Mosconi's 526 record...Who could break it???

[JAM]

So would you like the people in this forum not to believe Larry was a drunk, or that Johnny was incarcerated? I think what Grady said was common knowledge and not meant to defame anyone's character. Having said that, it seems from your response that he hit a nerve or something. Did you know either of these two personally? If not, why would this bother you so much? Hmmm. I won't go any further with this I just wanted to know why you feel the need to defend something that doesn't need defending.

I did not know Johnny Ervolino, but I am aware of his pool-playing triumphs.

I do know Larry Lisciotti. He was a good friend, I had thought, to many of the older players in his era. None of the good friends of Larry's that I know -- and I do know quite a few of them -- would ever call their friend, the late Larry Lisciotti, a "drunk."

If you enjoy this sort of back-and-forth colloquy, then jump on in and sucker-punch whoever you feel like. If you're trying to engage me in a flame war or try to hit any one of my nerves, I've already been through the school of hard knocks on the Internet. Though mildly entertaining for some, I unfortunately have so many projects on my platter at the present time that I would rather exert my energies and effort into something more productive.

Next?

JAM

 

[mjantti]

I know that Johnny Ervolino's all-time high run was
361 which happened in 1967 during a 1000 point match
for big money. That's the highest run I've ever heard
of for big money.

Wow ! Running 361 in 1967 and running 333 in 2000 ? Now, who has runs over 300 in a period of 33 years ?

 

[JLW]

I think there will always be stories about people beating Mosconi's record. And many of them are probably true. There have been some incredible Straight pool players throughout the years. But then again, who knows? It's entirely possible that this was not Mosconi's all time high run. Maybe in a practice session, he ran 600. Or 700. Or more. There's really no way to know the highest run of all time.

I would love to see a tournament with the goal of breaking Mosconi's record. High run wins the tournament. 527 or above wins X amount of money. I'd love to see that.

 

[vader93490]

I think there will always be stories about people beating Mosconi's record. And many of them are probably true. There have been some incredible Straight pool players throughout the years. But then again, who knows? It's entirely possible that this was not Mosconi's all time high run. Maybe in a practice session, he ran 600. Or 700. Or more. There's really no way to know the highest run of all time.

If memory serves, there is a tale that Mosconi did indeed beat his 526 run with a run of 589. The story ran in an old P&B magazine, and I believe the article ran shortly before his passing in 1993.

It should be noted that the 589 run is, to my recollection, unverified.

 

[sjm]

This is a list I copied from another forum:

These are only the runs of 300 and more...

625 Mike Eufemia USA
526 Willie Mosconi USA (rip 1993) 8foot, 1954
491 Thomas Engert Germany
408 Earl Strickland USA
406 Thorsten Hohmann Germany
400 John Schmidt USA
326 Oliver Ortmann Germany
326 Werner Duregger Austria
321 Oliver Ortmann Germany
321 Steve Mizerak USA
309 Irving Crane USA (10foot) in 1939
306 Per Anda Sweden

If anyone has additional runs over 300, please let me know...

Tom

Well, Allen Hopkins, Dallas West, Babe Cranfield have run over 400, and John Ervolino, Joe Balsis and Jose Garcia have run over 300. Crane ran over 300 again in the late 1960's on a 4 1/2 x 9. I'd guess there have have been at least 30, and quite possibly 50, different 300 ball runs in history.

 

[Bob Jewett]

...

I would love to see a tournament with the goal of breaking Mosconi's record. High run wins the tournament. 527 or above wins X amount of money. I'd love to see that.

Such an event will occur in January in Louisville.

 

[Williebetmore]

Where is Danny DiLiberto?? Perhaps ZigZagMaster could weigh in, but I am nearly positive that Danny D. has a run of over 400.

FWIW, I don't really think that high runs above 526 are very likely on even medium tough equipment. Check out Mike Sigel's monologue on one of his Accu-Stats videos. When prompted by Billy Incardona (who opined that if they had a high-run contest then one of the modern players would surely break the record), had a fairly strong opinion that the record would stand. His reasoning was that you need too many breaks to run even 150, that 526 is very unlikely.

At DCC I mentioned to John Schmidt how much I admired his 112 ball run in a tight match against Pagulayan at the previous DCC. He stated that on loose equipment he is a threat to run 400 any time he's at the table; but that he considered his run of 112 on medium tough equipment, for money, against a very capable opponent a much greater accomplishment than running 400 in practice. I agree.

