Well, Phil earned it. There was a BIG story within the story and I wonder how many picked it up. No, it's not Bourques jester. Phil was a little resentful that the B's traded him even after he was retired and that Orr got all the acolades from the fans for the 70's teams. So when they use to ask Phil who was the greatest hockey player of all time, Phil would always answer "Wayne Gretzky". Of course Phil knew better, and he corrected the record at this time and still says Orr's the best!
"I could give one damn about Boston. Okay?! I don't care about Boston" Who Phil roots for (Tampa Bay) -- that's his prerogative, and it's beside the point. Phil went too far ... he blatantly disrespected Boston, a city that thought of him as a hero ... and it was totally uncalled for!
Ray Bourque gave this fool his number back upon retirement? "Zero class Esposito -- nice going, you jackass!"
@KarmicOmen tAKE THE NUMBER "7" DOWN!! And I've been a Bruins fan from 1969 and what he said and the way he said it! Im not bitter if Phil roots for the Lightning but its the way he talked about our city and team!!!
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.
@stevieray351 Hate to break it to you but all Orr did was skate pretty.....while getting himself out of position. Take a look at how many assists Esposito got.....a boatload. He would have had a lot more if Orr could finish. Espostio imposed his will and put the puck in the net....something Orr couldn't do.
@sergioalpert66 8 straight norris trophies and two art ross trophies, plus 3 hart trophies.... ya he couldnt finish.... He was a DEFENSEMAN, and scored 46 goals in a season.... 102 assists in one season, id call that more than skating pretty, your a complete jackass and you know it
@JFiannaca Exactly thats what I love about Bourque, it's almost like he didnt know just how great he was.... Same with Sakic, in no way did they act like the superstars that they were
When Esposito was traded from Boston, he said "if its the the Rangers, I'll jump out to the street" the GM of Boston then started opening up the hotel window lol. Esposito went though to NY and became a fan faorite and he grew to love the city and the Rangers fans. Esposito is a class act and a great guy.
Vis a vis the A on Bourque's jersey; that season would be the last of four seasons in which Bourque wore the "C" only for away games. There were two captains that year, hence why Bourque was introduced as captain.
That is all class. It's too bad that Bourque didn't get to win the Cup as a member of the Bruins and had to be traded to get a crack at it (which he did to end his career).
i saw a phil esposito interview, he said ray says to him when he handed him the jersey, this is your number phil and its always been yours, what a class act
At least the Habs didn't give their numbers to other players after they leaft.That in itself shows gratitude and honour,Something you apparantly know very little of.You sir are an incredible bolt head!! Where do you buy your shirts? MORONS ARE US? I'll bet yours says I'M STUPID,KICK ME IN THE BALLS!!
What are you babbling about jackass? Take a look at the homo Habs and see how long they took to retire Dryden, Gainey, Robinson and Roy. Before you take the dick out of your mouth, next time get the facts straight. Moron!
@TheRaptorrider700 You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't think its even the greatest moment in Bourque's career. Him raising the cup and a little know event called "The Miracle on Ice" are better.
My favorite part is when Esposito says "I'd be remiss if I didn't thank the greatest player who ever played this game; Bobby Orr." I just love that it's Ray Bourque honoring Phil Esposito, and Phil still has to honor Bobby Orr. So cool.
I hope everyone realizes that he didn't win the cup the year he was traded to Colorado. The year he won, he spent the full season there. He wanted to win that badly. All you people who disrespect him are plain dumb.
Was Gretzky not a great player because he played for 4 teams, and almost won the cup with LA? All you haters...GET A LIFE!
go to hell 5string, your so ignorant, ray bourque was and is a great person and one of the best defenceman to ever play this game. im very glad ray had the opprortunity to win a cup. he played lond enough without one! ha great organization in boston. i am from hockeytown, too. so there im a hockeyfan first, wings fan second. Good luck bruins in 09 playoffs. Go wings
i went to high school with his son chris who is now with the washington capitals....it was a boarding school in the middle of nowhere massachusetts, but ray made it to every single practice and every single game as a volunteer coach, hes one of the nicest and classiest people ive ever met not to mention one of the greatest hockey players to ever live
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.
Ray Bourque did not ask to get traded. He did state that he considersing retiring. Harry Sinden ( Bruins GM at the time) was told to trade him by many faithful Boston fans ( myself included) , along with many from the Bruins organization to give him a final chance to win the Stanley Cup.
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.
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I still say Bourque is a fucking tool and I don't care what any of you chowderheads think of it. Any man that is the face of a franchise and decides to jump ship and play 20 fucking games with another team to win a cup is a selfish asshole. I lost all respect for him after that and his name should be askterisked on the Cup. He had no business wearing Espo's number in the first place, the Bruins were assholes for issuing it out. BTW, comments will be ignored. Bruins will choke in the 1st rd!
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.
Today's new indoor arenas are cookie-cutter copycats with little to no character. It's a shame that they were built at about the same time as the new, retro looking baseball parks (Camden Yards and up), using none of the imagination those stadium architects employed. Can you imagine if the new Garden was designed with charactertistics and hints of the old Garden? Likewise in Chicago, Montreal and Toronto? When they build a new MSG in NYC, naybe someone will at least give this concept a try.
