Jimmy Darrow was a 5'10" guard and prolific scorer at Bowling Green University before advancing to the NBA St. Louis Hawks. Another one of Jimmy's professional basketball stops was the ABL's Cleveland Pipers.
The Cleveland Pipers played in the short-lived American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961-62. The ABL is noted for introducing the 3 point shot to professional basketball.
Playing under future Hall of Fame Coach John McLendon, and later another Hall of Fame Coach Bill Sharman, the Pipers won the league's 1962 championship, the only full season the league would have before folding.
Future New York Yankees baseball owner George Steinbrenner got his start in professional sports ownership with the Pipers, which he bought from plumbing business owner Ed Sweeny. Plumbing (pipes) is where the "Pipers" moniker comes from, although a bagpiper is shown as the team's mascot.
Presented here is a vintage Pipers warm up suit, the pants and jacket, attributed to Mr. Darrow. Inside the front zipper is the “Blepp-Coombs” manufacturer’s tag. Adjacent is a white label with “J.D.” written in black marker.
On the left chest is a large “Piper” patch beautifully embroidered in white and red. The cape is missing from the back. Inside the rear waistband of the matching orange fleece pants is the “Blepp-Coombs” tag. Below is a white flag tag with the description of the material. There is a tag removed.
This is a classic, eye pleasing example of apparel from a fledgling team and league when pro basketball was just finding its footing in the American sports landscape.
(For more on the Cleveland Pipers and the ABL we recommend the book 'GEORGE STEINBRENNER'S PIPE DREAM' by Bill Livingston.)