Raffle to Benefit 'Bugs' Rucker!

Just called Bugs

I just called Bugs at the hospital. Let him know what we're doing. He was surprised, elated, and thankful. Even with the newly missing limb, he was upbeat, with no crying, complaining or self-pity. He is still the great champion, even in a hospital bed. I will make it a point to contact the two softest "bites" when it comes to Bugs, Artie Bodendorfer and Billy Cardone. Ever since Bugs has been sick, they have been secretly slipping him C note packages.


the Beard
 
Russ Chewning said:
I'm in for 30..

Russ
Click to expand...
Russ, that is seriously generous of you!!!

We had a very good first day, raising just about exactly a $1000 between pledges and Paypal!!

-->> Gerald Huber has generously donated 10 copies of his book, The Green Felt Jungle. Other donations are 'in the works' and these are in addition to the signed cue stick, the poster signed by Bugs himself, both of Freddy the Beard's books, and more announcements to come...

Again, these raffle chances can be purchased on line (or by sending a check) by visiting:

http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm
 
1pocket said:
Russ, that is seriously generous of you!!!

We had a very good first day, raising just about exactly a $1000 between pledges and Paypal!!

-->> Gerald Huber has generously donated 10 copies of his book, The Green Felt Jungle. Other donations are 'in the works' and these are in addition to the signed cue stick, the poster signed by Bugs himself, both of Freddy the Beard's books, and more announcements to come...

Again, these raffle chances can be purchased on line (or by sending a check) by visiting:

http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm
Click to expand...

It's my pleasure. I am just sad that I never got to meet the man in person when he was healthy. I heard he cut quite the impressive figure. All the earlier pictures I saw of him gave me the impression of a college linebacker.

Bugs plays a big part in WOP and Shots, Moves, and Strategies, my two favorite pool books, so I am happy to help out.

Russ
 
I just went in for $50. Come on people!

The world needs a "Home for Old Pool Players" . They dedicate their lives to the game and have no social security, no pension, no insurance. We got to take care of the legends.
 
Jay

My first time to post and some people may not like this comment. I met
Buggs a couple of years ago at Derby City one pocket hall of fame
banquet. So sorry to hear about his situation. Above all I think someone
needs to confirm his faith with GOD. Not just with GOD but receiving
JESUS as his LORD and SAVIOR. This we all need to do when it comes
to the last rack.
JESUS died for us pool players too.(John 3:16)
Oh yeh Jay, I want to play you a race to 7 banks for $100.00 a set.
Well wait a minute I'll probably lose. Just give me 10 raffle tickets.

The PIRANHA
 
PIRANHA said:
My first time to post and some people may not like this comment. I met
Buggs a couple of years ago at Derby City one pocket hall of fame
banquet. So sorry to hear about his situation. Above all I think someone
needs to confirm his faith with GOD. Not just with GOD but receiving
JESUS as his LORD and SAVIOR. This we all need to do when it comes
to the last rack.
JESUS died for us pool players too.(John 3:16)
Oh yeh Jay, I want to play you a race to 7 banks for $100.00 a set.
Well wait a minute I'll probably lose. Just give me 10 raffle tickets.

The PIRANHA
Click to expand...

I'll play any Piranha even. Interesting, we used to call Dave Piona the Piranha. So you can't be all bad.
 
NO..Jay

I'm just a shortstop, but love the game and the people in it , like Bug's
Just wanted to get my two cents in ,or 10 tickets....
 
I'll give him a message for you

For those contributors who know Bugs, if you like, you can leave a personal post on this thread, I'll copy and collect them all and read them to Bugs when I go see him. Leave me your name and the town that you are from. I just wish that we would have done something like this for Brooklyn Pancho after he got his leg chopped off. If nothing else, to hear good wishes from old companions, is no more than some of our old warriors deserve. People like the still living, Vernon Eliot, and the deceased Jersey Red and others. It aint much to ask and I know it would be appreciated.

the Beard
 
Bugs stories

To keep this thread spicy, I'm going to intermittantly insert a few stories about Bugs. Here is one beauty:

When "Bugs" played Minnesota Fats in Johnston City, Joey "The Cincinnati Kid" Spaeth was staking him. A great player himself, Joey did not often back other players. However, Spaeth just came from Chicago where he had the misfortune to have played Rucker.
Joey instantly became a convert to the Bugs Rucker fan club when, in a game of One–Pocket, with Spaeth only needing one ball to win and everything seemingly out of play, Bugs banked all of the remaining balls into his pocket to win the game. He banked eight and out into one pocket! Joey had never seen anything like it before, and I personally have never seen or heard anything like it since.

the Beard
 
Sterling Gaming and Cuesight will donate a Fury gift certificate for $500 worth of Fury cues to the raffle. You wil be back at the table soon Bugs!
 
