African American pool pros
- Thread starter berlowmj
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9BallPaul said:
My buddy Tim Thompson told me many stories about Andy Hudson, who mentored him.
As far as great black players, there have been many. The list must begin with James Evans, considered by none other than Greenleaf the best player he competed against. They often played money games in Evan's Harlem poolroom.
Then we have the strange case of Cisero Murphy, arguably one of the best 14.1 player of his era (the 60's and 70's). He was for the most part kept out of major competitions until he was in his late 30's. Otherwise he may have won quite a bit more. He was the equal of Balsis, Lassiter, Butera and an older Irving Crane during his peak years. Of the young guns of that era, including Rempe, Hopkins and Varner, only Mizerak was a favorite over Cisero.
Another not so widely known black player was Javenly "Youngblood" Washington from Chicago. Mentioned often by Freddie, he is considered one of the best players from the 60's thru the 80's. He traveled little and not much is known about who he did or did not beat, but around Chicago his exploits are legendary. Maybe Freddie can tell us more about this brilliant but troubled player.
And let's not forget Bugs, who many consider one of the two best Bank Pool players ever (Eddie Taylor the other). He was also a top One Pocket player. Right alongside Bugs was Cannonball, who played all games exceptionally well. Part of his myth is that he used to go to the Straight Pool Championships of the 50's and 60's and challenge anyone there to a money game. ANY GAME!
The modern era has blessed us with the considerable talents of Cliff Joyner, ever to labor in the shadow of all time great Efren. And before Cliff, Gabby could play high speed 9-Ball with anyone. Cecil Tugwell was another all around monster until an "accident" ended his right handed playing career. He returned a few years later playing left handed, but never was quite the same.
In Los Angeles alone there were at least a dozen excellent black players in the 60's and 70's who were not widely known. A few were Rags Woods, Iceman, California Shorty, Black Nate, Texas Shorty, Rush Out Red, Texas Youngblood and Lotsapoppa. These guys were serious players, capable of beating any white champion out there. I suspect there were similar contingents in other cities.
Ike Runnels is another high profile player today, and I also suspect there are other lesser known players laboring away in poolrooms across America. Willie Munson could play a little too. My apologies for not mentioning Billy Palmer, one of the best players on the West Coast.
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Well now that you asked...
My Uncle Cisero was one of the best in his time in straight pool and most money games ! He is in the Pool Hall of Fame (BCA) I have seen him play many of the supposed greats and whip them and know of many supposed pool greats like the man who called himself "Minnesota Fats" (claiming that Jackie Gleasons character in "The Hustler" was patterned after him! 
) Mr Wanderone who would not play Cis' One night in Basil's (Basil was a European, i believe he was Hungarian, 3 time straight champion who was a buddy of Cisero's) 
I might add that as a young up and coming player in the 50's when he came into being recognized as a Black Man / Afro American he could not even go into some of the venues that tournaments and Championships were held ! Just a little history for some of you young players that do not understand what Black People had to go through not really that long ago!
berlowmj said:
My Uncle Cisero was one of the best in his time in straight pool and most money games ! He is in the Pool Hall of Fame (BCA) I have seen him play many of the supposed greats and whip them and know of many supposed pool greats like the man who called himself "Minnesota Fats" (claiming that Jackie Gleasons character in "The Hustler" was patterned after him! ) Mr Wanderone who would not play Cis' One night in Basil's (Basil was a European, i believe he was Hungarian, 3 time straight champion who was a buddy of Cisero's) I might add that as a young up and coming player in the 50's when he came into being recognized as a Black Man / Afro American he could not even go into some of the venues that tournaments and Championships were held ! Just a little history for some of you young players that do not understand what Black People had to go through not really that long ago!
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Just a little info for you all!
Cisero Murphy
1937 - 1996
Inducted 1995
CISERO MURPHY: Born to a Brooklyn, New York family in 1937, James Cisero Murphy was the first and only African-American ever to win a world or U.S. national billiard title. He started by taking the New York City championship at age 16. While in his 20's he won the Eastern States 14.1 Championship six straight times against top competition, but because of his race was not invited to compete in world title events until 1965, when he won the Burbank World Invitational 14.1 tournament, beating Joe Balsis, Jimmy Moore and Luther Lassiter. Murphy remains the only player in the history of pocket billiards competition to win a world title on his first attempt. He continued to place near the top in straight pool events during the 1960s and, two decades later, had a winning record in the 1983 BCA U.S. Open 14.1 Championship. Murphy has posted several competitive high runs of over 250 balls.