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.
shows you how much class hockey players really have. to have that much respect for such a great player to do something like that, hockey players are in a class of their own
theres just one that comes close, Joe Sakic showing the same class ray showed esposito, getting the cup as captain and giving it right to ray so he could raise it first...after 22 years RAYMOND BOURQUE!!!
bobby orr realized that he could never be the same after his knee surgeries so he requested a trade. while with the blackhawks he never cashed a check because he knew he was always a bruin
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Yup... everything was always about Ray. The guy couldn't even let Espo have his moment. This act says, "Look at me, look at me." Gutless, absolutely gutless.
or they could have shared a number and both would be remembered as 77. numbers are important and define a player team and organization. yeah 2 77's hanging from the rafters. phil was so deeply disturbed by bourque's selfish act that: "What this young man did tonight is something that I'll never, ever, ever forget no matter what happens in my life Raymond Borque. Never."
Ray put Espo in a very difficult position. At that point and time Ray was already a hero in Boston and Espo hadn't been in the community for about 10 years. If Espo had said what he really thought of Ray's selfish, grand-standing act he would have been booed out of the Garden. The most storied franchise in North American sport, the Yankees, have one number retire for two players. It hasn't seemed to affect the love of Yogi and Dickie any. Make no mistake about it, Ray's act was selfish.
Wow, clearly Espo did not see it that way, he was touched by Bourque's unique display of class. Look up the word C-l-a-s-s in a dictionary if you can read.
That's just ridiculous. He wrote a book and wasn't afraid to take shots at people, but was complementary about Bourque. It meant a lot to him to know his number would never be used again. Nowadays teams retire numbers of guys who played for them a few years (Yvon Labre, Ken Daneyko, Barry Ashbee) or who died (Bob Gassoff, Michel Briere). I think it's wrong that the Avalanche retired Bourque's number. That's just stupid.
You seem to have a hard on for Bourque. What do you have against him?
Ray's selfishness speaks for itself. My problem is that B's fans have grown so blind that they feel that they have to worship another athlete who gave up on them. Then, to make matters worse, Ray brought the Cup back to Boston and is hailed as a hero. I found his betrayal tasteless but his cup tour was the equivalent of a big "up yours" to the entire city. And yet, we still revere the drama queen. Go figure.
I can see how that would bother you. I can't imagine say, Denis Savard bring the Cup to Chicago in 1993 when he won it with Montreal. His situation was different; he was run out of town by Mike Keenan, he wasn't given a choice. Why did Bourque bring the Cup to Boston? The Bruins didn't win it, and that does sound like rubbing it in.
I'm sure that Ray's motives for bringing the cup to Boston were two fold. One, he obviously had friends and compatriots who he wanted to share his good fortune with. Two, it was an opportunity for Ray to grandstand and show up the team that employed and paid him every respect. It is the second motive that I think shows him for what he was. He always pointed the finger at management when the B's fell short of their ultimate goal.
He, like others in the media, failed to acknowledge the era in which he played as the reason why they couldn't bring home the cup. The B's of the late 80's were a tremendous team but they ran into the Gretzky and Messier led dynasty. Then, once the Oilers faded from prominence, the Pens emerged to be led by the greatest physical-offensive talent of all time.
Those B's teams have nothing to be ashamed of yet the media and Ray always profess that management didn't give them the depth of talent to push them over the top... Bullshit. There wasn't a trade out there that could have pushed the B's talent level to that of the late Oilers dynasty and Pens powerhouse. When Ray left the B's he did so knowing that the fans had already turned on the Bruin's franchise. There were no repercussions and his "victory tour" was met with no distain. I don't get it.
Once again you are wrong. You are consistently wrong about all matters concerning this great sport. Ray isn't selfish, he did the right thing. And as far as the Cup goes. Anyone would do the same thing. You probably blame Orr for leave to Chicago too when in reality it was Eagleson's fault.
Ignorant talk about a great hockey player no matter your personal jealous feelings about him.
How is bringing the cup, that he won with another team, back to Boston the right thing? The fact that he had the nerve to do it just shows what he thinks of the team, that employed him, and the city, who loved him. There isn't a spin that can be created that can explain his act other that for what it was. It was the biggest snub of his former teammates and fans that could possible be orchastrated. Any yet, Bruin fans think that it's a show of respect. It was a petty display by a petty man.
I love how Bruin fans cling to the notion that Bobby didn't have some part in the decision to end his time with the B's. Again, it is just another example of a fan base that has to lie to itself in order to preserve their failing relevance. The fact is that Bobby had a choice to go back to Boston but he chose not to. Whether he chose to leave Boston because he knew he would never be the same type of player or that money talks and bullshit walks, only Bobby knows for sure.
How is it that we come across different video's all the time and consistently have completely different opinions on a certain players character.You consistently bash every player that has left the Bruins or any team for that matter. I am sorry but the opportunity to win the Cup is a good enough reason to think about yourself for once and not the team you've played for. Ray and Bobby both had massive character issues? Bull Shit. So who doesn't have character issues Alexander Diagle?