You guys are fantastic!!!

John Barton said:
Sterling Gaming and Cuesight will donate a Fury gift certificate for $500 worth of Fury cues to the raffle. You wil be back at the table soon Bugs!
Click to expand...
Wow, that is very generous of you!! Can you email me specifics or post a link, including a small "Fury" banner/logo so I can include this accurately on the raffle item list:

http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm

Thank you all again!

steve@onepocket.org
 
Never had the pleasure of seeing "Bugs" play...but I'm in! :) Check your snail mail...I won't do paypal...an old curmedgeon.
 
Bugs tidbit

Leonard Bugs Rucker, was originally slated to play the black guy that beats Newman and hustles him. Bugs was absolutely helpless as an actor and couldn't do a single line. They finally gave up on him and installed Forest Whitaker to do the part. The rest is history. Whitaker is a top-rated actor today.
the Beard
 
freddy the beard said:
To keep this thread spicy, I'm going to intermittantly insert a few stories about Bugs. Here is one beauty:

When "Bugs" played Minnesota Fats in Johnston City, Joey "The Cincinnati Kid" Spaeth was staking him. A great player himself, Joey did not often back other players. However, Spaeth just came from Chicago where he had the misfortune to have played Rucker.
Joey instantly became a convert to the Bugs Rucker fan club when, in a game of One–Pocket, with Spaeth only needing one ball to win and everything seemingly out of play, Bugs banked all of the remaining balls into his pocket to win the game. He banked eight and out into one pocket! Joey had never seen anything like it before, and I personally have never seen or heard anything like it since.

the Beard
Click to expand...

I NEVER heard of Joey staking anyone! That's a first for sure. He was always the one getting staked. Joey wouldn't cut loose of any of his own money under any circumstances. It was like his pockets were sown shut.

I sat next to him at the lunch counter at Joe Burns joint in Dayton. When the time came to pay the bill, Joey went through all kinds of stuff trying to get $3 out of his pocket. It was like he was hoping for someone to come along and bail him out. When he finally pulled a few bills out of his pocket, he was real careful that no one else saw it. Including me, and I was sitting next to him. Jim Rempe learned from Joey.
 
Last edited:
Updated list of raffle items...

Donations to the raffle item list continue to come in:

Scott Lee has committed a two hour private lesson!

Grady Mathews has donated his most popular DVD, Money Pool, along with three collectable posters -- 1991 Legends of One Pocket, King of the Hill IPT 2005, US Open 9 Ball Championships 25th Anniversary 2000!

Sterling Gaming and Cuesight have committed a $500 gift certificate for Fury cues!

I would also like to thank Mike Howerton of AZBilliards.com for supporting this raffle cause by making the raffle thread 'stick' at the top of his main forum and by putting a direct link on the AZBilliards home page!

The updated list of raffle items, and Paypal link to purchase raffle tickets online can be found here:
http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm

(If you have visited recently, you may need to 'refresh' to see what has been added)
 
Count me in

:D I gladly donated 10 signed copies of The Green Felt Jungle and will purchase quite a few raffle tickets and I strongly urge everyone to do what they can for this great champion. God Bless you Bugs, and Bless all those who are helping Steve and Freddy with this venture. YOu can call me at 504 - 451-9603 if I can be of more help in any way. :D :p :D
 
jungledude said:
:D I gladly donated 10 signed copies of The Green Felt Jungle and will purchase quite a few raffle tickets and I strongly urge everyone to do what they can for this great champion. God Bless you Bugs, and Bless all those who are helping Steve and Freddy with this venture. YOu can call me at 504 - 451-9603 if I can be of more help in any way. :D :p :D
Click to expand...
Thank you, Gerald!!

The first check goes into the mail to Chicago today!
 
King Rempe

jay helfert said:
I NEVER heard of Joey staking anyone! That's a first for sure. He was always the one getting staked. Joey wouldn't cut loose of any of his own money under any circumstances. It was like his pockets were sown shut.

I sat next to him at the lunch counter at Joe Burns joint in Dayton. When the time came to pay the bill, Joey went through all kinds of stuff trying to get $3 out of his pocket. It was like he was hoping for someone to come along and bail him out. When he finally pulled a few bills out of his pocket, he was real careful that no one else saw it. Including me, and I was sitting next to him. Jim Rempe learned from Joey.
Click to expand...

Jay, I was going to include a "Never, ever grabbed a check," category in my last book, but I wimped out because I didnt want to put that much heat on my pal Jimmy Rempe.

the Beard
 
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