Tom Larson, former sports activities host on Channel 38 and NESN, dies at 84

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Larson was best-known to native sports activities followers because the studio host for Bruins and Crimson Sox programming.

Lanny Lee Larason — recognized professionally as Tom Larson throughout a protracted broadcasting profession that included almost 4 a long time in Boston — died Wednesday in Fredericksburg, Va., of problems from most cancers, in accordance with his son Jeff. He was 84 years previous.

Larson, a Missouri native, got here to Boston in 1969 as the general public affairs director at Channel 38. There he hosted a wide-ranging eponymous speak present whereas quickly turning into a fixture amongst the area’s sports activities followers as host of Bruins and Crimson Sox pre- and postgame programming.

Larson coated a wide range of Boston sports activities whereas at Channel 38. His son wrote that he was significantly keen on Channel 38′s “Mini One-on-One,” which pitted youth hockey gamers towards one another.

From 1981-88, Larson served as sports activities director at WHDH radio, delivering studies on “The Jess Cain Present.” In 1983, Boston Journal named him “Greatest Sportscaster” within the metropolis.

For a sure technology of Boston sports activities followers, Larson is greatest remembered as one of many first acquainted faces on the regional cable sports activities community NESN.

He joined NESN in 1986, two years after it launched, once more internet hosting Bruins and Crimson Sox studio exhibits. He additionally carved a area of interest as a reporter, author, and producer for the journal present “Entrance Row.”

Larson — who adopted his skilled title early in his profession, which started at Westminster Faculty in 1960 ― had stops in Bloomington and Peoria, Ailing., and Lansing, Mich., earlier than coming to Boston.