 

[classiccues]

I do know Larry Lisciotti. He was a good friend, I had thought, to many of the older players in his era. None of the good friends of Larry's that I know -- and I do know quite a few of them -- would ever call their friend, the late Larry Lisciotti, a "drunk."

Next?

JAM

Next... I knew Larry pretty good, having hung with him at Pool Table Magic occasionally and seeing him around numerous tournaments. But my FIRST real exposure to Larry was helping get him to a hospital from the Super Billiards Expo after he was spitting up blood, and then picking him up the next day when he sobered a bit. This was from drinking, and plenty of it. He was a drunk.

Would I consider him a friend.. yes. But he was a drunk. There is no other way to say it. We all need to consider it that drinking is a disease and Larry was infected.

But Larry was a great, and I mean great player in his prime. For the money, for the tournament, he was solid. My uncle used to tell me if Larry wasn't a drinker, he might have more straight pool titles than anyone on the planet. He was alot of fun to be around, when he was "high" he was funnier than sh*t, he taught me a few hustles I will never forget.

The one thing we should never forget about Larry is that he was a World Champion, he beat the best of the best.

Joe

 

[Grady]

Larry and Keith

I don't need to be lectured to by you, Jam and keith is a drunk too. Unfortunate but true.

 

[sjm]

I knew Larry pretty good...But he was a drunk. There is no other way to say it. We all need to consider it that drinking is a disease and Larry was infected....But Larry was a great, and I mean great player in his prime...The one thing we should never forget about Larry is that he was a World Champion, he beat the best of the best.

Yes, Larry was a drunk but he also was a special player and a great guy. I was there in 1976 at Asbury Park when he won the World Open Straight Pool Championship, beating Mizerak twice to secure the title. It is because we all liked him and his game so much that we lament his unfulfilled promise.

I prefer to remember Larry as a fine player and a nice guy. He is greatly missed.

 

[watchez]

I don't need to be lectured to by you, Jam and keith is a drunk too. Unfortunate but true.

Wow.....I can't wait to read the reply to this one.


This has got me thinking though....maybe we should start another thread of who people think was/is the best drunk pool player of all time.

 

[Koop]

Wow.....I can't wait to read the reply to this one.


This has got me thinking though....maybe we should start another thread of who people think was/is the best drunk pool player of all time.

I went and dusted off my old BDU's (military guys will get this reference) for this one!

INCOMING!!!!

 

[Salamander]

Wow.....I can't wait to read the reply to this one.


This has got me thinking though....maybe we should start another thread of who people think was/is the best drunk pool player of all time.

I vote for Greenleaf. Supposedly able to run 100's dead drunk.

 

[watchez]

I vote for Greenleaf. Supposedly able to run 100's dead drunk.

Okay Salamander, that is one vote for Greenleaf....but let's clarify it. Was he a drunk or just played good when he was drunk?

 

[Koop]

And for the record, Grady that was pretty harsh.
You've been around a long time and I have the utmost respect for you but in my opinion that was uncalled for.

Just my $.02

 

[Bob Jewett]

... This has got me thinking though....maybe we should start another thread of who people think was/is the best drunk pool player of all time.

By the accounts I've heard, that would be Ralph Greenleaf.

 

[beetle]

I don't need to be lectured to by you, Jam and keith is a drunk too. Unfortunate but true.

Grady, come to DC, please! JAM can teach you some things about etiquette, and Keith can teach you some things about 9-ball. I will pay good money to watch this!

 

[pete lafond]

I don't need to be lectured to by you, Jam and keith is a drunk too. Unfortunate but true.

I think JAM's post was to not go around knocking people, even if they are not around anymore. I agree 100%. Thanks JAM.

 

[LastTwo]

I heard that Efren won a straight pool tournament a few years back. I know he doesn't really play the game, but does anyone know what his high run is? Also, what about Earl Strickland? Earl made a few posts about straight pool a few months ago so he must like the game, does anyone know his high run?

I am also wondering how many hours it takes these guys Engert, Hohmann, etc. to run 300-400 balls.

 

[Hal]

I just lost all respect I had for Grady Mathews. What a jerk.