The New York Rangers issue an emotional statement following the passing of beloved MSG member
Photo credit: New York Post
The New York Sports community has lost a legend in photographer George Kalinsky. Kalinsky has been a fixture in the New York market, capturing memories that will live on forever with his camera. Today, the Rangers announced that he passed away.
George Kalinsky was a titan of New York sports that many of us who didn't grow up in the 70s knew too much about.
However, he was present in Madison Square Garden during some epic events, including Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals, and the bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
While he was still with us, Kalinsky has received numerous accolades for his trade including the ones listed below.
The Garden's official photographer since 1966, George Kalinsky will receive the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media Award this month. But first, he takes a shot at some Q&A with Post columnist Steve Serby.
It's with sadness that we announce his passing.
While many of us will have to Google his work, no one else has quite captured the soul of MSG like Kalinsky.
What is so special about Madison Square Garden?
A: Madison Square Garden is the place where every athlete and entertainer wants to perform. Frank Sinatra told me that there is no arena in the world that has the aura of a great championship event at Madison Square Garden. It is the ultimate stage!
A: Madison Square Garden is the place where every athlete and entertainer wants to perform. Frank Sinatra told me that there is no arena in the world that has the aura of a great championship event at Madison Square Garden. It is the ultimate stage!
The way he officially became the "official" Photographer of Madison Square Garden is like something out of a movie.
George Kalinsky was just a plucky art school grad with a camera slung over his shoulder when, in late 1965, he snuck into Muhammad Ali's gym in Miami, snapped some photos of the boxer training with his coach and then brought the roll of film to Madison Square Garden. The arena had never had an official photographer before, but as the 81-year-old shutterbug told The Post, the brass there liked his «chutzpah.»
«I started taking pictures of the Knicks and the Rangers and all the other things that would happen at the Garden,» said Kalinsky. «And after a few months, they hired me as the Garden photographer. And that's lasted 50 years so far.»
«I started taking pictures of the Knicks and the Rangers and all the other things that would happen at the Garden,» said Kalinsky. «And after a few months, they hired me as the Garden photographer. And that's lasted 50 years so far.»
Rest in piece, George and thanks for all the memories.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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