Raffle to Benefit 'Bugs' Rucker!

was he related to Gary Spaeth?

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...

Just curious... as my only experience seeing Bugs play was a bank pool taoe with bugs playing the late Gary Spaeth. I wasn't very familiar with the game of banks at the time but I bet I watched that tape 30 times..... made me a fan for sure.... Both were phenominal bankers. checks on the way.. I don't have Paypal... I will also see if I can come up with something cool for the raffle..Best Wishes
 
His Pappy

barrett9ball said:
Just curious... as my only experience seeing Bugs play was a bank pool taoe with bugs playing the late Gary Spaeth. I wasn't very familiar with the game of banks at the time but I bet I watched that tape 30 times..... made me a fan for sure.... Both were phenominal bankers. checks on the way.. I don't have Paypal... I will also see if I can come up with something cool for the raffle..Best Wishes
Click to expand...

Joey was Gary's father.

the Beard
 
Another Bugs story

There was a point, at least 20 years ago, during the time of the tournaments in Forest Park Billiards in Dayton OH, when Steve Mizerak was rated as, or as good as, anybody in the world playing OnePocket. (He played me 10 to 7. Naturally I won, or I wouldnt have mentioned it.) Bugs tracked him down, and they played even in Steve's basement. Bugs began strumming on Steve, and so Steve asked for, and received 8 to 7. More strumming, Steve quit and demanded 9 to 7 to keep playing. Alfonso "Fonzi" Daniels was with Bugs at the time, and voted a vehement "no" to that game. Steve was, for sure, rated the best straight-pool player in the world then, and Fonzi thought Steve's request was ridiculous. Plus they were playing on Steve's own table. Bugs semi-covered his mouth with his hand, and whispered to Fonzi, "Sh*t Fonzi, the man is dead!" Meaning Steve had been shot into a state of helplessness. That's probably the only time in Steve's life that that kind of statement was relevant. One of the world's greatest "closers," Bugs gave Steve the game, and proceeded to finish him off.

the Beard
 
More additions to the raffle!

6 CueTable Fitted T-Shirts
The winner can have a shirt with his/her favorite shot layout printed on the front or choose from an existing CueTable graphic design at http://www.cafepress.com/cuetable/
These are high quality T-Shirts made by American Apparel
-- Thank you Wei, CueTable.com

Handmade Phillipines Gordon display cue
This is a former TheCueMan.com display cue that shows the artwork and craftsmanship of the cue maker Gordon from the Phillipines
-- Thank you Mark Sulich, Q-Werks Cues !

An autographed copy of The GREAT Break Shot book
www.breakrak.com www.greatbreakshot.com
-- Thank you Charley Bond of the BreakRAK LLC !

The updated list (and link for purchasing raffle tickets) is here:
http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm

Thank you to all who are making this raffle a success for Bugs...
 
1pocket said:
Chicago bank pool legend Leonard ‘Bugs’ Rucker is really suffering from the advancement of diabetes. He is seriously down, but not out! He reportedly had a leg amputated yesterday.

Let’s show the man some respect and let him know that we care by really getting on board this raffle to raise some money to at least help him with some small comforts. There is only the most minimal public safety net for guys like Bugs as their health declines, yet this man is a genuine legend!

We already have committed donations of:
1. A brand new Sneaky Pete cue stick signed by One Pocket and Bank Pool legends (OnePocket.org)
2. A Bugs Rucker Bank Pool Hall of Fame poster signed by Bugs himself (OnePocket.org)
3. Something from Steve Lomako and The Rack
4. Freddy ‘The Beard’ is donating signed copies of both The Gospool and Banking with the Beard
5. Please consider donating either an item for the raffle, or buying some tickets – this is a real good cause!

I have gone ahead and set up a Paypal link for $10 per ticket raffle tickets – buy as many as you want; every $10 is an extra ticket and extra chance to win! I will also donate the Paypal fees, so 100% of your contribution will go toward Bugs. Our man Freddy Bentivegna has agreed to administer the delivery of these funds, because Bugs doesn’t even have a bank account.

Please chip in and help out any way you can!!!

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

Small contribution but 2 raffle tickets purchased with pay pal.
 
Raffle Buying

Say, I See A Lot Of Stuff Donated To A Good Cause And Some Neat Stories ,But Its Going To Take Us Little People To Buy Tickets On The Raffle, You Got Ball In Hand..do It
 
Bugs Rucker Raffle

This is one of the greatest attributes of this forum when we pull together to help out our friends, family and members in need. #1 pool and billiards forum bar none!!

"Tap-Tap-Tap" to those of you putting this together and those who have donated some very nice items.

I am in for three tickets.
 
More additions to the raffle!

