Mosconi's Cue Ball

[lfigueroa]

Very nice story, Lou. I was lucky enough to see one of his exhibitions back around 1965. I was mesmerized. Do us a favor and weigh the ball on an accurate digital scale. I am wondering if was a standard weight or not.

I know this is off topic, but talking about seeing champion giving an exhibition reminds me of one I saw that Jimmy Caras put on. The local Dallas champ, in this case, was Billy Stroud who later became known for his cue. Of course Caras won, Billy making maybe 40 balls. Immediately after the match, I was walking out of the pool room with Billy and what do you think he said about Caras? Billy, turned to me and said, and I quote exactly, "He can't play." Of course Billy was only about 20 years old at the time, so we'll give him a pass on that one.

Sorry, Bill. I don't have access to a good scale. It probably would be interesting to weight it and maybe put a set of calipers on it.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I think you would want to compare it to what were probably Hyatt Centennials from the same set, and unless Lou has been holding out on us, the object balls are lost to history.

wow -- boost the entire set! Now THAT would have been a story!

Lou Figueroa
a man's gotta know
his limits

 

[lfigueroa]

I got to see Jimmy Caras put on a exibition match in a bowling alley in Charlotte NC around 1974 also Mr Porter, and I thought that the little pamplet style booklet he gave me was the best. Somehow it dissapeared from my dresser drawer and it was autographed so maybe worth a few dollars, you didn't happen to get the small book did you ?

Leonard

PS I don't mean the same book I owned

Maybe he gave you a copy of his book, that looks much like a pamphlet at 5" x 7", "Pocket Billiard Fundamentals and Trick Shots Made Easy" It's a red and grey cover with the setup for the six balls in six pockets shot? Inside the front cover they all came with a printed autograph.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Lou,
I absolutely loved your story.

With all the negativity that sometimes takes place on this forum, this type of post is exactly what there needs to be more of.

Thanks for the memories,
Jimmy

Thanks, Jimmy. My pleasure.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Great stories. Thanks!

You're welcome, Jim.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Mithril]

Another one

I remember an older guy that I used to play in League with, he was telling me that years and years ago he was actually in one of the exhibition games with Willie. They were playing 14.1 and he ran about 50 balls on Willie, who then looked at him and said "Hey, this is supposed to be my show." Mosconi then proceeded to run the entire game and out.
One of the spectators told this fellow... "Willie's not shooting any hard shots" and he turned to the spectator and said.. "You idiot, you think that's an accident?"

 

[gulfportdoc]

Very nice story, Lou. I was lucky enough to see one of his exhibitions back around 1965. I was mesmerized. Do us a favor and weigh the ball on an accurate digital scale. I am wondering if was a standard weight or not.

I was wondering the same thing. Does the CB look the same as blue circle balls today? Is the color snowy white, or is it more opaque? Good story, Lou.

Doc

 

[lfigueroa]

I remember an older guy that I used to play in League with, he was telling me that years and years ago he was actually in one of the exhibition games with Willie. They were playing 14.1 and he ran about 50 balls on Willie, who then looked at him and said "Hey, this is supposed to be my show." Mosconi then proceeded to run the entire game and out.
One of the spectators told this fellow... "Willie's not shooting any hard shots" and he turned to the spectator and said.. "You idiot, you think that's an accident?"

Well, that was the thing watching Mosconi -- he made it look like running 100 *had* to be the easiest thing in the world and you'd run to the pool table afterwards thinking you could do it too, only to rediscover how crushingly hard the game remained for mere mortals.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I was wondering the same thing. Does the CB look the same as blue circle balls today? Is the color snowy white, or is it more opaque? Good story, Lou.

Doc

Hi, Doc, thanks.

It's a blue circle that is very yellow -- maybe even a shade darker than 3C cue ball yellow.

Lou Figueroa

 

[gulfportdoc]

Hi, Doc, thanks.

It's a blue circle that is very yellow -- maybe even a shade darker than 3C cue ball yellow.

Lou Figueroa

Well, I wondered if that wasn't so. I'm guessing the ball plays "heavy"-- even moreso than a super aramith or red circle. If so, Mosconi probably favored it in order to be able to continually carom through the racks. Too bad you couldn't do some informal testing with it. You probably don't want to be messin' with it.

Doc

 

[lfigueroa]

Well, I wondered if that wasn't so. I'm guessing the ball plays "heavy"-- even moreso than a super aramith or red circle. If so, Mosconi probably favored it in order to be able to continually carom through the racks. Too bad you couldn't do some informal testing with it. You probably don't want to be messin' with it.

Doc

Well actually... I played with it for the first time in years and years a few days ago. It seems to me to be slightly smaller, but heavier than a red circle.

Lou Figueroa