Number 4 opens up

(Boston Globe) Legendary Bruins star Bobby Orr, now 65, reflects on life on and off the ice. By Scott LaPierre

[@Lava1964]

My favorite Bobby Orr story: One of the Bruins beat writers was watching a Boston practice in the early 1970s. He was standing near the boards. During a lull, Bobby Orr stopped nearby the reporter and casually asked him how he was doing. The writer tersely replied, "Lousy." He went on to complain about a bunch of minor inconveniences in his life--car troubles, disagreements with co-workers, etc. Orr listened patiently and said, "Wait here for me after the practice ends. I want to take you somewhere." When the practice ended Orr drove the reporter to a children's hospital where he entered through a side door. He had obviously been there numerous times before without any fanfare or reporters to publicize his visits. Some of the kids had fatal illnesses; some were severely disabled; some were in life-and-death situations. Orr went to every one of them and spoke to them at length, signed autographs, and posed for photos. All the while the reporter said nothing. When they got back to the car, Orr turned to the reporter and said, "How do you feel now?" That, in a nutshell, is all you need to know about Bobby Orr.

[@dzanier]

It's truly a beautiful story. I've always loved Bobby. I really have run out of superlatives to describe him. I can't expect every superstar to be like him and Wayne, but the fact that as people they are as good or even better than they were as players is something very unique. .

[@kevin62387]

That is an awesome story and sounds exactly what happened if you knew Bobby.

[@Chiefsfansince-qb1kt]

Just one more reason to support my belief (as well as countless others) that Bobby Orr was the greatest professional athlete, NOT JUST HOCKEY PLAYER, of all time!

[@bobhoffman5581]

A "life lesson" for us ALL... SALUTE, sir!!!

[@frederickloucks4865]

I lived in Boston during the Bobby Orr era . I believe every word of your story about the hospital visit . Bobby Orr was the greatest hockey player who ever lived and an exemplary man .

[@AGTsakumis]

The greatest, without equal.

[@karlschneider9479]

Everytime he touched the puck you felt he'd doing something special! So many great memories of Bobby and WSBK 38 Boston with Fred Cusick.

[@allancrow134]

Bobby Orr is an awesome human being.

[@thomasdorst7358]

Canada's greatest athlete and the greatest hockey player of all time Bobby Orr and one of my biggest heroes!

[@mikecolangelo4895]

Bobby Orr a total class act . Just like Wayne Gretzky . Both are credits to both their families and their Country . We need more athletes like them in todays sports world.

[@holyfuddleduddle4231]

My hero since 1969.Still love him and respect him even more today. Thank you Bobby for being you.

[@ckalnicki]

Absolutely the greatest on and off the ice.

[@bufnyfan1]

Mr. Orr's loyalty however did get him into trouble--he remained loyal to his agent Alan Eagleson despite warnings from Bruins management/league officials about Eagleson's shady dealings--Orr ignored them however when he retired he found out he was essentially bankrupt because of Eagleson's mismanagement of his earnings. In addition, when Orr left Boston to sign with Chicago Eagleson didn't bother telling him that the Bruins had offered Orr ~10% ownership in the Bruins to stay in Boston. It turned out that Eagleson had promised Black Hawk owners (the Wurtz family) he would get Orr to sign with them

[@ckalnicki]

@@bufnyfan1 - He was young and too trusting. We have all been there.

[@rf396]

I wrote Bobby a letter 15 years ago now as I was approaching my 41st bday. I wanted him to know how grateful I and SO MANY were to have grown up watching both him and The Bruins and what it meant to those of us on the other side of the glass. I did not expect or need a response I just wanted to thank him. Not a week went by when I received a tube from Bobby Orr Enterprises . In it, was an 11X17 of the goal personally inscribed, "To Rick, Happy Birthday and many thanks for your kind words, Bobby Orr". It hangs on my wall in my office. A MOST prized possession from The Greatest Hockey Player ever but an even BETTER human being if that's even possible.

[@bobhoffman5581]

And I'm betting you wouldn't take a million dollars for it--I WOULDN'T...

