AH, THE MEMORIES: As part of its second phase of transformation, Madison Square Garden has selected 366 moments from its history to display around the Garden concourse. It includes moments such as Willis Reed’s legendary entrance in 1970 (top right) and Brian Leetch setting the record for most points as a defenseman. (
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As Garden chief Hank Ratner gave a tour of the new “Garden 366’’ display on Friday that rings the Madison Concourse, he mentioned the historical exhibit can be updated.
The visual retrospective touts one thrilling moment in Garden history for every day of the calendar year — including Feb. 29. A panel spent one year picking 366 moments, and it stands as one of the highlights of the Garden’s second phase of transformation.
“Every day something else could happen that is bigger and can change this,’’ Ratner said.
When a visitor said the unbeaten Knicks could force some changing this June, Ratner smiled and said: “I like how you’re thinking.’’
For now, “Garden 366’’ is special enough for New York history buffs as it caters to more than just sports fans. The Knicks, Rangers, college and high school basketball, wrestling, tennis and boxing get their share of days (the Knicks commandeered 56 dates). But also part of the 366-piece ensemble are historical music concerts, political moments and miscellaneous events, such as Pope John Paul II’s visit on Oct. 3, 1979.
The oldest date in the display is 1879, when the original Garden opened in Madison Square Park. The most offbeat selection is Feb. 6, 1887, when Buffalo Bill’s first Wild West exhibition was chosen. Yeah, MSG’s historians dug deep.
The trend in new arenas is housing a Hall-of-Fame room to commemorate a team’s history. Ratner said that idea wasn’t good enough.
“The whole building is a Hall of Fame,’’ Ratner told The Post. “There was just too much history to contain in one room. We’ve spread it out across the arena.”
Before the transformation, Ratner said: “It was a great building for the 1960s, a great arena to play in and perform in. But we didn’t have the amenities and we didn’t show off our history enough.’’
In addition to the “366’’ display, 20 of those days are spotlighted in a special “20 Defining Moments’’ exhibit on the same floor — each getting its own window-enclosed display. They contain memorabilia, artifacts and photos.
Just 10of the 20 window displays are ready for this season, including Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday’’ at a Democratic fundraiser to John F. Kennedy — May 19, 1962. Of course, there is the Knicks’ first championship — May 8, 1970 — and inside the case is the written scouting report penned by coach Red Holzman.
The other 10 moments will be done for next season but placed on an upstairs floor, “The Garden Concourse.’’
Fans don’t have the time to see all 366 events, and some just go straight to their birthday, according to Ratner.
“The feedback is people are blown away,’’ Ratner said.
The calendar selections aren’t perfect, however. Though Michael Jordan beginning his second NBA comeback with Washington in 2001 captured Oct. 30, MJ’s famous double-nickel game, when he dropped 55 points on the Knicks in his fifth game back in his first comeback on March 28, 1995, was left off.
Instead, the Garden panel selected Nadia Comaneci, who graced the Garden on that March date in 1976 and scored two perfect 10s over two days to highlight an American Cup gymnastics event. A bad call, but at least Kobe Bryant scoring 61 points to set a Garden scoring record in 2009 nailed down Feb. 2.
Amar’e Stoudemire’s press conference to announce his signing on July 8, 2010, was chosen, though certainly owner James Dolan once thought that display would contain LeBron James. Later that July 8 night, James announced his decision to take his talents to South Beach.
As for the musical acts selected, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Bruce Springteen, Barbara Streisand, Madonna, Diana Ross, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Liberace, Whitney Houston, Luciano Pavoratti, Michael Jackson, The Who, Paul Simon and Dave Matthews earned days.
There are several jersey-retirement ceremonies, including Earl Monroe, Dick McGuire, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Mike Richter, Eddie Giacomin and Adam Graves.
Garden officials said a change already was made to the plan. Brad Richards’ game-tying playoff goal with 6.6 seconds left vs. Washington last May 7 replaced Lou Ambers winning the world lightweight boxing title in 1937.
The Garden said there were some busy calendar days with lots of candidates and some slow days, which may explain the winner of July 25 — N’Sync headlining the Garden.