Anyone Ever Heard of a Player Called "Practicing Tom"?

[Hunter]

Yep, Buddy doesn't like to be called Rags. Last year when Buddy was the house pro at MaGoo's in Tulsa, a friend of mine wanted his autograph on several things. He signed everything either "Buddy Hall" or "The Rifleman" (he doesn't mind that one), but my friend asked him to sign something "Rags" and he flat refused. He considers that a bit of a slam.

Bob

That was the reason for my initial inquiry. I knew that early on, a few folks called him that (hence the title "Rags to Rifleman"?), but I'd heard he wasn't too fond of it, so I thought it was strange that someone who obviously respected him would have bought him a tooled Fellini and had a nickname he didn't like tooled into it. I also knew that Rags Fitzpatrick had died twenty three years before the case was dated, so that's why I felt the need to call in the cavalry!

I'm very glad we have guys like Jay and Bill P. around to answer some of these mysteries...


Steve


Steve

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Without question this is the thread of the year so far.:grin-square:

 

[tattoo]

i was looking through some old pictures from this event on the net about 2 weeks agos..it was really cool to see....i am glad you find out about the case....mickey carroll

 

[Celtic]

Rags had to be in the top five all time among black champions along with James Evans, Black Cannonball, Marvin Henderson and Youngblood Washington.

Awesome post Jay full of great info. One thing though, in the top 5 of black champs you would not include Cisero Murphy? I have only seen the Murphy/Lassiter match to go on but Cisero had one hell of a smooth stroke in that video and looked like a great player.

 

[Hunter]

Also, Jay, was Rags primarily a straight pool player, or one hole?


Steve

 

[BillPorter]

Thanks!

"Practicing Tom" AKA Tom Gardner was a pleasent and likable character that one never forgets. He always had a smile and good conversation.

I remember him always wearing some sort of coat and in the pockets he carried all types of pool related gadgets. If you wanted to know the size of a pocket he would immediatly pull out a tape measure or a scale to weight the balls with.

If I remember correctly, that tournament in Houston had a one pocket event that he put a good number of players into and I think they all finished out of the money. It didn't matter to him because he just loved the action and all that goes with the pool scene. When he left us we all lost a good friend. RIP Tom

P.S. I'm certain he refered to Robert Woods "Rags" one of my heros from that time.

Thanks for identify him as Tom Gardner. I have updated the caption under his photo in our Red's gallery on Smugmug. We always appreciate it when someone can identify one of our "unknowns," or provide other info regarding one of our images. It's pleasing to me to think that one of Tom's relatives or friends might now be able to see his image in our gallery. Here is a link to the page where his photo appears: http://billporter.smugmug.com/Other/Reds-Tournaments-in-Houston-TX/1411489_nea7w#71488225_g6sjM

 

[philw]

I don't know about all that. I've just been around the pool world a lonnng time. There are many players I wish I had seen play in their prime. Artie from Chicago and Strawberry from DC come to mind. Artie was in California but he laid it down good, never having to show his speed. And when I was in Chicago he was never in action. I think he sweated me playing Joey Gold once but never said boo to me.

I was only in DC one time and didn't cross paths with Strawberry (or at least didn't see him play). I spent most of the time in Beenie's room. That's where most of the action was. It was Richies first time there as well and he lit the place up, taking on all comers. For a minute there, Richie may have been the best 9-Ball player in the country. It was between him and Bernie Schwartz and Billy Incardona. Yes Billy played that good once upon a time.

Jay,
please tell us more about your matchup with Joey Gold, what did you play?
who won? Where did you play?

 

[jay helfert]

Awesome post Jay full of great info. One thing though, in the top 5 of black champs you would not include Cisero Murphy? I have only seen the Murphy/Lassiter match to go on but Cisero had one hell of a smooth stroke in that video and looked like a great player.

