Questions for Ralph Greenleaf?

Mr. Bond

Mr. Bond

Orbis Non Sufficit
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We're going to conjure up the ghost of Greenleaf...do you have any questions for him? :eek:
Yeah I know...I'm just kidding lol

I'm actually going to be interviewing author J.D. Dolan about his upcoming book on the life of Ralph Greenleaf. Anyone have a specific question you might like to ask about Ralph, or about the book? Just let me know and we'll see if we can get an answer for you. :cool:
 
If you were going to compare Greenleaf's notoriety and celebrity status then to someone today what would be a good comparison? Also, other than hearing the offhand comment about how Greenleaf preferred side pocket breakshots do we have any information about how he played the game? Tight position play? Shotmaker? What do we know about his stroke?
 
Other than the obvious when will it be released, I would like to know since its a novelization, how much of the story will be about his play vs the man and his life away from the table. Both aspects are fascinating. BTW thanks for all of the history and information you share here.

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Dear alstl--

Of course there is pool in heaven! Your friends are wrong who say there isn't. How dreary heaven would be if there were no pool. There would be no woofing, sharking, lemonading, or putting the bite on to make existence interesting. Not believe in pool in heaven?! You might as well not believe that everywhere in the universe men are deceitful, lazy, cynical and out at all times to get a leg up on their fellows.
 
How much did he drink and how did it affect his game, both at the moment and over the long term.

Also would be nice to hear any interesting stories from his travels with Mosconi.
 
You are talking to the right guy about Greenleaf. JD Dolan, English professor at Western Michigan U, has made a career study of the man. He is also publishing a book about Greenleaf. JD is a good man who loves pool. He helped me with edits (gratis of course) on all of my books.

Beard

He is the one that advised me to put a comma after Bank on, in my signature comment, bank on, brother!
 
Mr. Bond said:
We're going to conjure up the ghost of Greenleaf...do you have any questions for him? :eek:
Yeah I know...I'm just kidding lol

I'm actually going to be interviewing author J.D. Dolan about his upcoming book on the life of Ralph Greenleaf. Anyone have a specific question you might like to ask about Ralph, or about the book? Just let me know and we'll see if we can get an answer for you. :cool:
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I'm not sure where I heard it but I believe he was offered roles in movies. If this is true, do you know why he never took advantage of the opportunity?
 
jeffj2h said:
How much did he drink and how did it affect his game, both at the moment and over the long term.

Also would be nice to hear any interesting stories from his travels with Mosconi.
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Jack White tells a story about Greenleaf coming to play an exhibition at a poolroom in Pittsburgh in the late '40's. Greenleaf came into town on the train, walked 20 blocks to the pool hall in the pouring rain. When he came in he was completely drenched. Removing his heavy overcoat, he went to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Afterwards he walked over to the wall, pulled a house cue off the wall, and proceeded to run 125 and out on his hapless opponent. Without saying a word, he put his wet coat back on, walked out the door 20 blocks back to the train station, and left town. So...obviously being drunk didn't affect his ability to play much, if at all.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
 
Scott Lee said:
Jack White tells a story about Greenleaf coming to play an exhibition at a poolroom in Pittsburgh in the late '40's. Greenleaf came into town on the train, walked 20 blocks to the pool hall in the pouring rain. When he came in he was completely drenched. Removing his heavy overcoat, he went to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Afterwards he walked over to the wall, pulled a house cue off the wall, and proceeded to run 125 and out on his hapless opponent. Without saying a word, he put his wet coat back on, walked out the door 20 blocks back to the train station, and left town. So...obviously being drunk didn't affect his ability to play much, if at all.

Scott Lee
http://poolknowledge.com
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Greenleaf running 125 is not that impressive. But walking 40 blocks is.
I can hardly make it up 12 steps to go to bed when i drink.
 
Did the booze start out as a way to deal with the stress of maintaining his championship status. A way to deal with the downtime on the road (before /after the show). Was it a family thing or was it just what everyone was doing at the time.

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RoadHustler said:
Did the booze start out as a way to deal with the stress of maintaining his championship status. A way to deal with the downtime on the road (before /after the show). Was it a family thing or was it just what everyone was doing at the time.

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I'd bet it's a combination of the rock star life he led with his showgirl wife and the fact that many pool rooms sold liquor under the table during probihibition...
 
George Fels told a story years ago where Ralph got arrested for Public Intox.

Supposedly he told the jailer who he was,the jailer called bullshit,Ralph told him there's a table across the street,let me out and I'll prove it.

Ralph,still drunk but coherent enough to talk,picked up a house cue with no tip and ran a 134 :eek:.

At his best and certainly not drunk,according to legend he won a 12 man round robin tournament where even with 125 point matches and tough tables for the era,he never missed a single called ball. When he came to the table he either ran 125-out,or played safe back and forth till he got a workable shot,then ran out. Tommy D.
 
West Point 1987 said:
I'd bet it's a combination of the rock star life he led with his showgirl wife and the fact that many pool rooms sold liquor under the table during probihibition...
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Greenleaf's wife did everything she could to keep him sober and in good shape. One of the best things about Greenleaf was his playing ability. The other best thing was his wife.

Also, alcohol wasn't hard to find during prohibition. I honestly don't know how many pool rooms sold alcohol, but I do know that pool tables were pretty much everywhere--the barber shop, the hotel, etc.

You're right that he led a rock star life.
 
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