It sounds like your of the opinion that I'm picking on the Bruin. I'm simply restating the facts. By criticing ole Number 4 and 77 I know that I am treading upon sacred ground but consider the angle of my contentions. I'm critical of Bruin fans for giving Bobby and Ray a free pass when it comes to their decisions to leave the B's. Both men left of their own free will and yet fans blindly point a finger at everyone but the true guilty party. I can't stand when people revise history.
Actually Bobby WAS returning to Boston to finish his career and it TOM JOHNSON, HARRY'S LACKEY, who said "Bobby Orr is finished in Boston" Orr heard this and went to Chicago. For every great deal Harry ever swung, he has done equal or MORE damage to the franchise. HE SUCKS
Thats false. The Bruins offered Orr 18% ownership of the team, but his agent, Alan Eagleson, never told Orr about it. Eagleson later went to jail for various crimes including defrauding the NHL pension fund.
Actually, we are both correct. While true that Eagleson Screwed Orr as much or MORE than Harry did by NOT telling him of the offer, It was Johnson's remarks that were the clicher for Bobby. Perhaps, if Harry and Bobby had dealt one on one this would have been avoided. But lets face it, and if your a longtime B's fan you'll know that Harry has a LONG track record of stabbing players in the back. Like sending Phil to NY for one thing after promising him he wouldnt.
You are right about Harry having a track record of treating people poorly, but I can't include the Espo deal as part of that. Espo was becoming a problem for the Bruins and Don Cherry wanted him moved. Plus, they got Brad Park and Jean Ratelle for him, and laid the groundwork for the Hodge/Middleton deal.
Eagleson (as NHLPA head) and Bill Wirtz (Blackhawks owner, board of governors chairman) colluded to keep salaries down, and colluded to get Orr to Chicago. How was Harry to know?
Well the reason I mention the espo deal is that it is well documented in Thunder and Lighting and Grapes as well as a few other places, that Harry promised Espo that during his previous contract negotiations that, if Espo would forgo the No Trade Clause, that IF he did DEAL HIM, that HARRY would NOT send him to NY which is exactly what the bastard did. Now, did I love having the two best defensmen in the game on the points for 10 games and a guy like Ratelle? sure. Im with you there.
But given how it turned out... NO CUPS, I'd have rather hung on to Phil and Vad and avoided the whole Bourque fiasco. Giving him #7 was strictly another Bastard Harry poke in the eye to phil. Harry Sinden sucks and has been Jeremy's no salaries lackey for decades. I wish they'd both die. If Jacobs needed to ruin a team so badly he should've bought the Sabres and stayed the F in Buffalo
You just HAD to bring THAt up huh? I STILL PISSED OFF at that. But in the end its still woulda shoulda coulda. Would they have stomped the Rangers? Sure, But Espo got there and THEY didnt. Bad luck call or not. And I LOVE GRAPES,MET him once TOO. But he screwed up big time that day.
Ray Bourque. What a class act. For 100 years the crowd will erupt whenever his name is mentioned in Boston. His superb defensive genius would have made General Patton smile.
Ray Bourque giving up the number- class all the way. Imagine one of these prima donnas in the NFL or NBA doing that, they'd have a team of agents writing up the contract for payment-- I agree with the previous post that the old NHL is long gone but at least the current one has some remnants of class, unlike today's morons in most other sports.
Times like this are the only reason I still watch the Bruins. I love how the real Garden hadn't yet been riddled with advertising like the whored out Banknorth Garden and new NHL. I miss the Garden, the real Bruins, and most importantly the real NHL may it R.I.P
эспозито - продажное канадское говно!!!
MaxHighway43 2 days ago
3 Bruin greats on the ice at the same time! Orr, Esposito, and Bourque!!
Navdan87 1 month ago
As A Habs Fan one of the 3 Bruins Players I actually liked and respected very much along with Bobby Orr and Brad Park.
BBQFanNo1 2 months ago
Well, Phil earned it. There was a BIG story within the story and I wonder how many picked it up. No, it's not Bourques jester. Phil was a little resentful that the B's traded him even after he was retired and that Orr got all the acolades from the fans for the 70's teams. So when they use to ask Phil who was the greatest hockey player of all time, Phil would always answer "Wayne Gretzky". Of course Phil knew better, and he corrected the record at this time and still says Orr's the best!
5inthehole 7 months ago
capicola is the greatest....and thats why its on the Esposito!!
bbri1991 7 months ago
I remember this like it was yesterday.
Paulthegorilla 7 months ago
Class Act.. thats right
marcx3333 8 months ago
Class Act
marcx3333 8 months ago
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.
rabbel 8 months ago
What Phil thinks of Boston as of May 2011:
watch?v=YNla67eIhFs
"I could give one damn about Boston. Okay?! I don't care about Boston" Who Phil roots for (Tampa Bay) -- that's his prerogative, and it's beside the point. Phil went too far ... he blatantly disrespected Boston, a city that thought of him as a hero ... and it was totally uncalled for!
