Larry "Boston Shorty" Johnson - Cambridge, Massachusetts
Larry "Boston Shorty" Johnson 1929 - 2000
http://www.onepocket.org/ShortyHOFpage.htm
Inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame in 2004
Shorty is one of the few players ever to win world titles at both pocket and three cushion billiards, which is one reason he was honored with election into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1999.
"As a teenager Larry set up pins at the local bowling alley. One of the fringe benefits was the use of the pool table. In his off time he would practice for hours at a time. Soon he was making balls with ease.
He was a natural. He got better with each passing month. Knowing how good he was he started making the rounds of the local poolrooms, playing for cash. His mother thought he was in school but he was knocking in balls by the hundreds. He would eat his packed lunch right there in the pool hall.
In 1949, after a hitch in the army, Larry went to work in a shoe factory and a book binding company. It was then he decided to become a professional pool player. He knew he could make more money playing pool. What he didn't know was that he would become one of the best billiardists in the country. After many tours and road trips, Larry was a seasoned pro. The money was flowing, tournaments, challenge matches or just pick up games.
Then came JOHNSTON CITY, the World Hustler's All Around. Larry fit right in, cool, confident and talented. In the finals he played Harold Worst and Luther Lassiter. These matches were televised by ABC Sports. Millions of people found out about a guy called "Boston Shorty". He would also be one of very few men to win major titles in 8 ball, 9 ball, one pocket, straight pool and billiards." -- Ray Dessel
As a tournament player, Shorty won more of the Jansco Brother's One Pocket events than any other player:
1965 Johnston City One Pocket
1966 Stardust Hotel One Pocket
1967 Johnston City One Pocket
1968 Johnston City One Pocket
1972 Johnston City One Pocket
As an After Hours Player, Shorty was a frequent road player who thrived on action at all cue games. Although he spent several stretches of time in the pool and billiard strongholds of New York City and Chicago, he always returned to his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
At just 5'-2, Shorty developed excellent position skills to avoid having to stretch beyond his limited reach. Never fond of the mechanical bridge, he preferred to arrange his after hours play under terms that permitted him to leave the floor and climb onto the table.
Shorty's prominence at three cushion billiards may have helped build a little recognition for One Pocket within the three cushion community, since he was one of the first prominent three cushion players to make a name for himself in One Pocket.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
http://www.bca-pool.com/industry/hof/ind97-01.shtml
Inducted into the BCA Hall of Fame in 1999
Larry "Boston Shorty" Johnson studied the techniques and shots of Boston's best. By age 20, he could beat the players he studied. Unfortunately, his skill prospered during lean times for pool (the 40's and 50's), and so, the record books don't fully credit the skills of many of the players of that era. But, Boston Shorty was simply one of the very best. Johnson was not only a top 9-Baller, but among the cream of the crop at Rotation, 1-Pocket, Straight Pool, 3-Cushion Billiards, 8-Ball, Cribbage, Cowboy and more. During the famed Johsnon City and Las Vegas events of the early 1960's, Johnson captured World All-Around Champion in the last staging of both events, and later collected many other titles. Johnson mastered all games early in his career and played at that speed for four decades.
