The Rack in Detroit

The "Rack" stories and more,talk to John McHenry!

I know some of you know John McHenry, he is the Gentleman who is a walking Pool History encyclopedia! He can recall more things,games,and matches(down to ball placement and the details on the bets!) for the last 30 or 40 years. He took Bugs out on the road when he was young,got him elected into the One-Pocket hall of Fame,and SWEARS that Bugs had more heart than anybody and could out-Bank anybody that ever played. I saw him last Sunday at the House of Champions,and was on my way out of the door to see the Tigers play Downtown. John started talking to me about Bugs,Eddie Taylor,Marvin Henderson,Fitzpatrick,CornBread,Effren and Parica when they first came to America,Mike Sigel,a Young earl Strickland,and Cicero Murphy with so much information,that I couldn't leave for almost another hour! Somebody,ANYBODY, please get to John ASAP to get interviews recorded on all the History he carries around in his head,because john is getting up their in years now. He also made an instructional DVD on Banking and playing One-Pocket by Bugs! He said that you could have 5 balls by your hole in One-Pocket,and Bugs could see a Bank to his hole,and he would most likely Bank that ball in and run out, no matter how much money was on the game-he had no fear! Please,please talk to him right away. he has us sitting around like Little Kids when he starts talking about pool History!
 
LeftyIke said:
I know some of you know John McHenry, he is the Gentleman who is a walking Pool History encyclopedia! He can recall more things,games,and matches(down to ball placement and the details on the bets!) for the last 30 or 40 years. He took Bugs out on the road when he was young,got him elected into the One-Pocket hall of Fame,and SWEARS that Bugs had more heart than anybody and could out-Bank anybody that ever played. I saw him last Sunday at the House of Champions,and was on my way out of the door to see the Tigers play Downtown. John started talking to me about Bugs,Eddie Taylor,Marvin Henderson,Fitzpatrick,CornBread,Effren and Parica when they first came to America,Mike Sigel,a Young earl Strickland,and Cicero Murphy with so much information,that I couldn't leave for almost another hour! Somebody,ANYBODY, please get to John ASAP to get interviews recorded on all the History he carries around in his head,because john is getting up their in years now. He also made an instructional DVD on Banking and playing One-Pocket by Bugs! He said that you could have 5 balls by your hole in One-Pocket,and Bugs could see a Bank to his hole,and he would most likely Bank that ball in and run out, no matter how much money was on the game-he had no fear! Please,please talk to him right away. he has us sitting around like Little Kids when he starts talking about pool History!
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The room at 13 and Mound is called Hall of Fame Billiards. The House of Champions closed down a year or two ago and that was the one in Oak Park. Yeah, John McHenry, Doc Watson, Windsor Louie and other guys from the original Rack are there all the time.
 
LeftyIke said:
I know some of you know John McHenry, he is the Gentleman who is a walking Pool History encyclopedia! He can recall more things,games,and matches(down to ball placement and the details on the bets!) for the last 30 or 40 years. He took Bugs out on the road when he was young,got him elected into the One-Pocket hall of Fame,and SWEARS that Bugs had more heart than anybody and could out-Bank anybody that ever played. I saw him last Sunday at the House of Champions,and was on my way out of the door to see the Tigers play Downtown. John started talking to me about Bugs,Eddie Taylor,Marvin Henderson,Fitzpatrick,CornBread,Effren and Parica when they first came to America,Mike Sigel,a Young earl Strickland,and Cicero Murphy with so much information,that I couldn't leave for almost another hour! Somebody,ANYBODY, please get to John ASAP to get interviews recorded on all the History he carries around in his head,because john is getting up their in years now. He also made an instructional DVD on Banking and playing One-Pocket by Bugs! He said that you could have 5 balls by your hole in One-Pocket,and Bugs could see a Bank to his hole,and he would most likely Bank that ball in and run out, no matter how much money was on the game-he had no fear! Please,please talk to him right away. he has us sitting around like Little Kids when he starts talking about pool History!
Click to expand...

this not a hijack attempt just an aside to a great thread
in the 1970s bugs was playing earl heisler $500 1p at the sports palace in new orleans(i was there)
earl had 3 balls near his pocket
bugs shot a 4 rail bank
left the cue ball in the open table so he could finish his run!!!!!
he KNEW he would make the bank
if he missed earl was out


