Goose, Meadowlark -- and the Pope - January 7, 2010

The catchy strains of Sweet Georgia Brown. Dazzling passes. Physical comedy rivaling the best comedians of the silent-film era. The 83rd anniversary we note today can be for none other than the Harlem Globetrotters. Those "Globe Trotters" of 1927 bore little resemblance to today's clown princes of the hardwood. The team's early years were masterminded by Abe Saperstein, who was convinced (correctly) that customers would pay to see African-American stars play basketball, a sport they were otherwise banned from playing professionally. Despite their name, the 'Trotters originally called Chicago their home (not even playing a game in Harlem until 1968), but have spent most of the past eight decades on the road. And while most of those games in recent years have been more comedic exhibitions than "real" games (despite the team's assurances), such genuine cage immortals as Reese "Goose" Tatum, Meadowlark Lemon, Wilt Chamberlain, and Connie Hawkins (not to mention honorary slam-dunkers Pope John Paul II and Nelson Mandela) have worn the red, white, and blue of the Globetrotters. While some of their more than 22,000 victories (most of them over the Washington Generals) may be tainted, no one can deny that the team's combination of basketball and comedy skills remains unmatched. Suggested Sites... Harlem Globetrotters - official site. History, schedule, and videos of the Magicians of Basketball. Don Markstein's Toonopedia: The Super Globetrotters - illustrated history of the team's animated existence. Wikipedia: Harlem Globetrotters - history of the team, from "Runt" Pullins to "Turbo" Pearson. Basketball Hall of Fame: Harlem Globetrotters - they couldn't pick just one, so they enshrined the whole team. The Amazing Race: Flight Time and Big Easy - not only do they play hoops, they're pretty darn good in a race around the world.