bump
You all might want to check the one-pocket board for more detailed stories. Especially one by Billy Incardona. Maybe he'll post it over here.
What they hey, I'll do it myself. Hope I'm not violating protocol.
From Billy I:
I first met Clem when I was 19 years old, he came to Pittsburgh to meet the Jockey and do some hustling around Pittsburgh. The Jockey said to me that Clem was coming to town, I said who is Clem? Jockey said that Clem was the best one pocket player in the country, and played behind his back as good as anyone ever did.
Clem arrived a few days later, and when he met Jockey I was there to greet him. He was a good looking guy dressed to the max, Italian nit sweater, mohair slacks, alligator shoes, and a sleek jacket with it's own belt. I was in awe when I saw him, he was the picture that I envisioned of a true hustler.
Jockey said that there was a guy who owned a pool room in Little Washington, (a small town on the outskirts of Pittsburgh) that played 9 ball and liked to gamble. But first we would take a ride to Jockeys home town Union Town Pa. where Jockey said that there was a guy that would play for decent $. On the way to Union Town Clem broke out this bag of weed, rolled a joint and asked me if I wanted a hit. I had never smoked weed before and didn't want to look like a square so I said ok. He said that it was Chicago Green a brand of weed that was kick ass. We were about 10 minuted from Union Town when I started to smoke, I only smoked maybe 3 or 4 hits and when we arrived at the pool room Jockey got out and went inside. We waited about 10 minutes and Clem said to me, "go in and see what he's doing" I opened the back door of the car and stepped out and realozed that I couldn't walk straight. I tried to organize myself cause I didn't want to look like a square and managed to go inside the pool room. Once I got inside I leaned against the wall and couldn't speak, fortunately the Jockey was leaving and said to me "are you alright?" I didn't answer and turned around and left the pool room with him. I managed to get into the back seat of the car and remained silent.Clem continued to smoke with the Jockey and I passed. Clem at that point realized that I was a first time smoker and had a good laugh with the Jockey at my expense.
We then traveled to Little Washington where Clem played the guy that owned the pool room and I went down the street to play some cheap 9 ball with some other kids.Clem broke about even with the guy playing 9 ball and asked him to play one pocket, the guy said that he didn't know how to play one pocket and Clem explained how to play the game. They played a couple of games and the guy quit and said i've had enough. Clem than said that he would shoot all his shots behind his back and play him even. It was an offer he couldn't refuse. Clem beat him for around $300 and he quit.
They came down to the pool room that I was playing in and watched me play a few games before our game broke up. I was nervous that Clem was watching me play but I managed to run out the last game before they quit.
When we got into the car Clem asked me what I did, I said that I won $45 and gave him the money. We drove back to Pittsburgh where Clem dropped both me and the Jockey off at my house, and then he left. I said to the Jockey what about our end? The Jockey didn't have an answer and the next time I saw Clem was about 30 years later at a tournament, he didn't look like he was doing well. I asked him if he remembered me and he said yes, and I was very happy with his answer. I never did ask him about my end of the money won, I just continued doing what I do, playing pool.
Billy I.