Tom Larson (sportscaster) explained

Tom Larson
Birth Name:Lanny Lee Larason
Birth Date:30 January 1939
Birth Place:Webster Groves, Missouri, U.S.
Death Place:Fredericksburg, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation:Sportscaster
Years Active:1960–2007
Known For:Boston Bruins broadcasts on WSBK-TV and NESN

Lanny Lee Larason (January 30, 1939 – November 22, 2023), known professionally as Tom Larson, was an American sportscaster and television host who worked in Boston from 1969 to 2007 and was the longtime host of Boston Bruins broadcasts on WSBK-TV and NESN.

Early years

Lanny Lee Larason was born and raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, where one of his friends was another future sportscaster, Skip Caray.[1] He began his broadcasting career in 1960 as a junior at Westminster College. After college, Larason worked in Bloomington, Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, and Lansing, Michigan.[2]

Career in Boston

In 1969, he was hired by WSBK-TV general manager Bill Flynn, who was looking for someone with a background in sports who could also host a public affairs talk show. Upon moving to Boston, Larason adopted the name "Tom Larson". During his tenure at WSBK, Larson hosted a daily talk show, hosted the post-game shows for the Boston Bruins and the Boston Red Sox, and served as the station's public affairs director. In 1985, Larson was replaced on Bruins games by Sean McDonough.[3]

From 1981 to 1988, Larson was also the sports director at WHDH radio, doing sports reports during Jess Cain's morning show. In 1983, he was recognized as the best TV sportscaster in Boston, by Boston magazine.[4]

In 1986, Larson joined the New England Sports Network, where he served as the studio host for Red Sox and Bruins games, wrote, produced, and reported for Front Row and a number of special presentations, and was a play-by-play announcer for college and high school sports.[5]

Larson retired from broadcasting in 2007. In 1981, Larson had promised to shave his beard if the Bruins won the Stanley Cup; he shaved his beard 30 years later after the Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.[6]

A former resident of Norwell, Massachusetts, Larson spent his later years in Fredericksburg, Virginia.[7] He died from complications of cancer on November 22, 2023, at the age of 84.[8] [9]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Fahey. Rich. 30 years later, his beard — and Bruins' heartache — are history. February 19, 2017. The Boston Globe. June 23, 2011.
  2. Web site: Tom Larson. NESN. Boston.com. February 19, 2017.
  3. News: Craig. Jack. Lobel hits jackpot. The Boston Globe. August 16, 1985.
  4. Web site: Tom Larson, Channel 38 . bostonmagazine.com . 1983 . September 29, 2017.
  5. News: Craig. Jackson. Sox Shows Get Early Start. The Boston Globe. October 7, 1986.
  6. News: Sticking to his promise. The Boston Globe. May 13, 1990.
  7. News: DuPont . Kevin Paul . Could the World Junior Championship be in Bruins rookie Matt Poitras's future . 26 November 2023 . The Boston Globe . November 25, 2023.
  8. News: Tom Larson, former sports host on Channel 38 and NESN, dies at 84 . Chad . Finn . Chad Finn . Boston Globe . November 24, 2023 . November 25, 2023.
  9. Web site: Lanny Lee Larason . Legacy.com . 26 November 2023.