In Claremore, Oklahoma, where the love of baseball runs deep, the Claremore Clowns stood as a symbol of resilience, grit, and community. A semi-pro Black baseball team active in the 1940s and 1950s, the Clowns were more than just athletes; they were pioneers who brought excitement to small-town stadiums while breaking barriers in an era of segregation.
Made up of local players, many of whom were descendants of Cherokee Freedmen, the Clowns traveled across Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas, competing against other town teams at a time when opportunities for Black athletes were limited. They played with skill and passion, becoming a source of pride for the Claremore community. However, as schools integrated in the early 1960s, all-Black teams like the Clowns gradually disappeared.
Though the team no longer exists, its legacy lives on—especially in the Grimett family. One of our Claremore Zebra baseball coaches and CHS alums, Noah Grimett, and his brother, senior player Tyson Grimett, along with their middle brother, former player, and alums Ethan Grimett, have a special connection to this history. Their grandfather, Floyd Grimett, played for the Claremore Clowns, making this year’s tribute more meaningful. The Grimett family is part of a long line of Claremore High School alums, with their father, Curkey Green, playing on the 1993 4A State Champion Claremore Zebra team.
To honor the Clowns, the Claremore Zebra baseball team unveiled special tribute uniforms for this season, a powerful reminder of those who came before. The Claremore Clowns may have been a small-town team, but their impact stretched far beyond the diamond. They were part of a larger story of perseverance, pride, and the unifying power of sports.