Spider Edwards stood among the Celtics fans crowding City Hall Plaza to pay tribute Wednesday to Arnold (Red) Auerbach for his achievements on the basketball court, and all Edwards could think of was what his friend was like off it.
Edwards worked the Boston Garden floor crew for 33 years, and a day didn't go by when Auerbach wouldn't stop to talk.
``Red was always a person that looked out for the little fellow. He never made the little fellow feel small,'' said the 76-year-old Edwards.
Edwards joined thousands of fans, former players and local politicians honouring Auerbach. Some held ``Thanks Red'' signs. Other signed guest books with remembrances. Many in the crowd laughed and cheered during a video tribute, which included interviews in which Auerbach recalled tweaking his opponents with obvious glee.
Auerbach died after a heart attack near his Washington home Saturday at age 89. He was buried Tuesday in Falls Church, Va.
Former players, including Robert Parish and M.L. Carr, sat under a giant banner showing a silhouette of Auerbach holding a cigar, and the speakers made it clear they revered him for more than just winning. Celtics great Bob Cousy choked up as he remembered a final conversation with ``my old coach and friend.''
``He was indefatigable. He was totally committed. He was relentless in the pursuit of his goals,'' Cousy said.
Senator Edward Kennedy hailed Auerbach for breaking racial barriers _ drafting the first black player, Chuck Cooper; hiring the first black head coach, Bill Russell; and fielding the first all-black starting five.
``He'll never be forgotten, and there will never be another like him,'' he said. ``The teams he led with the legendary Bob Cousy and the incomparable Bill Russell set the gold standard for professionalism and transformed his sport and this city.''
Gov. Mitt Romney spoke of the ``Celtics spirit'' that Auerbach defined, which he said was about qualities that aren't as easy to measure, such as determination.
``He saw the heart of the Celtics,'' he said.
Auerbach's mystique was evident around the club even in recent years, which haven't been successful, said fan Joe Pizzano, 40, of East Boston.
``You always had a feeling something good was going to happen,'' he said. ``With him not around, you just don't think of it as the Celtics anymore. Now it's just a basketball team. He was the Celtics.''
Jamie Clark, 27, of Boston, said Auerbach's contributions to the Celtics are too significant to disappear with his death.
``I see him, and this is going to sound corny, as the type of guy who will live on,'' he said. ``His mystique and legend will always be part of the Celtics.''
Another tribute to Auerbach is planned Wednesday night, before the Celtics regular-season opener at the TD Banknorth Garden.
