Luther "Wimpy" Lassiter - best ever 9-ball???
- Thread starter dirtypool40
- Start date
A little story, I was in Sacramento playing in a 9 ball tourney and tried to get a 9 ball game with Warren after the tourney, his approach was look kid your 9 ball game is to strong let's play 1 pocket. The truth of the matter is he could have beat me at either game and he was spotting me 6 playing 1 pocket before we were done. I learned a lot by the way he guided me into his game he could have beat me in either game but I had no chance at all in one pocket. The last time I seen Dan he was playing a guy that had a backer with deep pockets in the White Spot and it was an impressive show for everyone except the backer and his player. I have heard he has continued health problems.
Hey Jay how did George Rood compare to Willis and Lassiter?
Just found this interview on onepocket.org about George
1P: Wow, Greenleaf!
GR: I played with all those top players. We played Straight Pool mostly. I also played Jimmy Caras, Arthur [‘Babe’] Cranfield, Andrew St. Jean and Willie Hoppe. One achievement I am very proud of was during a Straight Pool money match. I was playing a weaker player and the spot was that he played regular Straight Pool, while I played ‘fifty no count’. Any time I ran less than fifty balls I received credit for none. This particular day I had eleven runs of a hundred or more.
1P: Wow; most of us dream of doing that once in our lifetime! Is, or was, Straight Pool your main game?
GR: No, 9-Ball was. At one time I was considered the best 9-Ball player in the world; that included the guys that you hear about, like Luther Lassiter.
1P: And Eddie Taylor?
GR: I beat both Lassiter and Taylor
Just found this interview on onepocket.org about George
1P: Wow, Greenleaf!
GR: I played with all those top players. We played Straight Pool mostly. I also played Jimmy Caras, Arthur [‘Babe’] Cranfield, Andrew St. Jean and Willie Hoppe. One achievement I am very proud of was during a Straight Pool money match. I was playing a weaker player and the spot was that he played regular Straight Pool, while I played ‘fifty no count’. Any time I ran less than fifty balls I received credit for none. This particular day I had eleven runs of a hundred or more.
1P: Wow; most of us dream of doing that once in our lifetime! Is, or was, Straight Pool your main game?
GR: No, 9-Ball was. At one time I was considered the best 9-Ball player in the world; that included the guys that you hear about, like Luther Lassiter.
1P: And Eddie Taylor?
GR: I beat both Lassiter and Taylor
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01rkclassic said:
He was their contemporary, their friend, and their equal. The biggest difference between George and Luther was that George was limited in his travels by his work as a breeder of show dogs. Luther was a full time road man for decades. All the top players knew who George Rood was, and avoided trips through Dayton, Ohio for that reason, except maybe to pay him a visit. Lassiter came through often and hung out at the old Airway Billiards playing cards and visiting with George. Willis made Dayton a regular stop to visit George and sneak up on the unwary.
I saw both these men here several times in the 60's, and never saw Lassiter play anyone. Wilis did manage to find games whenever he came through. He was very low profile. Not a lot of people knew who he was or how good he played. Occasionally a road player would stray off course and come through Dayton. George would get the call and come down to the poolroom and dust him off. I personally saw this scenario play out with a very fine young player named Eddie Kelly. Ever hear of him?
George would get the call and come down to the poolroom and dust him off. I personally saw this scenario play out with a very fine young player named Eddie Kelly. Ever hear of him? [/QUOTE]
Yes,this is Art from Airway,we met 2 yrs ago at the Derby and you told me that storie,could you retell it for the forum,great storie!
[/QUOTE]Yes,this is Art from Airway,we met 2 yrs ago at the Derby and you told me that storie,could you retell it for the forum,great storie!
I saw Wimpy play in a tournament in Orange County California in the early seventies. It was an eight ball and nine ball event. Wimpy was playing 8 ball. He had so many ticks and twitches it was a wonder he could make a ball. But he would get to the table and play an absolutely perfect pattern, nerves and all. I wish I could have seen him when he was younger.
jay helfert said:
In Taiwan, I remember hearing that Yang is the most feared player there. For the money and in tournaments. Wu is right up there, along with a handful of other guys like J.L.Chang, etc.
Jim Kuykendall said:
That tournament was in 1976, and I played Lassiter in about the fourth or fifth round. We were both in the money. I think he beat me 11-6, and went on to finish third or fourth. I believe Keith won that one.
