They Were Losers and Darn Proud Of It

Yes, RIP, The Washington Generals, who are no more. It was our privilege in the late 50's and early 60's to see the Generals in person in our own Wallace Civic Auditorium, only of course, the Generals were not the story, and they were not the reason that we shelled out hard earned money to see that game. Their opponent? The Harlem Globetrotters. For over 60 years the Generals played their best every night trying to beat the Trotters, and finally one night tin 1971, they did. Now the Generals are no more. They were losers and the they were darn proud of it.

http://www.foxsports.com/other/story/washington-generals-fold-opponent-no-longer-play-harlem-globetrotters-081415

The Washington Generals, who lost thousands of games while serving as the opponent of the Harlem Globetrotters for more than 60 years, announced this week that they're folding after the Globetrotters decided to end their partnership.
"I got a call about a month ago, and they just told me that that was it," GM John Ferrari told ESPN's Darren Rovell. "I turned to my wife and just said to her, in disbelief, 'It's over.'"
While the Globetrotters thrilled crowds with their skills, ball tricks and gags at the Generals' expense, their longtime opponent excelled at making them look good, losing 2,495 straight games. When they finally prevailed, 100-99 in a 1971 matchup, the fans "looked at us like we killed Santa Claus," team founder Red Klotz said. It was one of only a handful of victories the Generals managed against any of their opponents.
The teams played their last game Aug. 1, fittingly a loss for the Generals. For more on the demise of basketball's lovable losers, read Joe Posnanski's story for NBC Sports.