Larry David had a surprising confession about Boston’s sports teams

Larry David in real life may not be quite as cranky as “Larry David” on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which will air its final episode on HBO this Sunday after 12 seasons. But the famed comedy writer and co-creator of “Seinfeld” is certainly not one to mince words as the audience for “A Conversation with Larry David” found out at MGM Music Hall at Fenway on Monday.

Given David’s New York City pedigree, it’s probably not surprising that he had some especially pointed words for Boston’s sports teams when asked about them by the evening’s moderator, sportswriter and theringer.com founder Bill Simmons.

“I grew up in Brooklyn, I was a Yankee fan and a Knick fan and a Ranger fan and a Giant fan, and the Jets came along, and we were raised to hate … you people!,” David told the crowd, who clearly found his animosity hilarious.

“So we got the better of the Red Sox … the Knicks and Celtics, that was a disaster. I thought Bill Russell, he’s gonna play till he’s 60, we’ll never, ever beat them,” David recalled to Simmons. “So I’ve hated all Boston teams, and all Boston people! My entire life!” 

But David then let loose a surprising revelation: Around the turn of the century, after he started spending time at Martha’s Vineyard — the mention of which drew audience applause, prompting David to respond “Shut up, shut up!” — he had a change of heart. Sort of.

“I met a lot of guys from Boston, and they became like my closest friends,” he told Simmons. “And so then I started going to Boston to see them. And then somehow, I became good friends with the owner of the Celtics. I went to [Red Sox and Boston Globe Media owner] John Henry’s wedding. I’m good friends with [Red Sox chairman] Tom Werner. I’m great friends with Cam Neely — like everybody who’s associated with a Boston team, I’m friends with. So it’s insane. 

“And now, I don’t know. I can’t quite muster up the same venom that I used to have,” David admitted.

Not exactly a rave, but we’ll take it.