanted to succeed at the highest level.   

He told the players, "When the spring season starts, I'll be at your first game. And if I'm on that hill at Staples High School, I better see you on the field."   

Sure enough, on an Islanders off-day during the postseason, there was Bossy, on the hill at Staples watching the boys as they once again played the game they love, overcoming those natural fears and emotions.   

By the way, Bossy scored a goal in the first game against the Maple Leafs and a goal in the second game against the Whalers, as the boys from Westport watched. That's what friends do for friends. When someone asks a favor, you take care of business.  

Mike Bossy will be missed, and my heart hurts for his dear friend, Bill. 

It was before Twitter changed the way we communicate, before Facebook and Instagram dominated the media landscape. Sports-Talk Radio was popular but you had to be listening. Some, like me, were on vacation when the big news on The Big Ticket broke.  

I'll never forget waking up in Cape Cod, pouring my cup of coffee and cracking open The Boston Globe. Right there on the cover was the headline detailing Kevin Garnett's arrival - the enormous trade orchestrated by Danny Ainge that shook the foundation of the NBA.  

At that time, I was working in Detroit, covering an insane Pistons run - six straight trips to the Conference Finals, an NBA title and two runs to the NBA Finals - but reading that headline was all it took for me. I knew the Pistons were toast. The tide had turned. Momentum had shifted. The Celtics were going to win the championship.   

It was that simple. One monstrous move to acquire a game-changing and franchise-shifting talent. One final piece that was so perfect you knew an unforgettable season was on the horizon.  Just weeks after Ray Allen was added to the mix, Garnett was the cherry on top.  

There are only a few trades in NBA history that made me feel this way - Moses Malone to the Sixers in 1982. Dennis Rodman to the Bulls in 1995. Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons in 2004. 

When those players moved, the title was clinched. You just knew.  And thus, when Garnett joined the Celtics, you just knew. You knew his talent, you knew his drive, you knew his magnetism. What's more, you knew he'd make Paul Pierce and Allen better.  

What you didn't know is how much Garnett would love Boston, how he'd thrive in the raucous environment and embrace the energy of Celtics fans. It was a match made in heaven. When he finished his domination on the floor, he kicked back and embraced the culture, the tradition and sometimes the silliness of basketball at TD Garden - Hello Gino!  

And Hello Championship.  It was sealed in that moment I read the news in the middle of my vacation. Banner 17 was coming. It was all but guaranteed.