Cali RED is VERY into recording pool history for history preservation
i sent him a pm with a link to your post about joh Mchenry
if you have info (tel #s etc) to get them to hook up
pm cali red or me and ill pass it along
 
jay helfert said:
My God, this old hustler has been around forever. He used to play some pretty sporty One Pocket. He's kind of a discount version of Cornbread Red. :wink:
He used to run with a guy they called "Chicken". Wonder if he is still around too. Calhoun has to be well into his 70's.
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jay, this one is for you. LOL

About 8-9-10 years ago Redbird in San Marcos Tx called me to come up and play some "old" gut hanging around there. Anyone knowing Redbird knows there is always some hitch.
i drove up and the guy was as old as sliced bread. We made the game and played some 1 pocket for I think $100 per game. Iwas amazed at the shots the old guy pulled off or even went for.
Anyway, I am up 4 games There was a ball by his side down by the side pocket. I double kissed a ball needing one ball to woin the elusive 5th game and sold oout leaving him straight in on the ball.
Bill never even looked at the ball and tried a crazy bank on the other ball, missed i t badly and sold out.
Redbird nearly went through the roof and accused Bill of dumping him. he yelled at the top of his lungs for 10 minutes. I nearly choked laughing so hard.
Fially Redbird calmed down and he asked Bill why he didn't shoot the ball straight in. Bill said,"Well it was the 9 and I didn't see it, it's the same color as your windows"!
 
As exciting as this place was and the action there it might seem like a great movie to some. Others would say it would only hurt an already tarnished image of our sport, doing more harm than good overall. It would be great for most players but probably not for recruiting support or parents wanting to teach their children a sport.
 
8up said:
As exciting as this place was and the action there it might seem like a great movie to some. Others would say it would only hurt an already tarnished image of our sport, doing more harm than good overall. It would be great for most players but probably not for recruiting support or parents wanting to teach their children a sport.
Click to expand...

I understand your point!
 
reminds me of the part in the movie....

8up said:
As exciting as this place was and the action there it might seem like a great movie to some. Others would say it would only hurt an already tarnished image of our sport, doing more harm than good overall. It would be great for most players but probably not for recruiting support or parents wanting to teach their children a sport.
Click to expand...

I had never been to the Rack; only heard stories from the late great smilin'
Dave Piona about it....and the stories in this wonderful thread.......but it reminds me of the part in "The Hustler" when Fast Eddie gets to Louisville during Derby Week, and is greeted by a friend that says, "You wouldn't believe it, it's like a HUSTLER'S CONVENTION here......LOL.
 
Man I love these old stories anyone have any pics of the rack I dought it but I would love to see it?
 
SJDinPHX said:
I am sure Ironman is refering to Whitey's wager involving one of his female dogs genetalia. It is the most disgusting thing you can imagine.
Whitey was, without a doubt, the crudest human being I've ever met.
I have a story about him and Canadian Pete that I will share someday.
It is worthy of the Beard's War stories column. If he had done to me, what he did to Pete, he would have met his demise much earlier. He was a man with absolutely NO scruples.

Dick

PS. Whitey could give Jack Taylor the 5 out and the break for treachery. And Jack played that game real well.
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Dick, is this the Jack Taylor that has a brother Alfie Taylor?

I don't remember seeing or hearing about Jack Taylor at the Rack.


I know you've talked bad about Jack before, can you tell us a story about what a low down dirty dog you thought he was?
 
I just joined the site a few months ago and im glad someone bumped this thread, this is some really great stuff.
 
the time was $1800, they didn't charge by the hour, guys like Cletus they took 10%

I spent a couple of weeks at THE RACK in Detroit when I was 19 years old. One night I was in there practicing and Johnny Ross came up to me and motioned me over to the side. He leaned over with his hand over his mouth like a used car salesman getting ready to offer me "the deal of the century."

"We got a game for you tonight!" Johnny whispered, "with a guy named Cletus....it's playing one pocket, but the guy plays like old people f*%#...we'll (the local corporation) stake you and give you 30%, but he'll bet really high, we may win 30 to 40k!"

"30%, wtf, you got to be kidding, I won't play for less than 40%"

"That's the deal, sh*t the fu*%in house takes 10% - take it or leave it, it's sure action though, but there's one "catch".....you gotta talk really nasty to this sick freak or he won't want to gamble with you."