Ray Bourque gave this fool his number back upon retirement? "Zero class Esposito -- nice going, you jackass!"
KarmicOmen 8 months ago
@KarmicOmen tAKE THE NUMBER "7" DOWN!! And I've been a Bruins fan from 1969 and what he said and the way he said it! Im not bitter if Phil roots for the Lightning but its the way he talked about our city and team!!!
12gianna 8 months ago
@KarmicOmen
Karma took care of him ... have a nice, hot, humid summer TBL!
KarmicOmen 8 months ago
Esposito......the rebounder...
dornmichael1948 8 months ago
"This is yours big guy and its always been yours. It never should have been anyone elses." I bleed black and gold. Habs suck.
7redsox46 9 months ago 3
bump
18sach 11 months ago
not a bruins fan... but this is greatness.
arkham335 1 year ago 2
Jesus saves, Espo picks up the rebound and scores....
bb1134 1 year ago
@bb1134 espo scores on the rebound
stevieray351 10 months ago
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.
Madisonrvr 1 year ago
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.
sergioalpert66 1 year ago
@sergioalpert66 ever heard of Bobby Orr?
stevieray351 1 year ago
@stevieray351 Orr was very good......once Esposito arrived in Boston.
sergioalpert66 1 year ago
@sergioalpert66 orr was espo great because he had bobby dishing him the puck? EXACTLY
stevieray351 1 year ago
@stevieray351 Hate to break it to you but all Orr did was skate pretty.....while getting himself out of position. Take a look at how many assists Esposito got.....a boatload. He would have had a lot more if Orr could finish. Espostio imposed his will and put the puck in the net....something Orr couldn't do.
sergioalpert66 1 year ago
@sergioalpert66 8 straight norris trophies and two art ross trophies, plus 3 hart trophies.... ya he couldnt finish.... He was a DEFENSEMAN, and scored 46 goals in a season.... 102 assists in one season, id call that more than skating pretty, your a complete jackass and you know it
stevieray351 11 months ago
@sergioalpert66 i guess you missed the part where esposito thanks the greatest player to ever play the game, bobby orr
stevieray351 11 months ago
@sergioalpert66 ha...man you couldn't be any more wrong
JoeyPencils 11 months ago
@sergioalpert66 argument=fail
amcoho4 9 months ago
Love ya Ray -- you will always be a Bruin to me.
MoonbatsAreDingbats 1 year ago
Class act and Karma came around when Sakic did one of the classiest things in sports history for Bourqur
JFiannaca 1 year ago
@JFiannaca Exactly thats what I love about Bourque, it's almost like he didnt know just how great he was.... Same with Sakic, in no way did they act like the superstars that they were
stevieray351 1 year ago
One of the best moments..I ever saw in hockey!! Bourque PURE CLASS!! ESPO, one of my favorite players of al l time!!!
krusty0007 1 year ago
espo & bourque, class acts all the way!great stuff
rufusgrass 1 year ago
CLASS!! All the way!
TheGeorgecostanza 1 year ago
so great - I love youtube because you find this stuff - I came from watching some 1972 Summit series vids - ESPO!
vahekatros 1 year ago
Espo!
7redsox46 1 year ago
How cool was that?
Lava1964 1 year ago
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Leadership, Sportsmanship and Class.
mad12b 1 year ago
Leadership, Sportsmanship and Class.
mad12b 1 year ago
The amount of talent in that building at that moment is staggering.
wewd 1 year ago
I will never ever ever forget this and what ever happens in life Raymond Bourque never thats also class by Espo to!!!
TheTopcat45 1 year ago
why would anyone thumbs down this video?
mrhockeyluke 1 year ago
@mrhockeyluke ... MUST be a canadiens fan.
eric829 1 year ago
2010 Bruins season tickets are sold out!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it. Beat those Habs
hoth1138 1 year ago
Very classy...this is what the Bruins are all about!
ryman1075 1 year ago
Ray Bourque what a beauty !!
guanaco103 1 year ago
I remember this very well...I always thought that was a great gesture by Bourque.
Esposito was always out spoken and there are not many hockey players left out there who are.
It's too bad because players like that are good for the game.
qbc176 1 year ago
My dad talks about this all the time cuz he was at this game!
BandOfBrothers11 1 year ago
Wow! What a great moment !!
Navdan87 1 year ago
When Esposito was traded from Boston, he said "if its the the Rangers, I'll jump out to the street" the GM of Boston then started opening up the hotel window lol. Esposito went though to NY and became a fan faorite and he grew to love the city and the Rangers fans. Esposito is a class act and a great guy.
bbasher79 1 year ago
Ray is the man I love this video! Shows how much class this guy has!
bruinsdolphins2009 1 year ago
this is what this game is all about
origamiburitto 1 year ago
Class act by Bourque.
90sHipHopCentral 1 year ago 2
Greatest indoor arena ever.
windtested 1 year ago 2
Vis a vis the A on Bourque's jersey; that season would be the last of four seasons in which Bourque wore the "C" only for away games. There were two captains that year, hence why Bourque was introduced as captain.
