Bob Lobel to Capture Sports Excitement at Library on Tuesday Night

There really is no better time to be a sports fan in Boston.

The Red Sox are fielding one of its strongest teams in a few years, and there is always excitement and trepidation at the start of the season; the Bruins and Celtics both finished as one of the strongest teams in their respective sports and are currently battling in the playoffs; and the Patriots, fresh off a 14-2 regular season record are preparing for the upcoming NFL draft.

Of course the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots all won championships in the 2000s and the Bruins are perennial playoff contenders.

So there is no better time to listen to a legend in the sports scene.

Longtime WBZ-TV sports anchor Bob Lobel will be the guest speaker at the annual meeting on Tuesday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m. Lobel is expected to make his way to the microphone around 7:15 p.m.

“We’re real excited to have him,” said Friends President Amy DeSimone. “He’s a local celebrity.”

DeSimone felt it was a coup to get someone of his magnitude for the yearly meeting that includes some business matters and Lobel speaking.

The husband of a library board member heard Lobel speak at the Beverly Library and insisted he be brought to the sports fans of Hamilton and Wenham, DeSimone said.

“He’s a little different than anything we’ve done before,” said DeSimone, who said the annual meeting speaker usually is of the poet or author ilk. “We’re trying to pull in a younger crowd to our annual meeting and get (them) involved in the library.”

Lobel himself is as excited as DeSimone and the board. But he understands if the crowd is sparse, or cut out early.

“I just realized the Bruins’ game 6 (of the playoffs) is (Tuesday),” Lobel said during a phone interview on Friday. “I wouldn’t be surprised if some left (early). I’m not urging them to leave. I will drive home (to see the game, too).”

He said those who come, and stay, will hear stories of games and individuals he’s covered, as well as many stories that never made the newscast. Three names he dropped were Williams, Fisk and Orr. That’s Ted, Carlton and Bobby.

“I don’t have a message, sermon or anything (prepared),” said Lobel, showing the sense of humor that entertained and informed his viewers for 27 years. “But I do have some pretty unique experiences.”

And with his decades of experience and knowledge he certainly will be able to touch on what is going on. He welcomes audience participation, noting that the conversation is not limited to the Big 4 sports. He doesn’t expect there to be many awkward quiet moments.

“There is no better time (in New England) because it is all happening right now, even the (Boston) Marathon,” he said.

Lobel pointed out that the venue – the library – will be new and exciting.   

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s not often I speak at a library," he said. "It’s not (regular venues) like the Elks Club or American Legion hall, not that’s there anything wrong with  that, but the will have an all together another feel. I am really excited about it.”

DeSimone, an avid sports fan who grew up watching Lobel, is looking forward to hearing him but also interested in how the night pans out.

“I want to see what (the night) does and what (amount) of people we get,” she said. “I wonder if this is something more interesting to people and something we would do again?”

The event is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting begins at 7 p.m.