Since their founding in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters have played more than 27,000 exhibition games in over 120 countries and territories. Famously, they rarely lose, just 345 times in nearly a century. With such history, one would assume they must be steeped in tradition; one would be correct. The team still runs on the floor to a whistled version of ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’ and form their ‘Magic Circle’ at half court - where they take turns executing a perfectly choreographed series of their best ball-handling tricks - just as they have every game for over seven decades. Their antagonists? Nearly every game since 1952 the Globetrotters have squared off against the traditionally hapless Washington Generals, who have achieved quite a bit of fame in their own right.
Wilt Chamberlain made his professional debut as a Globetrotter in 1959. The team’s innovations to the game are many. The slam dunk, fast break, and figure eight weave were all popularized on the Globetrotters hardwood, among countless other innovations to the sport.
Their pioneering act of showmanship paired with elite athleticism creates an environment of all-ages fan friendliness. As Ambassadors of Goodwill, the team has been committed to making a positive impact around the globe for decades.
Though a long-standing source of light-hearted happiness and hilarity, their role in spreading the distinctly American game of basketball across the country, particularly during a time of intense, nationwide racial discrimination should not be forgotten. When National Basketball Association (NBA) finally integrated in 1950, multiple former Globetrotters were the first to cross the color barrier.
After the Globetrotters recent letter, called #DearNBA (asking for a spot in the Association), here is a short history of the team’s presence in just one Indiana community during the franchise’s earlier years.
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1943
The first Globetrotters sighting in Richmond, Indiana was on March 18, 1943 – sixteen years after the team’s first game in January 1927. The team was founded, owned, and even coached by Abe Saperstein at the onset. Featuring the incomparable Reece ‘Goose’ Tatum, as well as other early ‘Trotters such as Ziggy Marcelle, Al Singleton, and Longie Powell, the red, white, and blue lost a rare contest to a band of Indianapolis All-Stars by a 39-34 tally.
To be fair, the Indianapolis-based squad featured George Crowe (who would later break into Major League Baseball), 12-year professional basketball veteran ‘Sally’ Suddith, Butler standout and 1933 All-American Frank Baird, former Notre Dame hooper Eddie Sadowski, and Purdue product Pat Malaska.
Some quick notes about Tatum – in the pantheon of Globetrotters basketball, few can approach the blend of comedic stylings, sheer skill, commercial draw, and critical importance of Goose. Nicknamed as such for an incredibly distinctive gait (some also say he accrued the nickname during a high school football game), the El Dorado, Arkansas native possessed generational athleticism and an uncanny knack for comedic delivery and timing. An early purveyor of the hook shot, Goose also perfected the ‘no look shot’, and pioneered many comedy routines that are still used by the Globetrotters today. Additionally, Goose also played baseball, famously suiting up for the Indianapolis Clowns.
Given how widely-traveled the Globetrotters would eventually become, Goose could be considered one of the first international sports superstars. Though sometimes listed as tall as six-foot, six inches, Goose was actually a couple inches shorter – but he would use his reputed 84-inch wingspan to flummox much taller opponents. Put simply, every time Goose touched the ball, folks expected to see something they hadn’t before.
In a move long overdue from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Goose was inducted with their 2011 class.
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1947
1947 was a banner year for the Harlem Globetrotters in Richmond – with the addition of an unexpected and lesser-known entity. Though few details emerge, the Globetrotters next appearance in the Rose City was in June of 1947. However, it was not the hardwood edition of the team on the bill, but rather the Globetrotters of the baseball diamond, who had formed the previous year. The baseball team, also owned Saperstein, was slated to play the Cincinnati Crescents on June 5, 1947. The Crescents were the equivalent of a minor league Negro League team, whom Saperstein had owned the previous season. Winslow Means was on the mound for the Globetrotters, and Negro Leagues veteran Zell Miles paced the ‘Trotters 5-3 victory with a pair of triples in a game played for about 200 fans. The game was played at Municipal Stadium (now known as ‘McBride Stadium’).
Just three months later, the Globetrotters of the diamond returned to Richmond to square off against Negro Leagues standbys the Chicago American Giants. The American Giants, who had been in existence since 1910, were charter members of the Negro National League in 1920. The Giants owner at that time was future Hall of Famer Andrew ‘Rube’ Foster.
Though the final score is not known, the Globetrotters, who were the beneficiary of 21 base hits, ‘walloped’ the American Giants during the September 9, 1947 game at Municipal.
The basketball team would return over the Thanksgiving holiday in 1947. The Globetrotters itinerant style had allowed for their popularity to expand across the globe – and many consider this time to be the ‘golden age’ of Globetrotters basketball. The Globetrotters were scheduled to play the New York Celtics on November 27, 1947 at the Trueblood Fieldhouse on the campus of Earlham College. Over 2,000 fans packed Trueblood to witness the ‘Trotters dispatch the Celtics 42-35. The now world-famous ‘Goose’ Tatum and fellow forward Fred Pearson paced the Harlemites with 14 points apiece. Local dignitary Don McBride helped officiate the game.