Cisero Murphy
1937 - 1996
Inducted 1995
CISERO MURPHY: Born to a Brooklyn, New York family in 1937, James Cisero Murphy was the first and only African-American ever to win a world or U.S. national billiard title. He started by taking the New York City championship at age 16. While in his 20's he won the Eastern States 14.1 Championship six straight times against top competition, but because of his race was not invited to compete in world title events until 1965, when he won the Burbank World Invitational 14.1 tournament, beating Joe Balsis, Jimmy Moore and Luther Lassiter. Murphy remains the only player in the history of pocket billiards competition to win a world title on his first attempt. He continued to place near the top in straight pool events during the 1960s and, two decades later, had a winning record in the 1983 BCA U.S. Open 14.1 Championship. Murphy has posted several competitive high runs of over 250 balls.
another little tidbit I remember....
Cisero's first big Championship ! one of many more to come, He was not allowed to enter the hotel through the front doors ! instead he had to enter through the kitchen entrance, yet he never complained it only made him play stronger! 
Just one of the many lessons he gave me that have helped me all through life!
MrLucky said:
Cisero Murphy
1937 - 1996
Inducted 1995
CISERO MURPHY: Born to a Brooklyn, New York family in 1937, James Cisero Murphy was the first and only African-American ever to win a world or U.S. national billiard title. He started by taking the New York City championship at age 16. While in his 20's he won the Eastern States 14.1 Championship six straight times against top competition, but because of his race was not invited to compete in world title events until 1965, when he won the Burbank World Invitational 14.1 tournament, beating Joe Balsis, Jimmy Moore and Luther Lassiter. Murphy remains the only player in the history of pocket billiards competition to win a world title on his first attempt. He continued to place near the top in straight pool events during the 1960s and, two decades later, had a winning record in the 1983 BCA U.S. Open 14.1 Championship. Murphy has posted several competitive high runs of over 250 balls.
Cisero's first big Championship ! one of many more to come, He was not allowed to enter the hotel through the front doors ! instead he had to enter through the kitchen entrance, yet he never complained it only made him play stronger! Just one of the many lessons he gave me that have helped me all through life! 
African-American
Whatever your feelings about Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton (and I will not discuss that here), you may be certain that the term neither originates with or owes its current use to either of these two gentlemen.
These two "leeches" have been sucking the lifes-blood out of Black Americans for decades and neither has EVER held a REAL JOB with
a REAL PAYCHECK ... And both are Blaspheming Whoremasters ...
To address your issue on its merits, I submit that your argument has no basis whatsoever, inasmuch as the term "African-American" explicitly affirms Americanness.
Wrong ... The term explicitely affirms Africanness
I am willing to bet dollars to donuts that you can recall countless times that you have referred to people as Irish or Irish-American, or Asian or Asian-American.
Dead Wrong ... I have NEVER added the word "American" to any of the terms you mentioned ... If they are Aliens, then they are whatever they are : Asian, African, Indian, Filipino, Russian, Norwegian, etc ... If they are American Citizens they are AMERICANS !!!
Whatever your feelings about Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton (and I will not discuss that here), you may be certain that the term neither originates with or owes its current use to either of these two gentlemen.
These two "leeches" have been sucking the lifes-blood out of Black Americans for decades and neither has EVER held a REAL JOB with
a REAL PAYCHECK ... And both are Blaspheming Whoremasters ...
To address your issue on its merits, I submit that your argument has no basis whatsoever, inasmuch as the term "African-American" explicitly affirms Americanness.
Wrong ... The term explicitely affirms Africanness
I am willing to bet dollars to donuts that you can recall countless times that you have referred to people as Irish or Irish-American, or Asian or Asian-American.
Dead Wrong ... I have NEVER added the word "American" to any of the terms you mentioned ... If they are Aliens, then they are whatever they are : Asian, African, Indian, Filipino, Russian, Norwegian, etc ... If they are American Citizens they are AMERICANS !!!
hmmm this is an interesting thread. And since I just got the forums unblocked from my work (they're trackin me down) I think I'll comment...
