I need a name....???

[freddy the beard]

It's "Three Fingered" Ronnie Sypher. Another good shortstop who got in a jam and did some hard time. I believe he was originally from the Baltimore area.

Ronnie was from the Baltimore area, Ocean City, MD. His mother had a funeral parlor.
Jaybird, you keep calling guys I was on the road with, shortstops. 'Sup wit dat? What is your criterium? Ronnie beat every Mexican (and a young Mike Massey) in LA on the bar table except Mario. He dusted Nicaragua, Andarza, and a couple of names I have forgotten. If you can refresh my memory of some of those other Mexican players I'll tell you if Ronnie played them.

Beard

 

[jay helfert]

He played much better 1pkt than Peter Rabbit- especially on a 5 x 10. Circa 1965. I was around both of them in Fla for months. He lived for awhile with Sugar Shack Johnny and I for a month. His name was not Joe Dimaggio. His first name was Vince. Believe me he was at that time very well regarded by the Allinger Philly players like Louis Esposito and Nicky Vach.

Beard

He was old when I knew him in 65. He may have become a shortstop but he was a player when he hustled with us. I cant think of anybody who could have beaten him at the Congress Bowl then including an over the hill Marcel Camp.

You mean he played better than Danny?

 

[jay helfert]

Ronnie was from the Baltimore area, Ocean City, MD. His mother had a funeral parlor.
Jaybird, you keep calling guys I was on the road with, shortstops. 'Sup wit dat? What is your criterium? Ronnie beat every Mexican (and a young Mike Massey) in LA on the bar table except Mario. He dusted Nicaragua, Andarza, and a couple of names I have forgotten. If you can refresh my memory of some of those other Mexican players I'll tell you if Ronnie played them.

Beard

I was rating his speed on the big table, and I could always be wrong. I was watching Richie and Ronnie all the time and guys like Rags Woods, Marvin, Cecil, the Iceman, Black Nate etc. So compared to them I didn't feel that Ronnie sized up equally. Did he ever play Big Sergio or Harry the Horse on a bar table? They were two of the best back then.

I didn't really know Joe Dimaggio at all, just saw him play once or twice in Beenie's place. I think he was playing Beenie and lost. There may have been weight involved, I don't remember. Back then, everybody looked good to me and a few guys looked great; like Kelly, Shorty, Ervolino and Jersey Red. I was not that good a judge of talent back then I'm sure. All I knew was who to avoid.

 

[freddy the beard]

You mean he played better than Danny?

In the mid 60s Danny Di was not a top One-pocket player. In Florida he was just about unbeatable playing anything else. We often played partners One pocket $10 or $20 a man. Change partners every game. No spot. Danny, Marcel Camp, Peter Rabbit, Louis Esposito, Bob Ogburn and myself was the usual lineup.

Just so you know, you are being quoted copiously in my new tome. Sorry about that.

In the 60s at the Congress, my game with Danny was his 9 to my 8, and I gave him the same game in reverse playing bank pool.

Beard

 

[freddy the beard]

I was rating his speed on the big table, and I could always be wrong. I was watching Richie and Ronnie all the time and guys like Rags Woods, Marvin, Cecil, the Iceman, Black Nate etc. So compared to them I didn't feel that Ronnie sized up equally. Did he ever play Big Sergio or Harry the Horse on a bar table? These were two of the best back then.

I didn't really know Joe Dimaggio at all, just saw him play once or twice in Beenie's place. I think he was playing Beenie and lost. There may have been weight involved, I don't remember. Back then, everybody looked good to me and a few guys looked great; like Kelly, Shorty, Ervolino and Jersey Red. I was not that good a judge of talent back then I'm sure. All I knew was who to avoid.

You are right on about Ronnies speed on a big table. He was only a shortstop on the big boxes. Sergio, that's one of the other names I was trying to think of. Ronnie beat him, Mike Massey, and Nicaragua all in the same night(actually nights, he played about 36 hrs) on the bar table. He beat Harry the Horse McConnell a few different times at other places. Ronnie played Sergio and those others in a bar that was in the middle of a field! Nobody around for blocks. Scary place. It never closed. The Filthy Beast, remember him? He brought us there.
After Ronnie got big winner they went into the tush-hog routine -- I think while he was playing Sergio. Sugar Shack put that notion immediately to sleep and Ronnie went ahead and kept winning.

Beard

If I remember correctly, Sergio and Mario were the 2 best bar players in 70-72? Right?

