California One Pocket Story

[jrhendy]

As I read & reply to some of these posts, memories pop into my head about games I either watched or was involved in. Since I killed too many brain cells as a young guy, I have to get these down before I forget about them. This is one of my favorites, and I sweated every game. In 1960 or 61 there was a bowling alley in Anaheim called the "Wonder Bowl". It was huge with a 24 hour pool room. Johnny "Cannonball" Chapman from Chicago had just busted Detroit Whitey. Whitey bit him for $10 for something to eat. Later on, Ritchie Florence was playing in an action game & Whitey was leaning against a 5 x 10 snooker table throwing the balls around & watching the game. He set up a tough shot down the long rail & started barking about betting $10 on the shot. Johnny said "I might as well bust you again" & bet him on the shot. Whitey ended up winning $50. Johnny was hot about losing the $50 chasing $10 & they played a set of one pocket for the $50. When the smoke cleared, Whitey won all his $$ back plus some. In those days the pool desk was closed after hours & you had to take the balls back & play table time at the Bowling desk. Whitey gave me $20 & said take the balls back & pay the time & keep the change. I had been in the pool room all day & night & went home to get some sleep. when I came back the next night, Whitey was still there, saw me come in & said "Hey kid, got any of that $20 left?"

[yobagua]

Hey John great story! Got a call from Diliberto today and he told me his book with Jerry Forsyth is about finished and ready to go to publishers. I bet there will be a lot of stories about the game will be in it as he was one of the toughest road players in his day.

[Eight & Out]

I like to read good stories like this about the game of pool.Would like to know more about Diliberto's book.Will it be on road stories only?

Pete

[jrhendy]

Hey John great story! Got a call from Diliberto today and he told me his book with Jerry Forsyth is about finished and ready to go to publishers. I bet there will be a lot of stories about the game will be in it as he was one of the toughest road players in his day. When Danny first came to CA he didn't know much about one pocket & Ronnie Allen gave him a spot-9 to 7 I think. Ronnie's favorite quote to the straight pool players was: A y'ouse can't beat a Y'all playing one pocket. He was wrong as Danny ended up being a great one pocket player.

[hemicudas]

As I read & reply to some of these posts, memories pop into my head about games I either watched or was involved in. Since I killed too many brain cells as a young guy, I have to get these down before I forget about them. This is one of my favorites, and I sweated every game. In 1960 or 61 there was a bowling alley in Anaheim called the "Wonder Bowl". It was huge with a 24 hour pool room. Johnny "Cannonball" Chapman from Chicago had just busted Detroit Whitey. Whitey bit him for $10 for something to eat. Later on, Ritchie Florence was playing in an action game & Whitey was leaning against a 5 x 10 snooker table throwing the balls around & watching the game. He set up a tough shot down the long rail & started barking about betting $10 on the shot. Johnny said "I might as well bust you again" & bet him on the shot. Whitey ended up winning $50. Johnny was hot about losing the $50 chasing $10 & they played a set of one pocket for the $50. When the smoke cleared, Whitey won all his $$ back plus some. In those days the pool desk was closed after hours & you had to take the balls back & play table time at the Bowling desk. Whitey gave me $20 & said take the balls back & pay the time & keep the change. I had been in the pool room all day & night & went home to get some sleep. when I came back the next night, Whitey was still there, saw me come in & said "Hey kid, got any of that $20 left?"I loved Cannonball, John. Had a ton of heart. Have you ever noticed how many of the top black one pocket/bank players ever are LEFT handed? You think there is a reason? Ie; Left side of the brain dominate or something equally psychological, lol? There has to be a reason.

[Troy]

I was TD for a 1-Pocket tournament a few years ago in NorCal.
No, I won't mention any names, but both guys are well-known in this area.

Score was 2 games each in a race to three. Player A owed one ball, Player B had about 2-3-4 balls. After about 15 minutes of safties, Player A ran 8 balls. Player B got up from his seat with his hand outstretched. Player A said "Thanks" and raked the balls toward the head spoy. At this point Player B yells "You still owe a ball" and proceeds to jump around, etc.

As TD, I ruled that Player B had conceeded the game and therefore conceeded the match by getting out of his seat and offering congratulations.
Unfortunately, the Room owner over-ruled my decision and told them to re-play the game.
(Yes, I was pissed...!!!)

