John Schmidt runs 820

[Bob Jewett]

so a very select few, most of whom travelled less than mosconi for brunswick.

Yes, he was the main pool guy for Brunswick for many years. I think they cut him loose around 1970 and he worked for other companies but I don'[t think he did the same kind of exhibitions. I saw him at a sports and boat show about 1980(?). He ran a couple of racks and did some trick shots.

 

[jay helfert]

Yes, he was the main pool guy for Brunswick for many years. I think they cut him loose around 1970 and he worked for other companies but I don'[t think he did the same kind of exhibitions. I saw him at a sports and boat show about 1980(?). He ran a couple of racks and did some trick shots.

He did exhibitions for us at Hard Times in the late 80's. By then dementia had set in and I needed to help him.

 

[maha]

most times mosconi stopped after winning his exhibition match. and didnt try for a high run.

and why not as he did not want to hang around all afternoon there.

 

[BasementDweller]

I think Babe Cranfield toured with Willie Hoppe as a pool/carom combo, but Hoppe would have been the star. Cranfield reportedly had a 420 in an exhibition on a 5x10, but probably not on that tour.

Irving Crane may have been touring for Brunswick when he ran his 309. From Wikipedia:

In February 1939, at age 26, Crane ran 150 balls and out against his opponent in an exhibition straight pool match on a difficult 5' by 10' table in Layton, Utah. While this was impressive in and of itself, at the crowd's urging, he continued his run, ultimately pocketing 309 consecutive setting an official record at the time.[8][10][11]​

My memory is a little foggy on this or I could be getting it mixed up with a different situation, but I'm kind of pretty sure, after this run, there was a guy that followed Cranfield around for the remainder of his playing days and ridiculed all of his accomplishments. It was in large part, due to a personal grudge over a lady friend.

 

[BasementDweller]

for the sake of argument, screw the modern day challengers of mosconi's record;

were there any other contemporary player paid by brunswick (or other manufacturers) to travel around and even have the chance to meet these golden requirements for a legit straight pool record? ever in history?

The same arbitrary standard could easily be applied to Mosconi's actual record, but he gets a pass. Likely for the sake of nostalgia. His record being set on an easy NON-PROFESSIONAL caliber table is just glossed over. It's more fun to discredit the accomplishments of Schmidt because he's not well liked. The whole conversation about these high runs are TOTALLY clouded by personal animus against Schmidt. It's obviously clear if you're just a bit objective.

 

[skogstokig]

The same arbitrary standard could easily be applied to Mosconi's actual record, but he gets a pass. Likely for the sake of nostalgia. His record being set on an easy NON-PROFESSIONAL caliber table is just glossed over. It's more fun to discredit the accomplishments of Schmidt because he's not well liked. The whole conversation about these high runs are TOTALLY clouded by personal animus against Schmidt. It's obviously clear if you're just a bit objective.

the standard is also incredibly peculiar. mosconi could travel on brunswick's payroll, had name recognition like no other player (except fats, but he lacked the ability), in an era when 14.1 exhibitions was considered interesting enough to get a viewing audience. not only is it impossible to replicate today, he was obviously also pretty alone in this position in his era.

 

[lfigueroa]

The same arbitrary standard could easily be applied to Mosconi's actual record, but he gets a pass. Likely for the sake of nostalgia. His record being set on an easy NON-PROFESSIONAL caliber table is just glossed over. It's more fun to discredit the accomplishments of Schmidt because he's not well liked. The whole conversation about these high runs are TOTALLY clouded by personal animus against Schmidt. It's obviously clear if you're just a bit objective.

There's no pass for nostalgia nor any other reason AND the conditions and specs on the table have long been an open part of the lore.

Mosconi did not set up the table in question. He happened upon it the night he was scheduled for an exhibition at the East High Billiard Club in Springfield OH and it was the only Brunswick in the house. And since he was under contract with Brunswick and presumably compelled to do his exhibitions on Brunswick tables, that's what he played on. After concluding his match with local Earl Bruney, having already run 200 and about to launch into the trick shot part of his exhibition, it was only at the crowd's urging -- keep going Willie, see how many you can get -- that he continued the run.

As to Schmidt, I would ask: what is your evidence for claiming "he's not well liked" and that there is "personal animus" against Schmidt."

Lou Figueroa

 

[BasementDweller]

There's no pass for nostalgia nor any other reason AND the conditions and specs on the table have long been an open part of the lore.

Mosconi did not set up the table in question. He happened upon it the night he was scheduled for an exhibition at the East High Billiard Club in Springfield OH and it was the only Brunswick in the house. And since he was under contract with Brunswick and presumably compelled to do his exhibitions on Brunswick tables, that's what he played on. After concluding his match with local Earl Bruney, having already run 200 and about to launch into the trick shot part of his exhibition, it was only at the crowd's urging -- keep going Willie, see how many you can get -- that he continued the run.