As far as black pool players go, I'm not well versed enough in pool history to know any (hell i learned a bit just from the earlier pages), but I do know that the guy who taught ME was taught buy an older black fellow.
I myself, am the son of a black father and a white mother. I fully intend to keep playing this game until I kick the bucket or can't move my arms anymore. My future pro status is debatable.
On the sidenote of being seen as "black" and a pool player, I honestly couldn't care less what you call me. I hate that people absolutely HAVE to lump people together by the first thing they see about them but such is life. I'm actually getting a crayon tattooed on myself so when I get the question, "What are you?" I can just point to my crayon and tell them to pick any color they see there that makes them happy.
I can tell you this, I will allow myself to be put into only so many boxes.
I am a man.
I am a Stewart.
I am a pool player.
You can keep your crayola boxes to yourself.
-Zom
P.S. I love you guys.
As far as black pool players go, I'm not well versed enough in pool history to know any (hell i learned a bit just from the earlier pages), but I do know that the guy who taught ME was taught buy an older black fellow.
I myself, am the son of a black father and a white mother. I fully intend to keep playing this game until I kick the bucket or can't move my arms anymore. My future pro status is debatable.
On the sidenote of being seen as "black" and a pool player, I honestly couldn't care less what you call me. I hate that people absolutely HAVE to lump people together by the first thing they see about them but such is life. I'm actually getting a crayon tattooed on myself so when I get the question, "What are you?" I can just point to my crayon and tell them to pick any color they see there that makes them happy.
I can tell you this, I will allow myself to be put into only so many boxes.
I am a man.
I am a Stewart.
I am a pool player.
You can keep your crayola boxes to yourself.
-Zom
P.S. I love you guys.
so are you guys trying to say that the term african american should be shortened to just american? if so it sounds like an interesting topic that could maybe be discussed in the non pool related forum
Inzombiac said:hmmm this is an interesting thread. And since I just got the forums unblocked from my work (they're trackin me down) I think I'll comment...
As far as black pool players go, I'm not well versed enough in pool history to know any (hell i learned a bit just from the earlier pages), but I do know that the guy who taught ME was taught buy an older black fellow.
I myself, am the son of a black father and a white mother. I fully intend to keep playing this game until I kick the bucket or can't move my arms anymore. My future pro status is debatable.
On the sidenote of being seen as "black" and a pool player, I honestly couldn't care less what you call me. I hate that people absolutely HAVE to lump people together by the first thing they see about them but such is life. I'm actually getting a crayon tattooed on myself so when I get the question, "What are you?" I can just point to my crayon and tell them to pick any color they see there that makes them happy.
I can tell you this, I will allow myself to be put into only so many boxes.
i get that question "what are you" a lot too. i usually tell people not to worry about it unless i know them
I should have known better ...
Please forgive me, fellow AZr's ... I am guilty of not staying "on topic" and should not have responded (as such) on this Forum ...
I shall endeavor to limit my postings and replies to Pool Related Topics ONLY in the future ...
Please forgive me, fellow AZr's ... I am guilty of not staying "on topic" and should not have responded (as such) on this Forum ...
I shall endeavor to limit my postings and replies to Pool Related Topics ONLY in the future ...
i am not sure that mark tadd is african american or not, but i do know that he played 9 or 10 ball at least the 8 and maybe the 7 better than cliff in his prime(late 80s early 90s) and also monster john from florida plays 1 hole about the same speed as joey barnes. if mark tadd is black he is the best black rotation player ive ever seen and top 10(including efren, archer, etc...) in his prime IMO.
yeah to get back on topic i think it may have something to do with the segregation that was going on earlier in the development of this country. im guessing that it was hard if not impossable for black players to enter pool tournaments. and there probably weren't too many poolhalls that would let them in. i'm guessing here but i'd say that would explain why there aren't too many american players of color (you like that, how i didn't say african american?)
on a side not where i play i'm one of 3 regulars that are americans that happen to be a shade darker
on a side not where i play i'm one of 3 regulars that are americans that happen to be a shade darker
No guess about it....
__________________ and perhaps its important to add for those that don't know ... Pool just doesn't payout all that much right now!