That is all class. It's too bad that Bourque didn't get to win the Cup as a member of the Bruins and had to be traded to get a crack at it (which he did to end his career).
AEMoreira81 1 year ago 2
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AEMoreira81 1 year ago
100% Class.
mapgoon 1 year ago
now thats class
princy12 1 year ago
the crazy thing is Ray was known as one of the greatest to ever play the game, and he was only about 25 at this time....WHAT A PLAYER Ray was.
stevieray351 2 years ago 3
Bourque,always a class act.
Sircornflakes 2 years ago 36
Bourque is a man
ristainoj1 2 years ago 3
epic
treymcneil 2 years ago
jesus saves....esposito scores on the rebound
stevieray351 2 years ago 6
I had that on my front door as a kid!!!! GO BROONS!
JoeyPencils 2 years ago
Bourque is classy.
ooxcfhxoo 2 years ago
i saw a phil esposito interview, he said ray says to him when he handed him the jersey, this is your number phil and its always been yours, what a class act
stevieray351 2 years ago 2
thatta boy ray!!!
stevieray351 2 years ago
Actually it was 1987. By then the NHL had started allowing sponsor advertising on the dasherboards. Bourque's #77 has since been retired.
GateStudios 2 years ago
God, that place was loud.
wmerck26 2 years ago 2
I hate the Bruins but I would rank Esposito as the 3rd greatest centermen of alltime.Go Habs!!!!!!!!!!
ottvalley 2 years ago
At least the Habs didn't give their numbers to other players after they leaft.That in itself shows gratitude and honour,Something you apparantly know very little of.You sir are an incredible bolt head!! Where do you buy your shirts? MORONS ARE US? I'll bet yours says I'M STUPID,KICK ME IN THE BALLS!!
ottvalley 2 years ago
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The Bruins should have retired that number way before this ceremony,stupid ungrateful assholes.Go Habs!!
ottvalley 2 years ago
What are you babbling about jackass? Take a look at the homo Habs and see how long they took to retire Dryden, Gainey, Robinson and Roy. Before you take the dick out of your mouth, next time get the facts straight. Moron!
jimmyd044 2 years ago
his is one of the most selfless displays ever in sports...Phil and Ray are both two of the greatest ever
tigerhockey7 2 years ago 3
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stevieray351 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
One monkey finally retire!
wg390 2 years ago
greatest moment that will ever happen in sports history
TheRaptorrider700 2 years ago 20
1980? =]
australoameribelge03 2 years ago
@TheRaptorrider700 You're entitled to your opinion, but I don't think its even the greatest moment in Bourque's career. Him raising the cup and a little know event called "The Miracle on Ice" are better.
UWBADGER13 1 year ago
pretty crazy that in 1987, bourque was already considered to be one of the greatest ever...miss him and espo.
jmiller006 2 years ago 4
What year was that?
norm58 2 years ago
Way too late!!! December 1987.
voisindo 2 years ago
actually it's 'Espie,' not EsPO.
caesarcerf 2 years ago
Espo was one of the greats.
ottvalley 2 years ago
Simmons is a homer. Lakers BABY!
ctmexperiment 2 years ago
Simmons
mflinner 2 years ago
Both class A guys. Met Bourque; he was so humble.
72gibson 2 years ago
My favorite part is when Esposito says "I'd be remiss if I didn't thank the greatest player who ever played this game; Bobby Orr." I just love that it's Ray Bourque honoring Phil Esposito, and Phil still has to honor Bobby Orr. So cool.
mattmill88 2 years ago 2
Goose bumps... freaking goose bumps every time I watch this.
Alkeoholic77 2 years ago
just shows the man that Ray was
TDMEL52 2 years ago
Simmons
805Bruin 2 years ago
Felt like a Rocky-speech in the beginning.
jockejocke1 2 years ago
Really could care less about the Bruins, but that is awesome, one of the best sports videos I've ever seen. Espo is genuine.
ruddybunk 2 years ago
This video shows why Ray Borque was a leader. Sidney Crosby take notice!
mikko522 2 years ago 4
and he's got the A on his jersey. Crosby doesn't deserve the C, Don Cherry was right.
ike6116 2 years ago 3
this is hands down one of my fav moments in sports history...
what a gesture of respect..
Showmemusic 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I just happy that one asshole retire
wg390 2 years ago
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what the fuck is this! this the dumest vidioe ever! p.s I havea dick
INONINO305 2 years ago
here's a dumb question: why was bourque introduced as the captain when he clearly had an 'A' on his sweater?
mlc040709 2 years ago
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oh yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa i have hairy vagina
INONINO305 2 years ago
He was a co-captain at that time.
Tubewings 2 years ago
BOSTON BRUINS FOREVER
Thelookoutslookout 2 years ago 2
JESUS SAVES!!!!!
and Esposito scores on the rebound!!!!!!!!
digger12del 2 years ago
I hope everyone realizes that he didn't win the cup the year he was traded to Colorado. The year he won, he spent the full season there. He wanted to win that badly. All you people who disrespect him are plain dumb.