Player A won anyway... :)

Troy

[jrhendy]

I loved Cannonball, John. Had a ton of heart. Have you ever noticed how many of the top black one pocket/bank players ever are LEFT handed? You think there is a reason? Ie; Left side of the brain dominate or something equally psychological, lol? There has to be a reason. I never gave it much thought, but your right, maybe it does have something to do with the left side of the brain. Lefties are dangerous in most eye/hand coordination sports. Another thing, a very high percentage of these top players came from Chicago. I played Mexican Johnny (from Chicago) several years ago and even though he wasn't considered a top notch player, he banked so good off the end rail I couldn't beat him at one pocket. He had that erect stance & big long bridge and I swear he almost banked them in on the fly. Getting back to Cannonball, he played everything good. I was in my early 20's then & didn't fool with guys like him, but watched him play quite a few times and he didn't book many losers.

[Troy]

Larry Evans falls into this category (Black & Left-handed), although he doesn't play much anymore.
I can (and have) watch him shoot all day and learn tons of new stuff...
Besides, he's a funny guy to listen to... :)
Many years ago, maybe '97-'98, at Campbell Billiards, Larry and "Big John" (our own JRHENDY) matched up in a small tourney. The limited audience was in stiches the entire match... :) :)

Troy
I never gave it much thought, but your right, maybe it does have something to do with the left side of the brain. Lefties are dangerous in most eye/hand coordination sports. Another thing, a very high percentage of these top players came from Chicago. I played Mexican Johnny (from Chicago) several years ago and even though he wasn't considered a top notch player, he banked so good off the end rail I couldn't beat him at one pocket. He had that erect stance & big long bridge and I swear he almost banked them in on the fly. Getting back to Cannonball, he played everything good. I was in my early 20's then & didn't fool with guys like him, but watched him play quite a few times and he didn't book many losers.

[jrhendy]

Larry Evans falls into this category (Black & Left-handed), although he doesn't play much anymore.
I can (and have) watch him shoot all day and learn tons of new stuff...
Besides, he's a funny guy to listen to... :)
Many years ago, maybe '97-'98, at Campbell Billiards, Larry and "Big John" (our own JRHENDY) matched up in a small tourney. The limited audience was in stiches the entire match... :) :)

Troy Larry beat me up here every time I gambled with him. Years ago he hung around 6th & Western in LA & there were three black players down there I never tried to match up with & all were left handed - Larry, Cecil Tugwell (Best in LA for many years) and another guy named Roger. The room manager (Louie) used to steer me around and told me all three were on the "do not play list". I made a few scores in there. Problem was, Hawaiian Brian also hung out in there & I loved playing him. He could give me anything & beat me, but I always came back for more when I was down there. He beat me out of more $$ than anyone else I ever played. I beat him a couple of $100 sets in 9-ball when he 1st came over in the 60's & it cost me plenty of cash over the years. The only time I had him trapped was in 3 cushion billiards - I won the 1st game, I stalled & he won the 2nd game, looked at me & said "I quit, I'm supposed to be doing this to you". He was one of the best $$ players around in all games (except billiards) & he played terrific one pocket. I'm sure there are some stories about him out there.

[lll]

just a bump for some old stories

[Wayne]

Years ago he hung around 6th & Western in LA & there were three black players down there I never tried to match up with & all were left handed - Larry, Cecil Tugwell (Best in LA for many years) and another guy named Roger.

Technically, Cecil Tugwell was a great right handed player. It was only after his right arm was busted completely that he was forced to learn how to play left handed. He spent a couple of years learning how to play left handed. Then he became a great left handed player. As a lefty he played Efren a challenge match for a couple of thousand at Hard Times (late eighties or early nineties). I believe the game was a best out of 7 sets with a race to three to win each set. Efren won the first 2 sets and then Cecil won 4 straight sets to win the cash.

I wasn't there but JJ Jenkins taped it and I got to watch it on tape.

