Negro League Baseball Discussion Forum: Former Players – Information Exchange: Zula Giants, Who were these guys
By Patrick Trent (Nodders) on Tuesday, November 9, 1999 – 12:04 pm:
I am looking for a list of the real names
of these players. I am writing a book about
the history of baseball in my area. The box
scores in the paper give there Zulu names.
Does anyone know where I can find a list of
the Zulu names with there correct names.
I would really appriciate it.
thanks,
Patrick Trent
By Oddettej (Oddettej) on Monday, May 22, 2000 – 04:53 pm:
I'm looking also my dad played for the Zulu's his birth name Eugene Johnson —- after service went as John Johnson. Thank you for any information you can provide are tell me where to search.
I can be reached at [email protected]
Thank you
Oddette Johnson Jones
By Admin (Admin) on Monday, May 22, 2000 – 07:16 pm:
The Zulu Cannibal Giants Baseball Tribe was one of
the original clowning teams of black baseball. The
team was originally formed during the 1930s by a
Lousiville, KY promoter named Charlie Henry. The
squad barnstormed throughout the Midwest and
South wearing wigs, dressing in grass skirts, painting
their faces and using African names.
As an exhibition attraction the team was extremely
popular during the 1930s and early 1940s, and
featured such players as David Barnhill ("Impo") who
later played in the New York Giants organization,
Robert Bissant , and Kansas City Monarch legend
Buck O'Neil who played with the Zulus in 1937.
Many of the team's comedy routines found their way
into the acts of the Miami Giants, Ethiopian Clowns
and Indianapolis Clowns, teams that competed with
the Zulus for fan appeal during the 1930s.
The Clowns, however, ultimately overtook the Zulus in
popularity. Skillfully managed by New York promoter
Syd Pollock (a close associate and frequent business
partner of Abe Saperstein, owner of the Harlem
Globetrotters), the Clowns rose to national
prominence as a comedy attraction (as well as for a
high level of baseball), and the Zulus disbanded in
the mid-1940s.
During the 1950s, after Negro League baseball had
declined to a shadow of it's glory days in the 1940s,
another Zulu squad was formed. This team traveled
throughout the country performing for crowds in
exhibition games against semi-pro and amateur
teams.
At various times booking for the Zulus was handled by
Syd Pollock (owner of the Clowns). I am not clear,
however, on the dates during which Pollock was
associated with the team.
From the team's beginning the black press and many
of those associated with the Negro Leagues were
critical of the antics of the Zulus, feeling that the
team's comedy routines and outlandish appearance
presented a false impression of the quality of
professional black baseball , helped perpetuate a
false racial stereotype, and was, in general,
demeaning to African-Americans.
On the other hand, others felt that the team provided
a good, harmless entertainment (playing mainly to
black audiences), displayed a reasonably high level of
play on the field, and produced quality players who
went on to have good careers in the Negro National
and Negro American leagues, and in the minor and
major leagues after integration.
By Northwest (Northwest) on Friday, November 3, 2000 – 11:11 am:
Great Information on the Zulu's I know they Toured through the Northwest Quite a bit. I have found a few boxscores while researching in the library in tacoma. To find more information on a certain player. I think you would need there zulu name. I also learned in 1940 They were listed as out of detriot.