Toronto-Dominion (TD) Garden, Boston

TD is Toronto-Dominion who are the owners of TD Bank, and the sponsors of the Garden… or Gah-din as locals often refer to it as. It opened in September of 1995 just nine inches north of its predecessor, the original Boston Garden. The TD Garden was previously known as The Fleet Center, until 2005, when it was re-dubbed the TD Garden. There was actually a period of approximately thirty days in 2005 between these sponsors that naming rights for one day were sold on eBay with profits donated to local charities. Twice during this period the winning bid had to actually be “settled” such as one New Yorkers bid to rename the facility the Derek Jeter Center. So, all in all, the Garden has actually undergone 33 name changes over its brief history.

The Garden is, of course, home to the local Boston basketball and hockey teams—The Celtics and Bruins. Entering these hallowed halls emits memories of days gone past for both revered franchises. The Boston Bruins, one of the Original Six franchise in the NHL and five time Stanley Cup Champions. The Boston Celtics, with names like Larry Bird and Bill Russell led the franchise to a record 17 NBA Championships, including an unprecedented eight in a row from 1959-1966.

Inside of the TD Garden is also a commuter rail in Boston’s North Station. Within North Station is a bronze plaque dedicated to the second most important figure in the history of the Boston Celtics… Red Auerbach.  Now, I say second most important not on my own accord, but from the vantage of the franchise themselves. Within the arena are retired jerseys of their two most prominent contributors as jersey numbers 1 and 2 which hang from the rafters. Number 1, if you are wondering is the Celtics founder, Walter Brown.

Atop the bronze relief dedicated to Arnold “Red” Auerbach is the quote, “The Boston Celtics are not a basketball team they are a way of life.” Just off to the left and right are a list of his accomplishments with the organization, including the unimaginable eight consecutive NBA championships as coach of the Boston Celtics and an additional seven NBA titles as General Manager, Vice Chairman and President.

Toronto-Dominion (TD) Garden

The relief which depicts Red enjoying one of his signature cigars shows off his eccentric nature. Red was a man who was not to be disturbed in his office during Hawaii Five-O, and who lived by his own creed. When he knew victory was a foregone conclusion near the end of the game, he often sat down on the sidelines and lit up a cigar to enjoy the moment.

The TD Garden, when it is not hosting the home town Celtics or Bruins, also often serves as a concert venue. The Grateful Dead are the act which performed the most at The Garden with twenty-four shows. Local legends Aerosmith has ironically only played here ten times.

• Website: http://www.tdgarden.com/
• Address: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free to view. For ticket information, see the website above