OMG where did you find that photo? That IS "Practicing Tom"!!! I knew him well. He actually sold programs for us at the Peter Vitalie tourney at the Biltmore Hotel in 1987. He set up a booth that was uniquely his, with all kinds of pool memorabilia on display. He had a booming voice that carried all over the lobby area. Thanks to him we sold several hundred programs. Tom passed away a good 15 years ago from lung cancer.
Tom had a favorite long rail bank that he might shoot 100-200 times in a row. When he was happy with that shot, he would shoot it from the other end of the table another 100-200 times. This could go on all day.
The Rags referred to was none other than Robert "Rags" Woods, one of the great black pool players of all time. In a city (L.A.) full of black champions like Black Nate, Iceman, California Shorty, Cecil and Rush Out Red, no one would mess with Rags. In fact most road players steered clear of Tournament Billiards where Rags was the manager. He played 9-Ball the same speed as Eddie Kelly and Richie Florence! That's all. Rags didn't get much recognition because no one would play him. Consequently he booked very few winners of note.
I am proud to say that I was instrumental in getting Rags on the Legends of Pool TV shows in the mid 80's. The promoters were looking for the number one Senior black player in the United States and I steered them to Rags. He played well on that show both years. I was there for the filming and all the other players like Jimmy Moore, Lassiter, Fats and Puckett were very familiar with Rags, asking him how he'd been and where he was living now. I didn't know he used to travel around looking for guys like this to play. In the 50's and 60's all the top players knew about "White Rags" (Johnny Fitzpatrick) and "Black Rags" (Robert Woods).
I saw Rags play a few times. Once with Black Nate, unquestionably the best One Pocket player in the hood. Still no match for Rags. And he played Marvin a very long session that brought people from all over to watch. I think they broke about even. when Jimmy Marino was sneaking around the West Coast robbing everyone, he made the mistake of sneaking into Tournament. His only loss out here to the best of my knowledge was to Rags. When Cecil was first making a name for himself, Rags could handle him like he was a baby. I'm sure he was instrumental in helping Cecil become a great player. Rags made 9-Ball look like a joke and it was to a player his speed. I heard a young Richie Florence came looking for Rags and they had a couple of long sessions, but Richie finally quit in frustration. Rags turned NO ONE down for a game! He didn't care who you were or what your name was.
Rags had to be in the top five all time among black champions along with James Evans, Black Cannonball, Marvin Henderson and Youngblood Washington. I was there when black Cannonball came into Tournament Billiards and he did not ask Rags to play. They just had a very friendly conversation, the ultimate respect among pool players. Black Rags died over ten years ago. He was pushing 80 at least.
That is a very special case my friend. Treasure it! Tom was a true pool devotee and he looked up to Rags, who was one of the greats. And a damn nice guy to boot.
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