First time I’ve seen this. You’ve written a LOT of great stories in the time I’ve followed you but this one, THIS throwback story from 2011, is now my fave. Absolutely fabulous, the writing - and the characters!
What a wonderful and inspirational story this is about a man I have never heard of. Sometimes it's the ones who don't get all the recognition who mean the most. The Viewpoint here on what losing is or what a loser is is right on the money. Thank you so much for sharing the story of this gentleman whose heart was definitely in the right place.
Of all the sporting events I've seen in my life, watching the Globetrotters play the Generals at St. John Arena in Columbus ranks right at the top. It was in the late 70s or early 80s, when they would occasionally be on Wide World of Sports (with Howard Cosell calling the action!) and I suppose Red Klotz was coaching, although I wasn't aware of that at the time - I was just being thrilled at what Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon could do. They were geniuses at both basketball and theater. And so, I realize now, was Red Klotz.
I remember this one. Fantastic stuff. I'm going to circle Jan 5th on my calendar, and have some orange soda and champagne in Red's honor. Might taste terrible but it'll be worth it!
what a great story! The Globetrotters (and their hapless perennial 'foe', the Generals) gave me countless hours of joy as a child (as i type this, i can hear Sweet Georgia Brown in my head!)...
RIP Red, and posthumous thanks, you were no loser, you made people laugh and smile and enjoy their life in those moments when you and your team and the Globetrotters rocked their world and put on the greatest show possible, each and every night!!!
More people experience failure than success in the world of sports. If everyone could be more like Red and realize that then we'd all be better off. The game (whatever that may be) is what the love is about, not the winning. That's just a residual pleasure that comes around now and then.
Holy shit, this is amazing. This needs to be assigned reading for every sportswriting class everywhere. If I could write half as well as this, I'd be Ernest Fucking Hemingway.
with you there 1000%!!! i despise Hemingway, his run-on dialogue, his machismo and tendency to seemingly crush the keys with his fist (i swear he wrote w/boxing gloves on, because "a MAN types!!!")
the only thing i could ever stand by him was his shortest story,
'For sale- baby shoes, never worn'... that tears me up every time!
I loved the Globetrotters as a child. I saw them play in the Tacoma Dome a few times back when Sweet Lou Dunbar was the star of the show (late 80s).
I also saw them play fairly recently and unfortunately was not too impressed. I think now with NBA salaries through the roof and guys trying to make a name for themselves in lower leagues, or making decent coin overseas, the talent pool for a novelty act like the Globetrotters has just been totally depleted.
First time I’ve seen this. You’ve written a LOT of great stories in the time I’ve followed you but this one, THIS throwback story from 2011, is now my fave. Absolutely fabulous, the writing - and the characters!
What a wonderful and inspirational story this is about a man I have never heard of. Sometimes it's the ones who don't get all the recognition who mean the most. The Viewpoint here on what losing is or what a loser is is right on the money. Thank you so much for sharing the story of this gentleman whose heart was definitely in the right place.
Of all the sporting events I've seen in my life, watching the Globetrotters play the Generals at St. John Arena in Columbus ranks right at the top. It was in the late 70s or early 80s, when they would occasionally be on Wide World of Sports (with Howard Cosell calling the action!) and I suppose Red Klotz was coaching, although I wasn't aware of that at the time - I was just being thrilled at what Curly Neal and Meadowlark Lemon could do. They were geniuses at both basketball and theater. And so, I realize now, was Red Klotz.
Great read. Misses this when it was published!
Magnificent. What a story. What a man. What a legacy. So many memories. Thx Red.
Talk about a night I wish there was video of
I remember this one. Fantastic stuff. I'm going to circle Jan 5th on my calendar, and have some orange soda and champagne in Red's honor. Might taste terrible but it'll be worth it!
Thank you for sharing this story. I am so glad that I could learn more about Red today—and I would watch that movie.
Wonderful. Just wonderful. Now, let’s see that piece you wrote about one of your daughters backing into a fence. My favorite. By far.
One of your best, Joe. I loved it when you first posted it years ago. Very glad you brought it back in the throwback series.
Terrific post, Joe. An example of why I subscribe-great writing, humanity, humor, memories. Thank you, Joe.
what a great story! The Globetrotters (and their hapless perennial 'foe', the Generals) gave me countless hours of joy as a child (as i type this, i can hear Sweet Georgia Brown in my head!)...
RIP Red, and posthumous thanks, you were no loser, you made people laugh and smile and enjoy their life in those moments when you and your team and the Globetrotters rocked their world and put on the greatest show possible, each and every night!!!
More people experience failure than success in the world of sports. If everyone could be more like Red and realize that then we'd all be better off. The game (whatever that may be) is what the love is about, not the winning. That's just a residual pleasure that comes around now and then.
Holy shit, this is amazing. This needs to be assigned reading for every sportswriting class everywhere. If I could write half as well as this, I'd be Ernest Fucking Hemingway.
Oh, please. You'd be much better than that. (I never have and never will understand the adulation for Papa. Never.)
with you there 1000%!!! i despise Hemingway, his run-on dialogue, his machismo and tendency to seemingly crush the keys with his fist (i swear he wrote w/boxing gloves on, because "a MAN types!!!")
the only thing i could ever stand by him was his shortest story,
'For sale- baby shoes, never worn'... that tears me up every time!
Brilliant story!
I loved the Globetrotters as a child. I saw them play in the Tacoma Dome a few times back when Sweet Lou Dunbar was the star of the show (late 80s).
I also saw them play fairly recently and unfortunately was not too impressed. I think now with NBA salaries through the roof and guys trying to make a name for themselves in lower leagues, or making decent coin overseas, the talent pool for a novelty act like the Globetrotters has just been totally depleted.
Now I miss Red Klotz and I am def crying