by radyer | Dec 28, 2024 | 1940s Pool, 1960s Pool, Hustler Stories, Minnesota Fats
Back in 1970 Minnesota Fats was in Johnston City, Illinois making games with Richie Florence, a young player then considered one of America’s best. Florence was flush with cash from a recent score in Alabama. He would have been about 25 years old. Fats was pushing 60....
by radyer | May 27, 2024 | 1940s Pool, Historic Players, Historical Notes, Wimpy Lassiter
Pool legend Wimpy Lassiter divided much of his World War II service on three Coast Guard cutters operating from Norfolk, Virginia. By then the Navy had subsumed the Coast Guard for the war effort and Lassiter’s cutters — designated CG 83511, CG 74307, CG 74306...
by radyer | Apr 17, 2020 | 1940s Pool, Hustler Stories, Minnesota Fats, Wimpy Lassiter
How much were historic wagers by Lassiter, Fats, and De Oro in today’s dollars? This is what Luther Lassiter said about Norfolk, Virginia, back in the 1940s: “Greatest pool town that’s ever been. You had five or six people there who were...
by radyer | May 23, 2019 | 1940s Pool, Historic Rooms, Hustler Stories, Minnesota Fats, Rags Fitzpatrick, Wimpy Lassiter
Norfolk during World War II was a mecca for big-time pool. Greatest pool town ever? Johnston City you say. New York during the 1960s? Ladies and gentlemen I present for your consideration Norfolk, Virginia. During World War II the Navy town was a wonderland of...
by radyer | Mar 25, 2019 | 1940s Pool, Historic Players, Onofrio Lauri, Willie Mosconi
From left: Willie Mosconi, Onofrio Lauri, Irving Crane. Erling Hammarstrom, the son of Norwegian parents, wrote me a few years back to recount stories of his poolroom hero, the famous Onofrio Lauri. I’ve reproduced his letter, shortened somewhat for space. My...
by | Oct 22, 2018 | 1940s Pool, Historic Rooms, Wimpy Lassiter
Read more about Wimpy Lassiter and the St. Elmo pool hall in Hustler Days. The photo above depicts the famous St. Elmo pool hall in Norfolk, Virginia. Located at 113 E. City Hall Avenue, the room was a favorite of hustlers and road men, including the world famous...
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