Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take a minute to wish all the readers of this blog a Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. I hope everyone reading this blog has a safe and happy Christmas. Or, for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas a safe and happy Holidays in general.

The Washington Generals will start their North America Tour with the Globetrotters on the 26th, but I hope they will still have some time to enjoy the season with their loved ones. Also, if any of them happen to be read this blog, I wish them safe travels on a grueling tour that will cover the next several months. The fans appreciate the sacrifices you all make to entertain us, and especially our children.

Randomness - 31st Edition

Red Klotz in his prime.

I am pretty much over hearing about the Dan Gilbert thing. It's good PR for the Generals but it's been weeks, hasn't the sports world moved on? That being said, this was a funny humorous article on it so for the last time I will share a Dan Gilbert article with you. Unless of course he mans up and takes Klotz on their offer. Anyway to read the article CLICK HERE!

Jacob Tucker, rookie Harlem Globetrotter, has been getting a lot of press this week and last in preparation for the North America tour. With his YouTube stardom and being highly publicized it should do good to get the Globetrotters name out there. Which of course is good for the Generals as well. I found one of his better interviews of the week, where he pokes some goodhearted fun at the Generals also. But what else do you expect from someone from the rival team? To read it CLICK HERE!

In closing here is a great article on Red Klotz from last year that I don't think I shared before. CLICK HERE!

Randomness - 30th Edition (Brief update on the Dan Gilbert offer.)

Photo by Bengt Muten. Used under creative commons.

I got a shout out last Sunday on an article about the Dan Gilbert comments. Plenty has been written about it, and the subsequent invite to play and/or coach for the Washington Generals. But this is definitely one of the better ones. And one that pays respect to the Generals. Read it HERE!

Detroit Daily Deals had a promotion for tickets to the Washington Generals vs Harlem Globetrotters game on December 26th. (although given current happening it's possibly the Generals won't be playing under that name by then.) It was not really anything new but it had some clever remarks and puns among the usual press release fare most issue when promotion their sales. So I thought I would give them their due. If you want to read it, CLICK HERE!

Dan Gilberts invite to join the Washington Generals turned out to be a good PR move for the Generals whether or not he accepts it. As sports writers can't stop talking about it.

While there isn't any real news, a spokesman for the Cavilliers apparently said Gilbert wasn't going to comment. It baffles me that he will put his foot in his mouth with the comment that all started it. But apparently he find commenting on this offer to be going too far. He is a strange, strange man. Although it should be noted that many think this is a tongue in cheek invite, and it most is. Although as regulars on this blog know they have a whole routine for Guest Generals and even guest coaches. So if Gilbert were to accept they could make good on the offer and give the man some good press especially with the proposed discount the Generals offered. Gilbert either doesn't realize the Generals are semi-serious on this offer, or doesn't care. To read a bit more on this you can CLICK HERE!

And in closing, here is a brief video of the recent game from the Global Select's military tour in Fleet Activities Sasebo

Old Spice MANta Caluse Has A Gift Under The Generals Tree

The Old Spice Guy, AKA "The Man You Women Wish Your Man Could Smell Like" is giving gifts away to all 7-million of the world this Christmas. On his second day last week on the 6th, he gave a gift to the Washington Generals.

I love that something this high profile as old spice is giving my favorite team a shout out, so I wanted anyone who hasn't seen it to get a look at it now.

Don't give up hope Generals, many people do still believe in you.

Update: Some of you may have noticed that the computer readout said "26 gifted". If anyone is wondering where they would have gotten that number, 26 are how many players are currently on the roster through the various touring teams. According to the current roster listing on the Generals website. So kudos to whoever made it for going to the effort to look that up (assuming I guess, they didn't contact the Generals for that) since most would have simply put "5" or "12" aka the size of a normal basketball team.

You can view the rest of the MANta Claus gifts on Old Spice's YouTube Channel.

Best Of The Guest Generals: Nick Vitale

Nick Vitale, a seasoned actor, emcee and journalist entered and won a contest in 2009 to become the "Face of FOX43", the local FOX affiliate in Portsmouth, VA.

The position is one common to FOX affiliates. It means making numerous public appearances, as well as promos and other various duties for the local station. One thing many "Faces if FOX" have done is be recruited as a Guest General when the Washington Generals come to town to face the Harlem Globetrotters. Vitale was no exception.

While some of the "Best of the Guest Generals" get their spot on this blog for playing above par to their many counterparts... Vitale was not one of them.

The reason he is being mentioned here as one of "illustrious" Guest Generals, is his YouTube video he created about his spot.