I appreciate the lore. The story about why Mosconi played on the easy 8 footer doesn't change the fact that he played on an easy 8 footer. John gets barbequed for playing on an easy 9 footer. It doesn't make sense.

As to Schmidt, I would ask: what is your evidence for claiming "he's not well liked" and that there is "personal animus" against Schmidt."

Lou Figueroa

Do you like John?
Does Bobby like John?

No further questions your honor.

 

[lfigueroa]

I appreciate the lore. The story about why Mosconi played on the easy 8 footer doesn't change the fact that he played on an easy 8 footer. John gets barbequed for playing on an easy 9 footer. It doesn't make sense.


Do you like John?
Does Bobby like John?

No further questions your honor.

Mosconi ran balls like water 300 days of the year on whatever table he happen to encounter including 10’ tables.

If John gets “barbecued” it’s for setting up an easy table and making who knows how many attempts over and over reputably using heaters under the table, fouling balls, and twisting the rack.

Personally I have no problem with John and we have even joked together at the DCC in the 14.1 room when they were doing that event. I don’t believe Bobby has an issue with him either except for the aforementioned stuff with his high run attempts.

Lou Figueroa

 

[BasementDweller]

Mosconi ran balls like water 300 days of the year on whatever table he happen to encounter including 10’ tables.

If John gets “barbecued” it’s for setting up an easy table and making who knows how many attempts over and over reputably using heaters under the table, fouling balls, and twisting the rack.

I don't think there's anything wrong with a guy setting up an easy table and chasing this record since the original record was set on an easy table. Probably a much easier table! Others do have a problem with it, and they twist themselves into pretzels while justifying one over the other.

Personally I have no problem with John and we have even joked together at the DCC in the 14.1 room when they were doing that event. I don’t believe Bobby has an issue with him either except for the aforementioned stuff with his high run attempts.

Lou Figueroa

Okay. I concede maybe I've missed the mark on this part with you. John can be quite obnoxious with his political views and he rubs a lot of people the wrong way because of it. I don't pay much attention to the world of faces anymore, but he's got his share of enemies over because of this. I just laugh it off and move on, much like I do with your arch nemesis -JB, who is on the other side of the political spectrum.

 

[lfigueroa]

I don't think there's anything wrong with a guy setting up an easy table and chasing this record since the original record was set on an easy table. Probably a much easier table! Others do have a problem with it, and they twist themselves into pretzels while justifying one over the other.

Okay. I concede maybe I've missed the mark on this part with you. John can be quite obnoxious with his political views and he rubs a lot of people the wrong way because of it. I don't pay much attention to the world of faces anymore, but he's got his share of enemies over because of this. I just laugh it off and move on, much like I do with your arch nemesis -JB, who is on the other side of the political spectrum.

On what do you base your claim that it was probably a much easier table?!

And no one is twisting themselves into pretzels. Setting up a table to chase a record is fine. It’s the other stuff I’ve mentioned that make it an issue. Lastly, I have no clue nor do I care what his politics are.

Lou Figueroa

 

[maha]

they all are great feats no matter who ran the balls.

as the runs get higher equipment is a huge factor in its length.

ball cleaning, and polishing, cloth , humidity, pocket size and acceptance of balls, and number of attempts.

 

[maha]

and mosconi ran that record doing it for free with no recognition associated with it at the time. and possibly after 500 balls got tired of appeasing the crowd and got way lax on it.. as he wasn't a people person.

we cant compare current records to his or other old ones as the equipment, and attempts are totally different now.

 

[ShootingArts]

and mosconi ran that record doing it for free with no recognition associated with it at the time. and possibly after 500 balls got tired of appeasing the crowd and got way lax on it.. as he wasn't a people person.

we cant compare current records to his or other old ones as the equipment, and attempts are totally different now.

Best I recall Willie wasn't hooked or facing a particularly hard shot when he missed. I think he mostly decided he had given enough free show and relaxed.

Charlie Ursetti said he saw Willie run over six hundred in practice, no hard count. Willie said no big deal, he could run over a thousand. Willie didn't see any incentive. I think this was on a nine foot table but not certain offhand. The story could probably be found.

Willie wasn't bashful about gambling either. His Brunswick contract forbade it so he quit. I remember when Fats spun him up about not having any gamble on network TV Willie threw his wallet in the middle of the table.

Willie wasn't known as a sweetheart but his schedule was brutal for years. I doubt I would have been as socialble as he was.

Hu

 

[maha]

when he was allowed he gambled. and was willing to bet it up. brunswick put a lid on that. later on when he was not himself anymore he was still playing 50 a game nine ball and spotting good players.