[@rf396]

@@bobhoffman5581 Nope not a chance. He and the rest of The Bruins are too much a part of my life that had a lot of magic in it thanks to them.

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@rf396 I STILL remember when #7 had the most goals, and #4 had the most assists, in what, '71? THAT "tandem" was unstoppable--Esposito would just hang around, in front of the goalie's crease, waiting for one of Bobby's PERFECT passes. Something to behold, and there won't ever BE a pair LIKE those two, EVER... LOL

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@rf396 I still recall all of the "fanfare," regarding Paul Coffee--PUHLEEEZE! He used to get "cherry picked," (opposing forwards, sneaking behind him, just outside HIS Blue line) and then going in on his goalie, "one on NONE!" NO WAY, NO HOW, did that EVER HAPPEN to #4! His keen awareness on the ice, plus his speed, prevented it from ever happening, that I can recall, to the point that I'd challenge ANYONE to SHOW me video OF it--anyone who takes me up on that better "pack a lunch," as the saying goes--better yet, a WEEK'S worth--there ISN'T any!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rf396]

@@bobhoffman5581 Actually Phil did alot more than stand around. First of all there's a lot of guys who stood in the slot and couldn't put the puck in the ocean. Also Phil used his size to put himself there and act as both a screen and rebound opportunity. As Brad Park put it "you just couldn't get a good hand on him and when you did it was like trying to move 220 lbs of dog shit. He was too elusive." But watch this give and go from the 76 Canada Cup when Orr was LITERALLY on one good leg as soon as HE breaks for the net Phil heads for the BACk of the net to be there to congratulate him because he KNOWS it's going in. They were a match made in Hockey Heaven and I will FOREVER HATE that SOB Sinden for trading Phil away. BASTARD. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5jTopamh9qXp5Y

[@ronbonora7872]

A great hockey player and human being!

[@cclub002000]

The best ever to play the great game of hockey ..met him a few times .he is as great a person as he was a hockey player

[@jeffthewhiff]

Paul, you were very lucky to have met Bobby a few times in your lifetime and I think the thing that makes he and Wayne Gretzky especially great is that they are both very humble human beings.

[@dandyer2616]

Ditto...

[@androkvitashvili3244]

The Greatest!

[@wesleybarton6922]

Bobby Orr was a designated driver before they became the way to get home after drinking. Bobby would drop the boys off at the bar on an off night, go to the hospital children's ward and visit. He wanted no reporters or fanfare. Bobby would call the guys to see if they were ready to call it a night. They should put his picture in the dictionary under character.

[@toumistra]

A great hockey player but an even greater man. #4 !!!!!

[@dougtalbot193]

He endorses Trump... he is an ass!

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@dougtalbot193 Get a LIFE, fool... smh

[@johnkidd1226]

@@dougtalbot193 You just said more about what an ass you are than Orr or Trump.

[@dgordon130]

Hero. No other word. A Hero of a human being.

[@robertbdesmond]

THE BEST EVER, PERIOD.

[@mikecolangelo4895]

A class act . Athletes today need to take notes .

[@scottacton173]

He is just a great person! I was lucky enough to watch him play on tv.

[@robdobson5056]

My favorite player of all time. Lived near Boston when they won the Cup in 1971-1972 season

[@micjam1986]

Heart of gold right there! Myself ,and about a 100 other kids from around Boston, got to skate with him right after he retired. He did some promotions for some company and after a while he lined us all up on the blue line and started shooting at the empty net. He asked where do you want it? Kids were calling out middle left post....PING!! Center of the cross bar...PING!!! I was in awe.. When my friend yelled out "ring the posts" Bobby turned around and laughed and didn't try. we all laughed.. Even now at 50 I still feel lucky to have been there.... He's the best!!

[@warrenbruce3261]

Greatest Canadian hockey player ever . Period

[@bobhoffman5581]

HOCKEY player, PERIOD, you mean. FACT... LOL

[@kevinwalters6907]

By far the Greatest Player ever and that is Equal to how he is as a Person....

[@jg11596]

absolutely a tremendous human being. ALL professional athletes should learn what drives this true champion - in sport, but most importantly in life. Bravo Mr Orr.

