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Sanders will inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor by the Veteran’s Committee, though it’s quite possible that his contributions as a defensive stopper on eight NBA title teams from 1961 to 1969 probably played a role in that as well.
Via “Satch Sanders Inducted Into Hall Of Fame” by Scott Schroeder
With the induction of Tom “Satch†Sanders, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame continues its torrid love affair with the Boston Celtics organization. Satch is the 33rdmember of the Celtic franchise to be inducted. I’ve not taken the time to research which organization is second, but they are likely far behind biting the dust whipped up by the stampede of Celtics being rushed to the Hall.
Even more incredibly with Sanders’s induction, the entire playoff 10-man rotation of the 1962-63 Celtics has now been inducted. Yes, you read that right. Tom Heinsohn, Sam Jones, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, Frank Ramsey, K.C. Jones, Cyde Lovellette and now Satch. In retrospect, the Los Angeles Lakers were fortunate to get 6 games against this Hall of Fame behemoth and the Cincinnati Royals were positively blessed from the Lord above to square off 7 times against Boston. Yes, this 10-man rotation of unbridled talent was… wait a minute.
[counts the number of inductees: 1)Tommy Points Heinsohn, 2) Sam Jones, 3) Bill Russell, 4)Houdini Cousy, 5) Hondo 6) Frank Ramsey, 7) K.C., 8) Clyde Lovellette, 9) Satch]
Well, nine is not ten (unless a mustachioed INgSOC commandant orders it so) and that means the Hall of Fame has neglected to induct the last member of Boston’s 10-man rotation: Jim Loscutoff. Poor guy. The 50 year championship reunion in 2013 is going to be exceedingly awkward with everyone else having neat, spiffy HoF jackets and Loscutoff in a corner brooding, secretly plotting to “accidentally” spill coffee on a coat or plant moths in their closets.
Actually, that may be cutting Loscutoff short on his deviousness. During his playing days he was known as the Hatchet Man. Gary Paulsen fans may get a kick out of that, but it was clearly not a picnic for opposing players to face off with “Loscyâ€. In any event, Loscy spent his whole career with Boston winning 7 championships. Unlike the Naismith Hall of Fame, the Celtics have done right by Loscutoff, retiring his #18… wait a minute.
#18 is retired by Boston but it’s for Dave Cowens, the stellar 70s MVP center. Loscutoff is again the odd man out. Apparently, the Celtics franchise copped out in honoring Loscy by retiring his nickname. Yes, a banner reading “Loscy†is what hangs in the TD Garden rafters. Seriously, cop out. Like the threat of any other player having that nickname would necessitate its retirement. They should have retired his #18 or at least the “Hatchet Man†moniker. Now that banner would draw genuine, piqued interest from young fans wondering who the legendary “Hatchet Man†was. Instead you’ll get sarcastic pondering like “’Loscy’? What kind of name is that?â€
All Loscutoff has to show for his Celtics tenure is a measly 7 championship rings while everyone else prances around in spiffy HoF sports coats, plays powerpoint presentations of their inductions and revel in knowing no one else will wear their jersey number.
