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Today in Boston Celtics history, John Mahnken was born in 1922 in West New York, New Jersey. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 220 pounds, Mahnken, an alumnus of Georgetown University, was signed by the Rochester Royals (now known as the Sacramento Kings) of the National Basketball League (NBL), a competing league that would later be absorbed by the NBA, following his return from military service during World War II.
In 1946, the former Hoya signed with the Washington Capitals of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), a precursor league to the NBA, where he encountered a face that would become quite familiar in his later life. It just so happened to be coached by a one Red Auerbach, later to be his coach in Boston as well. Mahnken was traded a total of five times before landing with the Celtics in 1951 for the first multi-season stretch of his career since it began.
He spent four seasons total playing for Boston, recording 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
It is also the day that former team minority owner Louis Pieri left us in 1967. Former owner of the (defunct) Providence Steamrollers franchise, Pieri helped Celtics founder Walter A. Brown navigate the treacherous waters of the early NBA after his own team went under, eventually becoming a minority owner.
After Brown passed, he and Brown's wife Marjorie split ownership of the team.At least, that is, until the pair could both sell the franchise to Ruppert Knickerbocker Brewing Company in 1965 – rest in peace.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: John Mahnken born; former owner Louis Pieri passes
Continue reading...
In 1946, the former Hoya signed with the Washington Capitals of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), a precursor league to the NBA, where he encountered a face that would become quite familiar in his later life. It just so happened to be coached by a one Red Auerbach, later to be his coach in Boston as well. Mahnken was traded a total of five times before landing with the Celtics in 1951 for the first multi-season stretch of his career since it began.
He spent four seasons total playing for Boston, recording 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Gone too soon
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It is also the day that former team minority owner Louis Pieri left us in 1967. Former owner of the (defunct) Providence Steamrollers franchise, Pieri helped Celtics founder Walter A. Brown navigate the treacherous waters of the early NBA after his own team went under, eventually becoming a minority owner.
After Brown passed, he and Brown's wife Marjorie split ownership of the team.At least, that is, until the pair could both sell the franchise to Ruppert Knickerbocker Brewing Company in 1965 – rest in peace.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics history: John Mahnken born; former owner Louis Pieri passes
Continue reading...