[@packet40]

Every time I watch this video, I am overwhelmed with the humility that Bobby exhibited day in and day out. No act, just who he was and still is. Best line... "Sneak in, sneak out, do what you can." Very few human beings can live up to that credo. Thanks for being a selfless leader, Bobby!

[@roadrules3671]

As Great as Orr was as a Hockey Player; he's an even better man; that should be emulated by Everyone inside and outside of Sports.

[@jameshoran8]

Bobby, You were the greatest I ever saw. And that's for all of the sports. Shaking Kate Smith's hand and greeting her after she sung God Bless America for a Flyer win in the Cup Final in 1974 was pure class. A Philly Flyer Fan.

[@deanmarkoshan2129]

As a youth growing up in Chicago, I couldn't accept the Bruins and Bobby Orr were better than the Blackhawks. How wrong I was. Bobby Orr was the greatest talent ever. He is an even better human being. A humble giant. God bless.

[@erikpeterson25]

Great attitude from a great hockey player.....thanks Mr. Orr...very nice to see .. thanks for all the memories BEST

[@vastount1]

the best Canadian ever born!

[@101snapper]

If the world was filled with people like Bobby Orr wouldn't this be as Louis Armstrong would say "What a wonderful World"

[@troyvan6952]

I believe he said "' when you lose, say little, when you win, say less." Pure class.

[@bobby-jackbrewer7395]

I dare say that when the sad day comes that Bobby passes on..there'll be a state funeral for him just as there was for Gordie Howe and Rocket Richard

[@CraftAero]

Bobby is forever a class act !

[@daver629111]

In 1970 I turned eight, I admired a man who wore number 4 in Boston and in my grandmothers home town. She was a seasons ticket holder for the Generals. She pointed out to me during my hockey career (as a child growing up) . That when one great score comes to write against your name, he writes not who won or lost but how you play the game. In the times we live in I am comforted to know, that my childhood heros are the towers of mentorship and responsiblity they have grown to be. My children's self esteem has managed to survive the present Canadian hockey system. IN Mr. Bobby Orr's first book, a book of few words, we stated the effect " the purpose of a body check is to dislodged the man from the puck" logic is that you want the puck. Since it is our game, this seems like a simple solution. Getting caught with you head down is an element of the game, but career ending injuries start with intent. The want of control of the puck is diminished in its unshared capacity. I do not know if others had the ratio of assists to goals, Mr Orr enjoyed but I would imagine, his unselfishness and his willingness to contribute his part to team play are the things I valued in watching and enjoying him play in my life time. and thankfully to television ability to live broadcast . The handshake was removed or moved in canadian hockey. the handshake reminded us we were people. we played without masks, and lighter equipment. the handshake is missing. the need to win has replaced it. not very canadian. I am glad the hopes I placed on my heros as a child have been lived too. I admire that. I admire that in this world which has so little to, admire. Thank fully there seems a quiet notice. I continue to hope. Thank you Mr. Orr and the Globe

[@jamesseth9228]

GOD Bless Bobby Orr always. Such a good and humble man.

[@whereshunter6354]

Does this guy have an ego or what? 😆 You go, Robert. Pure class.

[@tomocallaghan1809]

Total class act.

[@markrudolph9372]

THIS A REAL MAN

[@robertmuller5623]

Super classy man! You were the best bobby!❤

[@chriswigmore3082]

Wow Bobby! Most humble and terrific human. Great role model for all not just sports figures or celebs.

[@ralphcastriotta9026]

You talk about a role model for the players and kids today ! The one name and maybe one of the few who gave back to society and it’s Bobby Orr! What a class act!

[@RSTI191]

In addition to being the greatest player to ever lace em up, Orr should be canonized into sainthood..

[@chais1111]

interesting observation. being humble when you're that great is not something easy to retain. best role model ever...

[@RSTI191]

Damn straight!

[@rf396]

He IS in Boston

[@richysuphiy]

Total class from A to Z!!👍👍 goat!!

