Best Non-Gambling Player, if one's ever existed

alstl said:
I know Mosconi and I think Caras worked for Brunswick, Crane sold cars, what did Balsis do outside of pool for a living?
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Im not sure if anyone here has answered you yet but if my memory serves me correctly Joe Balsis was a meat man. He owned his family butcher shop if I'm not totally wrong and confusing him with another memory...
 
JamisonNeu said:
Im not sure if anyone here has answered you yet but if my memory serves me correctly Joe Balsis was a meat man. He owned his family butcher shop if I'm not totally wrong and confusing him with another memory...
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Whoever wrote the wikipedia article on him says that he worked as a machinist for the Coast Guard. Like you, I had always read that he was in his family's meat business, hence his nickname "Meatman". Probably both were true at different periods of time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Balsis
 
alstl said:
Thanks. It had to be tempting for guys like Crane and Balsis to gamble. I imagine they were approached by potential backers trying to set up a game especially at Johnston City.
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Balsis talks about Johnston City in his interview with Mort Luby, Jr (found on Freddy's website). He acknowledges that a lot of gambling went on but he didn't participate because "I had a family to raise and didn't feel I should be doing that". He is kind of funny on the subject of Johnston City, saying it was mainly a way for the promoters to make money and how it was in a real backwater part of the country. This from a guy from Minersville PA. The interview:

Part 1: http://vintagevideojoebalsis.blogspot.com/2008/04/joe-balsis.html

Part 2: http://vintagevideojoebalsis.blogspot.com/2008/04/joe-balsis-interview-with-mort-luby-jr.html
 
When I saw this thread the first name I thought of was Irving "the Deacon" Crane. Someone claimed he was so straight-laced that he was the kind of guy who would've noticed the horse under Lady Godiva.
 
NYCT said:
Yes this is my first post.. been a long time reader but just got around to actually registering.

I just felt I should put in my 2 cents. One of the best sportsmen you'll ever come across, and former champ who does not gamble, is Tony Robles. Great guy and a true asset to the sport.

Let the flak begin,
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Well said, super nice guy!
 
I meet this guy in the philippines one time in las pinas at the SM MALL he was egged on by people to play marlon manalo and he refused to gamble all the time ... he would play for time...that's all.. never for money cause he was to poor to do so... he was a trisicad driver...you know one who drives people around on a bike.... will anyways one day he egged on to much till he accepted the challenge however he told them that he wouldn't gamble but said if he lossed he'd pay but if he won nothing. well anyways the day went on and beat the guy 11-2 ran out 11 racks straight. never took money and I don't think I saw him there again till I left a month later where he was seen and the pool hall across the street of the mall...... not gambling great guy think he name was leo batayola......
I think this guy has a great chance of being great but will never put anything on the line.....
 
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