Phil Esposito retirement day

Espo retired at the Garden

[@Altasren]

I was lucky enough to be in the Garden that night, and everyone around me in our section was going "Are we really seeing what we think we're seeing?" Just that stunned moment. Nice, by the bye, to hear Fred Cusick's voice again ...

[@JPMadden]

That's Bob Wilson

[@blackknife1]

One of the greatest moments in Boston sports history.

[@tydollaz13]

Sports history period honestly

[@ryanberrigan5421]

Easily. Classic garden Led the team in points that year. Losing to edmonton in the finals crushed me. Then in 90’ again. Damn.

[@emceesmith6665]

I despise all Boston sports franchises. But this is badass.

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

@@ryanberrigan5421The 1988 & 1990 Bruins were great teams, but falling to that Oilers team even without Gretzky in 90 is nothing to be ashamed of

[@hrshy491777]

The two classiest moves in hockey have involved Ray Bourque, this and Joe Sakic handing him the cup.

[@thehistory5401]

Sakic should have handed the cup to a longer tenured teammate

[@bcal4877]

@@thehistory5401 It’s called showing respect to one of the greatest to ever play, just like Ray did with Phil. But I’m sure Sakic (another all time great) appreciates your advice on how to conduct himself as the Avs captain.

[@thehistory5401]

@@bcal4877 depends what you mean by “one of the greatest”, Bourque was a good player, but like a top 100 guy isnt in the Orr, Howe, Richard, Gretzky, Lemieux category. It was a cheesy way to win the cup...come over at the deadline, doesn’t really count!

[@clubpenguin13531]

@@thehistory5401 he was traded at the deadline the year before, and Bruins management practically forced him to leave because they knew that their Cup window had shut and Bourque still wanted to win with Boston

[@thehistory5401]

@@clubpenguin13531 ya but it’s still a corny way to win the cup

[@rf396]

56 years old grew up watching these guys play and I STILL cant watch this without choking up. Ray you are a CLASS ACT.

[@davedefelice4684]

Amen and im 55 grew up watching WSBK TV38 GO BRUINS

[@rf396]

@@davedefelice4684 Fred and John along with Tom Larson made watching those games must see tv

[@Skinnyd4]

Speaking as a guy who isn't a Bruin fan but who loves the game and class moments, I love this moment.

[@MDK2_Radio]

It’s great that Borque was on the giving end of this classy moment, and then the receiving end of another when Sakic handed him the Cup and let him take the first skate with it.

[@Showmemusic]

this is hands down one of my fav moments in sports history... what a gesture of respect..

[@shaynekirkpatrick8146]

The only moment that could be better is Sakic letting Bourque raise the Stanley Cup first

[@richardgallerani8817]

One of the single classiest things I've ever seen in the early of sports. I was there to see it. Not a dry eye in the house

[@danielallen7259]

One of the BEST examples of sportsmanship we'll ever see!!!!!!!👍😎

[@wewd]

The amount of talent in that building at that moment is staggering.

[@tgfabthunderbird1]

I was producing the radio broadcast of this game in northern New Hampshire...I'm so glad we were rolling tape. The roar of the crowd was amazing, and what Ray Bourque did for Phil was classy and damned nice. You could hear how touched Esposito was by that. Two great players, for certain.

[@MegaCaptain54]

I COULD TALK ALL NIGHT ABOUT THIS ONE. THE SINGLE CLASSIEST THING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED. I WAS THERE THAT NIGHT. it is near impossible to shut phil up, but I think Raymond finally found the way. Raymond bourque is single-handedly responsible for the three classiest things I have ever seen in the world of sports. I was present for all three of then fortunately. alongside this event, the other two happened on the same night. the other two occurred during the final game at the boston garden. a pre-season game vs the habs ends in a bruins 3-0 win. Patrick roy is the goalie, and the game ends and a sea of past and present bruins take a final skate on the garden ice while the late-great longtime radio announcer of the bruins, Bob Wilson sings THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES", ray skates over to the bench and comes back with former bruin, Normand Leveille. he suffered a cerebral hemeridge a few years before and never played again. Raymond takes him by the hands and leads him in a short skate on the old garden ice. and if that wasn't classy enough, as all the bruins are leaving the ice down in the old Zamboni entrance IN THAT INFAMOUS CORNER OF THE RINK, the last two players to leave the ice are, of course, Raymond bourque and Bobby Orr. as he should Ray left the ice first leaving only Bobby. as Bobby went to step off right after Ray, Bourque puts his hand on Bobby's chest and holds him up, puts his index finger in Orr's face and says to Bobby, "LAST LAP IS YOURS, ITS YOUR HOUSE". Bobby circled the garden for the final time to a thunderous ovation. it was all I could do to keep the tears of pride back as I laid witness to two of the classiest players the world of sport has ever known. what else can you say about the guy except "you were one of the best" good luck Raymond in whatever else you do. you've earned it. farewell and thank you

[@ObviousandCynical]

+richard galerani Great story thanks for sharing.

