Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton 1B, Wilkes-Barre Indians’ baseball 1950

When we talk about the early days of the NBA, there’s one name that often gets overshadowed, but his story is as integral as any. Nathaniel Clifton was a true pioneer of the game. Thanks to the movie “Sweetwater”, now more people are getting acquainted with Clifton’s journey. He was instrumental in breaking barriers, helping integrate the NBA when he joined the New York Knickerbockers.

Clifton was a trailblazer, one of the first to put pen to paper on an NBA contract. Can you believe it? The Knicks paid over $12,500 to Abe Saperstein of the Globetrotters just to have Clifton suit up, and his salary? A cool $2500. But there’s more to Nat than just basketball. Did you know he laced up his cleats for the Wilkes-Barre Indians on the diamond at Artillery Park in the Old Eastern League.? He was quite the athlete.

Back in his high school days at DuSable High in Chicago, Clifton was already making waves, dropping 45 points in the city semi-finals. Then he took his talents down south to Xavier College in New Orleans before Uncle Sam came calling in 1943. He served his country for three years before returning to the hardwood.

After the war, he suited up for the Dayton Mets, but it was that clash against the Wilkes-Barre Barons that caught folks’ attention. A fundraiser for the March of Dimes, it was a battle royale at the Kingston Armory. Sure, Wilkes-Barre came out on top, but Nat left his mark, notching 18 points.

And let’s not forget his stint with the Harlem Globetrotters. Those guys were on fire, especially with Clifton in the lineup. They even took down the mighty Lakers, led by George Mikan himself.

But baseball wasn’t foreign to Clifton either. Dayton, Pittsfield, Wilkes-Barre – you name it, he swung the bat there. In ’50, he was tearing it up in the Eastern League, batting .304 with 9 homers for the Wilkes-Barre Indians. He was a standout first baseman, a crucial piece in the Indians’ championship run.

Nathaniel Clifton wasn’t just a basketball player or a baseball player – he was a true sportsman, leaving his mark wherever he went. And his legacy? Well, it’s etched in the annals of sports history, a testament to his talent and determination.

Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton below with Wilkes-Barre 1950

Sweetwater of the Harlem Globetrotters loses the ball, Big George Mikan in the background

Scranton CYC crowd is wowed by Olympic Champion, 1969

George Foreman was a young Heavyweight in 1969. On November 5, 1969 he came to Scranton to fight Leo Peterson. Foreman was 8 and 0 with 7 KOs. He was a large man standing 6 foot 3 inches. His reach was 78 inches. He weighed about 226 pounds. George was 20 years old. Unlike boxing today, George was constantly on the move and boxing.

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Foreman fought 2 times in October and had just beaten Robert Davilla on Halloween in New York City. In a boxing match that spanned four rounds, George Foreman emerged victorious with a devastating left hook that left his opponent, Peterson, incapacitated. The Scranton Times reported that Foreman strategically pursued his smaller adversary during the initial two rounds, patiently waiting for the opportune moment to strike. In the fourth round, Foreman unleashed a powerful left hook that landed with such force it seemed to nearly sever Peterson’s head, ultimately bringing an end to the fight. Peterson was immediately rendered unconscious, prompting the referee, Foreman, and the ringside physician to rush to his aid. It took Peterson nearly five minutes to regain his footing, and an additional five minutes before he could exit the ring. Reflecting on the match, Peterson remarked, “He’s incredibly strong and elusive. I believe he has a promising future ahead.”

Foreman’s journey would indeed lead him to the pinnacle of the Heavyweight Championship. Although only 1213 spectators were present to witness the fight in Scranton, George received a portion of the gate revenue as his compensation. Subsequently, a forthcoming match was announced for November 18th in his hometown of Houston. It was during this bout in 1973 that George would clinch the coveted heavyweight title. His undefeated professional record would eventually meet its end in 1974, specifically in the iconic Rumble in the Jungle against Muhammad Ali. At the time of the Ali fight, Foreman held the esteemed position of Heavyweight Champion, but regrettably lost his title. Following a defeat to Jimmy Young in 1977, Foreman made the decision to retire. However, in a remarkable turn of events, he staged a comeback in 1987. In 1994, at the remarkable age of 45, George Foreman reclaimed the Heavyweight title, making him the oldest individual to ever hold such an honor.

