Pools golden years

Pool resurrection ?

Quesports said:
Great memories of a time when America was America..
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I think a few of you had visited the link on my thread post,...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6B1XncJoD0

I grew up with my Father playing pool in the early 70's. I have been trying to remember some names, none sound familiar so far. He used to play in S. Philly bars a lot till we moved to the burbs. Then he used to travel every other week or so. Ma put a stop to that so he played in bars & bowling alleys close to home. 1970, 71.

A street the bar was near was Island ave. (I remember that as I always thought it was a funny name as there was no "island" around) <--- silly 10 yr old thought. He never really hadda nick-name save for 1 which I won't mention here as I think dad was amateur at best.

Those were indeed the "Golden Years" for a lot of things including pool. 1990's seen corporate america take over casinos, and there went the promoters out the door in search of "profits"

I think pool has Tremendous potential to become the most popular indoor sport on a global scale. :cool: Something this pool aficionado would like to see. :smile:
 
The 60s and 70s was the best time for a player. Practicing was a complete waste of time. Why spend the time practicing when you could be in action. There were 2 and 3 poolrooms in every dinky little town in the south. There were hundreds of short stops and ring games.

One time I stopped for gas at a small service station. When I rolled down my window to pay the attendant, I heard the sound of pool balls break in the distance. I asked the man about what I thought I heard. He said they had a few pool tables in the back of the gas station. I asked what game they were playing. He said "NAAAN-BAW". I won $400.
 
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wincardona said:
Pools Golden Years
Imo. pools golden years started in the late 60's ...1967-68-69, and went through the 70's decade. During that time we had pools most colorful characters, characters that became legendary for their entertainment value which they brought to everyone through their charisma and charm. If you will, I would like to rate some of these people/players from what I remember of them, of course i'm probably going to leave some people/players out, however, anyone can bring up names of their favorite characters.

The absolute elite character of all characters is the great "Minnesota Fats" Fat's Imo. stands alone on the top tier of the worlds greatest pool characters.

The next tier would be Imo. Ronnie Allen and Keith McCreedy, both of these players always drew the largest crowds whenever they performed, both on and off the table. Of course it didn't hurt that they were both upper echelon players as well.

The next tier is a little more crowded with player/ characters the likes of "Freddie the Beard" "Jersey Red" Johnny "The Foghorn" Ervolino "U.J. Puckett" "Omaha Fats" "Ernest Nubby Morgan" Peter Lindhart rabbit" Please excuse the misspelling of some of the players mentioned, but none the less, these guys were a large part of "Pools Golden Years" the way I remembered them.

Action was fast and plentiful, players were many, entertainment was non stop, life was good. Pools Golden Years.

Dr. Bill
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LMAO at Omaha Fats. He could at times be a riot. 5' 8 " tall and about 325 lbs. pleated slacks, wing tip shoes, and a white t- shirt with ketchup and mustard stains.
i have a picture of im from 69 in JC and deep throating an hot dog.
Craig Stevens was from that era too and quite a crowd favorite.
Then of course there was this guy called 9 ball Billy too!
 
I am 70 yrs. old and been playing pool since I was 18. Got to see alot of good players being from around the Houston area. Le Cue and Red's were a couple of rooms that well known sticks used to show up for action. I see all the names everyone is throwing out there . I was surprised to only see Lil' Joe Salazars name just once, he was a fine stick. The one guy I wished I would have watched was Craig Stevens, I have heard that when he got the chemicals right he was the best for days.
Also never heard anyone mention Gabby. Don't know if he is still alive, last I heard he was doing alot of time in prison, with just cause. I just wish I had picked up on the game 1P back then, I would have got to watch some of the best. But hey I have had the pleasure of playing with Cliff and Jeremy Jones so life isn't all bad.--Smitty
 
Billy;

I think you got it right. Being from the west coast, we often seen Fats, Ronnie and Keith in action. Often in the same place. Richie Florence always added to that group too.
 
this is a great thread, had to watch again the mosconi vs minnesota fats challenge on youtube :thumbup: im to young :frown:

Thanks for the great stories :thumbup:
 
wincardona said:
Pools Golden Years
Imo. pools golden years started in the late 60's ...1967-68-69, and went through the 70's decade. During that time we had pools most colorful characters, characters that became legendary for their entertainment value which they brought to everyone through their charisma and charm. If you will, I would like to rate some of these people/players from what I remember of them, of course i'm probably going to leave some people/players out, however, anyone can bring up names of their favorite characters.

