God Bless Tommy.
Eleven championship rings...the last as a broadcaster.
Never met him, but, I have an old guy story. Years ago, we were heading into the entrance of a hospital and a cab pulled up at the door. The door opened on the passenger side and a guy in his 80's was "trying" to get out. We went over and helped him. He was 6'5" and both his knees were bad, but he was tall. First thing I said was "did you play ball?" We got into the line to check in and he got into a wheel chair and waited in the same line. "Yea, I played for Stonehill in 1955 and 56, I played center in my junior and senior years."
I took a wild guess..."did you play against Tommy Heinsohn?"
"Yes and he was good and yes he beat us up good. Holy Cross was a powerhouse in the day."
It was quiet, then he finished the story..."I'm eating dinner at a steakhouse 30 years ago (90's?)and across the room, there's Tommy sitting at a table with some guys. He saw me and got right up and came over to shake hands and ask about me. Imagine that? I played him in the 50's and he still remembered me. Good guy."
Holy Cross senior year 27 points a game and 21 rebounds.
NBA rookie of the year 1956.