Was Gretzky not a great player because he played for 4 teams, and almost won the cup with LA? All you haters...GET A LIFE!
voltamars2111 2 years ago 2
go to hell 5string, your so ignorant, ray bourque was and is a great person and one of the best defenceman to ever play this game. im very glad ray had the opprortunity to win a cup. he played lond enough without one! ha great organization in boston. i am from hockeytown, too. so there im a hockeyfan first, wings fan second. Good luck bruins in 09 playoffs. Go wings
babybluesnowden 2 years ago
i went to high school with his son chris who is now with the washington capitals....it was a boarding school in the middle of nowhere massachusetts, but ray made it to every single practice and every single game as a volunteer coach, hes one of the nicest and classiest people ive ever met not to mention one of the greatest hockey players to ever live
stevieray351 2 years ago 2
77 ratings...weird
stevieray351 2 years ago
Yeah its kinde spooky ratings. Hope it says this way
Alexanderzzzzon 2 years ago
My god. I can't spell. I ment "KINDA" and "STAYS"...
Alexanderzzzzon 2 years ago
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.
batmanjwo 2 years ago
Ray Bourque did not ask to get traded. He did state that he considersing retiring. Harry Sinden ( Bruins GM at the time) was told to trade him by many faithful Boston fans ( myself included) , along with many from the Bruins organization to give him a final chance to win the Stanley Cup.
voisindo 2 years ago 2
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.
batmanjwo 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I still say Bourque is a fucking tool and I don't care what any of you chowderheads think of it. Any man that is the face of a franchise and decides to jump ship and play 20 fucking games with another team to win a cup is a selfish asshole. I lost all respect for him after that and his name should be askterisked on the Cup. He had no business wearing Espo's number in the first place, the Bruins were assholes for issuing it out. BTW, comments will be ignored. Bruins will choke in the 1st rd!
5stringofFernandoSor 2 years ago
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.
oldgordo61 2 years ago 3
Today's new indoor arenas are cookie-cutter copycats with little to no character. It's a shame that they were built at about the same time as the new, retro looking baseball parks (Camden Yards and up), using none of the imagination those stadium architects employed. Can you imagine if the new Garden was designed with charactertistics and hints of the old Garden? Likewise in Chicago, Montreal and Toronto? When they build a new MSG in NYC, naybe someone will at least give this concept a try.
OrrCountry 2 years ago
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.
wadeyearsago 2 years ago 2
Pure Class
IMakeMoreMoneyThanYo 2 years ago
Bobby hasn't aged a day since this video
wmerck26 2 years ago
puts a smile to my face... always :)
29pens48fan25hockey 2 years ago
I will never forget that night two class acts Ray, and Espo! Espo is a bruin forever.
vonelk1234 2 years ago
Jesus Saves...and Espo Scores on the Rebound
bionicbigfoot 2 years ago 3
hahaha
dreforsleep 2 years ago
I had that bumper sticker on my front door as a kid...
had the shirt that siad "the Turk is Unreal"
JoeyPencils 2 years ago
Maple Leaf Gardens,Boston Gardens Chicago Stadium these are real arenas and best of all times!!!
outlaw1989 2 years ago
Wow, the first time Espo was speechless. Bourque exudes class!!! What a moment!!!
bluejay93 2 years ago 3
Probably my all time favourite "Gahden" moment. Thanks for posting.
hepenypacker 2 years ago
Joe Sakic does the same thing when he give the cup to Ray in 2001!!! you call that pass the buck
matslou 2 years ago
shows you how much class hockey players really have. to have that much respect for such a great player to do something like that, hockey players are in a class of their own
chowski28 2 years ago
Men like Ray Bourque, Phil Espisito and Bobby Orr are what the word CLASS and EXCELLENCE are all about.
lonewolf3136 3 years ago 3
chills - to this day the best indoor arena ever AND the loudest
chills
windtested 3 years ago
BOBBY ORR PHIL ESPOSITO JOHN BUCYK WOOO Long Live Bruins
Bam420Bam 3 years ago
phil kessel, blake wheeler, david kreji, Bruins are still LONG LIVING!
lorenzo9389 2 years ago
i defy anyone on youtube to relate an act so selfless in the worls of sports. WOW
juiceman1965 3 years ago
theres just one that comes close, Joe Sakic showing the same class ray showed esposito, getting the cup as captain and giving it right to ray so he could raise it first...after 22 years RAYMOND BOURQUE!!!
stevieray351 3 years ago
agreed, it just shows you how much your teammates and the game mean to them...beauty
chowski28 2 years ago
That has to be the classiest thing I've ever seen anyone in sports do. I don't think it will ever be topped by anyone
jmrus2007 3 years ago 2
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!
canadian49 3 years ago 2
one word-class
fbug99 3 years ago 2
bobby orr realized that he could never be the same after his knee surgeries so he requested a trade. while with the blackhawks he never cashed a check because he knew he was always a bruin
CBsydney22 3 years ago
Ya! Go Bruins
TheWizKid97 3 years ago
thats my great great great grandpa :P
ZzExtreams 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
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waterburger102190 3 years ago
JESUS SAVES!...Esposito scores on the rebound
stevieray351 3 years ago 4
Ummm.. excussssse me have any of you everplayed the game?????