Coincidentally, just one week later on December 4, 1947, the local amateur hardwood team called the Richmond Sallys hosted the Dayton Metropolitans in nearby Centerville, Indiana. Future Globetrotter Nate ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton, who would later become the third Black player to appear in an NBA game (just four days after the first one, Earl Lloyd) was the star of the Metropolitans. The six-foot, eight-inch Clifton scored 12 points in a 64-52 winning effort.
Clifton and the Metropolitans returned on December 15, 1947 to face the famous barnstorming New York Renaissance (famously called the ‘Rens’). The Rens were perhaps the most dominant basketball team of the 1920s and the 1930s. In fact, the team was collectively inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1963.
Clifton and the ‘Mets’ would claim yet another victory – this one a 55-49 victory in what was called ‘one of the hardest fought, most exciting’ games in the city’s history. Clifton once again starred - and scored 11 points for the Mets. William ‘Pop’ Gates, yet another future Harlem Globetrotter (1950-1957) and Basketball Hall of Famer (class of 1989) scored 11 points for the Rens.
The local Palladium-Item bemoaned the fact that only 200 people came to the game, again held at the Trueblood Fieldhouse.
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1948
On Thursday, February 19, 1948, the Harlem Globetrotters made international headlines by defeating the NBA’s own Minneapolis Lakers 61-59 in an exhibition game held in Chicago, Illinois. The game was witness by a then-record 18,000 spectators. At the time, the Lakers had future Hall of Fame six-foot, ten-inch center George Mikan, widely regarded as the best basketball player in the entire county, on the roster. The game held immense racial implications as the NBA was not integrated yet (and wouldn’t for two more years).
Incredibly, the very next day, Friday, February 20, 1948, the Globetrotters were in Richmond to play the New York Celtics at Richmond’s Civic Hall. Just one day after what was one of the most monumental games in ‘Trotter history, the team made their way to the Rose City.
Tatum was once again the top bill. In addition to Tatum, Globetrotter luminaries Marques Haynes, Ted Strong, and Babe Pressley also suited up, according to the Palladium-Item.
Nearly 2,000 patrons packed in to watch the trendiest team in world, fresh off a signature victory. Led by Tatum’s 16 points, the Globetrotters handily defeated the semipro Celtics 52-34. 1936 gold medalist Jesse Owens, making his second recorded stop in Richmond, acted as master of ceremonies and gave a short talk during the game.
The Globetrotters baseball team returned for a Sunday afternoon game on September 12, 1948 against the local semiprofessional Fleming Baseball Club. In front of 739 fans at Municipal Stadium, the Globetrotters of the diamond won in a slugfest 19-11.
The hardwood Harlem basketballers returned to Richmond on November 18, 1948. After an opening game between the Kansas City Stars and the famously bearded House of David squad, the Globetrotters took the court against the Clark semipro team from Huntington, Indiana at Civic Hall. Powered by 29 points from Tatum, the Globetrotters won easily 59-37 in front of nearly 2,000 fans.
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1949
Just a few months later, both the Globetrotters and the House of David returned to Civic Hall to square off in a March 22, 1949 tilt at Civic Hall. In a game that was never as close as the final score would ultimately indicate, the Globetrotters won their fourth consecutive game in Richmond (seventh counting the baseball version of the Globetrotters) by a 55-47 tally. Once again, Goose led the Harlemites in scoring with 28 points. Fellow future Hall of Famer Marques Haynes chipped in five more. 4,000 fans packed into Civic Hall, the best-attended game in city history for the Globetrotters.
A follow-up winter performance brought the ‘Trotters back to Richmond – where they netted another victory – a 68-45 victory over the nearby Centerville All-Stars on November 17, 1949. Tatum netted 25 points, and Anderson, Indiana native Bobby Milton scored 16. Once again, Marques Haynes also suited up for the ‘Trotters.
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1951
The Harlem Globetrotters toured various parts of the world extensively in 1950, including North Africa, but they returned to the Rose City on March 8, 1951 against the Philadelphia Sphas (a semipro team that often traveled with the Globetrotters). Tatum once again stole the show with a 27-point performance, leading the ‘Trotters to a 73-59 victory in front of 3,750 fans at Civic Hall.
Between 1943-1951, the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team appeared in Richmond, Indiana, for seven games, winning six of them. The Harlem Globetrotters of the diamond won all three of their games.
Though internationally-famous and a longstanding institution, the Globetrotters importance to the advancement and spread of basketball, particularly in an area which would prove to be the heart of ‘Hoosier Hysteria’ cannot be understated. The Globetrotters last appeared in Richmond on January 1, 2005, delighting the over 2,000 fans in attendance at the Tiernan Center.
