Is Ray Bourque Giving No. 7 to Phil Esposito or Jim Rice Saving a 4-Year-Old's Life a Bigger Boston Sports Moment?

Ray Bourque giving his No. 7 jersey to Phil Esposito squares off against Jim Rice saving the life of a 4-year-old fan at Fenway Park in the second round of Boston's Greatest Sports Moment tournament.

6. Ray Bourque gives No. 7 to Phil EspositoCall this moment the ultimate sign of respect. The Boston Bruins planned to retire two-time Stanley Cup champion and Hall of Famer Phil Esposito’s number on Dec. 3, 1987. The only problem? His No. 7 was being worn by the B’s captain at the time, Ray Bourque. Bourque, already a six-time All-Star himself, came up with a solution. During the pregame ceremony for Esposito at the Boston Garden, Bourque removed his own No. 7 jersey for the last time, proudly displaying his new No. 77 as the Garden crowd erupted into a long, loud ovation. Esposito thanked the young Bruins captain before watching his No. 7 jersey rise to the rafters. Bourque, meanwhile, held on to No. 77 for the final 12 years of his career in both Boston and Colorado.

Is Ray Bourque Giving No. 7 to Phil Esposito or Jim Rice Saving a 4-Year-Old's Life a Bigger Boston Sports Moment? 14. Jim Rice saves 4-year-old's lifeJim Rice’s Hall of Fame numbers will forever live on. So, too, will the image of him carrying a young, injured child to medics in the Red Sox dugout. On Aug. 7, 1982, the Keane family went to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game against the White Sox. Through a friend, they received seats just a few rows behind Boston’s dugout. The fun day took a scary turn when a Dave Stapleton foul ball connected with Jonathan Keane’s face. Rice, standing at the top of the dugout, heard the impact and the fans’ collective gasp. Rice, thinking of his own children, instinctively rushed up the steps, scooped up the 4-year-old and brought him through the Red Sox dugout, where he was evaluated by Red Sox doctor Arthur Pappas and taken to Boston’s Children Hospital. Jonathan suffered a fractured skull and underwent surgery. Pappas later said Rice’s quick actions saved the young boy’s life. Eight months later, a healthy Jonathan threw out the first pitch on opening day of the 1983 season and was reunited with Rice.