Legends of One Pocket - cool photo

[Ratamon]

Here's a cool picture from one of Grady's one pocket legends tournaments (likely 1992) that has been posted on 1p.org (thanks sheldon).

So far we have ID'ed as follows:

Top (L to R): Ralph Carnes, Michael Wilson, "Weenie Beanie" Bill Staton, Roger Griffis, Hal Mix, Larry Lisciotti, Wesley Oyama, "Bus Driver" Ronnie Williams

Middle (L to R): Paul Jones, ?, Dick Weaver, Grady Mathews, Willie Jopling, ?, Steve Cook, Ronnie Allen

Bottom (L to R): Johnny Ervolino, "Cornbread Red" Billy Burge, "Crazy Frank" Piasecki, Pete Fusco, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall.

Can anyone ID the others or let me know if they disagree with the IDs above ?

Thanks

 

[Black-Balled]

Wowzers.

 

[ChrisinNC]

Here's a cool picture from one of Grady's one pocket legends tournaments (likely 1992) that has been posted on 1p.org (thanks sheldon).

So far we have ID'ed as follows:

Top (L to R): Ralph Carnes, Michael Wilson, "Weenie Beanie" Bill Staton, Roger Griffis, Hal Mix, Larry Lisciotti, Wesley Oyama, "Bus Driver" Ronnie Williams

Middle (L to R): Paul Jones, ?, Dick Weaver, Grady Mathews, Willie Jopling, ?, Steve Cook, Ronnie Allen

Bottom (L to R): Johnny Ervolino, "Cornbread Red" Billy Burge, "Crazy Frank" Piasecki, Pete Fusco, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall.

Can anyone ID the others or let me know if they disagree with the IDs above ?

Thanks

Appears you are only missing two names in the middle row – that’s pretty impressive! I’m not in to one pocket but I couldn’t have named more than 8 or 9.

 

[jay helfert]

Here's a cool picture from one of Grady's one pocket legends tournaments (likely 1992) that has been posted on 1p.org (thanks sheldon).

So far we have ID'ed as follows:

Top (L to R): Ralph Carnes, Michael Wilson, "Weenie Beanie" Bill Staton, Roger Griffis, Hal Mix, Larry Lisciotti, Wesley Oyama, "Bus Driver" Ronnie Williams

Middle (L to R): Paul Jones, ?, Dick Weaver, Grady Mathews, Willie Jopling, ?, Steve Cook, Ronnie Allen

Bottom (L to R): Johnny Ervolino, "Cornbread Red" Billy Burge, "Crazy Frank" Piasecki, Pete Fusco, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall.

Can anyone ID the others or let me know if they disagree with the IDs above ?

Thanks

That sure looks like "Cuban Joe" Valdez next to Steve Cook. I could be wrong though.

 

[Dead Money]

Cool Picture. A few players there....

 

[u12armresl]

Can anyone relate any information about Wesley Oyama, Michael Wilson, and Crazy Frank?

 

[jay helfert]

Can anyone relate any information about Wesley Oyama, Michael Wilson, and Crazy Frank?

Wesley was a successful businessman who loved pool, especially One Pocket. He married his wife Kelly Oyama (Kelly Simpson was her maiden name) when she was one of the top women players. He and Kelly owned a room back East years ago, not sure if it's still there.

I believe Frank PIasecki was from Philly. He was a decent One Pocket player who liked to gamble and was good action. He got around pretty good back East, turned up at a lot of tournaments for a long time, 1970's-90's.

 

[Black-Balled]

Wilson is a longtime fixture of pool in the mid atlantic. He was responsible for the Capital City Classic one pocket events.

Capital City Classic One Pocket - New Carrollton - January 24 - 28th, 2002 - Results - AZBILLIARDS.COM

The A to Z of Pool and Billiards Online

www.azbilliards.com

 

[Ratamon]

That sure looks like "Cuban Joe" Valdez next to Steve Cook. I could be wrong though.

Thank you Jay and everyone else for your comments!

Here's a close up of Cuban Joe/Chico from Pool & Billiards Magazine. It sure does look like him!

 

[Ratamon]

Can anyone relate any information about Wesley Oyama, Michael Wilson, and Crazy Frank?

Here's a little bit more info on Crazy Frank - https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/crazy-frank-piasecki-1949-2014.364086/

I know he lost 5-3 to Bugs in the second round of the 1991 Legends of One Pocket which was organised and promoted by Grady and Jimmy Fusco

 

[u12armresl]

Here's a little bit more info on Crazy Frank - https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/crazy-frank-piasecki-1949-2014.364086/

I know he lost 5-3 to Bugs in the second round of the 1991 Legends of One Pocket which was organised and promoted by Grady and Jimmy Fusco

Thank you. I will read it.
Is the crazy part like he is legit crazy, really high strung, or something else?

 

[djoverboard]

Can anyone relate any information about Wesley Oyama, Michael Wilson, and Crazy Frank?

I can't say I knew Crazy Frank but did see him in pool rooms around Buffalo and the casino poker room. As the link above points out he was a classic poolroom character. I believe he was permanently banned from the poker room in Niagara falls for collusion. I never saw him in real action and he was certainly past his prime when I saw him but like all the old characters he was entertaining.

 

[AtLarge]

Wesley was a successful businessman who loved pool, especially One Pocket. He married his wife Kelly Oyama (Kelly Simpson was her maiden name) when she was one of the top women players. He and Kelly owned a room back East years ago, not sure if it's still there. ...

Was that Mother's Billiards in Charlotte, NC? That place saw a lot of pool history. https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/mothers-billiards-charlotte-nc.230652/

 

[jay helfert]

Was that Mother's Billiards in Charlotte, NC? That place saw a lot of pool history. https://forums.azbilliards.com/threads/mothers-billiards-charlotte-nc.230652/

I think that's it. I knew it was in the Carolina's. I think Kelly still lives back there, not sure about Wesley though. He was a good guy and great for action. He would start you off at 100 a game!

 

[ChrisinNC]

I think that's it. I knew it was in the Carolina's. I think Kelly still lives back there, not sure about Wesley though. He was a good guy and great for action. He would start you off at 100 a game!

Wesley / Kelley sold Mother’s Billiards in Charlotte in the early 2000s, and I believe they separated/divorced about that same time. For many years Mother’s was the home practice room for a number of the top WPBA pro players including Allison, Gerda and Ewa. It wasn’t long after that the development of the uptown Charlotte trolley line wiped out numerous businesses along South Boulevard. To my knowledge, Mother’s closed down and never relocated.