Make that 5 copies of Charley Bond's The GREAT Break Shot book!
GreatBreakShot-thumb_000.jpg


Also, "Wedge" has donated a Castillo 2X4 leather alligator pattern soft case
Bugs-raffle-Wedge.jpg


If you have not already bought any raffle tickets, this is a real good cause, with every penny going to help out Bugs!

You can see the whole list of raffle items and purchase tickets online here:
http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm
 
Bugs family

Originally Posted by Terry Ardeno
Anybody know if Bugs has any kids or family left?


I have known, played, and been around him for 40 yrs and I cant answer that question. I guess I'll ask him when I see him in the hospital. I did meet his wife once, when he brought her to Bensingers, it was at least 30 years ago. I will never forget that day because it was the only time I ever beat Bugs playing even. I caught him betting his own (a criminal offense in those days), and charged him $400 at 30 a game. The last $100 came out of his wife's shoe. It was a wonderful, memorable moment. The next week he returned -- with the usual backers --and spotted me 9 to 8, with 2 out of 3 breaks, and dead broke me! He never made the BYO (bet your own) mistake again the rest of his life. That's no knock against him either. With the monstrous games he had to make to be able to play, backers were a necessity. Spotting someone and taking 10 to 8 the worst of it was about an average game.

the Beard

PS add Greg Sullivan of Diamond Tables for 10 tickets.
 
A major addition to the raffle list!

Chuck Starkey has donated a custom cue that features Desert Ironwood and Curly Birdseye Maple! It is 19-3/4 oz. with a wood pin and flat laminated shaft. This is a very nice cue -- I know because he shipped it to me for the raffle, so I got a good close look!!
http://onepocket.org/images/Starkey-thumb.jpg

Thank you very much Chuck!!!

There are more photos and a more complete description of this cue to be found via the link from the updated raffle page:
http://onepocket.org/BugsFundraiser.htm

Thanks to everybody, yet again!
 
Autographed Q ball

Someone on AZforums PM'd me and said he would pay $100 for an autographed Q ball from Bugs. I told him to send me a Q ball. It turns out I found a box of new Qballs in my basement. They are unused, but yellow with age. So what? I'll bring them over to the hospital for Bugs to sign and they can go on auction also. Keep in mind, Bugs signs his name just like that, "Bugs," that's it. His health and nerves wont allow him to sign an unlimited amount either. Steve Booth, you figure out what to do with them. They will certainly be valuable collector's items. (I only have 5 Q balls)

the Beard
 
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freddy the beard said:
Someone on AZforums PM'd me and said he would pay $100 for an autographed Q ball from Bugs. I told him to send me a Q ball. It turns out I found a box of new Qballs in my basement. They are unused, but yellow with age. So what? I'll bring them over to the hospital for Bugs to sign and they can go on auction also. Keep in mind, Bugs signs his name just like that, "Bugs," that's it. His health and nerves wont allow him to sign an unlimited amount either. Steve Booth, you figure out what to do with them. They will certainly be valuable collector's items. (I only have 5 Q balls)

the Beard
Click to expand...
Five is a good number -- not too many, but a few to spread around. Too many and the value would diminish... Thank you again, Freddy, you are the man!

Hang on to them once you get Bugs to sign them; I have already been receiving enquiries :) We will do something separate with them (either auction or...) because there is so much targeted interest in them!
 
Let's get with it guys !

:D I gladly mailed Steve my10 books and a check for some raffle tickets and I really ask everyone reading this to open their hearts and help this great champion in his time of need. Come on guys, GET WITH IT PLEASE! :p :p
 
I searched my home to find something raffle-worthy, but came up empty at this time.

So I am mailing to Steve Booth, a check for 50 bucks from Keith. Better cash it quickly! :D [just kidding]

Please add it to the fund as a gift. I do not desire to buy any raffle tickets and would rather the monies go directly to Bugs himself!

Thanks for making this happen for one of American's finest players in his time of need. I think it is wonderful to see the pool world pulling together like this to help another! :)

JAM
 
Some money already on the way

I just got a check for $1130 from Steve Booth. I will cash it this morning and go to the hospital and give the cash to Bugs. He is going to give it to his wife. I found out he does have a son who lives in California. I will also bring the Q balls over to be signed.

(Pelican from 1pkt.org has offered $100 for a signed Qball along with AZ member Asiasdad)

Quote:
You got one Pel. I only got 5 Qballs. Another guy from AZ forums locked up one. There are now three left.

Thanks, fellas.

the Beard

This is probably the first time ever that the pool community has come together for one of its own. Everybody congratulate yourself.
 
How do I send these Qballs?

Does anybody have any idea how I can mail these Qballs and make sure the signature doesnt rub off?

the Beard
 
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