"So let me get this straight, I gotta play for 30% AND talk nasty to this guy, what kind of sick f*c%in joke is this, Johnny?"

Just then the front door was opened (you had to get "buzzed" in) and in walks this huge unshaven man that looked just like Brutus in the Popeye comics. He looked around glaring at the room, with a twisted smile trying to form under his three day stubbly beard. This guy looked like the poster guy for a prison movie.... Shaw-shank Perversion' or something like that.

"That's him, do you want to play or not?" Johnny's raspy voice sent shivers down my spine, or maybe it was the thought of talking dirty to Brutus...I mean Cletus. :frown:

"Ok, but what the heck do I say to this sicko?" the was the most awkward I'd felt before matching up with anyone in my life.

"Come on, just follow my lead"....I followed Johnny Ross over to where Brutus....I mean Cletus was standing. Johnny marched right up to him and said "what are you doing in here you sleezy piece of sh%* I thought the trash came in and out of the back door".....Cletus looked at Johnny menacingly, then broke into a big grin. "Johnny Ross, my dream cell mate, hope you brought plenty of lube if we're going to gamble tonight".

Johnny said "I got a little kid that'll play your sorry ass some one hole"....nodding at me....I took my cue and said "yeah, you dirty motha fu%$a I got something for you that Ajax won't take off"......I pulled it off, but my heart was pounding under my leather jacket. I"m not sure what else I said, and I'm glad, sometimes in my line of "work" you had to act....and this part was certainly just an act....and fortunately I'd never be in this situation again.

Cletus looked at me and growled "you look just like the brother of a 16 year old girl I used to date....had to date her for 3 years just to f#*% her little brother.....and he looked just like you"......I tried not to put any images to his words, but the important thing was I KNEW he would play me now. :thumbup: Johnny gave me the "it's george" sign and the game was on.

And play me he did, I gave him 9/4 and his scratches don't count for $900 a game starting out and $18,000 later he looked like the blood had been drained out of him. They gave me my $5000 ( the time was $1800, they didn't charge by the hour, with guys like Cletus they took 10% for the "house") Brutal - to this day that's the most I've ever been charged for pool time. But when you're betting thousands against a guy like Cetus it really didn't matter, it was just a "cost of doing business".

They walked Cletus out the door and safely to his car (he still had 20k).

I ask Johnny "I wonder where he's going now?"

Johnny, without hesitation barked "he'll go hire a LIMO and three hookers and they'll drive him around Detroit, handcuffed, like he's been kidnapped, one will have a gun to his head and other two will be whipping him and calling him every filthy name they can think of"......"and I imagine Cletus will be like a kid taking a tour of a candy store," I whispered under my breath. :eek:

.....just another day at the office for Brutus - I mean Cletus - the dirtiest, stinkiest, sleaziest pool sucker on earth, that also played for tens of thousands of dollars at a Game called pool. I never would have believed it if I hadn't been there and seen it with my own eyes....what a world.

I felt a little bit guilty after beating sick ole Cletus out of that 18k....;) sure I did :groucho: 'The Rack was the Teacher'
Brutus.png
 
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FSutton said:
So who owned The Rack and why did it end up closing. Trouble with the law for all the action? Hell how do you even attract that kind of action to your room. Just a case of all the right elements I guess that or it was a bunch of criminals and mob types mixed with charlatans and con men
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sounds like a good mix of the right people for a action room:grin:
 
CJ Wiley said:
I spent a couple of weeks at THE RACK in Detroit when I was 19 years old. One night I was in there practicing and Johnny Ross came up to me and motioned me over to the side. He leaned over with his hand over his mouth like a used car salesman getting ready to offer me "the deal of the century."

"We got a game for you tonight!" Johnny whispered, "with a guy named Cletus....it's playing one pocket, but the guy plays like old people f*%#...we'll (the local corporation) stake you and give you 30%, but he'll bet really high, we may win 30 to 40k!"

"30%, wtf, you got to be kidding, I won't play for less than 40%"

"That's the deal, sh*t the fu*%in house takes 10% - take it or leave it, it's sure action though, but there's one "catch".....you gotta talk really nasty to this sick freak or he won't want to gamble with you."