[SJDinPHX]

As I read & reply to some of these posts, memories pop into my head about games I either watched or was involved in. Since I killed too many brain cells as a young guy, I have to get these down before I forget about them. This is one of my favorites, and I sweated every game. In 1960 or 61 there was a bowling alley in Anaheim called the "Wonder Bowl". It was huge with a 24 hour pool room. Johnny "Cannonball" Chapman from Chicago had just busted Detroit Whitey. Whitey bit him for $10 for something to eat. Later on, Ritchie Florence was playing in an action game & Whitey was leaning against a 5 x 10 snooker table throwing the balls around & watching the game. He set up a tough shot down the long rail & started barking about betting $10 on the shot. Johnny said "I might as well bust you again" & bet him on the shot. Whitey ended up winning $50. Johnny was hot about losing the $50 chasing $10 & they played a set of one pocket for the $50. When the smoke cleared, Whitey won all his $$ back plus some. In those days the pool desk was closed after hours & you had to take the balls back & play table time at the Bowling desk. Whitey gave me $20 & said take the balls back & pay the time & keep the change. I had been in the pool room all day & night & went home to get some sleep. when I came back the next night, Whitey was still there, saw me come in & said "Hey kid, got any of that $20 left?"

Good story John,

Being a few years your senior, my brain cells have almost disintegrated. I do have a few Detroit Whitey stories to tell, but cannot remember dates as well as you (sometimes I even mix up my decades)
On one of his trips out west,(probably late 50's) I busted him playing 9 ball in SJ. His stake horse was a local sucker, who accused us of "dumping"...We didn't even know each other then...Whitey got hot and smacked the guy, and then naturally he bit me pretty good. Steered him around a bit, to make his getaway money.

My Grandma died in 1959, and I went to her funeral in Detroit. I went into the old "Rathole" downstairs on Woodward ave...Whitey and Cornbreads home court at the time. (pre-Rack days) Whitey gives me the "office" and we meet at a bar up the street...I think his intent was to double steer me, but I told him I was on pretty short $$$ (which I was) so I guess he decided to double steer Cornbread instead. Corn gave me a few ball's playing 1 pocket, (my pre 1P days)and it wasn't enough,...I got broke. If memory serves me, Whitey had like $10, of my puny $50 worth of action.

Borrowed a $100 from my brother-in-law,(pretty strong bite in those days)...and went back downtown a few days later. Managed to get Red down in a Golf game (rare in there) and got a few $$$ back before he pulled up. He then tried to give me 9/7 (and then 8/7) at 1P on a tight 5X10 snooker table. He did not like that at all.
Whitey was absent for the entire re-match. Never saw him again till a few years later in LA, at 4th and Main...he's busted, and tries to tell me he heard I beat Red for 8 million (it was actually a few hundred) and he gets a little tushy about wanting a big jelly...Got him calmed down and he settled for a small bite, and we went bar hustling "in downtown LA" together. We made a few bucks, even though he almost got us killed in one joint, and I'm sure I took a brutal beating on the count, as I was playing, and he had the rail bets.

This is dragging out too long, but let me just say, we met several more times over the years (never played again) and almost every time would qualify as a war story. He was one of a kind wasn't he ?
Our very fragile friendship ended, when he did the most treacherous thing imaginable to Canadian Pete and I... I'll share that story some other day...I get hot just thinking about it..:mad: :mad: :mad: Pete got over it,...I never did !

PS..John, Its amazing our paths never crossed in those days. I used to go down to LA and San Diego, at least 3-4 times a year. Popcorn used to steer me around. Played Fat Bill at Hollywood and Western a few times, and Harry the Horse, and others, at the Wonder Bowl...Those were Pre-Tropicana days, Richie was around, (looked all of 12 yrs. old) but RA had yet to arrive.(I'm quite sure)
Although, thinking back, I almost always worked at something in SJ, and rarely stayed more than a long week-end. But we had to have been in the same joint more than once. We have too many mutual aquaintences, not to have been.
Also thinking back, I guess I spent more time in San Diego, than LA... Good action (for me) at the old Tower Bowl on Market St. (long gone)...I Had a wealthy regular in there, who would not go off to anybody but me...pissed off the local scuffs....Played Harry there a few times too.