[@bonniescharf9672]

What a great Canadian Hero is Bobby Orr, a class act for sure

[@bufnyfan1]

The stories of Bobby Orr's kindness and loyalty to former teammates are legendary. When Derek Sanderson had alcohol and prescription drug-abuse problems and wound up penniless, Orr spent his own money to ensure that Sanderson successfully completed rehab. Decades later, Orr and Sanderson went into business together managing finances for hockey players. Orr also helped out Bruins trainer John (Frosty) Forristall, his roommate during his first years with the Bruins, who had just been fired from the Tampa Bay Lightning for alcoholism in 1994. Forristall's drinking put him on bad terms with his brother John, so he returned to Boston jobless and soon afterward was diagnosed with brain cancer. Orr took Forristall into his home for a year until he died at the age of 51.

[@paulcachia3480]

You've got that right1

[@dgcmusi]

One classy man...

[@celticwarlord4204]

Orr was a true gladiator, and is a champion of the people.

[@bobhoffman5581]

I had a "rink" on our sidelot, next to our house growing up. I had a Bruins jersey, and had a #4 sewn on it. After I grew up, I wondered WHY I couldn't recall Bobby EVER being in a FIGHT, during his whole NHL career. One night, on Hockey Night In Canada, I heard "Grapes" say why I didn't--turns out, when he first came up, a guy "challenged" him--Bobby BEAT HIM UP, so bad, NOBODY EVER tried that "stuff," ever AGAIN. I just sat in my TV chair, laughing my ass off--best player, best fighter--got my ANSWER, that night! Apparently, he strived to be the "best," PERIOD... 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@AnthonyD1986]

Wow had no idea he was such a good human. Much respect

[@kevin62387]

"I don't do things for ink", "I don't care to have cameras around when I'm doing those things, that's not why I'm doing it". That is how he always was. We need more like this, unlike players like Derek Jeter that had to have cameras follow him around like a little puppy in order so he could get credit for doing things that Bobby Orr did years ago and never got credit for.

[@ralphcastriotta9026]

kevin62387 Wait a second ! I think you are talking about ARod. There is no way Jeter was like that. I do agree with your comments about Orr.

[@bobhoffman5581]

@@ralphcastriotta9026 DITTO...

[@mardinecampbell2870]

A good man as well as a hockey great

[@tomprendergast5501]

Met Bobby ( notice how no one calls him Mr Orr) once during his playing days and several times after. Please feel free to totally discount "hockey player" when you title him greatest ever. He is in simple terms a great human being. Not interested in face time, fame or ink. If you want your young son or daughter to grow up to be someone of value, please use Bobby Orr as a template. Thank you Mr. Orr.

[@JoeyFielding1]

this fuckin guy i love him

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

Nobody is better than #4... NOBODY

[@jaykendall7557]

+cyclist01222 SCROLL KZbin AND PUNCH UP APRIL 8 1971 WORST GAME IN BRUINS HISTORY. Bobby on the ice for all 5 goals. Now ask for game 7, Bobby took the gas pipe on the ice for 3 of the 4 Montreal goals. Bobby lost 12of 18 playof games vs montreal. Bobby lost 7 playoff games that went into OT DON CHERRY'S BRUINS WON 7 PLAYOFF GAMES IN OT. CHERRY WON TWO HUGE PLAYOFF SERIES WITH PHILADELPHIA 1977-1978 AVENGING BOBBY'S LOSS IN 1974 FINAL. CHERRY'S BRUINS PLAYED BETTER WITHOUT BOBBY OR ESPO

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

+JAY DAVIDSON So Bobby Lost? He must have been the only player on the ice LOL. Please report back to mom's basement and finish your bag of cheetos.

[@jaykendall7557]

+cyclist01222 JAY KENDALL Mario won 4, Canadians won 6, NY Islanders won 4, Gretzky won 5...Bobby only 2 ? WAA HAPPENED? 1969 on the ice for tying & winning goals by Montreal in games 1 and 2.....that was a hole they could not escape. 1971 Orr on the i ce for a TON of MONTREAL scores. 1974 coughed up the puck in crucial game two of final vs Flyers Instead of being up 2-0 in series even at 1-1 lost Cup in six games Don Cherry's repaid all these losses by pumelling these teams and beating them in OT in playoffs something ORR and ESPO never did......

