Jerome Keogh, the man generally credited with inventing 14.1 Continuous, also known as straight pool, was born to Irish immigrants in Friendsville, Pa., on May 26,1872. Mr. Keogh eventually moved to Scranton where he established a billiard academy. He not only won five world titles during his lifetime, but also saw two of his pupils, Thomas Hueston and Irving Crane of Livonia, become world champions. He died on Jan. 12, 1953. #POOLhistory #straightpool #jeromekeogh
Jack “Jersey Red” Breit was the famed one-pocket player featured in R.A. Dyer’s 2003 book, Hustler Days.
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.”
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.
Danny DiLiberto won the New York City and state straight pool championships during the early 1960s, the straight pool division and the all-around titles in the Johnston City tournament of 1972, the BCA National 8-Ball Championship in 1981, and the World One-Pocket title and the Classic Cup National 9-ball championship — both in 1984. In his later years Mr. DiLiberto was known as a colorful Accu-Stats booth commentator. DiLiberto also is a member of four halls of fame, including the BCA Hall of Fame and the One-Pocket Hall of Fame. Mr. DiLiberto was born on , Feb. 19, 1935 and died on Feb. 11, 2025.
Danny DiLiberto won the New York City and state straight pool championships during the early 1960s, the straight pool division and the all-around titles in the Johnston City tournament of 1972, the BCA National 8-Ball Championship in 1981, and the World One-Pocket title and the Classic Cup National 9-ball championship — both in 1984. In his later years Mr. DiLiberto was known as a colorful Accu-Stats booth commentator. DiLiberto also is a member of four halls of fame, including the BCA Hall of Fame and the One-Pocket Hall of Fame. Mr. DiLiberto was born on Feb. 19, 1935 and died on Feb. 11, 2025.
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.
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.
Recent Comments