Calendar

Jan
22
Wed
1922: 480-ball Balkline Pool High Run by Jake Schaefer
Jan 22 all-day

Jake Schaefer Jr. runs 480 balls in an 18.2 balkline billiards exhibition against Welker Cochran at Chicago, on Jan. 22, 1922.

Jan
31
Fri
1997: Death of Jack “Jersey Red” Breit
Jan 31 all-day
1997: Death of Jack "Jersey Red" Breit

Jack “Jersey Red” Breit was the famed one-pocket player featured in R.A. Dyer’s 2003 book, Hustler Days.

Feb
2
Sun
1985: Efren Reyes Makes First US Appearance
Feb 2 all-day
1985: Efren Reyes Makes First US Appearance

On this day in 1985, pool legend Efren Reyes showed up anonymously at Red’s Billiards, in Houston, Texas, to participate in the room’s 9-Ball Open. This was his first known appearance in the United States. The tournament’s 108-man field included many of the nation’s top players, including Earl Strickland. But Reyes (then traveling under the pseudonym Cesar Morales) came out on top.

Although sportswriter John Grissim came across Reyes in Manilla during the 1970s and wrote then about his prowess, and although Reyes was considered the Philippines top player by 1985, when he showed up at Reds he was completely unknown. Reyes beat Wade Crane (then playing under the alias Billy Johnson) in the tournament final.

“I didn’t even know the rules,” Reyes said months after his first U.S. victory. “I figured as long as I keep making balls, I will win.”

1943: Birth of Dieter Müller
Feb 2 all-day
1943: Birth of Dieter Müller

February 2 is the birthday of champion caroms layer Dieter Müller. Mr. Müller won his first German championship title in 1967 in Düsseldorf and in total won 32 German championship titles. In 1969, at a tournament in the Netherlands, Mülle won the first of his eight European titles. He also racked up four world championships.  Dieter Müller was born on Feb, 2, 1943.

Feb
24
Mon
1968: Birth of Allison Fisher
Feb 24 all-day
1968: Birth of Allison Fisher

Allison Fisher, one of the winningest competitors in all of pro sports, was born on Feb. 24, 1968 in Cheshunt, England. She won her first world title at the age of 17, and so far has won over 80 national titles and 11 world titles. Ms. Fisher, known colloquially as “The Duchess of Doom,” was inducted into the Billiard Congress Hall of Fame in 2009.

Mar
2
Sun
1984: Death of Don Willis
Mar 2 all-day
1984: Death of Don Willis

Don Willis (May 1, 1909 – March 2, 1984) was the long-time road partner of the great Wimpy Lassiter. Willis participated in few tournaments, but rather earned his reputation as a gambling road player. You can read more about his partnership with Lassiter and their “Big Hoorah” hustle at the #poolhistory website, here. 

Mar
7
Fri
1913: Birth of Masako Katsura
Mar 7 all-day

Board March March 7, 1913, Masako Katsura was nicknamed “Katsy” and sometimes called the “First Lady of Billiards.” The Japanese carom billiards player who was most active in the 1950s. She died in 1995.

Mar
15
Sat
1950: Death of Ralph Greenleaf
Mar 15 all-day
1950: Death of Ralph Greenleaf

Ralph Greenleaf dies on March 15, 1950. 

Apr
6
Sun
1892: Birth of Emmett Blankenship
Apr 6 all-day
1892: Birth of Emmett Blankenship

William Emmett Blankenship was born in Olden, Missouri, an unincorporated area north of West Plains, on April 6th, 1892. He won the world pool title on his first attempt in 1916. Blankenship was the first person to run over a hundred balls at Straight Pool and had a personal best high run of 287 balls during an exhibition in Jackson, Michigan.

Apr
7
Mon
1911: The Birth of UJ Puckett
Apr 7 all-day
1911: The Birth of UJ Puckett

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.