Red Auerbach Good Luck Plaque

Within the many train and subway stations in Boston, commemorative plaques dedicated to certain people or various historic events can be found in abundance. Most plaques are designed with the intention of only being read, but one in North Station actively encourages visitors to touch it to obtain good luck. 

Arnold “Red” Auerbach was born in New York City in 1917 and began his athletic career playing basketball in high school and college. He joined the US Navy during World War II in 1943 and, after his service, he secured a position as coach of the Washington Capitols in 1946. He coached them for three years and, afterwards, became the coach for the Boston Celtics in 1950. It’s a position he would hold for 16 years, and during his tenure, he led the team to nine NBA championships and a record-setting eight consecutive titles. Auerbach also played a key role in reducing racial discrimination as he drafted Chuck Cooper, the first Black American player for the NBA during his first year as coach, and in 1965, he introduced the first African American starting five. After Auerbach stepped down from coaching in 1966, he hired Bill Russell as the NBA's first Black American head coach to succeed him. 

Even though Auerbach left coaching, he began an executive career with the Boston Celtics from general manager to president, in which he was able to secure seven more championships for a total of 16 titles for the team. He held the position for 40 years until his death in 2006. In 2010, the commuter rail and Amtrak concourse was dedicated in his honor with two bronze plaques; one with Auerbach smoking his trademark cigar and another in the shape of a shamrock, the symbol of the Boston Celtics, which people can touch for good luck. If you’re a fan of the Celtics and would like to get a little bit of good luck, feel free to touch the plaque next time you’re at North Station.