[@CommonCentsOutdoorsman]

JAY KENDALL Despite playing only twelve seasons and 657 games (of which only his first nine seasons, totaling 621 games, were full seasons), and only playing 47 NHL games after his 27th birthday, Orr accomplished many records and achievements, a number of which still stand today, and are listed below. As of the end of the 2014-15 season: First and only defenceman to score nine hat tricks First defenceman to score 30 goals (1969-70)[48] and 40 goals (1974-75) in a season. First player to record 100 assists in a season (1970-71) Only defenceman to win the Art Ross Trophy as league leader in scoring (1969-70, 1974-75) Only player ever to win the Norris Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Conn Smythe Trophy in one season (1969-70) Highest single season plus-minus rating, +124 in 1970-71. Second all-time in career plus-minus rating, +597. (retired as the overall leader; never finished a full season less than +30 since +/- once it became a statistic beginning with the 1968-69 season) Fourth in league history in career point-per-game average, all-time, (1.393) (highest among defencemen, minimum 500 career points) Sixty-second overall in league history in career assists and 97th in career points Awards OHA First All-Star Team - 1964, 1965, 1966 Awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) in 1967, the youngest ever to win the award, and the youngest ever to win a major NHL award up to that time Named to the Second All-Star Team in 1966-67 (his only full season when he did not make the First Team, as a rookie) Named to the NHL First All-Star Team eight times consecutively (1968-1975) Awarded the James Norris Trophy eight times (from 1968 to 1975, his last full season) Played in the NHL All-Star Game eight times (from 1968 to 1975) Won the Art Ross Trophy in 1969-70 and 1974-75 NHL Plus/Minus leader in 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974 and 1975, the most in history Awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy three times consecutively (1970-1972) Awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1970 and 1972, the first two-time winner of the playoff MVP award Stanley Cup winner in 1970 and 1972 Won Lou Marsh Trophy as Canadian athlete of the year in 1970 NHL All-Star Game MVP in 1972 Received Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award in 1970 Voted the greatest athlete in Boston history in the Boston Globe newspaper's poll of New Englanders in 1975, beating out baseball and basketball stars such as Ted Williams, Bill Russell, Carl Yastrzemski and Bob Cousy Awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1975 Named the Canada Cup Tournament MVP in 1976 Awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy in 1979 Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979, with the mandatory three-year waiting period waived, making him the youngest inductee at 31 years of age Voted the second greatest hockey player of all time by an expert committee in 1997 by The Hockey News. Orr is behind only Wayne Gretzky and ahead of Gordie Howe as well as being named the top defenceman of all time. Gretzky said he'd have voted for Orr, or for his hero, Gordie Howe. Ranked 31 in ESPN's SportsCentury: 50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century in 1999 Named the top defenceman of all time in 2010 by The Hockey News Records Most points in one NHL season by a defenceman (139; 1970-71) Most assists in one NHL season by a defenceman (102; 1970-71). Highest plus/minus in one NHL season (+124; 1970-71) Tied for most assists in one NHL game by a defenceman (6; tied with Babe Pratt, Pat Stapleton, Ron Stackhouse, Paul Coffey and Gary Suter) Only player in history to win four major NHL awards in one season (Hart, Norris, Art Ross, and Conn Smythe in 1970), as well as only player to win the Norris and Art Ross in the same season more than once. Fastest goal from start of overtime to clinch the Stanley Cup - 0:40 - 1970 (game 4) Records since surpassed Held record for most assists in one NHL season from 1970 to 1981 (87 in 1969-70, which he surpassed in 1970-71 with 102; broken by Wayne Gretzky and also bettered by Mario Lemieux) Held record for most goals in one NHL season by a defenceman from 1968 to 1986 (21, in 1967-68, 37 in 1970-71, broke own record in 1974-75 with 46; broken in 1985-86 by Paul Coffey with 48) Held record for most points by a defenceman in one game from 1973 until 1977 (7 (3 goals/4 assists) in game November 15, 1973) Held record for longest consecutive point-scoring streak by a defenceman from 1971 until 1984 ( 15 games, set in 1970-71 and 1973-74) Held record for career goal-scoring by a defenceman (270) until surpassed by Denis Potvin in 1987. Held record for most consecutive 100-or-more point seasons from 1974 until 1980 ( 6, from 1969-70 until 1974-75) Held record for career plus-minus rating from 1978 until 1985 (+597) Held record for most assists in a season by any player from 1971 until 1981. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you Jay. Have a good day.

