What replaced it?Once upon a time AZB mattered LOL Not so much today.......
Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
What replaced it?Once upon a time AZB mattered LOL Not so much today.......
Well I have to disagree.
Mosconi travelled the country for years putting on exhibitions and with just a poster on a wall would have people packed in to see him play.
People went because they knew they’d see a 100 ball run AND there was the general sense that you were going to go see the greatest that ever was. Maybe it was like going to see Pavarotti or Callas — I’m not an opera guy but I think you get what I’m saying. It wasn’t just about seeing balls go into the holes and that’s why I think a big run of his would still be selling today.
Lou Figueroa
Do you recall Mosconi doing that either? No, neither do I. These records just happen.
All the best,
WW
Sorry, but I knew the man well., not diddly-do-da.
I know it doesn't suit your narrative, but the 526 has been broken a few times, even by the man himself. And please don't try to tell me I don't know didly-do-da, when you don't know me.
All the best,
WW
When and by who...
Since you are an expert in self-promotion, we should all defer to your expertise
In reality, people are going to watch this video like crazy whether it fits your impatient time table or not
As usual, there is a lot lost in translation due to this typing vs talking.
You only think you disagree with me. Everything you said in this post is accurate IMO as well.
But, the people that would pack the stands would be "pool fans".
Remember Lou, were not talking about golf, various types of pro and college sports where people do the following:
Pay good money for seats, travel to get there, wait long periods of time to get seated, then...lol....they get seated and have to ask the person next to them how them game is played as to the rules...lol.
Nobody does that for pool these days at all and that was not common in Willies time either unless were talking crowds of 50ish and in that case, its no different than 5.
Im with you though. I wish pool, specifically 14.1 was the primary game in the Olympics from now on, or at least, people start carrying themselves the way they use to around the tables.
Either way, Willie, just like many others such as John are great 14.1 players. Sure, Willie and lots of others would eat most everyone's lunch today if it was tournament play and not ball in paw.
Jeff
Since you are an expert in self-promotion, we should all defer to your expertise
In reality, people are going to watch this video like crazy whether it fits your impatient time table or not
I believe that when Mosconi was "King" it was a different era. Pool was at one time "American Baseball". So imagine how many would have come to anything were Babe Ruth was going to be and get a signed autograph. Willie was Pools Babe Ruth.
Jeff, like Lou I was there during Mosconi's era of exhibitions (even played him one). He was a living icon in sports, his name well known to the masses (not just pool fans!) and people would come to see him play because of that fame. Typically there was no charge to watch one of his exhibitions, but it was still a good promotion for any poolroom in which he made an appearance. They would sell drinks and food and perhaps gain some new clientele. Willie would pack the place wherever he appeared, plain and simple. People would come to see HIM, not just to see someone run 100 balls.
I hope this helps set the record straight. Thanks
I believe that when Mosconi was "King" it was a different era. Pool was at one time "American Baseball". So imagine how many would have come to anything were Babe Ruth was going to be and get a signed autograph. Willie was Pools Babe Ruth. And I think that makes it more likely that no matter what people do in pool it will in this day and age never be looked at in such high esteem(sadly).
I do hope I'm way wrong here though...
What's the story with the Mosconi vs fats match with cosell on commentary that aired on tv? Is it true it drew more people to tv sets that year than some world series games and other major sports events?
Maybe someone could look through the old issues of NBN. The article must have been before July 2001 since that it when it was first copied to a now-defunct website. I don't know if the NBN article had the sketch or not.Nice. I’d like to see that sketch
The following exists as an attachment somewhere on AZB but I couldn't track it down, so here is a copy. I don't have a date on the publication in NBN. I don't know who provided the spelling correction for Rood's name. Also, it was exactly 37 signatures on the affidavit.
From an article in National Billiard News
by Dick Hatfield
Willie Mosconi, in Springfield, Ohio, March 1954, ran 526 balls in a row for a world record that still stands today. His challenger was Earl "Jake" Bruney, an accomplished hometown pool shark.
The site of the action was East High Billiards, 111 ½ East High in the heart of downtown Springfield, on the second floor above Reco Sporting Goods. "East High" was a first class pool hall run by a first class gentleman named Bob Haas. The only criticizable thing Bob ever did was allow underage guys like me into his establishment. I was 16 - you were supposed to be 18 or older.
The first time I saw Mosconi, I thought he looked like a movie star: impeccably dressed in a tailor-made suit, blue cashmere topcoat, black fedora, and polished black shoes. He was a big hit with everybody, very personable, made small talk with the regulars, and occasionally fed a handful of nickels in the pinball machines. He was a regular guy.
Bruney safe-broke the balls at 8:00pm that March 18th, Mosconi shot second. They safe-shot back and forth a few times, and then Jake found his way clear to pocket the only three balls he'd make that night. After that, Willie took command of that 4X8 Brunswick for the next four and a half hours. At 12:50am, he missed the 527th shot - a six-ball in the corner. It tottered at the pocket, but wouldn't fall.
A number of Springfielders witnessed this record-breaking performance, including A.Y. "Lefty" Thomas, who made a sketch of the missed shot. Lefty will also authenticate this narrative. About fifty of the witnesses signed an affidavit verifying the high run.
Although at least three claim to have bought the legendary table that Willie and Jake shot on that night, it's actually owned by George Rude? (Rood), who subsequently part-owned the East High. Later in the 1950s, George played Willie several times in exhibition matches at East High. On a couple of those occasions I took tickets and sold Mosconi's books.