[beatle]

in the early 1970,s i used to go to the billiard den on santa monica blvd in west hollywood. that was a great action spot but the players were smart. well i lemoned for a long time and would beat the worst players in the joint for short sets of six ball for good money and usually miss a cut shot on the game set ball and try to leave him tough. remember i only played cripples there. i had so many old timers backing them and going off they went crazy. quite a few times i had some tough characters put girls into me or try to get me robbed, but i was street smart.
but there was this big arab looking guy who had all these 500 and 1000 dollar bills and always wanted to bet them. no one would play him as he never had smaller change and they all thought he was having bad money and just wanted to change it up for good. so one day i decided just to win them and i did. so i played him with only a small spot and he never ever made a ball. i had to drag it out over days as i was being watched all the time. by then i was suspected of being better than i put on and was in danger of losing all my action. but anyway this stooge lost a bunch to me and of course all the bills were good. then i dont think he ever came back with any. maybe i got them all. i still have one, i dont know why.

[gulfportdoc]

Played Fat Bill at Hollywood and Western a few times, and Harry the Horse, and others, at the Wonder Bowl...
Dick, was that Harry the Horse, or Harry the Hook? I think Harry the Hook was Harry Cohen-- a complete reprobate who played a good game of 3C and also one pocket. He hung around the L.A. pool scene for many years. Beard knows him, and doesn't think much of him.;)

Doc

[SJDinPHX]

Dick, was that Harry the Horse, or Harry the Hook? I think Harry the Hook was Harry Cohen-- a complete reprobate who played a good game of 3C and also one pocket. He hung around the L.A. pool scene for many years. Beard knows him, and doesn't think much of him.;)

Doc

Doc,

John H. will know the Harry I'm referring too, I believe his last name was Mc Connell, or O'Connell (not sure) He was a well known scuff around SoCal at that time. I remember him as pretty savvy.... Needed weight from some of the better player's, but he would bet it up pretty good in the right spot.
...Everybody knew him as "Harry the Horse" (did not know Harry the Hook)....John ???

[mr3cushion]

Dick, was that Harry the Horse, or Harry the Hook? I think Harry the Hook was Harry Cohen-- a complete reprobate who played a good game of 3C and also one pocket. He hung around the L.A. pool scene for many years. Beard knows him, and doesn't think much of him.;)

Doc

Doc; the Harry Cohen AKA "Harry the Horse" I think you're referring to was originally from NY, pretty fair all around player in his day. He was long in the tooth when I first met him at the Congress Bowl in Miami in the late 60's early 70's. He hung out there every winter with Gene Skinner, Marcel Camp, and Fatty when he came into town, if I remember correctly he didn't play as good as the above mentioned, always looking for a little the best of it, but, aren't we all.

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

[lll]

in the early 1970,s i used to go to the billiard den on santa monica blvd in west hollywood. that was a great action spot but the players were smart. well i lemoned for a long time and would beat the worst players in the joint for short sets of six ball for good money and usually miss a cut shot on the game set ball and try to leave him tough. remember i only played cripples there. i had so many old timers backing them and going off they went crazy. quite a few times i had some tough characters put girls into me or try to get me robbed, but i was street smart.
but there was this big arab looking guy who had all these 500 and 1000 dollar bills and always wanted to bet them. no one would play him as he never had smaller change and they all thought he was having bad money and just wanted to change it up for good. so one day i decided just to win them and i did. so i played him with only a small spot and he never ever made a ball. i had to drag it out over days as i was being watched all the time. by then i was suspected of being better than i put on and was in danger of losing all my action. but anyway this stooge lost a bunch to me and of course all the bills were good. then i dont think he ever came back with any. maybe i got them all. i still have one, i dont know why.
you may have kept one as a prize scalp so to speak.
beatle you have kept close to the vest in this forum,although your comments show you are seasoned and an upper level cognescenti of one pocket.
thanks for opening up some. i (we ) do like to vicariously live by all of you members that share your stories.. adventures.:)

[jrhendy]

Doc,

John H. will know the Harry I'm referring too, I believe his last name was Mc Connell, or O'Connell (not sure) He was a well known scuff around SoCal at that time. I remember him as pretty savvy.... Needed weight from some of the better player's, but he would bet it up pretty good in the right spot.
...Everybody knew him as "Harry the Horse" (did not know Harry the Hook)....John ???

It was "Harry The Horse" Mc Connell. He beat me playing golf in El Monte sometime in the 60's. You were liable to run into him anywhere and he played all games just a tick below the very good ones.

I have just returned from a vacation in my motorhome to the Mendocino Coast. Had to leave my motorhome in Gualala and have to head back tomorrow with the garage guys van to pick up the motorhome. I will be looking to play when I get back. Heading to Phoenix on the 21st and will stop by Los Angeles on the way back.

