I don’t like the New York Yankees. I could credit that to my place of birth (Western Mass.) or I could credit it to Paul O’Neill’s annoying habit of arguing every… single… call. But even when Aaron Boone’s extra-innings home run brought me to my knees, I have always respected the hell out of Joe Torre, a (seemingly) class act and a true winner.

I never knew Torre is a Boston Celtics fan, though, who learned the importance of team play while watching Bill Russell. (WEEI)

“I was a Boston Celtics fan,” Torre told CBSSports.com. “In fact, I really got my idea of team play from watching the Celtics in the ’50s with those guys, how they shared the ball all the time. Bill Russell, of course, when I met him and told him that story, I think he was a little surprised. I just love that nobody was bigger than the other guy.”

Fifty years later, the Celtics still thrive on the same principles. Damn it, I miss the NBA.