Bob was a great player in Boston for many years. One of his sidelines was playing Willie Mosconi when Willie came to town a couple of times a year to put on exhibitions at Bond's pool-hall. Bob was told by Willie, "I'm the show, if I happen to miss make a few balls and miss, the people come to see me not you." Bob was humble and getting paid well so doing what Willie said wasn't a problem.
The owner of the pool-hall loved straight-pool and Mosconi was his personal favorite. He rolled out the red carpet when Willie came to town. Willie did two shows a day and between shows the owner would take several people out to dinner, including Ingie and of course Mosconi to one of Boston's finer restaurants.
As told to me by Ingie,
While seated and waiting to order their food, a busboy, came and started to clear a table next to his group. The busboy somehow knew Ingie from the pool-room and stated to all sitting at the table, "Don't ever play pool with this guy he's the greatest player in the world." Then the bus boy walked away.
Ingie was a little uncomfortable with what the busboy had said and Willie was a little red in the face hearing this statement.
The busboy returned close by and Ingie called him back to the table, hoping to clear up the mess the busboy had created. He said pointing at Willie, I want you to meet Willie Mosconi, He's in town doing exhibitions at Bond's and he is the best player in the world." The busboy looked at Willie and said, "I don't care who you are, Ingie will still beat you."
The owner of the pool-hall loved straight-pool and Mosconi was his personal favorite. He rolled out the red carpet when Willie came to town. Willie did two shows a day and between shows the owner would take several people out to dinner, including Ingie and of course Mosconi to one of Boston's finer restaurants.
As told to me by Ingie,
While seated and waiting to order their food, a busboy, came and started to clear a table next to his group. The busboy somehow knew Ingie from the pool-room and stated to all sitting at the table, "Don't ever play pool with this guy he's the greatest player in the world." Then the bus boy walked away.
Ingie was a little uncomfortable with what the busboy had said and Willie was a little red in the face hearing this statement.
The busboy returned close by and Ingie called him back to the table, hoping to clear up the mess the busboy had created. He said pointing at Willie, I want you to meet Willie Mosconi, He's in town doing exhibitions at Bond's and he is the best player in the world." The busboy looked at Willie and said, "I don't care who you are, Ingie will still beat you."