Bringing lots of $$ so boys get ready! Heard someone in Santa Monica wants to give me 9/7 so I'm bringing extra barrels in case I go off too much in Arizona.

[wincardona]

It was "Harry The Horse" Mc Connell. He beat me playing golf in El Monte sometime in the 60's. You were liable to run into him anywhere and he played all games just a tick below the very good ones.

I have just returned from a vacation in my motorhome to the Mendocino Coast. Had to leave my motorhome in Gualala and have to head back tomorrow with the garage guys van to pick up the motorhome. I will be looking to play when I get back. Heading to Phoenix on the 21st and will stop by Los Angeles on the way back.

Bringing lots of $$ so boys get ready! Heard someone in Santa Monica wants to give me 9/7 so I'm bringing extra barrels in case I go off too much in Arizona.
Your right John, his speed was a few ticks below (playing 9 ball)the good players. He stood about 5'5" and weighed about 200 pds, stocky build. Beside 9 ball his best game was drinking (sad to say)I think he adventually died due to a drinking related problem. And yes he would bet it up and stand up well for the money. I played Harry several times giving him the 8 ball and won, but it was difficult.

[SJDinPHX]

Your right John, his speed was a few ticks below (playing 9 ball)the good players. He stood about 5'5" and weighed about 200 pds, stocky build. Beside 9 ball his best game was drinking (sad to say)I think he adventually died due to a drinking related problem. And yes he would bet it up and stand up well for the money. I played Harry several times giving him the 8 ball and won, but it was difficult.

You remember him well Bill. I played Harry many times, and he was always tough to match up with. I got him pretty good one time, playing golf and then the 8 safe, or the last two in 9 ball...Don't think I could have won giving up the 8.
Whoever won would funish several (dozen) cocktails for the loser...He did like to drink, so he was OK in my book..;)

You must have visited California after I moved to Texas, huh ? Did you get up around the bay area much ? Several good high $$$ player's in Cochran's in those days...Rusty Jones, Jack Perkin's, Bucktooth, and a few others. A ton of medium $$$ action too...Good times..:)

[One Pocket Ghost]

beatle
thanks for opening up some. i (we ) do like to vicariously live by all of you members that share your stories.. adventures.:)



Larry here's part of my old days - and I might have crossed paths with beatle....

beatle....Small world - we might have been at Ye Billiard Den on the same day - or else you were there a coupla years after me...

I lived in L.A. and hung around Ye Billiard Den for the the winters of 1969 and 1971 - had a lot of fun hanging around that room - lots of girls and lots of action - and it was real convenient for me in '69 cuz I lived just 1 block away from the poolroom at 915 Kings Road....I'll never forget that address cuz it was a kickass place I had there - I rented/lived in what used to be the gardeners cottage in the back of a huge mansion, right next to the mansions tropical swimming pool....a wealthy Italian race car driver lived in the mansion and it was non-stop girls and cocaine parties going on...between going to his parties, snapping off some of his hotties, and having the poolroom one block away, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven...I've got pics from there/then - maybe I'll post some up....:)


- Ghost

[CaliRed]

...I've got pics from there/then - maybe I'll post some up....:)


- Ghost

Please do Ghostie.... The statute of limitations has well expired by now:D Some of us very much enjoy the photos from the past.

[gulfportdoc]

Ghost, I didn't know you had been a drug-crazed party animal.;) I didn't go to YBD too often in '69-'70. The action was over my head. I lived way up at the top of Laurel Canyon in those days. My haunts were Chopsticks Billiards and Tiff Payne's in North Hollywood. I frequented Big Momma's for awhile when Coke and Ronnie Allen had it.

In retrospect I wish I'd have gone to YBD more often, but everything was more expensive there, especially the beer. I was around at the same time as you and Beard. I'm sure I saw y'all in there.

Doc

[SJDinPHX]

Larry here's part of my old days - and I might have crossed paths with beatle....

beatle....Small world - we might have been at Ye Billiard Den on the same day - or else you were there a coupla years after me...

