Today In Sports History (January 7, 1927)

On this day in 1927, the Harlem Globetrotters played in their very first game in Hinckley, Illinois. Today, the Globetrotters are known as some of the greatest entertainers alive with a basketball. Abe Saperstein was the founder the Harlem Globetrotters. The original members were Walter “Toots” Wright, Byron “Fat” Long, Willis “Kid” Oliver, Andy Washington and Al “Runt” Pullins and they were initially called the “Big Savory Five.” Saperstein had them wear New York jerseys so that they could appear to actually be from Harlem – the famous African-American neighborhood in NYC. Within a year, the Globetrotters had played in over 1,000 games across multiple states. Ironically enough, they didn’t play a game in New York until the 1960s. The Harlem Globetrotters are often noted by their illustrious red, white and blue uniforms. Over the past century, the Globetrotters have become a global icon, showcasing their whimsical style and often enjoyable antics.