01rkclassic said:George would get the call and come down to the poolroom and dust him off. I personally saw this scenario play out with a very fine young player named Eddie Kelly. Ever hear of him?
Yes,this is Art from Airway,we met 2 yrs ago at the Derby and you told me that storie,could you retell it for the forum,great storie![/QUOTE]
The short version: I was working behind the counter (only 18 years old), and in comes a slick looking dude with his own slim cue case. He asks if anyone plays around here. I told him yes, but the guy comes in later in the day and always practices on the front table. He asks for the balls to the front table and I give them to him. He hits 'em around for an hour or so and in walks Rood. George stands at the counter eyeing the young hustler. I told him the guy was looking for a game.
After a few minutes George approaches him and asks him if he'd like a game. They play $10 9-Ball and George gets several games ahead and the young guy wants to raise it to $20. They play another hour or so and George is maybe ten games ahead. The guy wants to raise the bet to $50. George tells him he has to win it back the same way he lost it. Shortly thereafter the hustler quits, acting a little perturbed. George makes him split the time. The guy storms out, one more hustler sent to the rack by George Rood.
A few months later I'm in Johnston City and here's this same young guy. I ask someone who he is, and I'm told he's the top young player in the country, Eddie Kelly.
I wish we all had live streaming from back then.....
Agreed.....
I would have to say from what you describe, that it was probably a case of 'familial essential tremor' (or something worse) and not a case of nerves. I'm not intending to dissect your words but I doubt a champion like him was scared of anyone. Unfortunately with that condition tremors, ticks and other symptoms can be exacerbated under stress conditions, and may seem to be just someone 'running scared'. I am sure you meant it with no ill intent, but for those that don't know what it is like........he must have been very strong to still be able to compete at that level with that malady. It's not fun, nor easy to overcome.
I too would have liked to see many of the players discussed in this thread, but am glad there are so many great players to see today, and so easy to view on-line, on TV, DVD's, etc. We have it good today!!
td
Jim Kuykendall said:
Agreed.....
I would have to say from what you describe, that it was probably a case of 'familial essential tremor' (or something worse) and not a case of nerves. I'm not intending to dissect your words but I doubt a champion like him was scared of anyone. Unfortunately with that condition tremors, ticks and other symptoms can be exacerbated under stress conditions, and may seem to be just someone 'running scared'. I am sure you meant it with no ill intent, but for those that don't know what it is like........he must have been very strong to still be able to compete at that level with that malady. It's not fun, nor easy to overcome.
I too would have liked to see many of the players discussed in this thread, but am glad there are so many great players to see today, and so easy to view on-line, on TV, DVD's, etc. We have it good today!!
td
jay helfert said:He was their contemporary, their friend, and their equal. The biggest difference between George and Luther was that George was limited in his travels by his work as a breeder of show dogs. Luther was a full time road man for decades. All the top players knew who George Rood was, and avoided trips through Dayton, Ohio for that reason, except maybe to pay him a visit. Lassiter came through often and hung out at the old Airway Billiards playing cards and visiting with George. Willis made Dayton a regular stop to visit George and sneak up on the unwary.
I saw both these men here several times in the 60's, and never saw Lassiter play anyone. Wilis did manage to find games whenever he came through. He was very low profile. Not a lot of people knew who he was or how good he played. Occasionally a road player would stray off course and come through Dayton. George would get the call and come down to the poolroom and dust him off. I personally saw this scenario play out with a very fine young player named Eddie Kelly. Ever hear of him?
Jay,
If you had to rank these road teams, how would YOU rank them?
Lassiter / Willis
Deuel / Pagulayan
Sigel / Hubbart
DiLiberto / Kelly / Billy I
Anyone else care to chime in, please do!
Terry Ardeno said:
The first pair was virtually unbeatable. The second duo were the most amazing kid duo ever to hit the road, raking in big bucks 10-12 years ago. The third duo were the big money makers of their time, the greatest young player teamed up with the smartest guy. And Larry was no bargain himself. This was a case where if the backer stepped in, it only got worse. The last duo was a good one but I prefer when Ronnie teamed up with Kelly. They covered all bases together, 9-Ball, 14.1 and One Pocket, one handed or two.
Ronnie also made a formidable team with Richie on several trips.
One other pairing I remember was Cliff Thorburn and Denny Searcy. They put the hurt on a lot of players.
Jay when is THE BOOK going to be ready?jay helfert said:
Good idea John,I like how you think. :thumbup:JB Cases said:If I were a moderator I would BAN Jay Helfert until he writes his book.