- 1975
-
Short Stay in Baltimore
The Memphis Sounds were eliminated by the Colonels and would be the last meaningful game that the franchise would play. Although the 1974 – 1975 season saw the highest attendance figures during the team’s stay in Memphis, both Wilson and Hayes were having financial troubles that required them to sell their shares. After the 1974 – 1975 season, the ABA ...
History of the Claws
The Baltimore Claws were a professional basketball team that played in the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1974 to 1975. The team was based in Baltimore, Maryland, and had a record of 32 wins and 50 losses. Despite their lack of success on the court, they remain one of the most beloved teams in ABA history due to their unique style and colorful personalities.
The Claws were founded by owner Earl Foreman, who owned several other ABA franchises, including Virginia Squires, Carolina Cougars, Memphis Tams, and San Diego Sails. He assembled a talented roster featuring future Hall-of-Famer George Gervin and veterans like Larry Jones and Donnie Freeman. Their coach was former NBA champion Kevin Loughery, who led them to memorable victories over high-profile opponents such as Julius Erving's New York Nets or Moses Malone's Utah Stars during his tenure with the club between 1974 and 75.
Although they never reached any great heights during their short existence, the legacy left behind by this quirky franchise still lives on today among dedicated sports fans across America. They may not have won many games, but what made them notable was how much fun they brought into every contest while playing with flair, which is something sorely missing from modern-day professional sports leagues nowadays.
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Established
1967
City
New Orleans – Memphis – Baltimore
League History
1967 – 1975 / American Basketball Association
Team History
1975 / Baltimore Claws (Only Played three exhibition Game)
1974 – 1975 / Memphis Sounds
1972 – 1974 / Memphis Tams
1970 – 1972 / Memphis Pros
1967 – 1970 / New Orleans Buccaneers
Nickname
Claws – Baltimore may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of professional sports teams, but it has a long and storied history in athletics. One team that is particularly beloved by Baltimoreans is the Baltimore Claws. The nickname for this team dates back to its founding in 1975 and has become an integral part of its identity over time.
The origin story for this unique moniker begins with owner Jerry Hoffberger, who wanted his baseball franchise (then known as “The Orioles”) to have a name that was more appropriate given its location on Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay coastline – hence “Claws”! The term was chosen partly because clawed creatures such as crabs are native to the area but also due to their connection with strength and resilience; after all, claws can help animals protect themselves from predators or cling onto rocks during storms at sea!
This powerful image soon became associated with Hoffberger's new organization - one he hoped would bring pride and success back into Baltimore sports culture - making it an ideal choice for a mascot name. Over time, fans began using "Claw" affectionately when referring directly or indirectly to their beloved home team, whether discussing game results or simply expressing support from afar via social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook!
Today, many generations later still proudly wear clothes featuring iconic images related to these famous Claws: everything from caps adorned with crab logos to t-shirts emblazoned 'Go Claws' slogans can be found throughout Charm City streets on any given day! It's clear why so many locals remain fiercely loyal to this particular nickname – even if they don't always understand where it originally came from...
Championship
ABA Championships 0
Arena
*Emmitsburg, Maryland (Baltimore)*
1975 / St. Mary’s College
*Memphis*
1970 – 1975 / Mid-South Coliseum
*New Orleans*
1969 – 1970 / Tulane Gym
1967 – 1969 / Loyola Field House
Owner
1975 / American Basketball Association Office
1972 – 1975 / Charles O. Finley
1970 – 1972 / P. W. Blake
1967 – 1970 / Morton Downey, Jr., Charles G. Smither and 5 other Owners
Coaches
1974 – 1975 / Joe Mullaney
1972 – 1973 / Bob Bass
1967 – 1972 / Babe McCarthy
*Blue is this team’s history