Cisero Murphy was a great player, but primarily a 14.1 player and a tournament champion. The five guys I mentioned were not tournament players, but primarily road men and gamblers. They played all games. Not to say Cisero wouldn't gamble but he was trying to achieve success in pool legitimately. He broke the color barrier for black players to play in major tournaments. He was the Jackie Robinson of pool. I doubt that any of the five I named could have beaten Cisero at 14.1. Although James Evans was supposed to be a great 14.1 player, second only to Greenleaf in his era.

Another short story about Cannonball. He went to one of the national championship events held in St. Louis in the 50's. All the top players were there from Mosconi, Crane and Caras to Lassiter, Moore and Camp. Cannonball could not play in the event but he could watch and go into the practice room. He presented himself there and offered to play ANY of these champions ANY game for money, including 14.1. There were no takers. Cannonball could play a lot more than Banks, you can believe that. And he was a proud man. Real name - John Chapman. I played him in Dayton in the Bank Pool division in 1973 or 74. I came in second. :thumbup:

 

[jay helfert]

Jay,
please tell us more about your matchup with Joey Gold, what did you play?
who won? Where did you play?

9-Ball naturally. You'll have to ask Joey how that one came out. Let's just say it was close.

 

[jay helfert]

Also, Jay, was Rags primarily a straight pool player, or one hole?


Steve

Rags played all games equally well. He had no weaknesses on the pool table. He was always VERY confident regardless of where, what and who he was playing. He'd even hustle the bars when he needed money. He reminded me of a black version of Jimmy Moore. Both were robust men with friendly personalities and great games. They were among the elite players of their era.

 

[Blue Hog ridr]

Good story as usual Jay, and you're right, that case is a keeper.

 

[Celtic]

As long as you are here Jay, did you ever happen to meet a player named Calfornia Bob? Also known as Canadian Bob or Bob Strachan. He traveled with Tom Ferry for a couple years and Tom gave a few good stories about him in his time here but I was wondering how good Bob was in his prime from an impartial viewer that might have seen him in a match or two.

I heard first hand that he played Chris Bartram in St. Louis quite afew years ago for a considerable amount.

 

[jay helfert]

"Practicing Tom" AKA Tom Gardner was a pleasent and likable character that one never forgets. He always had a smile and good conversation.

I remember him always wearing some sort of coat and in the pockets he carried all types of pool related gadgets. If you wanted to know the size of a pocket he would immediatly pull out a tape measure or a scale to weight the balls with.

If I remember correctly, that tournament in Houston had a one pocket event that he put a good number of players into and I think they all finished out of the money. It didn't matter to him because he just loved the action and all that goes with the pool scene. When he left us we all lost a good friend. RIP Tom

P.S. I'm certain he refered to Robert Woods "Rags" one of my heros from that time.

Thanks for remembering Tom's last name. It escaped me at the moment. I'm glad he is getting some recognition on here. If he was alive he would be all over this site. Tom was a real pool nut. I also remember that he came into some money and invested it in the pool economy, backing several players in a few events and money games. I think he burned thru 100k in a year or two. But he had a good time doing it.

And you're so right about that coat. Look at the one in the photo. I guarantee you every pocket was full of pool gadgets and paraphernalia. Anything a player needed he had somewhere on his person. What an interesting and unique character he was.

 

[jay helfert]

As long as you are here Jay, did you ever happen to meet a player named Calfornia Bob? Also known as Canadian Bob or Bob Strachan. He traveled with Tom Ferry for a couple years and Tom gave a few good stories about him in his time here but I was wondering how good Bob was in his prime from an impartial viewer that might have seen him in a match or two.

I heard first hand that he played Chris Bartram in St. Louis quite afew years ago for a considerable amount.

That's Canadian Bob, a good solid road man. He was a high level shortstop, just about like Tom, although Tom was a better One Pocket player IMO. Bob played off and on around L.A. for a number of years. I was in with Bill Mielke when he beat him for a few hundred. Bill was the ultimate grinder. He would wear you down. Chris reminds me a little of Bill that way, but he may be a better player. Bill was no slouch for the cash though. He had that same bulldog quality as Chris.

