luther(wimpy)Lassiters pictures

[wrldpro]

On a recent trip to The outer banks I stopped by to see my Aunt and Uncle is Elizabeth City NC and I stopped by Scott Lassiters house and to play some on Wimpys 5x10 pool table and took a few photos.There was alot of boxes of articles and pictures that I have never seen or heard of before.I will be going back to help Scott sort out,copy and frame alot of the pictures and articles that Wimpy left behind.Not that I asked in case anyone wanted to know that nothing is for sale and I will try to post more pictures when I go back before the us open in oct.

The table had the old wool cloth and even the balls that Wimpy played on.Scott said that one day Wimpy started to practice about 8am in the morning and he didnt miss a ball till 2pm that afternoon.That sounds like about a 500 ball run.


Bobby Chamberlain

 

[Lazy Ledy]

Would love to read some of the old articles about him.

 

[JAM]

Would love to read some of the old articles about him.

Here's his Wikipedia page: Luther Lassiter.

 

[JAM]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. I have to edit my post because those pictures are so large
in the first post that it has thrown off the measurements of the entire thread.

It is hard to read a post when you have to scroll from left to right due to
the posters inserting EXTREMELY LARGE photos that should have been downsized for forum
reading.

It is kind of disheartening to see the trophy sitting next to a mop. Maybe that is why
some players would rather receive more money than the tin cup for their winnings.

Here's one of his quotes: I watch a man shoot pool for an hour. If he misses
more than one shot I know I can beat him.

"Champagne" Edwin Kelly is one of the few players in the game who can claim titles in four
different games. He won them over four different decades. Kelly has won titles in 9-ball,
One Pocket, Straight Pool and 3-Cushion over the length of his career. He was a top player
in the '60s, during the days of the Johnston City tournaments. He is in the BCA Hall of Fame.
In an AzBilliards interview, he claims that Luther Lassiter was the toughest 9-ball player he ever played.
Source: Azbilliards Interview with Eddie Kelly. Retrieved 2 August 2010

Here's a pretty nice YouTube video clip of Wimpy playing 7-ball in a tournament
when pool used to be shown on TV. He's playing against Willie Mosconi: Luther Lassiter vs. Willie Mosconi.

While I was researching another pool-related topic, I ran into this little Luther "Wimpy" Lassiter
article, entitled Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick in the January 1975 edition of The New National Billiard News.

He speaks softly, in the tones of his native Elizabeth City, NC, with an occasional
exaggeration or anecdote peppering his speech with the spice of his life-long home -- the corner pool hall.

He speaks with the wisom of nearly 56 years of day-to-day struggle, but make no mistake about it,
he wouldn't trade what he has done for all the money in the world.

Lassiter is now a resident of the Beach and manager of Gibbs Billiard Supply and Services on
Virginia Beach Boulevard. He'll be playing in tournaments and exhibitions throughout the
nation under the sponsorship of his employer.

"Golf courses are worse than pool rooms. There's a lot more thievin' there." He'll also
vehemently defend billiards reputation as a sport. "I don't know anything that's as tough,"
as shooting pool under pressure, he says, "unless it's bronco-riding."

"How small the pockets are, how long he's willing to play, and what he'll wager on his own.
How much money of your own you'll put on the side, that's the true test of a pool player."

I love this guy!

Continuing: "The only thing that ever bugged me about pool," he added later,
"was how long the other guy would play. There are a lot of hit-and-run experts." That problem
-- hit-and-run experts -- is one of Lassiter's principal complaints. The longer a man plays,
he says, the more he plays up to his ability. Over the long run, a good player will be consistently
good. Over the short run, he may not."

Wimpy is right!

Continuing: On the other hand, a second-class player can win in the short run,
but falter if asked to play several games. Alas, tournaments have been changed from round-robin
competition to double-elimination play, making it easier for a player of Lassiter's caliber to be eliminated.
The change, he says, was designed to encourage interest in the game. It hasn't been good for the
game, however, he insists, because now anyone can win a tournament.

Even when a man wins, he doesn't win much according to Lassiter: "The first one I ever won,
I got 25 percent of nothing. After you pay expenses, if you don't come in first or second,
you don't get nothing. You can't make a living playing pool," he says. "Maybe if you won all of them,"
but otherwise it's a rough life.

Never have truer words been spoken, and it looks like 34 years later, things are still the same.

Continuing: His longest run was a very long one. He claims that it was 2-1/2
hours without missing. He didn't count how many balls that was. "It's more balls than anybody
living has run," he claims. "One guy timed me once, and I ran a rack in 45 seconds."