My personal thoughts on why there are not more Pros of color are very complex this has to do with society and economics in general ! At the risk of offending some here who view the world through rose colored glasses or what they tend to grasp from media reports even today in 2007 IMO the playing field is still not level ! Not pure racism like in Ciseros days but now the issues are cultural and economic! There are not the huge payouts in professional pool such as Golf for example where a Tiger Woods can in a relatively short time become a mega millionaire and rise above any impediments to his being successful in what was once a "solely wealthy white mans province" since to be able to play golf at all you most definitely need to be able to afford both the time and the expense! Most (not all in todays world but most) Black Pool players can not afford the travel and the fees, they do not have the bankroll or in some cases the backers that will allow them to live the life on the road of a Pool Pro ! They do not have the connections either! You can go to any major city and find the Cliff Joyners whom with some backing and or enough of their own money that they would not have the need to work to supplement their winnings while doing what they love and are good at, they would be ranked right up there at the top! I know of several players right here in Atlanta that can and will give many Pro's headaches on any given day but these guys are truck drivers, construction workers etcetera and play where and when they can.poolplayer2093 said:
__________________
and perhaps its important to add for those that don't know ... Pool just doesn't payout all that much right now!
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Back in the Day .....
I feel I need to tell this story, since it involves a great Black Player (can't remember his name) from my halcyon days, when I was 12th Naval District Straight Pool Champion six years running ... For the life of me, I cannot remember ever playing against a person of color (Black, Asian, Latino, Filipino, etc.) during any Tournament held by a Naval Facility ... However, when I was stationed at Treasure Island (San Francisco) awaiting my Honorable Discharge after 8 glorious years in the U.S. Navy (my Squadron had deployed to Okinawa and I only had 6 wks. left), I had the distinct pleasure of playing Straight Pool, for hours on end, with an older Black Navy Seaman who was also awaiting his Discharge after more than 25 yrs. of Service ... Two weeks before I arrived, there had been a fire in one of the Barracks and this brave sailor ran into the burning building and helped put out the fire with his bare hands, only to receive third degree burns on most of his fingers ... To my amazement, even with all his fingers bandaged up, he could work magic with the Cue Ball, placing it exactly where he needed it for each shot ... He ran circles around me, and I was at the top of my game in those days ... I asked why I had not met him at any of the Tournaments and he said he had never been invited to play ... So there you have it ... Here is a man with enormous talent and not allowed to compete because of his color ...
Since that time, I have had the pleasure of playing Billy Palmer, Tony Chohan, Ike Runnels, Cliff Joyner, Mark Haddad, Jose Parica, Rafael Martinez (my favorite player), and many others of "color" ... They all spanked me pretty hard, but Rafael actually let me make a few balls before he slammed the door on me ...
Ain't Pool a Grand Game ... even schleppes like me get to rub elbows with some of the greats once in awhile ...
I feel I need to tell this story, since it involves a great Black Player (can't remember his name) from my halcyon days, when I was 12th Naval District Straight Pool Champion six years running ... For the life of me, I cannot remember ever playing against a person of color (Black, Asian, Latino, Filipino, etc.) during any Tournament held by a Naval Facility ... However, when I was stationed at Treasure Island (San Francisco) awaiting my Honorable Discharge after 8 glorious years in the U.S. Navy (my Squadron had deployed to Okinawa and I only had 6 wks. left), I had the distinct pleasure of playing Straight Pool, for hours on end, with an older Black Navy Seaman who was also awaiting his Discharge after more than 25 yrs. of Service ... Two weeks before I arrived, there had been a fire in one of the Barracks and this brave sailor ran into the burning building and helped put out the fire with his bare hands, only to receive third degree burns on most of his fingers ... To my amazement, even with all his fingers bandaged up, he could work magic with the Cue Ball, placing it exactly where he needed it for each shot ... He ran circles around me, and I was at the top of my game in those days ... I asked why I had not met him at any of the Tournaments and he said he had never been invited to play ... So there you have it ... Here is a man with enormous talent and not allowed to compete because of his color ...
Since that time, I have had the pleasure of playing Billy Palmer, Tony Chohan, Ike Runnels, Cliff Joyner, Mark Haddad, Jose Parica, Rafael Martinez (my favorite player), and many others of "color" ... They all spanked me pretty hard, but Rafael actually let me make a few balls before he slammed the door on me ...
Ain't Pool a Grand Game ... even schleppes like me get to rub elbows with some of the greats once in awhile ...