Utley Puckett, better known to the pool world as hustler U.J. Puckett, was born in 1911 and died 81 years later, on June 22, 1992. In life he knew fame and fortune as a professional nine-ball and one-pocket champion alongside fellow sharks Jersey Red and Ronnie Allen. He was famous for his large brimmed white Stetson and his larger-than-life persona. In death U.J. Puckett is known to some as the ghost who haunts a Texas poolroom.
Willie Mosconi born in Philadelphia in June 27, 1913.
June 28 is the birthday of Brooklyn native Jean Balukas, who some consider as the greatest ever American-born female player. She won her first BCA crown when she was 12 and is a five-time Billiards Digest player of the year. She was inducted into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame in 1985.
July 25 is the birth anniversary of multiple world champion caroms player Erich Hagenlocher. Mr. Hagenlocher was said to have received his first billiards instruction at age 15 from expert players in his home town of Stuttgart, Germany, and after just one year progressed to such an extent that he was scoring an average of between 4 and 5 on large-sized tables. At age 18 Hagenlocher settled in Berlin and there he began managing series of 100 points or more. He then went on to win the world championship on multiple occasions and, according to Minnesota Fats, helped instruct him become a formidable caroms player in his own right. Hagenlocher was born on July 25, 1895, in Stuttgart, Germany; and died on Dec. 12, 1958, also in Stuttgart.
Jacob Jerome Breitkopf Jr. was born on this day at 4:39 a.m. He later shortened his name to Jack Breit, but everyone knew him as Jersey Red. He is remembered as one of the nation’s finest and most colorful one-pocket players.
Given his pedigree, it seemed inevitable that Walter Albert Lindrum one day would make his mark on the world of English billiards. His grandfather, father and brother were champions. But distinguished as these other Lindrums were, none could match the prowess of Walter Albert, who was born on August 29, 1898 and who died on July 30, 1960.
Legendary pool promoter George Jansco was born on Aug. 8, 1915 and died on June 4, 1969. Along with his brother Paulie, he launched the famous Johnston City all-around tournaments of the 1960s. Read more about him at poolhistory.com.
Pool legend Efren Reyes was born on Aug. 26, 1954.
Hall of fame player Jeanette Lee — better known to fans as The Black Widow — claimed multiple titles during the 1990s, eventually rose to the top of the rankings that decade and in ‘98 was declared the Women’s Professional Billiards Association Sportsperson of the Year. But one of her most noteworthy accomplishments occurred overseas, in Japan, during the World Games of 2001.
It was in that year, for the first time ever, that the World Games included cue sports — pool, snooker and three-cushion billiards — and Lee was among only five players selected to represent the United States in it. Many also considered her the most likely among them to take home gold.
The tournament ran Aug. 25-26, 2001. Read more here.
Given his pedigree, it seemed inevitable that Walter Albert Lindrum one day would make his mark on the world of English billiards. His grandfather, father and brother were champions. But distinguished as these other Lindrums were, none could match the prowess of Walter Albert, who was born on August 29, 1898.
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