[@stacktrick]

i was at that game too "The Last Hurrah."

[@Ledhead-dw8sd]

+richard galerani Another one of the classiest things i have seen was when Sakic immediately handed Ray the cup

[@richardgallerani5644]

+Ledhead1217 who else could be have handed it to??? none the less, 29 yrs of class and loyalty, that was his reward that night.

[@richardgallerani5644]

+Ledhead1217 in addition, Raymond bailed Bruins management out of a very awkward situation that night. #7 should have never been given out in the first place after Phil was traded to NY. but Ray dis truly the only thing he could do. as great as he made the #7 on his own, it belonged to espo. I got a little choked up when sakic handed Ray the cup. it was a king time coming. nice call

[@unknowunknow4462]

Right from the mouth of Phil Esposito....the best player in the world #4 "BOBBY ORR"

[@Kyle899]

It's not like Esposito has a bias..

[@bbb462cid]

Orr's opponents had the same "bias".

[@mikepound9808]

I grew up in Massachusetts watching the Bruins and had moved to Florida. I happened to be in Boston on business that day and got tickets to this game, not knowing what was going to take place that night. What a great moment in sports I witnessed that night! And Espo went on to found the Tampa Bay Lightning team, for which we in the Tampa Bay area are forever grateful!

[@yaboy899]

what's cool about Phil's speech is i felt like he was actually talking to the crowd not at the crowd like celebrities do nowadays.

[@padlarge]

Two of my favorite moments in hockey involve Ray Bourque. When he changed his jersey in front of Espo and hoisting the cup in 2001.

[@mimmiandersson3529]

Those are my favourite moments. And im a red wings fan. True sportmanship. Amazing.

[@packofredapples8]

@@mimmiandersson3529 Konstantinov receiving the cup is one of my favorite hockey moments too - from an Avs fan

[@bluejay93]

Wow, the first time Espo was speechless. Bourque exudes class!!! What a moment!!!

[@godhere6459]

thanks to bobby greatest player of all time .

[@JoelElRican]

I wasn't alive when this happened but I still feel joy for Phil while watching this. I am a Lightning fan and In 2011, I went to my first game. Game 6, ECF vs. The Bruins. Seems sort of poetic. Phil played for Boston and Phil is the reason hockey is in Tampa. His passion for the game is contagious and listening to him on radio is the best.

[@jeffcurley663]

Classiest move ever

[@dwaynegalvin8799]

As a forever Bruins fan from Canada, this gesture still brings a tear to my eye!

[@GianniVitucci]

Not a Bruins fan but this was one of the best moments, at least with regard to a retirement, in sports history. Such a classy move by Bourque! So surprised when I first watched this go down.

[@Madisonrvr]

A great hockey moment. Ray Bourque-- first class all the way. Love the reaction from Orr and O'Reilly in the background when he takes off the jersey. Great stuff.

[@47tooter]

Bourque was always a class act ! Never a crybaby , never a cheap shot , . A few months ago I went to a card show and there at a table signing autographs was Noman Leveille and sitting in the next chair was Ray Bourque !

[@bbb462cid]

Normand and Ray are good friends. Most NHL fans have forgotten Leveille. What a tragedy, but Normand is a strong man.

[@tydollaz13]

Bourquey is one of the classiest athletes in sports history. What a guy

[@joeymaterese8095]

Most people don't know why we didn't win a cup for bourque...It had nothing to do with our players ..... For 2 decades 80s and 90s we had the nucleus for a championship team.Thanks to our scouts who would pick the right player only to lose them after rookie contract was up and we wouldn't pay them....Then our Development program brought along these players and got them as ready as could be...But we needed more, that one or 2 stars to put us over the top...but it never happen cuz we wouldn't spend the money.....How many Big games were we in and we just couldn't make it whether a conference or cup round....You see Jacobs decided spending money on players was low on priorities...You could just go to fire sales and pick up the big names with a year left in their legs, That and a high priced hot dog and beer was all that mattered to JJ.. He has done more to hurt this franchise than any other owner in history... He's not even a Boston guy He might not be ruined in us on a large scale today because of the collective bargaining agreement but trust me hes the reason we only picked up filler positions in this 2021 off season.. We stayed away from any of the high end players which is what we need to get to the next level doesn't it ring a bell