Of course, this was straight pool!

Continuing: He was named "Wimpy" when he was in the sixth or seventh grade
by an old high school janitor who noted that he consumed quite a few hot dogs at high school
football games. It was shortly after the Popeye cartoons began to appear.

He's older now, but he's slimmer than he's been in years. He must not eat as many hot dogs.
And now that he's settled in Virginia Beach, "I know Virginia Beach better than my hometown,"
he says. He feels he has met all of his goals, except one: "I'd like for the Lord to tell me I
received a passport to heaven," he says. "I haven't heard that yet." Again, that whimsical smile.

What a shooter, what a guy!

Here's a Keith McCready memory of Wimpy:

When Keith was a teenager [subject to check] -- Keith thinks he was
about 14 years old -- he was at the Elks Club in Los Angeles, California, in a World Straight
Pool Championship. Straight pool, of course, was a big thing back then, with the likes
of Irving Crane, Joe Balsis, Larry Lisciotti, Boston Shorty, Peter Margo, Steve Mizerak,
Cowboy Jimmy Moore (one of Keith's favorites), Jimmy Caras, Willie Hoppe, just to name
a few that come to Keith's mind.

At any rate, Keith was sweating the match between Joe Balsis and Wimpy Lassiter.
Joe Balsis was running out, going to 150, he thinks. Anyway, Joe Balsis needed
one ball for the almighty win and MISSED the break shot. The referee had to go over
to Wimpy and tap him on the shoulder because he was snoozing like a log while Joe
was running out. Wimpy got up from a dead sleep and ran 150 and out. Amazing, but true!

Check out the railbirds watching Wimpy and having a good time. Any player who can put
a smile on the face of the railbirds is a colorful player, unlike the majority of the 21st-century
robot tournament soldiers of today.

Picture courtesty of R.A. Dyers' Untold Stories.

 

[JAM]

Would love to read some of the old articles about him.

Here is R.A. Dyer's website about Wimpy: Untold Stories.

Here is another link of an article written by R.A. Dyer that is posted on Dyer's website.
The formatting is messed up, but it's a great read: Feeding the Pool Food Chain

BTW, Lazy Ledy, thank you for your service! God bless all the men and women who serve.

 

[JAM]

Wimpy's Balabushka cue had a starting price of $45,000 on eBay: Luther's Pool Cue Weighs In.

 

[JAM]

Here is an EXCELLENT article written in Sports Illustrated about
Luther and Cicero Murphy from 1967: Wimpy Was a Sleeping Beauty.

Another great Sports Illustrated article from 1964:
You Don't Beat Wimpy at the Game He Loves.

 

[Lazy Ledy]

Thanks for posting all of this.

 

[JAM]

Here's some vintage video clips of Luther Lassiter from Sports Illustrated:
Wimpy Shooting Pool.

I'd love to know how the video clip of Fast Lenny and Scott Frost
got thrown in this Sports Illustrated mix.
:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:

 

[JAM]

Thanks for posting all of this.

It is truly my pleasure. My nephew is getting ready to go
to Afghanistan this month for his second tour of duty. His first tour,
he was in Iraq.

You stay safe. Thank you for your service.

 

[Lazy Ledy]

It is truly my pleasure. My nephew is getting ready to go
to Afghanistan this month for his second tour of duty. His first tour,
he was in Iraq.

You stay safe. Thank you for your service.

Looks like me and your nephew are in the same boat. I did 15 months in IZ and will be doing 12 here. I hate hearing about more and more people having to come over here, maybe we will run into each other. I sent you a PM about his location.

 

[JAM]

Looks like me and your nephew are in the
same boat. I did 15 months in IZ and will be doing 12 here. I hate
hearing about more and more people having to come over here, maybe we
will run into each other. I sent you a PM about his location.

He likes the Army lifestyle. He entered the service
at the age of 28.

He went to college and tried to get a job but just could not find
his niche in life. The Army seems to have made
him whole, so to speak. He really digs it. He's supposed to be
a bomb engineer or something like that. I can't remember what
they call it. He is the one that goes out and checks out the
area to make sure there are no bombs.

 

[JAM]

Can you see that I'm proud? :grin:

I'm hijacking this thread of Luther and will post up some more stuff
later.

He's a handsome boy, I think, if I do say so myself, my nephew. :smile:

I hope you and he both come home safely and whole.
I will pray for both of you.

 

[JAM]

Researched by R.A. Dyer in Untold Stories, here's a timeline of
Luther "Wimpy" Lassiter's service in the U.S. Coast Guard during
World War II. I put this together during my research for Hustler Days.
This is gathered through a review of Wimpy's military records.