I lived in L.A. and hung around Ye Billiard Den for the the winters of 1969 and 1971 - had a lot of fun hanging around that room - lots of girls and lots of action - and it was real convenient for me in '69 cuz I lived just 1 block away from the poolroom at 915 Kings Road....I'll never forget that address cuz it was a kickass place I had there - I rented/lived in what used to be the gardeners cottage in the back of a huge mansion, right next to the mansions tropical swimming pool....a wealthy Italian race car driver lived in the mansion and it was non-stop girls and cocaine parties going on...between going to his parties, snapping off some of his hotties, and having the poolroom one block away, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven...I've got pics from there/then - maybe I'll post some up....:)


- Ghost

Ghrost,

We'd love to some see pic's...but puhleeeeze, make sure you are fully clothed in all of them...even a swim suit shot of you, would be very, very scary...:D :D :D

Papie

[One Pocket Ghost]

Ghost, I didn't know you had been a drug-crazed party animal.;) I didn't go to YBD too often in '69-'70. The action was over my head. I lived way up at the top of Laurel Canyon in those days. My haunts were Chopsticks Billiards and Tiff Payne's in North Hollywood. I frequented Big Momma's for awhile when Coke and Ronnie Allen had it.

In retrospect I wish I'd have gone to YBD more often, but everything was more expensive there, especially the beer. I was around at the same time as you and Beard. I'm sure I saw y'all in there.

Doc


Doc.....Yep, I partied real hard in L.A. for awhile there - I remember some of it, lol...

I mostly just went to YBD...I did go out to Tiff Payne's a coupla times because that was the 3cushion poolroom and I figured I might be able to tempt somebody to get out of line..:)...cuz I had my real long hippie hair and hippie clothes and they wouldn't believe that a hippie could play good 3cushion - they found out different...;)...needless to say, I wasn't looking to play Alan Gilbert though, lol.

- Ghost

PS, Doc, I looked pretty much just like you back then...:)

[beatle]

that place had a lot of east coast players that had moved to california. thats why the place was tough to win in as most east coasters didnt go off too bad unless they thought they were stealing or shooting at a big score. although that applies to any place but anyplace else you can win big just from those players that cant quit a loser.
i got lucky as one day cuban joey came in and he knew me well and ignored me and didnt knock me to anybody, as well as didnt try to cut in or strong arm me for a gapper. at the time he wasnt all that flush and i always respected him for that. and of course his raw nerve in the things he did, like bank robbery.

[One Pocket Ghost]

Cali, papie, Doc, guys, I don't have my old pics in my computer files - I gotta dig em' up and scan a few...but here's one I do have in the computer...it's a pic of a rare old favorite t-shirt of mine from my t-shirt collection...check it out Doc, I bet I might be the only person to have one of these - it's been in my closet for 40 years...I showed it to Jay Helfert once and he got a kick out of seeing it...here ya go >>>


- Ghost

[lll]

Cali, papie, Doc, guys, I don't have my old pics in my computer files - I gotta dig em' up and scan a few...but here's one I do have in the computer...it's a pic of a rare old favorite t-shirt of mine from my t-shirt collection...check it out Doc, I bet I might be the only person to have one of these - it's been in my closet for 40 years...I showed it to Jay Helfert once and he got a kick out of seeing it...here ya go >>>


- Ghost
ghost looks brand new and size small/medium. does it still fit???:rolleyes:

[gulfportdoc]

Doc.....Yep, I partied real hard in L.A. for awhile there - I remember some of it, lol...

I mostly just went to YBD...I did go out to Tiff Payne's a coupla times because that was the 3cushion poolroom and I figured I might be able to tempt somebody to get out of line..:)...cuz I had my real long hippie hair and hippie clothes and they wouldn't believe that a hippie could play good 3cushion - they found out different...;)...needless to say, I wasn't looking to play Alan Gilbert though, lol.

- Ghost

PS, Doc, I looked pretty much just like you back then...:)
Ghost, here's a picture of me taken at a concert in Chicago in 1968. A portrait of the young artist...:D ~Doc
854

[lll]

Ghost, here's a picture of me taken at a concert in Chicago in 1968. A portrait of the young artist...:D ~Doc
854
you look very focused on your task:)

[Clare]

Ghost, here's a picture of me taken at a concert in Chicago in 1968. A portrait of the young artist...:D ~Doc
854

I LOVE it, Doc. Thanks so much for sharing.