[@47tooter]

@@joeymaterese8095 Not really , Bruins made it to the finals in 88 and 90 . I know Harry had a rep for being a cheapskate but he figured hard work is cheaper than talent so he always had a lunch pail team . Players were starting to sit-out seasons to demand more money and salaries were escalating. Players who wouldn't honor their contracts because they had a good season . but I know what you are saying with their sub-par teams of the 90s bringing Rays stats way down.

[@mikeprevost8650]

@@joeymaterese8095 me to JJ at the duck boat parade in 2011: "39 years of shitty hockey, thanks for nothing". He heard me, too, lol.

[@IAmStaggerLee]

"Jesus saves, Espo scores on the rebound."

[@jean-francoispayette92]

God Bourque is amazing

[@ajstewart3055]

Classy. This is what hockey is about - respect those who came before you and honoring them. We all know Ray had no requirement to change his number, much less present his jersey to Phil, yet he did so with elegance and grace anyway because it was the honorable thing to do. As a Pens fan he drove me nuts in the 90's, but I can complete applaud and respect him fully for the legend he is.

[@ajstewart3055]

Ty!

[@jasonrubin5545]

So much to love about this. Before Ray even took off his jersey, when he first skated up to Espo, you could see the respect and affection that Phil has for Ray. Then afterwards, Espo asks to have Bourque's #7 jersey as well. Having Turk, Bobby, and O'Reilly on hand and getting caught up in the moment. Phil giving the shout out to Orr. The crowd giving Espo his long-overdue love and recognition.

[@Jiltedin2007]

TRULY A CLASS ACT! A moment which will be forever “Frozen in Time” as you are seeing One Hall of Famer(Ray Bourque) giving up his original number 7 to Another Hall of Famer(Phil Esposito).

[@canadian49]

What a class-act Ray Bourque was..... I thought that was soooo cool when he removed the Number 7 jersey to reveal his brand new number.....77..... Thanks for posting this!

[@ajb868686]

Not a Boston fan or a huge hockey guy I loved Ray when he played for the Avs. He was just pure class.

[@cpac22]

Ray Bourque, a man of class and sportsmanship. I loved watching him play, and Boston misses him.

[@lynneferencik1378]

Pure class all the way around- R.Ferencik

[@nicholasvandal6948]

I was a year old. My dad said to me when I was older, there was 6 moments I cried. 1) we finally won the World Series 2) you kids were born 3) Cousy retirement 4) patriots won our first super bowl 5) Bobby Orr retired 6) espo retirement speech and Raymond changing to #77 for espo

[@kennethcarroll5420]

i remember watching this on the tv, Ray Bourque was and always will be a class act

[@Alkeoholic77]

Goose bumps... freaking goose bumps every time I watch this.

[@christopherhopkins949]

Ray Bourque is one of the classiest gentleman ever to play in the NHL and in Boston history

[@littlejeeper3863]

Raymond is one of the greatest and touches your heart

[@timesse]

he was getting his jersey retired, and he won't forget that a great like ray bourque was giving up his number 7 for 77, a very respectable thing for a player to do

[@rf396]

Hockey is loaded with class acts. But this gesture by Ray Bourque goes above and beyond. That SOB Harry put him in a terrible situation just to snipe at Phil and Ray found a way out of it that was respectful, gracious and loaded with class. And of Course even on HIS night, who else does PHIL thank? Bobby Orr. Class. Nothing but class. I am so grateful that I got to grow up there and watch these guys play. God am I lucky.

[@Lava1964]

One of the classiest things ever--Borque handing over his number 7 to Espo.

[@guanaco103]

Ray Bourque what a beauty !!

[@MrT8599]

Ray Bourque changed his number DURING Phil Esposito's number retirement. He went from 7, which was being retired, to Double 7 (77). So in a sense, Bourque continued to wear the number 7 in honor of Esposito, albeit without it actually being the retired number.

[@alirez426]

It's so great that Colorado was able to get that man a cup

[@danbarrasso2253]

Ray Bourque = Class! Such a great gesture and moment. After Phil agreed to let him keep wearing it. I do believe, as legend has it, only Ray himself and the teams equipment manager knew this was going to happen until he pulled that sweater off. Pure awesomeness!!!

