Wimpy played tight position most of the time, within one to two feet of the object ball. He would do so with minimal cue ball travel. His cue ball control was on a par with current great Efren Reyes.
Lassiter's ball pocketing was also excellent, most balls going in the center of the pocket. He could have played on 4" pockets and still made every ball. He was unhappy with himself if the object ball went in the side of the pocket or touched a rail going in. The same with his position play. He would be noticeably disappointed if the cue ball strayed more than an inch or two from it's intended destination. In a word he was a perfectionist, much like the equally celebrated Willie Mosconi.
His break was only average, probably the weakest part of his game. Again, not unlike Reyes. But Lassiter was able to control the cue ball on the break and rarely scratched. He was the first player I saw who was clearly playing position on the one ball after the break.
Lassiter's strengths included a burning desire to win, NEVER letting down in a match, always giving his best effort on EVERY shot (he understood how easy it was to get out of line on an easy shot) and the relentless pursuit of perfection. For example he could play a flawless match and win easily, but afterward when questioned, remember the shot where he got out of line and had to make a bank shot. He rarely gave himself credit for playing well. He expected to win every match he played and a loss alarmed and dismayed him. But he could, and did, come back from the loser's side to win many tournaments. He could not countenance losing.
To say Lassiter was consumed with pool is an understatement. He literally lived, ate and breathed pool. It was his entire reason for being. He was never married and only had one brief relationship when he was a young man. It didn't work out and he never went that route again. He was not one to sit around and lament his lot in life or question the sport he was so gifted at. He didn't waste his time comparing his life with that of athletes in other sports. He was a pool player, and he knew it and he embraced it. His only concern was his next game, his next opponent and the next tournament.
Everything he did was designed to help him be the best player possible. Proper rest, good diet and supportive relationships were the things he nurtured. He had a small circle of family and friends who were close to him. Outsiders were kept at a distance. The only times I ever saw him really relax and joke around was when he was talking with Don Willis or George Rood, his two best friends in pool. With them he could have a casual conversation. He wouldn't let his guard down with anyone else.
The player who currently most reminds me of Lassiter in his attitude toward winning matches and tournaments is Ralf Souquet. He also takes losing very hard, and is fully committed to his life as a professional pool player.
I hope this helps modern fans of pool get a better idea of what made Lassiter a very special, once in a lifetime player.