 

[dogginda9]

As long as you are here Jay, did you ever happen to meet a player named Calfornia Bob? Also known as Canadian Bob or Bob Strachan. He traveled with Tom Ferry for a couple years and Tom gave a few good stories about him in his time here but I was wondering how good Bob was in his prime from an impartial viewer that might have seen him in a match or two.

I heard first hand that he played Chris Bartram in St. Louis quite afew years ago for a considerable amount.

Bob was living in south/central illinois near litchfield the last I heard. Not sure if he is still around though.

 

[8ballEinstein]

Wow, a thread about "Practicing Tom"! Incredible. Now I've seen it all!

I remember Tom spending a lot of time at the old Stagger Inn (in Los Angeles). He'd always be at the pool table, either practicing or playing someone for small stakes. In fact, I thought the reason they called him "Practicing Tom" was because he didn't play for more than just token wagers - in other words, a guy you could practice with.

I remember he wore a pool apron with lettering that spelled out his nickname - Practicing Tom. He was friendly, opinionated on everything related to pool and, a little on the goofy side. But, you had to love the guy. Los Angeles had quite a few classic characters and Tom was definitely one of them.

 

[JoeyA]

azbilliards never ceases to amaze me.

Nor does Jay Helfert.

Just when I thought he was down and out (quitting the forum), he reaches down deep and pulls out a great post like this one.

Black Nate has been a frequent visitor to New Orleans for many years and I know him fairly well. One of my good friends is best friends with him and I will ask him to obtain more information about Robert Rags Woods. Nate, still visits New Orleans and is still able to play at a very decent level. Nate has to be in his late 70's for sure.

JoeyA

 

[JoeyA]

That's Canadian Bob, a good solid road man. He was a high level shortstop, just about like Tom, although Tom was a better One Pocket player IMO. Bob played off and on around L.A. for a number of years. I was in with Bill Mielke when he beat him for a few hundred. Bill was the ultimate grinder. He would wear you down. Chris reminds me a little of Bill that way, but he may be a better player. Bill was no slouch for the cash though. He had that same bulldog quality as Chris.

Jay,
You know what you should do is to write a chronicle of all of the pool players you have known with one best, mini-story about each of them and maybe giving a current status of each.

That would make for a great read imo.

I would also suggest that if you write such a book that you get Bill Porter to help supply vitage photos of the players. Bill has quite the collection. {Photos, lots of photos, especially close-ups.)

JoeyA

 

[jay helfert]

Nor does Jay Helfert.

Just when I thought he was down and out (quitting the forum), he reaches down deep and pulls out a great post like this one.

Black Nate has been a frequent visitor to New Orleans for many years and I know him fairly well. One of my good friends is best friends with him and I will ask him to obtain more information about Robert Rags Woods. Nate, still visits New Orleans and is still able to play at a very decent level. Nate has to be in his late 70's for sure.

JoeyA

Ask Nate to tell you about Rags. He knew him better and longer than I did. Nate was some kind of hustler back then. He would cruise in riding in that big Caddy, get out with those slick duds on and prance (not walk) into the poolroom. He was the King of the ghetto in those days. Usually had some gorgeous doll on his arm too. He wore the most outrageous get ups. One day all purple, the next day all red and the next all green. Everything matched, right down to the socks and shoes. He was skinny and slick, with a style all his own. I'm not kidding about this either. Nate was a pool player with style and class. How could I ever forgot him.

And man could he play some pool. He was right there with Marvin and Rags and way better than most anyone else. He got around pretty good too. I was always hearing stories about Black Nate beat so and so and Black Nate beat another guy. He was not afraid to take on hustlers and road men. His best game was One Pocket and he rarely lost. Last I heard about him, he went back East and made some big scores. Then I didn't see him again for twenty odd years until DCC. One smooth operator that man.

 

[Celtic]

Bob was living in south/central illinois near litchfield the last I heard. Not sure if he is still around though.

He is still around, lives in Calgary now. Came here for the legendary pool scene we are supposed to have, found out it is more of a myth at this point in time. The guy is the most active and healthy 70+ year old I have ever met. He is on my pool team and I was just wanting to get some confirmation on some stuff I had heard from the proverbial horses mouth.