1949 Fats and Mosconi

[Island Drive]

I remember vividly at Janscos, the year hippie looking Kieth Thompson won it. Fats was outside the pit area and this hippie chick came up to him for an autograph. When Fats pulled out his stamp, she replied. "If want a stamp, I'll go to the bank''. Only time I ever saw Fats, not able to respond.

 

[jay helfert]

I remember vividly at Janscos, the year hippie looking Kieth Thompson won it. Fats was outside the pit area and this hippie chick came up to him for an autograph. When Fats pulled out his stamp, she replied. "If want a stamp, I'll go to the bank''. Only time I ever saw Fats, not able to respond.

Fats could barely write his own name (Rudolf Wanderone), let alone write a name he was unfamiliar with (Minnesota Fats). He did sign a few things with the moniker Minnesota Fats later in life, but those are rare signatures. I had a copy of The Bank Shot he signed for me but I made the mistake of loaning it out, never to return.

 

[jay helfert]

I was in JC near the end of Fatty playing Richie.

I had just come in from the road and found Richie in the bar. I sat down with him and he told me how Fats was punishing him. He kept saying over and over "everyone says that Fats can't play, Fats can't play".

Well he learned otherwise.

I spent a lot of time with Fatty at JC watching him play and match up.
He truly could play very well and almost always got the money.

He also helped me in Evansville, IL to get a game with Blackie LeSure who I beat for $1000. playing even one pocket.

After I started making cues I got on a plane to Louisville for the trade show.
I was going coach. Fatty was sitting in First Class. As I walked down the aisle Fatty said "Hello Billy" come sit with me. The attendant said OK. Try that today!

As we were talking Fatty said he was returning from a TV show and pulled out a check for 35K to show me.

Later in Louisville we would walk around the show together.

We were walking down the aisle when a pretty little Blonde woman approached Fats and asked for an Autograph. Without hesitation Fats pulled out his rubber stamp and stamped her right on the forehead. She had this incredulous look on her face as she walked away.

It broke me up completely.

Those of you that only know of Fatty by watching TV don't have a clue about how well he banked and played one pocket. I don't know how many 2 rail end rail banks I have seen him make for the money. All the while cracking jokes and telling stories.

He was a real legend and a generous man with both his time and money and did more to put pool in the spotlight than just about anyone.

Miss him a lot.

Bill S.

Thanks for this Billy. I've been telling people for decades that Fats may not have been the best player alive, but he definitely could play and he knew how to get the money. I saw him beat a young Eddie Robin at Billiards when Eddie was a fast rising star of the game. Fats made him bet 500 and came back from 47-41 down to win 50-47. He ran nine and out for the cash, talking all the way as only he could. I loved hanging around with Fats. He was never boring, always entertaining and had a heart of gold outside the poolroom. The complete opposite of how he has been portrayed.