I liked it because in addition to the standard interviews with coach Reggie Harrison (who Guest Generals love to interview, which is no surprise as he is every bit the Showman the Trotters are.) and Harlem Globetrotter Special K, but also gave a lot of face time to then Washington General Antoine Maddox. And as regulars on this blog know, I am all for journalist giving a Washington General player some good face time.

His video also stood out in that it had a very off the cuff, sort of MTV style editing job to it. Which made it a lot of fun to watch and both Vitale and the people he interviewed were definitely "on" that night. Special K's crack about the video game was also some very good ad libbing. The guy is one of the best Globetrotter Showmen ever in my book, largely beacause of stuff like this. He is just great at both the ad libbing as well as following the reams.

It was not a good night for the Generals. It's no surprise they lost, but they lost big that night. Despite his best efforts Vitale was not able to turn the teams luck around.

Regardless, he clearly was having fun, and I also liked him thanking the Washington Generals at the end. When most thank the Globetrotters not realizing that despite their working relationship, they are not the same team.

Randomness - 29th Edition

With the Washington Generals 2012 World Tour just over the horizon there wasn't much to report in the randomness post. But here are a couple tidbits.

I came across a new article from the Quatar. I am including it mostly beacause it is a new article but very puzzling. They mention the New York Nationals as if they are still the opponents to the Globetrotters. Even though as most of you know they haven't been using that name for some time. They also mention Donald Johnson who is not the current head coach of the team by any name. And to make it wierder they use a photo of the "Global Select". I know the Generals do not visit Doha often, but they recently were there and Reggie Harrison was the coach, and of course they played as the Global Select. So the whole thing was just... wierd. Although I guess any press for Klotz team is good press. To read it CLICK HERE!

Since Dan Gilbert's recent Washington Generals crack got so much press. I wanted to share one of the most hilarious Washington Generals comparisons I have heard in a long time. Twitter user polkpanther recently posted.

The no-name bidders on Storage Wars are the Washington Generals of reality TV.

I am late sharing this news, mostly beacause I genuinley feel uncomfortable reporting on something so horrific on this blog. Especially given that is seems like it might have unearthed things about Bashline's personal life that weren't known to everyone who knew him. But a suspect was named and arrested a while back on Globetrotter trainer Thomas Bashlines murder. To read it CLICK HERE!

In closing here is a video a video from a game in the Arco Arena back in 2009 featuring the infamous plexi glass cover over the Trotters hoop.

Dan Gilbert Offered A Job With The Washington Generals

Photo by Deb Nystron. Used under Creative Commons.

Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cleveland Cavilers, has gotten the Washington Generals some good free publicity recently. Even more than Barkey's crack about them being able to beat the Miami Heat.

ESPN recently published that in response to the Chris Paul-to-Lakers trade, Gilbert wrote that the NBA should just change the names of 25 of the 30 NBA teams to the "Washington Generals".

It's always funny to me when comments like this catch on, beacause it isn't like people haven't been comparing a bad team, in any sport, to the Washington Generals for decades now. For as long as I can remember people have been spouting off stuff like this. But for some reason, every once in a while, someone makes a comment like this and it stands out from the rests.

Red Klotz is never one to turn down a chance to get the name of his team out there. He recently sent a letter to Gilbert offering him a job with his legendary team of "losers".

It stated...

Dear Mr. Gilbert,

...We would like to offer you the chance to play in, or coach our games against the Harlem Globetrotters at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 27 at Quicken Loans Arena. We have already created a personalized jersey, just for you, should you agree to join us.

To show you that we are serious, we'll offer a 25 percent discount on tickets to Cleveland-area fans to watch you and the Generals in action.

We know with your help, we have the chance to end our 40-year losing streak against the world-famous trick-shooters.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Cordially,

Red Klotz

I have no doubt this is a sincere offer. The Generals, and by proxy the Globetrotters, would only benefit from Gilbert taking Klotz up on this offer. It would give the Generals/Globetrotter game, only weeks into their 2012 North American tour, some big press and no doubt increase ticket sales.

Now clearly it would still be a Globetrotters vs Generals game. So his playing for the team would surely be the same ream as any other "Guest Generals". Just with a real jersey and not a souvenir "00".

Likewise, his coaching the team would probably not play out any different than other guest coaches of the past. Or yield any different results. As much as us Generals fans would love it if it did.

But I think Gilbert should consider taking them up on their offer.

His comment was unnecessary and out of line, which is nothing new. Whining is his specialty these days.

So taking the Generals up on this offer would be a very good move at damage control. It would show his willingness to laugh at himself and be a good sport. A trait he has sincerely been lacking. It would also send some positive press his way, which he and his team could definitely use.