[@Altasren]

Sinden knew; he'd signed off on it.

[@guy5529]

Ray Bourque: The Greatest Class Act in NHL History

[@hepenypacker]

Probably my all time favourite "Gahden" moment. Thanks for posting.

[@Navdan87]

I'm a Pens fan, but I LOVE watching this clip! Ray & Phil were all class!!

[@jibberjabberr]

As a Habs fan, I remember this moment. Was extremely classy back then and still extremely classy today. Well done Ray and the B’s

[@batmanjwo]

I idolized him growing up. When the Bruins were out of it, he deserved the chance to win the Cup. It was stated that he asked to be traded after some players told him to consider it. Sinden agreed. True Bruins fans were happy to see him win the Cup. Bourque stated he had a great career but it has one major flaw: He didn't bring a Cup to Boston. He stated those exact words when they retired his number.

[@Theo-hc5ob]

The next day the sports guy on the station I always listened to in Boston (WBCN) called Ray Bourque "Classy" Ray Bourque and did so through 1992 when I moved to Denver. There were bumper stickers around town: "Jesus Saves and Espo scores on the rebound." He was a scoring machine, a Beast, a freaking Great White with a stick in the slot. Took the Bruins TOO long to retire his number. Thanks for posting this.

[@godhere6459]

should of said ...orr did all the work ..and espo put the Garbage out

[@bbb462cid]

@@godhere6459 a lot of people that mistake themselves for knowledgeable about NHL hockey say that.

[@godhere6459]

@@bbb462cid I love hockey..watch it for 58 years...played till..60yo....and I watched the leafs..win the cup...never see that again..lol

[@bbb462cid]

@@godhere6459 nice to hear

[@Nick31982]

That is why Ray Bourque will always be my favorite hockey player.....at the time this kid gave up the number he had to honor another hockey icon in Boston. CLASS ACT ALL AROUND.....its just a shame that #77 couldn't have won a Stanley Cup in a Boston uniform.....

[@spencergreen4570]

what you seen at that time is one legend being retired and the future legend showing one of the best kind of class in NHL Ray in the hearts of Bruins fans will always be loved and Phil will always be loved to.

[@wesleybarton6922]

Listened to the Bruins on WBZ Boston, Group W Westinghouse broadcasting. Learned to love hockey by listening to the radio, never saw it until 3 years later. We had a local team in the EHL in Roanoke Virginia.

[@batmanjwo]

If my memory serves me correctly, O'Reilly put the idea in his head. When it came to that night, Bourque, O'Reilly, Sinden (I believe), the announcer and the equipment guy were the only people that knew.

[@mskipper19]

One of the classiest moments in sports history!

[@paulesposito5856]

Great centerman. Great human being.

[@TheAcgtrs]

One of the classiest moments I’ve ever seen. #77&#7

[@just-for-funtriviaquizzes]

I remember this was the lead story on the Canadian sports networks that night and into the following day. Even the next morning the radio hosts on a music station i listened to were discussing this gesture with awe.

[@GooseGumlizzard]

Espo. What a legend.

[@edwardstevens1438]

Dec. 3: 1987 Esposito's No. 7 retired by Bruins

[@bobdonovan34]

I remember watching on TV and wondering what was going to happen with Bourque's #7. And when it happened we all just looked at each other and said wow. Proud moment in Boston.

[@bbb462cid]

Nobody but Bourque and the trainer knew what was going to happen

[@Lava1964]

Pure class.

[@firebugjohnnypyro]

The looks on both O'Reilly and Orr's faces....then on Phil's tells the whole story. Very classy move by Ray Bourque. :)

[@ezplosion]

Bourque, one of the classiest moves in sports history. Respected and honoured Phil.

[@markdaniele4539]

Been a Bruin fan all my life 62.I was a mailman and Phils cousin lived on my route.He was nice enough to call Phil and have him autograph a photo for me.So funny because he was in a Ranger uniform.I gave it away.True story.LOL.

[@17bruins91]

I miss those glory days of the game. I wish i could have attended a game at the old Garden.

[@KillEmAll83]

I love Orr's reaction in the back.

[@bbb462cid]

One day we'll lose Bobby. It makes me sad just to think that it will happen.

[@LeoWhalen1933]

This is what makes my town the greatest sports city. Its more than championships.

[@BigAlvideos101]

Yet your team is easily the dirtiest team in the entire NHL!

[@LeoWhalen1933]

@@BigAlvideos101 boohoo leafs fan I take it?

