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Author Keith O' Brien on Larry Bird 3-11-2026

March 11, 2026·12 min·1 clip

Author Keith O'Brien reveals how Larry Bird almost never became a college or pro player between 1973 and 1979.

Host Mike Palm introduces Keith O'Brien, a New Hampshire author on a book tour for 'Heartland: A Forgotten Place, An Impossible Dream, and The Miracle of Larry Bird.' O'Brien explains the book focuses on 1973-1979, when Larry Bird almost didn't become a basketball player. He describes Bird leaving Indiana University after three weeks, hitchhiking home to French Lick, and playing pickup in an industrial league. Assistant coach Bill Hodges, from a similar rural background, coaxed Bird to Indiana State. O'Brien discusses Bird's troubled family life and shyness, which clashed with Bobby Knight's coaching style at Indiana. Bird's first national TV game was in late February 1979, four weeks before his college career ended. The 1979 NCAA championship game against Magic Johnson brought Bird to national attention, but O'Brien emphasizes Indiana State's team effort as a Cinderella story. He contrasts Bird's inward personality with Magic Johnson's charisma, noting Magic was already a star in college. The conversation touches on Bird's trash-talking and fights, linking them to his upbringing. O'Brien reveals Bird worked for the French Lick street department, collecting trash, during his hiatus. The episode concludes with O'Brien highlighting Bird's harder road to success than many fans realize.

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