The absolute elite character of all characters is the great "Minnesota Fats" Fat's Imo. stands alone on the top tier of the worlds greatest pool characters.

The next tier would be Imo. Ronnie Allen and Keith McCreedy, both of these players always drew the largest crowds whenever they performed, both on and off the table. Of course it didn't hurt that they were both upper echelon players as well.

The next tier is a little more crowded with player/ characters the likes of "Freddie the Beard" "Jersey Red" Johnny "The Foghorn" Ervolino "U.J. Puckett" "Omaha Fats" "Ernest Nubby Morgan" Peter Lindhart rabbit" Please excuse the misspelling of some of the players mentioned, but none the less, these guys were a large part of "Pools Golden Years" the way I remembered them.

Action was fast and plentiful, players were many, entertainment was non stop, life was good. Pools Golden Years.

Dr. Bill
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Amen. My sentiments exactly.

Beard

Coincidentally, last night as I was leaving Red Shoes, I was accosted by Watusi Slim who had just heard about Ronnie passing. He bemoaned to me the fact that today's players, and he was pointing directly to Sergio and Ike who were constantly arguing while playing for $50 a game, dont have a clue as to the way it was when he and I (and you) were gambling back in the day. He and I played for thousands in the 70s. I am just glad that I was a part of it.
 
wincardona said:
Pools Golden Years
Imo. pools golden years started in the late 60's ...1967-68-69, and went through the 70's decade. During that time we had pools most colorful characters, characters that became legendary for their entertainment value which they brought to everyone through their charisma and charm. If you will, I would like to rate some of these people/players from what I remember of them, of course i'm probably going to leave some people/players out, however, anyone can bring up names of their favorite characters.

The absolute elite character of all characters is the great "Minnesota Fats" Fat's Imo. stands alone on the top tier of the worlds greatest pool characters.

The next tier would be Imo. Ronnie Allen and Keith McCreedy, both of these players always drew the largest crowds whenever they performed, both on and off the table. Of course it didn't hurt that they were both upper echelon players as well.

The next tier is a little more crowded with player/ characters the likes of "Freddie the Beard" "Jersey Red" Johnny "The Foghorn" Ervolino "U.J. Puckett" "Omaha Fats" "Ernest Nubby Morgan" Peter Lindhart rabbit" Please excuse the misspelling of some of the players mentioned, but none the less, these guys were a large part of "Pools Golden Years" the way I remembered them.

Action was fast and plentiful, players were many, entertainment was non stop, life was good. Pools Golden Years.

Dr. Bill
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Good post Dr.

I missed it all, and it was right under my nose for years. I was born in the 70's in Owensboro, KY. My Grandfather was a pool fanatic, gambler and my babysitter every summer. Almost everyday we would go to the Rack-n-Cue, Nick Varner's place and he would play for several hours. I would get $20 worth or quarters and waste my time playing PacMan, Space Invaders and Donkey Kong. What I should've done, was pay attention to the game he was playing and who he was playing with. Varner and others were in there all the time.

Then, in the 90's, my Grandmother didn't want him traveling alone. So, I went to the Lexington All Stars with him a couple of times. Archer was coming up and Strickland and Hall were on top and I never noticed. I was just hanging out with my "Pappaw". Steve Mizerak sat and talked with us for about an hour one day and I had no idea who he was. None of the aforementioned registered with me until my Grandfather passed away and left me his cue. When I finally took the game up, I realized all the characters I had missed out on, including my Grandfather.

Sorry for the long post.
-J
 
wincardona said:
Pools Golden Years
Imo. pools golden years started in the late 60's ...1967-68-69, and went through the 70's decade. During that time we had pools most colorful characters, characters that became legendary for their entertainment value which they brought to everyone through their charisma and charm. If you will, I would like to rate some of these people/players from what I remember of them, of course i'm probably going to leave some people/players out, however, anyone can bring up names of their favorite characters.