 

[jay helfert]

In the mid 60s Danny Di was not a top One-pocket player. In Florida he was just about unbeatable playing anything else. We often played partners One pocket $10 or $20 a man. Change partners every game. No spot. Danny, Marcel Camp, Peter Rabbit, Louis Esposito, Bob Ogburn and myself was the usual lineup.

Just so you know, you are being quoted copiously in my new tome. Sorry about that.

In the 60s at the Congress, my game with Danny was his 9 to my 8, and I gave him the same game in reverse playing bank pool.

Beard

Thanks buddy. I saw Camp partner up with Danny in Johnston City (no one knew Danny that well yet) playing One Pocket and beat UJ and Danny Jones. I watched that game all night. Marcel was telling Danny what to shoot on almost every shot. I think they were playing a hundred a game (fifty a man), a big game back then. Maybe this was '64 or '65.

I had a lot of respect for Bob Osborne's game (no one really knew him as Ogburn then), who was called Black Bart, I don't know why. I was in with Jimmy Reid when Bob took us off for two or three hundred. And this was after Jimmy beat New York Blackie. I told Jimmy to pull up but he wouldn't do it. He went off for all his dough to Bob, playing 9-Ball and One Pocket. Jimmy was still young then, maybe only 21 or 22.

Bob beat everybody around the Billiard Den; Lefty Bob Lanforman, Arizona Sean and Jimmy. Someone brought Richie up there (maybe with Ronnie) and Bob refused to play him, asking for the seven or the eight. I don't think they ever played. Pancho knew who Bob was and wasn't telling anyone how good he was. It was only after he left that Pancho told me that was Black Bart. Knowing the Panch he was probably side betting on him all the way. :wink:

 

[jay helfert]

You are right on about Ronnies speed on a big table. He was only a shortstop on the big boxes. Sergio, that's one of the other names I was trying to think of. Ronnie beat him, Mike Massey, and Nicaragua all in the same night(actually nights, he played about 36 hrs) on the bar table. He beat Harry the Horse McConnell a few different times at other places. Ronnie played Sergio and those others in a bar that was in the middle of a field! Nobody around for blocks. Scary place. It never closed. The Filthy Beast, remember him? He brought us there.
After Ronnie got big winner they went into the tush-hog routine -- I think while he was playing Sergio. Sugar Shack put that notion immediately to sleep and Ronnie went ahead and kept winning.

Beard

If I remember correctly, Sergio and Mario were the 2 best bar players in 70-72? Right?

Ha Ha Ha! The Filthy Beast was Jack Moussa, a hulking figure best known for stealing cues and steering games. I actually lived with him for a month back in the 60's. He loved pool players! He took me to a few out of the way poolrooms and we made some money together. He knew EVERY spot in L.A.!

I had no idea Ronnie was that strong on a bar table. He beat the best we had in L.A. Yes Sergio and Mario were the big guns, who beat a lot of tournament champions at Daisy Mae's and that other spot whose name I forget right now.

 

[freddy the beard]

Thanks buddy. I saw Camp partner up with Danny in Johnston City (no one knew Danny that well yet) playing One Pocket and beat UJ and Danny Jones. I watched that game all night. Marcel was telling Danny what to shoot on almost every shot. I think they were playing a hundred a game (fifty a man), a big game back then. Maybe this was '64 or '65.

I had a lot of respect for Bob Osborne's game (no one really knew him as Ogburn then), who was called Black Bart, I don't know why. I was in with Jimmy Reid when Bob took us off for two or three hundred. And this was after Jimmy beat New York Blackie. I told Jimmy to pull up but he wouldn't do it. He went off for all his dough to Bob, playing 9-Ball and One Pocket. Jimmy was still young then, maybe only 21 or 22.

Bob beat everybody around the Billiard Den; Lefty Bob Lanforman, Arizona Sean and Jimmy. Someone brought Richie up there (maybe with Ronnie) and Bob refused to play him, asking for the seven or the eight. I don't think they ever played. Pancho knew who Bob was and wasn't telling anyone how good he was. It was only after he left that Pancho told me that was Black Bart. Knowing the Panch he was probably side betting on him all the way. :wink:

I still need JAM's (Jennie's) last name and Arizona Sean's. Was it Walsh?

And of course I still need Vince Joe DiMaggio's last name. Calling Danny Janes or Jimmy Fusco tomorrow if need be.

Beard

 

[whammo57]

I am fairly far along on my new book, The Encyclopedia of Pool Hustlers, and I need the real name of an old timer. I hustled with him in the 60s in Fla but I never knew his real name. He was called Joe Dimaggio (nickname) and he was from Allingers in Philly. His first name was Vince, that I did know. I need to learn his last name for my book. He was an interesting player who luckily(?) died in the saddle.

