Klotz, "Red"

Louis Herman Klotz

In 1950, Klotz bought the Philadelphia Sphas from Eddie Gottlieb and changed the name of the team to the Washington Generals. From 1953-1995, the Generals were the travelling opponent of the Harlem Globetrotters, with Klotz as owner and coach. Klotz, who now owns the Globetrotters' current travelling opponent, the New York Nationals, was inducted into the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. Oct. 21, 1921

Career Highlights:
In 1947-48, the Baltimore Bullets were 'called up' from the ABL to join the NBA. That year, Klotz joined the Bullets, and the team finished tied for second in the Western Division with a record of 28-20. The Bullets surprised everyone in the playoffs by defeating the Max Zaslofsky-led Chicago Stags in the semifinals, then defeated the defending NBA champion Philadelphia Warriors in the NBA Finals, 4-2. Red played in 11 games that season, scored 15 points and had 7 assists. He also played in 6 playoff games and scored 6 points.

After graduating from Villanova University, Klotz played for the Philadelphia Sphas in the American Basketball League. During the exhibition season, the Sphas faced the Harlem Globetrotters in the second game of a double header and defeated them. Victory came in Klotz's first game against the Globetrotters, but he had only four victories with the Washington Generals and New York Nationals against the 'Trotters since. In the process, Klotz has become the all-time losingest coach in sports history, losing roughly 7,800 games in a row to the Globetrotters (his last victory was in 1971). Red recalled one of the rare victories and the negative reaction from the crowd, "they looked at us like we killed Santa Claus."

Origin:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Career Dates:
Klotz played at Villanova University, 1942-1944. He played for the Philadelphia Sphas from 1944-1947, and played in the NBA with the Baltimore Bullets in 1947-48.

Physical description:
5'7", 150 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NBA:
Games: 11
Points: 15
Points Per Game: 1.4

Field Goals Made: 7
Field Goals Attempted: 31
Field Goal Percentage: .226

Free Throws Made: 1
Free Throws Attempted: 3
Free Throw Percentage: .333

Rebounds: not available
Assists: 7
Assists Per Game: 0.6
Personal Fouls: 3

NBA playoffs:
Games: 6
Points: 6
Points Per Game: 1.0

Field Goals Made: 2
Field Goals Attempted: 9
Field Goal Percentage: .222

Free Throws Made: 2
Free Throws Attempted: 3
Free Throw Percentage: .666

Rebounds: not available
Assists: 1
Assists Per Game: 0.2
Personal Fouls: 3

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