On this day: McHale, Kreklow debut; Carr signs; Hollins, Battle born

On this day, Kevin McHale and Wayne Kreklow debuted, M.L. Carr signed with the team, and Ryan Hollins and Kenny Battle were born.

On this day in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Celtics big man Kevin McHale made his debut for the team in 1980 in a home game blowout win against the Cleveland Cavaliers that Boston won 130-103.

The rookie power forward put up 10 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, and 2 blocked shots in 13 minutes of playing time off the bench, and shot 44.4% from the floor and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free throw line. It was just a sample of the punishing stat lines the University of Minnesota alum would soon be delivering on the regular for the Celtics as he laid the foundation for one of the best careers at his position in NBA history.

And it certainly wasn’t a debut to sneeze at, either.

Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 8

Today’s installment focuses on the 16 players who wore No. 8 over the years as of September 2023.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the 16 players who wore No. 8 over the years as of September 2023.

Every player in Boston Celtics history who wore No. 8

This is every player in Boston’s history who wore the Celtics’ No. 8 jersey for at least one game as of September 2022.

The Boston Celtics have more retired jerseys than any other team in the NBA, but that doesn’t mean the rest of their jerseys have little history of interest tied to them.

In fact, with 17 titles to their name and decades of competitive basketball played in them, their unretired jersey numbers pack some of the most history not hanging from the rafters of any team in the league. To that end, we have launched our accounting of that history, with every player in every jersey worn by more than one Celtics player in the storied franchise’s history accounted for.

Today’s installment focuses on the 16 players who wore No. 8 over the years as of September 2022.