fabre63 3 years ago
yes
stacktrick 3 years ago
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knigaru3 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Yup... everything was always about Ray. The guy couldn't even let Espo have his moment. This act says, "Look at me, look at me." Gutless, absolutely gutless.
dome1972 3 years ago
or they could have shared a number and both would be remembered as 77. numbers are important and define a player team and organization. yeah 2 77's hanging from the rafters. phil was so deeply disturbed by bourque's selfish act that: "What this young man did tonight is something that I'll never, ever, ever forget no matter what happens in my life Raymond Borque. Never."
stacktrick 3 years ago
Ray put Espo in a very difficult position. At that point and time Ray was already a hero in Boston and Espo hadn't been in the community for about 10 years. If Espo had said what he really thought of Ray's selfish, grand-standing act he would have been booed out of the Garden. The most storied franchise in North American sport, the Yankees, have one number retire for two players. It hasn't seemed to affect the love of Yogi and Dickie any. Make no mistake about it, Ray's act was selfish.
dome1972 3 years ago
Wow, clearly Espo did not see it that way, he was touched by Bourque's unique display of class. Look up the word C-l-a-s-s in a dictionary if you can read.
MidnightRambler444 3 years ago
That's just ridiculous. He wrote a book and wasn't afraid to take shots at people, but was complementary about Bourque. It meant a lot to him to know his number would never be used again. Nowadays teams retire numbers of guys who played for them a few years (Yvon Labre, Ken Daneyko, Barry Ashbee) or who died (Bob Gassoff, Michel Briere). I think it's wrong that the Avalanche retired Bourque's number. That's just stupid.
You seem to have a hard on for Bourque. What do you have against him?
chijim222 3 years ago
Ray's selfishness speaks for itself. My problem is that B's fans have grown so blind that they feel that they have to worship another athlete who gave up on them. Then, to make matters worse, Ray brought the Cup back to Boston and is hailed as a hero. I found his betrayal tasteless but his cup tour was the equivalent of a big "up yours" to the entire city. And yet, we still revere the drama queen. Go figure.
dome1972 3 years ago
I can see how that would bother you. I can't imagine say, Denis Savard bring the Cup to Chicago in 1993 when he won it with Montreal. His situation was different; he was run out of town by Mike Keenan, he wasn't given a choice. Why did Bourque bring the Cup to Boston? The Bruins didn't win it, and that does sound like rubbing it in.
chijim222 3 years ago
I'm sure that Ray's motives for bringing the cup to Boston were two fold. One, he obviously had friends and compatriots who he wanted to share his good fortune with. Two, it was an opportunity for Ray to grandstand and show up the team that employed and paid him every respect. It is the second motive that I think shows him for what he was. He always pointed the finger at management when the B's fell short of their ultimate goal.
dome1972 3 years ago
He, like others in the media, failed to acknowledge the era in which he played as the reason why they couldn't bring home the cup. The B's of the late 80's were a tremendous team but they ran into the Gretzky and Messier led dynasty. Then, once the Oilers faded from prominence, the Pens emerged to be led by the greatest physical-offensive talent of all time.
dome1972 3 years ago
Those B's teams have nothing to be ashamed of yet the media and Ray always profess that management didn't give them the depth of talent to push them over the top... Bullshit. There wasn't a trade out there that could have pushed the B's talent level to that of the late Oilers dynasty and Pens powerhouse. When Ray left the B's he did so knowing that the fans had already turned on the Bruin's franchise. There were no repercussions and his "victory tour" was met with no distain. I don't get it.
dome1972 3 years ago
Once again you are wrong. You are consistently wrong about all matters concerning this great sport. Ray isn't selfish, he did the right thing. And as far as the Cup goes. Anyone would do the same thing. You probably blame Orr for leave to Chicago too when in reality it was Eagleson's fault.
Ignorant talk about a great hockey player no matter your personal jealous feelings about him.
slapshot254 3 years ago
How is bringing the cup, that he won with another team, back to Boston the right thing? The fact that he had the nerve to do it just shows what he thinks of the team, that employed him, and the city, who loved him. There isn't a spin that can be created that can explain his act other that for what it was. It was the biggest snub of his former teammates and fans that could possible be orchastrated. Any yet, Bruin fans think that it's a show of respect. It was a petty display by a petty man.
dome1972 3 years ago
I love how Bruin fans cling to the notion that Bobby didn't have some part in the decision to end his time with the B's. Again, it is just another example of a fan base that has to lie to itself in order to preserve their failing relevance. The fact is that Bobby had a choice to go back to Boston but he chose not to. Whether he chose to leave Boston because he knew he would never be the same type of player or that money talks and bullshit walks, only Bobby knows for sure.