[@BigAlvideos101]

@@LeoWhalen1933 Me? A Laffs fan? Oh HEAVENS no! I hate that lousy, laughable, loser team with every fibre of my being! You should be ashamed of asking me such a ridiculous thing!

[@BigAlvideos101]

@@LeoWhalen1933 But you don't have to be a Laffs fan in order to recognize the dirtiest team in the league with the dirtiest players in the league- ESPECIALLY the dirty little sewer rat with the oversized rat nose!

[@LeoWhalen1933]

@@BigAlvideos101 I kind of like you

[@Navdan87]

Wow! What a great moment !!

[@ZzExtreams]

thats my great great great grandpa :P

[@mad12b]

Leadership, Sportsmanship and Class.

[@4EyedAnimation]

I had that on my front door as a kid!!!! GO BROONS!

[@marisalombardi385]

Brilliant Phil...

[@MikeMeehan]

Bourque's gotta be the most likeable guy in hockey

[@NHnomad]

I was there. Great moment. Class all the way.

[@hvancdykempf2068]

EXCELLENT - BRUINS HISTORY OF WINNERS !

[@locutus1126]

only in hockey would you ever see a gesture like this.

[@lynneferencik1378]

Class and respect from these two is no surprise !

[@jetshull]

Boy what a character, they'll never have another phil esposito, one of a kind, good stuff.

[@bbb462cid]

If you don't believe in the hockey Gods well...Bourque made this classy pass to Espo in 1987. What goes around comes around. Ray waited until 2001 and then he got a nice pass from Joe Sakic. That's an intervening 14 years Ray waited. 7+7 is 14.

[@ricardospaniard9050]

Amen to that. His surrender of the jersey was the proverbial sacrifice at the altar so to speak.

[@AEMoreira81]

Anyone wondering why Bourque only had an "A" on his jersey...the Bruins had a co-captaincy at the time with Bourque (wearing the "C" for away games) and Rick Middleton (wearing the "C" for home games). After Middleton's retirement following the 1987-88 season, Bourque would be the sole captain until 2000.

[@Navdan87]

3 Bruin greats on the ice at the same time! Orr, Esposito, and Bourque!!

[@user-hv1bh4wj8u]

Эспо - великий хоккеист! Спасибо ему!

[@tigerhockey7]

his is one of the most selfless displays ever in sports...Phil and Ray are both two of the greatest ever

[@bgd360]

This is incredible! To be in the building on that night.... You just don’t see this level of class in sports anymore.

[@RonCoglianese]

A classy move and one of the greatest moments in NHL history.

[@robertbutts9835]

What an amazing player

[@rabbel]

Well, karma is powerful thing. Ray was rewarded for what he did there when Sakic gave him the cup in 2001 without hoisting it first.

[@oldgordo61]

He never asked to be traded, the briuns organization made an arrangement to trade to a team that had a chance to win the Stanley Cuo and Bourque was at the end of his carreer. The organization knew they didn't the team to accomplish that and as a goodwill guesture they wanted to do something nice for a great player. Bourque would have stayed on, no questions asked if they asked him to remain with the briuns, til he retired, that's the kind of guy he was. A class act and a professional.

[@dinkolukin]

pure class...

[@thehistory5401]

Esposito and Orr beat Gretzky and Coffee 10 times out of 10!

[@gio8284]

what a great player!!

[@MoonbatsAreDingbats]

Love ya Ray -- you will always be a Bruin to me.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Love that name, Esposito ...special last name

[@sergioalpert66]

Phil Esposito was the greatest Bruin of all-time. Unstoppable. Put team Canada on his back and beat the Soviets in the 1972 Summit Series.

[@rejean2744]

I was there. A great night.

[@Paulthegorilla]

I remember this like it was yesterday.

[@mykeduncan2399]

Bourque has to turn his back to Esposito..0:22 To show off his new number lol

[@dnasty312]

Just to confirm *#7* is Espo's forever. He was told they were going to share the number initially

[@papabits5721]

Bobby Orr and Phil, that was hockey night in Canada

[@simonmarshall19]

He was the last player to get his number retired at the old gardens . That’s something . I have so much respect for Ray Bourque . Giving up #7 .

[@rathofturkey]

Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and Ray Bourque all together like that? You don’t have to be a Bruin’s fan to know that’s special.

[@wadeyearsago]

The Boston Garden was designed for the number one sport at that time-boxing. It explains the steep angle of the balconies and excellent sight lines. Other than Fenway Park they were the most uncomfortable seats in history. But first row first balcony was one of the best places to watch Hockey or Basketball.