Total time: Three years, 10 months, and 7 days.
Spent time aboard vessels: CG 83511, CG 74307, CG 74306

September 1934 - Dec. 14, 1937
Attended high school. In letter by Edgar E. Bundy,
Superintendent of Schools to recuiting board, Wimpy was said
to have left school for work.

1938-1940
Employed by J.C. Connery, Burgess Street, Grocer man
(according to Coast Guard application), drinks intoxicating liquors on
"rare occasion,"’ never convicted of crime.

April 2, 1941
Walks into recruiting station, Norfolk, to sign up. Signs special temporary enlistment contract.

Employment was shown as clerk; enlisted or three years; described as 22
years old, 5’10’’, weighing 136.5, with blue eyes, black hair, fair complexion,

April 22, 1941
Receives physical examination that reports:
20-20 vision, not color blind, hearing normal, height 70 inches, weight
136.5 pounds, chest (exhale) 34; (inhale) 31
pulse before exercise 84, after exercise 100, after three minutes 84.
Tonsillectomy, 1931.
Age 22 years, 6 months.

April 25, 1941
A form he fills out shows no experience in any trade.

May 1, 1941
Accepted for service in Norfolk, VA
Receives clothing bounty pay of $112.75
Immediately transferred (at 2:30 p.m. that day) to Curtis Bay, Maryland
for training.

May 1, 1941
In designation of Beneficiaries for Death Gratuity, names mom,
Florence L. Lassiter as beneficiary. No mention of dad. Signed by recruiting
officer.

Aug. 12, 1941
Requests transfer to Elizabeth City, where Wimpy understands vacancies
exist in Seaman branch.

Aug. 27, 1941
Transfer denied.

Sept. 1, 1941
Advance from rating from Seaman to Seaman second class.

Dec. 2, 1941 (1730)
Depart for temporary duty, course of instruction at the Internal
Combustion Engine School, Norfolk, upon completion report to the
senior Coast Guard officer, Fifth Naval District, for assignment.

Dec. 3, 1941-Feb. 14, 1942
Class assembles. Names of classmates listed in records.
special qualifications record shows:
``Norfolk training station, 2-14-42, completed operators’ course in Internal
Combustion Engines, with a final mark of 76.3 or 3.1, 43rd in a class of 45 men.’’

Dec. 6, 1941
World War II begins.

Feb. 21, 1942
Transfer to CG-140 (There is some uncertainty on this entry)

Nov. 17, 1942
Also shows him aboard CG 73406

March 21, 1942-Nov. 20, 1944
transfer to CG 74306

June 8, 1942
Raises in rank to Ffc (something first class -- uncertainty on this entry)

March 15, 1942
landing party boat training, New River, N.C..

Nov. 17, 1942
promoted to machinest mate second class


May 31, 43
Becomes machinest mate first class

July 31 1943
Trains on Camp Glen Rifle Range, receives expert rifleman’s medal on 14 Aug. 1943.

April 30, 1944
Enlistment involuntarily extended for the duration of war, plus six months.
Vessel Designation: CG 74307, at CG base: 05-013

May 1, 1944
Enlistment involuntarily extended for duration of war, plus six months.

May 8, 1943
Coast Guard Enlisted Qualification Card Shows:
7 years grammar school, ending in 1931; three years High School, ending in 1934
(which means six years of playing pool before the service)
And Grades of 80 in social studies, 66 in Arithmetic, and 79
in Mechanical aptitute. Shows no service schools qualified for,
and no service schools desired. Weight then: 158 pounds. Main occupation: no jobs.
Must have known then that he didn’t want to work, says ``No jobs, no service schools desired.’’

Nov. 7, 1944 (1145) -Nov. 24, 1944
Received inpatient treatment for Pyelonephritis
Vessel designation CG-74306

Nov. 20, 1944-Nov. 29, 44
Aboard CG 74306

Nov. 29, 1944 through Sept. 12, 1945
stationed aboard CG 74307

Sept. 12, 1945
On leave, from vessel CG 74307

Sept 16, 1945
Transferred to CG 83511 for duty, CG Patrol Base, Municipal Pier, Norfolk, VA;
apparently from CG 74307

Oct. 1, 1945
Letter from J.I. Crews states:
``Lassiter ... has completed a continuous period of three years’ active service
on 4 April, 1944, with no mark in conduct of less than 4.0. Accordingly,
appropriate entry has been made of the service record and above named
man has been authorized to wear appropriate (ribbon) in lieu of issue of
actual award at this time.’’