Advertisement for George Foreman CYC fight card 1969

Bill Russell plays exhibition at the Scranton CYC

On April 23, 1961, Bill Russell’s superstar squad hit the court at the CYC for an epic showdown. Their opponents for the day? Togo Palazzi’s all-stars, featuring ballers like Ray Scott and Stacy Arceneaux, both Eastern League standouts. Palazzi himself was a seasoned NBA player, having rocked the courts with both the Celtics and the Syracuse Nationals.

Russell rolled in with a crew of five Celtics — K.C. Jones, Sam Jones, Bill Sharman, Satch Sanders, and Hal Lear from the Eastern League. Speaking of Lear, he’d made waves at Temple, snagging the Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player title in 1956. An All-American, he’d been dropping an impressive 24 points per game in his senior year.

Russell kept the vibe light with some playful antics during the game, but when it came to defense, he showcased his skills by swatting shots. Fresh off an MVP win the previous season and an NBA title for the Celtics, Russell was on fire.

Despite the hype, the game drew fewer than 500 fans. The Celtic All-stars dominated from the get-go, with Russell putting up 18 points and Eastern League sensation Hal “King” Lear dropping an impressive 38, leading all players.

The promoters had talked big, claiming they needed $2000 to break even. Reality check: they barely scraped in less than $1000. Now, they were singing a different tune, saying they might have to part ways with the Scranton Miners franchise to make up for their losses. Tough break in the world of hoops and dollars.

Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics

Bill Russell at the Scranton CYC 1961

Boxscore Bill Russell’s stars

1920 Brooklyn Royal Giants (Eastern Independent Clubs) plays the Scranton team of the Inter-County League

On September 9, 1920, one of the most formidable teams of the 1920s arrived in Scranton to face off against the local team. Despite Scranton not having a minor league team that year, they did have a presence in the Inter-County league. The visiting team was none other than the Brooklyn Royal Giants, led by the skilled manager John Henry Lloyd, popularly known as Pop Lloyd. Pop Lloyd was renowned as one of the greatest hitters and defensive shortstops of his era in the Negro Leagues, and his exceptional abilities earned him a well-deserved induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977.

The main attraction of the game was the pitching duel between Jeff Tesreau of Scranton and Jess Hubbard of Brooklyn, generating significant buzz in the local newspapers. Tesreau, a former pitcher for the New York Giants, had established himself as a formidable force on the mound, securing the E.R.A. title in 1912 for the National League Champion N.Y. Giants and amassing an impressive 119 wins for the team. Jess Hubbard, a towering figure at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing over 200 pounds, served as the star pitcher for the Royal Giants and was widely regarded as the best pitcher in the Negro Leagues. In the game against Scranton, Hubbard dominated, shutting them out with a 5-0 victory, while also contributing two hits and scoring twice. Tesreau, though performing well, couldn’t prevent Brooklyn from breaking the game open in the top of the 9th inning, resulting in four runs for the Royal Giants.

Despite the loss, the Scranton team displayed their competitive spirit. Managed by Jack Connor, they faced various traveling teams throughout the 1920 season, including the House of David, Baltimore Black Sox, and Cuban Giants. Festus Higgins, primarily known as a pitcher but playing as a first baseman against Brooklyn, managed to secure one of the five hits against Hubbard that day. Brislin, the leftfielder for Scranton, also had a commendable performance with two hits. It is worth noting that Tesreau may have been a recruited player for the Scranton team, as he later appeared on the roster as a pitcher for Tesreau’s Bears against the Hillsdale team in the 1920 season.

In 1920, the Brooklyn Royal Giants stood as the dominant force in the Eastern Independent Clubs (EAS), tallying 13 wins, 7 losses, and 2 ties according to Seamsheads.com.