> Back in those days,the World tournament was usually a double round-robin or better,with maybe 16-32 players,and took several months to complete with 125 point games. In ONE tournament,Mosconi ran 125 and out 17 times. You could challege the eventual champion to a 3000 point match,played over several days and in several different cities. Willie won or defended HIS World title 19 consecutive times from 1941-1956,and I think he won a title in 1967,several years after his stroke. Back in those days,no one ever showed up from a different country and beat everyone like Efren did in 1985,or Jose Parica had done several years earlier,the best players in the world were clearly American. Every one in the World tournament back then was a stone cold champion,all very capable of running 2-300 balls from practically anywhere. Willie also had a 13 rack unfinished run playing 9-ball,after some guy walked up to him and Andrew Ponzi woofing about a game while they were eating,Willie tried repeatedly to get Andrew up to play,but Willie stepped up and beat his brains out,winning quite a bit before the non-participatory players backer pulled up. Even with these imposing stats,I still honestly feel Sigel is the man. Willie dominated his era with absolute authority,Sigel was even more dominant in his,despite the different equipment and even the primary game. Ask yourself this question,which accomplishment would YOU rather have on your resume,15 documented World Championships,and few others,or 103 major titles including 7 World titles,and the distinction of being the winningest player EVER? I would even pick Sigel over Efren to this day if they played an all-around consisting of 9-ball,race to 50,14.1 to 300 points,and a race to 11 one-pocket. As far as a pure 9-baller,I'd have to take Sigel and Buddy Hall,along with a calm and focused Earl Strickland. Sigel and Buddy played FAR better position,BUT in his prime,Earl's break,shotmaking,and his intensity made him the most imposing offensive threat the game has probably ever seen. These are ALL based on tournament pool alone,for the cash no one with any sense can dispute that Buddy was untouchable. Tommy D.