Tom Larson

Early life and career

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

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.

From 1981 to 1988, Tom was also the sports director at WHDH radio, doing sports reports during Jess Cain's morning show.

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. He retired from broadcasting in 2007 and as of 2011 resides in Norwell, Massachusetts.

In 1981, Larson promised to shave his beard if the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. Larson shaved his beard 30 years later after the Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.