Oct. 10, 1945
1300 hours
Letter addressed to Wimpy in Norfolk, Virginia says,
``Proceed to: Portsmouth, Virginia,
CO.CG Personnel Separation Center, No. 5, Crawford Street
Discharge from the Coast Guard on Draft No. Nornor-56.’’

October 11, 1945
Discharge papers show that he weighs 161 pounds.
Apparently gained 25 pounds in the service (up from 136.5 pounds)

October 12, 1945
Discharged in service

 

[Lazy Ledy]

The prayers are always welcome and you have a really good reason to be proud. I completely understand how he feels about the lifestyle only realy downside is that its hard to raise a family being away all the time. I have been doing this since I was 17 years old (just made 5 years in July) and I dont see myself doing anything else.

Okay, enough about Army stuff lol... more about Wimpy.

 

[JAM]

The prayers are always welcome and you
have a really good reason to be proud. I completely understand how he
feels about the lifestyle only realy downside is that its hard to raise a
family being away all the time. I have been doing this since I was 17
years old (just made 5 years in July) and I dont see myself doing anything
else.

Okay, enough about Army stuff lol... more about Wimpy.

You post whatever you want on any thread you want, and I will be happy
to read it. :smile:

It is interesting that Luther "Wimpy" Lassiter gained 25 pounds while he
was in the service. :grin-square:

Since he served in the Coast Guard, this may be why he hung out
in Norfolk for a long time. That pool room that he was "house pro"
in called "Gibbs," I remember traveling there in the '80s era and saw
his name on a banner in the front of the pool room. The place was
huge. I had never seen so many tables. Unfortunately, they were
mostly empty when I came through, which was during the day. I guess
at the beach in the summer, most folks are, well, on the beach and
not in the pool room. :wink:

Here is a great YouTube video of Wimpy against Cicero Murphy in the
finals of a 14.1 tournament held at the Windsor Ballroom in New York.

It is so funny to see Cicero smoking right on TV, and they have a couple
good shots of Wimpy's stroke. Cicero shoots a lot like Allen Hopkins with
a slip stroke. It actually has a little bit of hesitation and almost comes
to a stop before he strikes the cueball.

Cicero was the first African American "allowed" to compete
in a professional pool tournament in the United States.

He eventually won a world championship and is today in the BCA's
Hall of Fame.

This is vintage pool right here, when pool used to shine the
brightest. Everybody, including the players and the audience, is wearing a suit: 14.1 Finals of Wimpy vs. Cicero.

 

[jay helfert]

Here is an EXCELLENT article written in Sports Illustrated about
Luther and Cicero Murphy from 1967: Wimpy Was a Sleeping Beauty.

Another great Sports Illustrated article from 1964:
You Don't Beat Wimpy at the Game He Loves.

Thanks so much for finding these two gems! I was too busy to read SI back then. I was trying to be a pool player myself. :smile:
By the way, Tom Fox was the writer who co-authored The Bank Shot with Fats. Great writer - great book!

P.S. Notice the things Luther complains about (not being able to make a living playing legitimate pool) are the same things players complain about today.

 

[jay helfert]

Here's some vintage video clips of Luther Lassiter from Sports Illustrated:
Wimpy Shooting Pool.

I'd love to know how the video clip of Fast Lenny and Scott Frost
got thrown in this Sports Illustrated mix.
:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:

Great and very rare footage of Lassiter beating Shorty for the One Pocket title at Johnston City in 1969. That's the only year Luther won that title. Shorty won it several times in JC and at the Stardust. Lassiter also won the 9-Ball title that year and went on to beat Joe Russo (the 14.1 champ) for the All Around title.

Take a good look at that table. Probably a Gandy but those pockets are not buckets. Maybe four and five-eighths or four and three-quarters the most. Notice how Luther handles the cue ball. It's almost like he's playing Straight Pool the way he picks off balls and nudges balls around. Also note how adroitly Shorty switches to his left hand on certain shots. Because of his small stature he learned to play well with both hands. And his use of the bridge was also first rate.

This is some of the best footage available of Lassiter and maybe the only One Pocket footage. He didn't like the game! I particularly like the double bank he makes to win the match.

Thanks again Jam for this little treasure!

 

[Black-Balled]

Wow. Those pockets look huge, no? I think I coulda beat Lassiter playing on that!

Please forgive my bold-faced indescretion.

 

[alstl]

Wow. Those pockets look huge, no? I think I coulda beat Lassiter playing on that!

Please forgive my bold-faced indescretion.

I'm sure he would have been glad to afford you the opportunity for enough money.