The absolute elite character of all characters is the great "Minnesota Fats" Fat's Imo. stands alone on the top tier of the worlds greatest pool characters.

The next tier would be Imo. Ronnie Allen and Keith McCreedy, both of these players always drew the largest crowds whenever they performed, both on and off the table. Of course it didn't hurt that they were both upper echelon players as well.

The next tier is a little more crowded with player/ characters the likes of "Freddie the Beard" "Jersey Red" Johnny "The Foghorn" Ervolino "U.J. Puckett" "Omaha Fats" "Ernest Nubby Morgan" Peter Lindhart rabbit" Please excuse the misspelling of some of the players mentioned, but none the less, these guys were a large part of "Pools Golden Years" the way I remembered them.

Action was fast and plentiful, players were many, entertainment was non stop, life was good. Pools Golden Years.

Dr. Bill
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Billy,

I agree with you, but for me it started a little earlier. Early 60s' with Danny Jones, Eddy Taylor, Detroit Whitey, Grady, Wimpy, Ambrose and many others.

Action was everywhere you went. I had a blowout some where near Elyiria-Lorian OH and while it was being replaced went to the Black pool room across the street and won $500. Everybody gambled.

In the South, players would get up and play one after the other. This was before the East coast players went there and ruined it for everyone.

You could travel anywhere and it would take days or even weeks for locals to discover your identity. Now it takes minutes. Matching up took minutes, now it takes hours or even days. What happened to pool? Was it Poker? Casinos? Video games?

Bill S.
 
Wedge said:
I was told at the weekly tournament at West Ends (14.1 race to 150) Mizerak would actually intentionally lose the lag and take the 2 fouls (Illegal break) when he broke so he could run 152 and out and win the high run prize!!!
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I wonder what year that was? I used to go to West End and it was always a Tues 9 ball open tourney, where all the big hitters would show up i.e. Miz, Hopkins, Ervolino and the NY guys, etc. I wasn't aware of any weekly 14.1 tourney.


Eric
 
Paul Schofield said:
"NAAAN-BAW".
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I'm in tears here. That's so good.


----

I'm sad to have missed the golden years, but who knows... 100 years from now pool may be on the same level as snow polo and camel wrestling, and I'm just lucky to have caught it while it's still alive.
 
wincardona said:
Pools Golden Years
Imo. pools golden years started in the late 60's ...1967-68-69, and went through the 70's decade. During that time we had pools most colorful characters, characters that became legendary for their entertainment value which they brought to everyone through their charisma and charm. If you will, I would like to rate some of these people/players from what I remember of them, of course i'm probably going to leave some people/players out, however, anyone can bring up names of their favorite characters.

The absolute elite character of all characters is the great "Minnesota Fats" Fat's Imo. stands alone on the top tier of the worlds greatest pool characters.

The next tier would be Imo. Ronnie Allen and Keith McCreedy, both of these players always drew the largest crowds whenever they performed, both on and off the table. Of course it didn't hurt that they were both upper echelon players as well.

The next tier is a little more crowded with player/ characters the likes of "Freddie the Beard" "Jersey Red" Johnny "The Foghorn" Ervolino "U.J. Puckett" "Omaha Fats" "Ernest Nubby Morgan" Peter Lindhart rabbit" Please excuse the misspelling of some of the players mentioned, but none the less, these guys were a large part of "Pools Golden Years" the way I remembered them.

Action was fast and plentiful, players were many, entertainment was non stop, life was good. Pools Golden Years.

Dr. Bill
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Yeah Dr. Bill, I agree with you. But you left someone out, one of my all time favorite players. CARDONE!!! He would laugh in your face and dance on your grave after you played 9-Ball with him! So legendary was Cardone that he acquired many nicknames - Pittsburgh Billy, 9-Ball Billy, the Little Gorilla and a few others I can't mention here. Cardone personified the action of that era, always ready to play and bet high. He was a magical game maker with a superior logic that would enrapture his opponent and cause him to come to the table, sometimes against his better judgment! He would gamble all day and all night too, never quitting until you said stop. His game seemed to get better too as the bet went up.

