Cool Pool Read about Wimpy

[galipeau]

Here's to Luther, one of the greatest ever:

This article quotes Behrman stating that Luther learned "how to really play" from Minnesota Fats.... or something along those lines.

From other sources I've read this couldn't be farther from the truth. Does anyone know if this is just bad journalism, or what?

 

[NYC cue dude]

It is interesting Cicero Murphy was the only champion to show for his funeral.

Curt Flood whose career was ruined when he challenged the reserve clause in baseball - no active ballplayers attended his funeral. The man who sacrificed so they could make their big money - none of them showed up to honor him.

What is most stunning about this is that Wimpy at one time had refused to play Cicero for the world title. He hadnt yet evolved on the issue of equality.

Thanks for sharing JAM.

 

[ROB.M]

The picture at the bottom where is shooting left handed - interesting bridge.

-

Where have you been....?try it, it works really well.







Rob.M

 

[WildWing]

This article quotes Behrman stating that Luther learned "how to really play" from Minnesota Fats.... or something along those lines.

From other sources I've read this couldn't be farther from the truth. Does anyone know if this is just bad journalism, or what?

It's probably not bad journalism, but more likely Wimpy giving too much credit to Fats. In televised interviews in the 80s, when Wimpy beat Fats in the Legends tournaments put on by Bill Caton of Big Fights, Luther said, "This is the case where the student beats the teacher."

I take from that, Luther did have a relationship with Fats, and gave him some credit along the way. But there is no way that Luther learned anything from Fats. Luther was a bit self-deprecating along the way, and this was typical of him.

Bottom line, Luther was one of the greatest ever. Fats was never possessed of one iota of pocket billiards knowledge, yet could hustle his way into the theater in various ways. As for Behrman, he has knowledge, but I suspect he was just trying to make notable commentary.

All the best,
WW

 

[RADAR]

i was traveling with buddy hall and i ask him who was the best player he had ever seen or played and he said by far wimpy was the best.

lol shows everybody has opinion. Ronnie allen said harold worst! He beat luther as well for cash. Oh well all have story on 1 another!

 

[Prey]

Awesome read! Thanks for posting this!

 

[Colonel]

Great history, thanks for posting

 

[Island Drive]

-

Where have you been....?try it, it works really well.

Rob.M

I learned the ''nip bridge'' from Wimpy. Later on in life, it became a teaching tool for my beginners, it was more than a bridge.

 

[obe1]

Qoute "I remember his short ferule and it being red, probably to eliminate glare. I also clearly remember him say to another while in the main tournament pit room. "I'll play ya that way,



I watched him play a exhibition against Lou Butera in San Diego'72 . He was using a the Red rectangle ferrule ...Dan James told me Luther asked him to install it .He thought it helped his game...

I saw Fat's in a Brunswick Billiard promotional stop in ST Paul 1963
..after he shot awhile I said to him I hoped to play pool like him someday........

..He replied...That's great kid... But f you want to shoot great pool you will want to watch Mr. Luther Lassiter..

 

[Dan Joss]

As Lassiter was getting older he tried many things to keep his game at the top level.
One of them was the red ferrule. He felt that as he stroked the white ferrule blended with the white cue ball and couldn't see it as well.
Especially at the end of the table where the shadow of the cue ball came into play.
Did it help? .... All I can tell you is he played as good as anybody on the planet .. at times.
Nobody would travel to play Wimpy , or Kelly, or Ronnie, or Buddy, or Richie, or,or

 

[alstl]

As Lassiter was getting older he tried many things to keep his game at the top level.
One of them was the red ferrule. He felt that as he stroked the white ferrule blended with the white cue ball and couldn't see it as well.
Especially at the end of the table where the shadow of the cue ball came into play.
Did it help? .... All I can tell you is he played as good as anybody on the planet .. at times.
Nobody would travel to play Wimpy , or Kelly, or Ronnie, or Buddy, or Richie, or,or

I was watching a stream or video and DiLiberto doing commentary said Lassiter used lipstick on the ferrule. He also said Lassiter had his heart broken by a woman and never got over it.

 

[Colonel]

I was watching a stream or video and DiLiberto doing commentary said Lassiter used lipstick on the ferrule. He also said Lassiter had his heart broken by a woman and never got over it.

I don't know about lipstick but I saw him using a magic marker on one when I was a kid in my old mans hall. He said "why would you want to line up something white against something white". It left an impression on me and I've had Bob Frey making these for me for over 25 years as a result.

 

[JAM]

As Lassiter was getting older he tried many things to keep his game at the top level.
One of them was the red ferrule. He felt that as he stroked the white ferrule blended with the white cue ball and couldn't see it as well.
Especially at the end of the table where the shadow of the cue ball came into play.
Did it help? .... All I can tell you is he played as good as anybody on the planet .. at times.
Nobody would travel to play Wimpy , or Kelly, or Ronnie, or Buddy, or Richie, or,or

That is so interesting. I love these little pool trivia bits.

 

[JAM]

I was watching a stream or video and DiLiberto doing commentary said Lassiter used lipstick on the ferrule. He also said Lassiter had his heart broken by a woman and never got over it.

Aw, poor Wimpy. Affairs of the heart can be difficult. :smiling-heart:

 

[JAM]

Qoute "I remember his short ferule and it being red, probably to eliminate glare. I also clearly remember him say to another while in the main tournament pit room. "I'll play ya that way,



I watched him play a exhibition against Lou Butera in San Diego'72 . He was using a the Red rectangle ferrule ...Dan James told me Luther asked him to install it .He thought it helped his game...

I saw Fat's in a Brunswick Billiard promotional stop in ST Paul 1963
..after he shot awhile I said to him I hoped to play pool like him someday........

..He replied...That's great kid... But f you want to shoot great pool you will want to watch Mr. Luther Lassiter..

That must have been very cool to witness!

 

[JAM]

I learned the ''nip bridge'' from Wimpy. Later on in life, it became a teaching tool for my beginners, it was more than a bridge.

"Nip bridge." I'm not sure why, but I find this funny. :rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:

 

[JAM]

It's probably not bad journalism, but more likely Wimpy giving too much credit to Fats. In televised interviews in the 80s, when Wimpy beat Fats in the Legends tournaments put on by Bill Caton of Big Fights, Luther said, "This is the case where the student beats the teacher."

I take from that, Luther did have a relationship with Fats, and gave him some credit along the way. But there is no way that Luther learned anything from Fats. Luther was a bit self-deprecating along the way, and this was typical of him.

Bottom line, Luther was one of the greatest ever. Fats was never possessed of one iota of pocket billiards knowledge, yet could hustle his way into the theater in various ways. As for Behrman, he has knowledge, but I suspect he was just trying to make notable commentary.

All the best,
WW

Very true.

 

[obe1]

That must have been very cool to witness!

I did not know my father very well but he came by on 10th birthday and took me to me Fat's at my mom's request. I was shocked when Fats came over to me and knew my name. I was on cloud nine for weeks after that. Best B-day ever.. Man it is like yesterday in my mind..

She told me he knew and played with many of the ST Paul- Milwaukee-Chicago-Detroit players . He was on the Brunswick-Pabst bowling team 50 and 60's.

Teams toured the Midwest doing match's against the Budweiser team and local house teams.

They bowled and shot a lot of pool for money of course.

Turned out he was better in the alley bar according to my mother.

Anyone have stories about Luther or Fats please post them for us will ya!!