[@jaykendall7557]

+cyclist01222 AY KENDALL2 weeks ago +MrMferg240 AND WHAT WAS THE TALENT LEVEL OF THE NHL IN THOSE DAYS? 8 of the 14 teams were expansion teams stocked with players picked up on waivers, AHL players etc. Goalies were horrible. This is where ESPO and Bobby piled up the points. playing Buffalo,Pittsburgh, California golden bagels, LA Kings, Kansas City Scouts, NY Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Cleveland Barons..........pleeze It wasn't until 1975 when Philly and the Sabres made the finals that the talent level stabilized. Watch the Orr hilites see who the opposition was. ........Punch up in the youtube browser WORST LOSS IN BRUINS HISTORY APR 8 1971........Bobby on the ice for every goal. Then watch game 7 footage of Bobby and Phil choking when you punch up MONTREAL WINS 1971 CUP.

[@xanbex8324]

Jesus what a guy!

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Good stuff

[@jameshoran8]

Do you know Bobby helped Noel Picard financially when Picard fell on rough times. Noel was the Blue's player that sent Bobby flying after he scored the Cup winning goal in 1970.

[@ryanorr5755]

My 6yo son wears a bobby orr jersey while practicing in his youth league.

[@thomasduff1571]

I will tell you one thing , I was on a fishing boat with Terry O Reilly . If you saw his face you couldn't pay me enough money to have my face to look the way his face looks . I ask him about Orr ,he was so strong on his skates the Ice just crushed you couldn't knock him off the puck . That's what he said lol I kind of believe it !

[@karlschneider9479]

Orr talks about bad nights. A bad night for him was 1 goal and 2 assists!

[@matt75hooper]

You simply had to be there.

[@dm19609721]

Bobby Orr set the standard for kids who idolized professional athletes during the day........it's sort of expected a player visits the local hospitals and sign autographs while they're still playing. How many athletes do you know who still do it 35 yrs after they retire.....I understand he helped Derek Sanderson get sober when no one else would help him......I no longer watch hockey anymore....players show little class except for the likes of Sidney Crosby

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

"Let them be creative," ...yes

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

🍇🖤💛

[@ChimpFromSpace]

1:22 I think a lot of people could use this advice these days...

[@edfewchas3255]

Are you listening, today's athletes? Keep this Orr example in mind the next time you hear these millionaires complaining about this or that.

[@robertlavrakas7442]

LeBron james,please watch this. Here is a true professional

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

At least he still has all of his teeth.

[@FOXLIES]

Enlighten us .....PLEASE!!!!!!

[@starshiporion3162]

Bobby orr is stephen harper pm of canada. Go to burnlist blog/orr harper..or bank of spirit on you tube orr harper.

[@roberthuot7887]

Orr would have looked good in a habs uniform.

[@FOXLIES]

Donald Trump ...Really Bobby?

[@bobhoffman5581]

YEAH, because unlike MANY amongst the ignorant masses, Bobby KNOWS something!!! LOL

[@jimbo1027]

Just asking that speaks of you. Compared to Hillary "The protected phoney". I dislike Trump and his character but with all his many flaws he was still the least harmful.

[@tomgriffin7019]

Yeah really ya woke loser!

[@tomgriffin7019]

@@bobhoffman5581you’re exactly right! What an idiot comment 😒

[@tomgriffin7019]

@@FOXLIES he supports the best President we ever had. Sad you’ve been brainwashed by the evil liars. Installed communist puppet biden is doing great, isn’t he?