dome1972 3 years ago
How is it that we come across different video's all the time and consistently have completely different opinions on a certain players character.You consistently bash every player that has left the Bruins or any team for that matter. I am sorry but the opportunity to win the Cup is a good enough reason to think about yourself for once and not the team you've played for. Ray and Bobby both had massive character issues? Bull Shit. So who doesn't have character issues Alexander Diagle?
slapshot254 3 years ago
It sounds like your of the opinion that I'm picking on the Bruin. I'm simply restating the facts. By criticing ole Number 4 and 77 I know that I am treading upon sacred ground but consider the angle of my contentions. I'm critical of Bruin fans for giving Bobby and Ray a free pass when it comes to their decisions to leave the B's. Both men left of their own free will and yet fans blindly point a finger at everyone but the true guilty party. I can't stand when people revise history.
dome1972 3 years ago
Actually Bobby WAS returning to Boston to finish his career and it TOM JOHNSON, HARRY'S LACKEY, who said "Bobby Orr is finished in Boston" Orr heard this and went to Chicago. For every great deal Harry ever swung, he has done equal or MORE damage to the franchise. HE SUCKS
rf396 3 years ago
Thats false. The Bruins offered Orr 18% ownership of the team, but his agent, Alan Eagleson, never told Orr about it. Eagleson later went to jail for various crimes including defrauding the NHL pension fund.
dafoomie 3 years ago
Actually, we are both correct. While true that Eagleson Screwed Orr as much or MORE than Harry did by NOT telling him of the offer, It was Johnson's remarks that were the clicher for Bobby. Perhaps, if Harry and Bobby had dealt one on one this would have been avoided. But lets face it, and if your a longtime B's fan you'll know that Harry has a LONG track record of stabbing players in the back. Like sending Phil to NY for one thing after promising him he wouldnt.
rf396 3 years ago
You are right about Harry having a track record of treating people poorly, but I can't include the Espo deal as part of that. Espo was becoming a problem for the Bruins and Don Cherry wanted him moved. Plus, they got Brad Park and Jean Ratelle for him, and laid the groundwork for the Hodge/Middleton deal.
Eagleson (as NHLPA head) and Bill Wirtz (Blackhawks owner, board of governors chairman) colluded to keep salaries down, and colluded to get Orr to Chicago. How was Harry to know?
dafoomie 3 years ago
Well the reason I mention the espo deal is that it is well documented in Thunder and Lighting and Grapes as well as a few other places, that Harry promised Espo that during his previous contract negotiations that, if Espo would forgo the No Trade Clause, that IF he did DEAL HIM, that HARRY would NOT send him to NY which is exactly what the bastard did. Now, did I love having the two best defensmen in the game on the points for 10 games and a guy like Ratelle? sure. Im with you there.
rf396 3 years ago
But given how it turned out... NO CUPS, I'd have rather hung on to Phil and Vad and avoided the whole Bourque fiasco. Giving him #7 was strictly another Bastard Harry poke in the eye to phil. Harry Sinden sucks and has been Jeremy's no salaries lackey for decades. I wish they'd both die. If Jacobs needed to ruin a team so badly he should've bought the Sabres and stayed the F in Buffalo
rf396 3 years ago
They were real close in 79. The Bruins would've rolled right over the Rangers in the finals if not for that too many men call.
dafoomie 3 years ago
You just HAD to bring THAt up huh? I STILL PISSED OFF at that. But in the end its still woulda shoulda coulda. Would they have stomped the Rangers? Sure, But Espo got there and THEY didnt. Bad luck call or not. And I LOVE GRAPES,MET him once TOO. But he screwed up big time that day.
rf396 3 years ago
Hey Dome1972, We've heard enough of your ignorant, ill-informed, ill-conceived crap. Now run along...crawl back into your hole.
OrrCountry 2 years ago
Ray Bourque. What a class act. For 100 years the crowd will erupt whenever his name is mentioned in Boston. His superb defensive genius would have made General Patton smile.
matt75hooper 3 years ago 2
of all the things ray did in his career, his most amazing is leaving phil esposito speechless
stevieray351 3 years ago
A SPEECHLESS PHIL ESPOSITO!!!!!!!!!!!!
that is a shock HAHAHAHAH LOL HAHAHAHAH
cptjrkov 3 years ago
Ray Bourque giving up the number- class all the way. Imagine one of these prima donnas in the NFL or NBA doing that, they'd have a team of agents writing up the contract for payment-- I agree with the previous post that the old NHL is long gone but at least the current one has some remnants of class, unlike today's morons in most other sports.
Madisonrvr 3 years ago 8
I was never a Bruins fan or Avalanche...but Ray Bourque is Grade A Top of the Heap in my book. I loved seeing him win the Stanley Cup.
Behind The Great One, Bourque was 2nd favorite hockey player ever.
gretzkysyotes 3 years ago 2
sory about not likeing u mikey have 5 stars all give 5 to all the pics by u in the future
Carabur 3 years ago
Times like this are the only reason I still watch the Bruins. I love how the real Garden hadn't yet been riddled with advertising like the whored out Banknorth Garden and new NHL. I miss the Garden, the real Bruins, and most importantly the real NHL may it R.I.P
OSHockey15 3 years ago 4