"So let me get this straight, I gotta play for 30% AND talk nasty to this guy, what kind of sick f*c%in joke is this, Johnny?"

Just then the front door was opened (you had to get "buzzed" in) and in walks this huge unshaven man that looked just like Brutus in the Popeye comics. He looked around glaring at the room, with a twisted smile trying to form under his three day stubbly beard. This guy looked like the poster guy for a prison movie.... Shaw-shank Perversion' or something like that.

"That's him, do you want to play or not?" Johnny's raspy voice sent shivers down my spine, or maybe it was the thought of talking dirty to Brutus...I mean Cletus. :frown:

"Ok, but what the heck do I say to this sicko?" the was the most awkward I'd felt before matching up with anyone in my life.

"Come on, just follow my lead"....I followed Johnny Ross over to where Brutus....I mean Cletus was standing. Johnny marched right up to him and said "what are you doing in here you sleezy piece of sh%* I thought the trash came in and out of the back door".....Cletus looked at Johnny menacingly, then broke into a big grin. "Johnny Ross, my dream cell mate, hope you brought plenty of lube if we're going to gamble tonight".

Johnny said "I got a little kid that'll play your sorry ass some one hole"....nodding at me....I took my cue and said "yeah, you dirty motha fu%$a I got something for you that Ajax won't take off"......I pulled it off, but my heart was pounding under my leather jacket. I"m not sure what else I said, and I'm glad, sometimes in my line of "work" you had to act....and this part was certainly just an act....and fortunately I'd never be in this situation again.

Cletus looked at me and growled "you look just like the brother of a 16 year old girl I used to date....had to date her for 3 years just to f#*% her little brother.....and he looked just like you"......I tried not to put any images to his words, but the important thing was I KNEW he would play me now. :thumbup: Johnny gave me the "it's george" sign and the game was on.

And play me he did, I gave him 9/4 and his scratches don't count for $900 a game starting out and $18,000 later he looked like the blood had been drained out of him. They gave me my $5000 ( the time was $1800, they didn't charge by the hour, with guys like Cletus they took 10% for the "house") Brutal - to this day that's the most I've ever been charged for pool time. But when you're betting thousands against a guy like Cetus it really didn't matter, it was just a "cost of doing business".

They walked Cletus out the door and safely to his car (he still had 20k).

I ask Johnny "I wonder where he's going now?"

Johnny, without hesitation barked "he'll go hire a LIMO and three hookers and they'll drive him around Detroit, handcuffed, like he's been kidnapped, one will have a gun to his head and other two will be whipping him and calling him every filthy name they can think of"......"and I imagine Cletus will be like a kid taking a tour of a candy store," I whispered under my breath. :eek:

.....just another day at the office for Brutus - I mean Cletus - the dirtiest, stinkiest, sleaziest pool sucker on earth, that also played for tens of thousands of dollars at a Game called pool. I never would have believed it if I hadn't been there and seen it with my own eyes....what a world.

I felt a little bit guilty after beating sick ole Cletus out of that 18k....;) sure I did :groucho: 'The Rack was the Teacher'
Click to expand...

Cool pool read, C.J. Thanks! :)
 
LeftyIke said:
I know some of you know John McHenry, he is the Gentleman who is a walking Pool History encyclopedia! He can recall more things,games,and matches(down to ball placement and the details on the bets!) for the last 30 or 40 years. He took Bugs out on the road when he was young,got him elected into the One-Pocket hall of Fame,and SWEARS that Bugs had more heart than anybody and could out-Bank anybody that ever played. I saw him last Sunday at the House of Champions,and was on my way out of the door to see the Tigers play Downtown. John started talking to me about Bugs,Eddie Taylor,Marvin Henderson,Fitzpatrick,CornBread,Effren and Parica when they first came to America,Mike Sigel,a Young earl Strickland,and Cicero Murphy with so much information,that I couldn't leave for almost another hour! Somebody,ANYBODY, please get to John ASAP to get interviews recorded on all the History he carries around in his head,because john is getting up their in years now. He also made an instructional DVD on Banking and playing One-Pocket by Bugs! He said that you could have 5 balls by your hole in One-Pocket,and Bugs could see a Bank to his hole,and he would most likely Bank that ball in and run out, no matter how much money was on the game-he had no fear! Please,please talk to him right away. he has us sitting around like Little Kids when he starts talking about pool History!
Click to expand...

