Mosconi Cup irony

3andstop

3andstop

Focus
Silver Member
I don't follow 9 ball, but I do find it ironic that they name a 9 ball event after one of the greatest players of all time that absolutely hated 9 ball.

Said the game was for bangers and expressed clearly that he had no use for it.

He's probably rolling over in his grave.

Knowing this... in some obscure way is this disrespectful to him?

There's no doubt in my mind that if he were alive he would not allow his name to be associated with 9 ball.

Just a thought.... ;)
 
3andstop said:
I don't follow 9 ball, but I do find it ironic that they name a 9 ball event after one of the greatest players of all time that absolutely hated 9 ball.

Said the game was for bangers and expressed clearly that he had no use for it.

He's probably rolling over in his grave.

Knowing this... in some obscure way is this disrespectful to him?

There's no doubt in my mind that if he were alive he would not allow his name to be associated with 9 ball.

Just a thought.... ;)
Click to expand...

Thats is true. I read that before. I can't belive it didnt come to mind before LOL. Could you imagine Mosconi Cup decided by 14.1. How would it play out?
 
Well...,

Every game has its weaknesses, 14.1 is a game that you might never get a chance to do anything, but sit and watch your opponent run out, so he might not have liked the game, but the millions of people that play it all over the world are a testament to its appeal.
 
3andstop said:
I don't follow 9 ball, but I do find it ironic that they name a 9 ball event after one of the greatest players of all time that absolutely hated 9 ball.

Said the game was for bangers and expressed clearly that he had no use for it.

He's probably rolling over in his grave.

Knowing this... in some obscure way is this disrespectful to him?

There's no doubt in my mind that if he were alive he would not allow his name to be associated with 9 ball.

Just a thought.... ;)
Click to expand...

I'm no expert on "Willie," but I also heard he thought 9-ball was for bangers.
I agree that he would have been "bothered" having his name used for this particular game.

To "Willie," 14.1 was the standard by which the pool world should be judged,
any other prevailing skills notwithstanding.
 
yeah, the short races and quick 9 Ball games are all about "TV" format, at one point they tried to get even a faster game out of the players and were showing some sudden death 7 ball on TV.
 
King T said:
Every game has its weaknesses, 14.1 is a game that you might never get a chance to do anything, but sit and watch your opponent run out, so he might not have liked the game, but the millions of people that play it all over the world are a testament to its appeal.
Click to expand...


You miss the point. I'm not saying that 9 ball isn't appealing to people. I'm not even asking to compare games.

I'm specifically saying that Mosconi ..... MOSCONI of all people. THEEE one man who not only stood above all others as a champion in his time, but the one man who outwardly hated the game of 9 ball, called it names like a bangers game, has this international 9 ball event named after him. The more I ponder it, the more ridiculous it gets.

The poor man is rolling over in his grave.

The one man who would come to mind of any pool player worth his salt when asked who was the purest of purests regarding straight pool and who hated the thought of that great game being demeaned and belittled with a game such as 9 ball, has that VERY game named after him in in international tournament.

I'm saying that in some odd twisted way, the people that named this event after him either did it tongue in cheek, or out of some form of disrespect, or pure ignorance. But to call this 9 ball tournament the Mosconi Cup is like kicking Mr. Mosconi in the balls.
 
I didn't know he didn't like it. But after reading you explaining it, it does some kind of ridiculous to name it after him...
 
Willie didn't like hustlers and the games they played...9b & 1pkt. He was pretty good at them though.
:D
 
Nothing more than a mildly interesting observation, to me.

There may not be another name in pool's annals that conjures equal thoughts of dedication to the game and sheer excellence at it.

I think it is a fine tribute and a finer name for the event.

All the branding efforts to date will not be abandoned.

People know not to hug fabric softener named snuggle, but the association with a positively perceived characteristic is worth the somewhat inaccurate name...IMO.
 
Willie's ethics

3andstop said:
You miss the point. I'm not saying that 9 ball isn't appealing to people. I'm not even asking to compare games.

I'm specifically saying that Mosconi ..... MOSCONI of all people. THEEE one man who not only stood above all others as a champion in his time, but the one man who outwardly hated the game of 9 ball, called it names like a bangers game, has this international 9 ball event named after him. The more I ponder it, the more ridiculous it gets.

The poor man is rolling over in his grave.

The one man who would come to mind of any pool player worth his salt when asked who was the purest of purests regarding straight pool and who hated the thought of that great game being demeaned and belittled with a game such as 9 ball, has that VERY game named after him in in international tournament.

I'm saying that in some odd twisted way, the people that named this event after him either did it tongue in cheek, or out of some form of disrespect, or pure ignorance. But to call this 9 ball tournament the Mosconi Cup is like kicking Mr. Mosconi in the balls.
Click to expand...

Well, Willie also expressed his disdain for small tables, but when I met him in '65, he was on tour promoting 7-foot tables for Montgomery Wards...

He also used Balabushka and Rambo cues, but had no problem putting his name on cheap Asian made cues...

Icons are not all saints.
 
The Fats Cup!

I think it should be changed to 10 ball with regular rules. No contrived breaking rules. Just play the game.
 
3andstop said:
I don't follow 9 ball, but I do find it ironic that they name a 9 ball event after one of the greatest players of all time that absolutely hated 9 ball.

Said the game was for bangers and expressed clearly that he had no use for it.

He's probably rolling over in his grave.

Knowing this... in some obscure way is this disrespectful to him?

There's no doubt in my mind that if he were alive he would not allow his name to be associated with 9 ball.

Just a thought.... ;)
Click to expand...


In his HOF acceptance speech, Barry Hearn spoke of approaching the Mosconi estate and explaining what he wanted to do in terms of creating a prestigious pool competition named the Mosconi Cup and shortly thereafter speaking to Mosconi's widow, Flora. Her response was, "Willie would love it."

Lou Figueroa
 
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