In the excitement generated by my mention of the possible bio-movie on Willie Mosconi, one reader tells his slice of Mosconi's story just like he sees it:
"I saw Willie Mosconi do a pool room opening in Huron, Ohio 50 years ago and he was a complete $^%$^$%. He was taking on the local players in games of Eight Ball when one player beat him. He called this player a son of a $#$%& and said that "Nobody beats Willie Mosconi!"
For a guy who was promoting Brunswick billiard tables he was rude and crude. I have been playing pool since I was 9 and I am now 64 and I have told this story many times. What a nit. Someone needs to set the record straight."
--An annoyed reader
Well, there you have it, sports fans. It's a fact that this reader is just one of many who got boxed about the ears verbally or otherwise by the all-time legend of pool, Mosconi.
I'll tell you what it was, Willie Mosconi grew up struggling through some tough times and then supported his family with his cue stick through the Depression of the 1920's and 30's. Since he played pool at a professional level at age 6 (!) and beat the world's best, Ralph Greenleaf fairly regularly while still age 11 (!), Mosconi was expected to win, win, win and win wherever he played. Playing in a rusted shack in the rain where the local champ knew all the table rolls, he was still expected to win. Playing after a cross-country trip driven since last night's exhibition and taken without stops for the bathroom or food, he was still expected to win and win big.
The pressure Mosconi placed upon himself, and under which his legendary temper occasionally buckled, would make such a biopic fascinating, in my opinion.
Photo courtesy of All About Pool
Comments
He was after all considered one of pool’s greatest, holding the record for most consecutive balls pocketted in straight pool 526!!!
It seems like every sport have a humble sportsman, and conversely and arrogant son of a %*$#@. Look at hockey greats like Eric Lindros (what a horses %$@), or NASCAR’s Jeff Gordon (takes a real special person to fire your own parents, but he’s come around over the years)
All of these individuals have great talent, but have been immersed in such an environment that thrives from winning, and arrogance, that we who observe from afar are shocked by how they behave and think of themselves.