Gilbert has so far not commented on this "job offer". Similar offers like this have been sent over the years, and usually the people involved aren't good enough sports to take them up on it. But I think it would be a good move for Gilbert. Whether or not he will see it the same way remains to be seen.

RELATED LINKS

Dan Gilbert invited to play coach for the Washington Generals

Dan Gilbert Should Accept Washington Generals' Offer

Washington Generals Invite Dan Gilbert To Play Or Coach For Them In Exhibition

Washington Generals Top Players: Gene Hudgins

Gene Hudgins (Left)

As some fans of the Washington Generals know, many Harlem Globetrotters started out playing for the Generals. But Gene Hudgins made the jump before anyone else.

Born in 1935 in Cape May Courthouse, N.J., Hudgins first made his mark in basketball playing at Atlantic City High School. In his senior year Hudgins became an All-State and All-American basketball player, while becoming an honor student in the process.

He graduated in 1952 (coincidentally, the same year the Washington Generals were first formed) and initially attended Virginia State College in Petersburg before transferring to Morgan State University in Baltimore, M.D. He was a star player at Morgan State and graduated with a bachelors in health and physical education.

After graduating from Morgan State in 1956, Hudgins signed with the Washington Generals, becoming the first black player for the previously all white team. It was there he met and became long time friends with Washington Generals owner Red Klotz, Who Hudgens has described in interviews as being like a second father to him.

Klotz said in an interview once that with Hudgins skills it was only a matter of time before the Globetrotters would want him. Sure enough, the following season Hudgins became the first Washington General to ever make the jump to the Harlem Globetrotters, paving the way for future players like Frank Stevens, Clyde Sinclair and current Globetrotters Derick "Dizzy" Grant and Jonte "Too Tall" Hall.

Gene went on to play for the Globetrotters for six seasons, playing alongside such Globetrotter greats at Wilt Chamberlain, Meadowlark Lemon, Herbert "Geese" Ausbie, and baseball great "Bullet" Bob Gibson. He was also part of several World Series of Basketball tours, and performed in front of such legendary figures as Pope John XXIII and Nikita Kruschev.

Most experts say in an other time Hudgins would have found his way to the NBA. But during that period the NBA had an unofficial "cap" on how many black players were to be on one team. The result kept Hudgens out of the NBA, but he more than made the most of it.

After leaving the Globetrotters in 1963, Hudgins turned to teaching and coaching in the Atlantic City and Pleasantville, N.J. school systems. Most notably coaching basketball at Pleasantville High School.

Hudgins went on to become a prominent figure for his community off the court as well.

He became active in the union with Local 54, which he is credited with helping clean up after years of mob ties. He later went on to become manager for Local 54.

Gene was a local television figure in Altlantic City, most notably as a color commentator for the Atlantic City Seaguls.

He also has been the recipient of too many rewards to count. The one he was reportedly most proud of was being inducted into the Atlantic City High School Hall of Fame in 2003. He told a local reporter "There's nothing like an in-town award.

Hudgins passed away in 2008 at the age of 73, but his legacy lives on. Not just with the many Washington Generals who have followed in his footsteps to make the jump to the Globetrotters. But also with the community he loved, the Harlem Globetrotters, and the many people on and off the basketball court he inspired.

Being born at the wrong time kept Gene Hudgins from rising to the top of basketball in the NBA. But he no less made his mark.

RELATED ARTICLES

Hoops Hero

Gene Hudgins Dies

Atlantic City Basketball Legend Gene Hudgins Dies at 73

Gene L. Hudgins, 73, Basktbeall Coach

The Generals Begin Their 10th Millitary Tour

U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech Sgt. Marie Brown.

The Washington Generals have begun their 10th annual millitary tour this last Tuesday the 29th. Although they will be playing it in their Global Select persona. Which it looks at least for the time being, is not going anywhere.

The tour will feature the Select and the Globetrotters taking each other on in bases in Guam and Japan. Wrapping up December 11th where both teams will then get ready to begin their North America tour which will begin December 16th.

These aren't their most lucritive tours of course. But the Generals have been helping the Globetrotters bring a slice of home to our men and women overseas. Especially brave to be out defending our country in these times. And I commend both teams for their part in giving back to the people we American's owe so much to.

Clips from the game in Misawa, Japan.

RELATED LINKS

Globetrotters Embark on 10th Military Tour

Globetrotters Amaze Misawa Community

Note: Other than the tour there was no real news for the Generals this week. So I will not be doing a Randomness Post. But will continue them next week.