Is this gentleman in the picture depicted on the right the John "McHenry" you are referring to?

We used to call him "John Henry." He spent some time in my neck of the woords. I enjoyed his company on the rail. He's is most definitely one of pool's unsung heroes when it comes to action. :wink:

Don't ever play that pea in the cup game with him. :grin-square:
 

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CJ Wiley said:
I spent a couple of weeks at THE RACK in Detroit when I was 19 years old. One night I was in there practicing and Johnny Ross came up to me and motioned me over to the side. He leaned over with his hand over his mouth like a used car salesman getting ready to offer me "the deal of the century."

"We got a game for you tonight!" Johnny whispered, "with a guy named Cletus....it's playing one pocket, but the guy plays like old people f*%#...we'll (the local corporation) stake you and give you 30%, but he'll bet really high, we may win 30 to 40k!"

"30%, wtf, you got to be kidding, I won't play for less than 40%"

"That's the deal, sh*t the fu*%in house takes 10% - take it or leave it, it's sure action though, but there's one "catch".....you gotta talk really nasty to this sick freak or he won't want to gamble with you."

"So let me get this straight, I gotta play for 30% AND talk nasty to this guy, what kind of sick f*c%in joke is this, Johnny?"

Just then the front door was opened (you had to get "buzzed" in) and in walks this huge unshaven man that looked just like Brutus in the Popeye comics. He looked around glaring at the room, with a twisted smile trying to form under his three day stubbly beard. This guy looked like the poster guy for a prison movie.... Shaw-shank Perversion' or something like that.

"That's him, do you want to play or not?" Johnny's raspy voice sent shivers down my spine, or maybe it was the thought of talking dirty to Brutus...I mean Cletus. :frown:

"Ok, but what the heck do I say to this sicko?" the was the most awkward I'd felt before matching up with anyone in my life.

"Come on, just follow my lead"....I followed Johnny Ross over to where Brutus....I mean Cletus was standing. Johnny marched right up to him and said "what are you doing in here you sleezy piece of sh%* I thought the trash came in and out of the back door".....Cletus looked at Johnny menacingly, then broke into a big grin. "Johnny Ross, my dream cell mate, hope you brought plenty of lube if we're going to gamble tonight".

Johnny said "I got a little kid that'll play your sorry ass some one hole"....nodding at me....I took my cue and said "yeah, you dirty motha fu%$a I got something for you that Ajax won't take off"......I pulled it off, but my heart was pounding under my leather jacket. I"m not sure what else I said, and I'm glad, sometimes in my line of "work" you had to act....and this part was certainly just an act....and fortunately I'd never be in this situation again.

Cletus looked at me and growled "you look just like the brother of a 16 year old girl I used to date....had to date her for 3 years just to f#*% her little brother.....and he looked just like you"......I tried not to put any images to his words, but the important thing was I KNEW he would play me now. :thumbup: Johnny gave me the "it's george" sign and the game was on.

And play me he did, I gave him 9/4 and his scratches don't count for $900 a game starting out and $18,000 later he looked like the blood had been drained out of him. They gave me my $5000 ( the time was $1800, they didn't charge by the hour, with guys like Cletus they took 10% for the "house") Brutal - to this day that's the most I've ever been charged for pool time. But when you're betting thousands against a guy like Cetus it really didn't matter, it was just a "cost of doing business".

They walked Cletus out the door and safely to his car (he still had 20k).

I ask Johnny "I wonder where he's going now?"

Johnny, without hesitation barked "he'll go hire a LIMO and three hookers and they'll drive him around Detroit, handcuffed, like he's been kidnapped, one will have a gun to his head and other two will be whipping him and calling him every filthy name they can think of"......"and I imagine Cletus will be like a kid taking a tour of a candy store," I whispered under my breath. :eek:

.....just another day at the office for Brutus - I mean Cletus - the dirtiest, stinkiest, sleaziest pool sucker on earth, that also played for tens of thousands of dollars at a Game called pool. I never would have believed it if I hadn't been there and seen it with my own eyes....what a world.

I felt a little bit guilty after beating sick ole Cletus out of that 18k....;) sure I did :groucho: 'The Rack was the Teacher'
Click to expand...

Yuk - I need another shower after reading this and I just walked out on one. :) What year was this?

Dave
 
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