Beard

For JAM, Jennie if you are out there, I need your last name too, as I am quoting you in the book also. Positive light of course. I have your permission ...right?

Vinnie the Stiff..............

He stiffed a guy once when he lost... didn't pay........... will pay for it with his name forever.................

LOL

Kim

 

[backplaying]

I heard Jr. Goff was still alive and living somewhere in Florida. He would be well into his 80's now. Anyone know about him?
Cincinnati Clem just passed away last year in Vegas, also well into his 80's. He spent his last years hustling cheap poker games there. I can see him now, a well schooled card mechanic, playing Stud with a bunch of Senior citizens. Good luck to them is all I have to say. :wink:

I met Jr. Golf when I was about 19. I use to run into him all over the place.

 

[Island Drive]

Fred Pool Rm Question

Fred I lived in Opalaka in 68 for a short time and did go to Congress a few times and can't help ya with your question, but there was a pool room in Daytona Beach that was closed, & the windows convered with paper, but if you knew someone you could get in and get action. Being 19 at the time I was on a leash so to speak with the horse. Do you remember this poolroom place?

 

[WardS]

There was a guy named Cannonball around Houston back in the day, any of you know him?

 

[Scott Lee]

WardS...Are you talking about the black guy, nicknamed Cannonball? His name was John Chapman. I saw him several places around the country in his later years. There was another Cannonball...a white guy...but I don't know his name.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

There was a guy named Cannonball around Houston back in the day, any of you know him?

 

[Scott Lee]

Freddy...JAM's last name is Malloy (sp.?), I believe.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

I still need JAM's (Jennie's) last name.

Beard

 

[freddy the beard]

Fred I lived in Opalaka in 68 for a short time and did go to Congress a few times and can't help ya with your question, but there was a pool room in Daytona Beach that was closed, & the windows convered with paper, but if you knew someone you could get in and get action. Being 19 at the time I was on a leash so to speak with the horse. Do you remember this poolroom place?

Bill I never did play any in Daytona proper. Some of the little towns, all of which I have forgotten, I did do some work.

Beard

 

[freddy the beard]

There was a guy named Cannonball around Houston back in the day, any of you know him?

That was for sure, Cannonball Lefty, John Chapman. He played around the LeCue with Minnesota Fats (He gave Fats 8 to 7) and everybody else that was there. He was originally from Texas but lived and played in Chicago for many years. He was a legend up here. In his old age he was my counterman in North Shore Billiards. He returned to Texas and later died. His funeral was attended by his mother.

Beard

 

[freddy the beard]

WardS...Are you talking about the black guy, nicknamed Cannonball? His name was John Chapman. I saw him several places around the country in his later years. There was another Cannonball...a white guy...but I don't know his name.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com

Scott you are talking about Eddie White Cannonball Kienowski from upstate NY. A terrific, terrific unheralded player. In Ft Lauderdale I was in with him when he gave Weenie Beanie a ball and the break and robbed him. He could really play. He had the usual routine, in the morning run a 100 and then we would go for breakfast.

Beard

Thanks for JAMMy's name

 

[scdiveteam]

Hey Fred,

Is your new book going to have Wendell Weir in it? FYI, his road name was Shane before he landed in Chicago and settled down to a real life outside of the road.

My good friend knows all of the moves very well.

Good luck with your new book, I can't wait to get a copy and have you sign it for me at Red Shoes.

Keep us informed when we can get one.

Rick

 

[freddy the beard]

Hey Fred,

Is your new book going to have Wendell Weir in it? FYI, his road name was Shane before he landed in Chicago and settled down to a real life outside of the road.

My good friend knows all of the moves very well.

Good luck with your new book, I can't wait to get a copy and have you sign it for me at Red Shoes.

Keep us informed when we can get one.

Rick

I had actually forgotten about Wendell. I did know him as Shane when he first came into Bensingers. My book looks like its going to be 300 pages already so I dont know if I will include Wendell.

Beard

 

[jay helfert]

I still need JAM's (Jennie's) last name and Arizona Sean's. Was it Walsh?

And of course I still need Vince Joe DiMaggio's last name. Calling Danny Janes or Jimmy Fusco tomorrow if need be.

Beard

Yes, it was Sean Walsh. You know he was the stunt double for Warren Beatty in Shampoo and one other movie (Kaleidoscope?).