I'll never forget that muscular fellow in the tank top that broke Bucktooth down, giving him the six ball and the break, overcoming the mortal nuts with some of the greatest pool I ever saw. Bucktooth would roll out a long rail bank and Billy would fire it in and run out another rack. At 300 a game (in 1972) it took a very long time to finally bust him for $25,000! But you did it and gave him a cure that never wore off. He returned to San Francisco broke and desperate, got into the jewelry business which led to other businesses and became a wealthy man. But he never took on a tough game again, you cured him of that notion.

Always nice to see you posting on here. You belong in the HOF! Your commentary is like your pool game, the DEAD NUTS! :thumbup2:
 
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jay helfert said:
Yeah Dr. Bill, I agree with you. But you left someone out, one of my all time favorite players. CARDONE!!! He would laugh in your face and dance on your grave after you played 9-Ball with him! So legendary was Cardone that he acquired many nicknames - Pittsburgh Billy, 9-Ball Billy, the Little Gorilla and a few others I can't mention here. Cardone personified the action of that era, always ready to play and bet high. He was a magical game maker with a superior logic that would enrapture his opponent and cause him to come to the table, sometimes against his better judgment! He would gamble all day and all night too, never quitting until you said stop. His game seemed to get better too as the bet went up.
I'll never forget that muscular fellow in the tank top that broke Bucktooth down, giving him the six ball and the break, overcoming the mortal nuts with some of the greatest pool I ever saw. Bucktooth would roll out a long rail bank and Billy would fire it in and run out another rack. At 300 a game (in 1972) it took a very long time to finally bust him for $25,000! But you did it and gave him a cure that never wore off. He returned to San Francisco broke and desperate, got into the jewelry business which led to other businesses and became a wealthy man. But he never took on a tough game again, you cured him of that notion.

Always nice to see you posting on here. You belong in the HOF! Your commentary is like your pool game, the DEAD NUTS! :thumbup2:
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This is also (perhaps more than the $$$), is what hustlers liked best.

So A Q to all you "60's" guys: How can you take the "sixties in America," and make it global for the 21st Century,(W/O getting in PC trouble??)

Not trying to high-jack the thread here, just want to add to it ? :)
 
That world has disappeared, I'm wondering what the "New Age of Pool" will be? hmmm

ironman said:
LMAO at Omaha Fats. He could at times be a riot. 5' 8 " tall and about 325 lbs. pleated slacks, wing tip shoes, and a white t- shirt with ketchup and mustard stains.
i have a picture of im from 69 in JC and deep throating an hot dog.
Craig Stevens was from that era too and quite a crowd favorite.
Then of course there was this guy called 9 ball Billy too!
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Craig Stevens was something else, and so was "Fat Randy" from Tulsa. ;) Oklahoma drew some of the greatest players, like Matlock, Omaha John, St. Louie Louie, Larry Hubert, Billy Johnson (Wade Crane), Weldon Rogers and of course Buddy Hall was around the area as well. I'm glad I got to be around that crowd, it was certainly great seasoning. That world has disappeared, I'm wondering what the "New Age of Pool" will be? hmmm......
 
circa 1970s

Times sq. Billiards across the street from the famous Roseland Ballroom
53rd st.. Broadway downstairs below an arcade --- I must be 17, 18.
heading Down the stairs to check out the action there is Cosmo playing a young Turk one pocket. at this point Cosmo is closer to the end of his days than the beginning hard living has taken its Toll. As I stop to watch, the Kid who boasts he is the champion of Cuba wins a game Cosmo is Pissed So he Asks me for all my Money and he has that look in his eye that even scared me.
So I handed over around $60 now being a kid in the 70s in New York's Hells Kitchen With walking money of around $100 was pretty dam good so I took the Gamble, Cosmo cleaned him out and We split the winnings 50/50 It was a good moment for him and showed me what what was once a fine pool player.
A little story from the 70s.
MCP
 
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