[One Pocket Ghost]

Ghost, here's a picture of me taken at a concert in Chicago in 1968. A portrait of the young artist...:D ~Doc
854


Ghrost,

We'd love to some see pic's

Papie


Please do Ghostie....Some of us very much enjoy the photos from the past.


Well, I went through all of my old pics and I'm mad :mad: because I can't find one of my favorite pics...it's the only one I have that was taken inside Ye Billiard Den, and it was of me playing 'Brooklyn Butch' 9ball - in the pic, I'm shooting and because I'm not missing often enough to suit Butch, he's giving me his famous tush-hog glare :o - I didn't really have to worry though, because luckily, Butch liked me...:)...

Anyway, here's a couple of pics for now...one pic is of me standing inside my 'pad' behind the mansion, just around the corner from the Billiard Den....the other pic is taken at the one and only Irv's burgers, straight across the street from the Billiard Den - Irv's is an L.A. landmark - best burgers in L.A. and it's still there....sitting on the stools are three regulars from the Billiard Den...

The brother on the left with the afro played and hustled pretty good - his name was Winston...I forget the guy in the middle's name...and the girl was the daughter of an L.A. movie producer and her name was Amy.


- Ghost

[beatle]

hey ghost i think i remember you. you played good then. no i didnt play you but i did take off winston real good some time later on. he seemed to have plenty of dough then. and lost more than once.
how could you play butch as he was ready for a fight all the time over the smallest issue.

[jay helfert]

hey ghost i think i remember you. you played good then. no i didnt play you but i did take off winston real good some time later on. he seemed to have plenty of dough then. and lost more than once.
how could you play butch as he was ready for a fight all the time over the smallest issue.


This isn't Dale (the Beatle) from Baltimore is it? He was a good player who hung around Ye Billiard Den for a year or two. I found out later he was AWOL from the Army. We just called him The Beatle and he played pretty salty 9-Ball, until Jimmy Marino showed up and busted him.

That is Winston in the photo above, a pretty sharp hustler. The guy in the middle looks a lot like Jimmy Marino. That is exactly how he looked back then - long stringy black hair and blue denim all the way. He snuck around L.A. real good back in the 60's. Jimmy would lay low in Venice Beach for months (getting high naturally), and then show up somewhere and bust someone. The only guy who ever got the best of Jimmy was Richie Florence, but he beat everyone back then for the cash.

The girl looks familiar, one of the Den's regulars. A lot of young hippy chicks hung out in there. I was too into pool to have time for them though (with a couple of exceptions of course). The Ghost and I must have met in there, because I was there so much. We might have played back then. I played anyone and everyone who wasn't an established champion. I know it's bragging, but I beat a million guys who came into the place. The Ghost might have been one of them.

P.S. I ate at Irv's at least 3-4 times a week.

[gulfportdoc]

Ghost, I seem to vaguely remember you from that photo. Where's your glasses??? Didn't need 'em then?;)

Doc

[lll]

Well, I went through all of my old pics

Anyway, here's a couple of pics for now...one pic is of me standing inside my 'pad' behind the mansion, just around the corner from the Billiard Den...


- Ghost
ghost the pic of you i saw before but now has vanished like a ghost:confused:

[One Pocket Ghost]

hey ghost i think i remember you. you played good then. no i didnt play you but i did take off winston real good some time later on. he seemed to have plenty of dough then. and lost more than once.
how could you play butch as he was ready for a fight all the time over the smallest issue.


beatle....three reasons I could play Butch...

1. We would just play cheap and pretty much break even.

2. I was just a young skinny hippie kid - so I was so far below him on a fighting level, that it would have been too much of a joke for him to fight me.

3. But most of all, it was because Butch liked me - I was his 'token' hippie friend, and mainly he liked me because we had an ethnic bond - I was a fellow Italian....but Butch used to like to get on my case: Butch of course was Old School style = back then, while everybody else in the L.A. summertime was wearing bluejean cutoff shorts, tie-dye t-shirt and sandals, and had long hair...Butch had short slicked back hair, and would only be wearing black dress pants, a short sleeve dress shirt and black dress shoes - mafioso style, lol....so Butch would always be saying to me - "C'mon, what the fuk kind of Italian are you with that fag hair and clown clothes - you're embarassing me, I oughta slap you - get a fukkin haircut and dress right wouldya please"...and I would try and mollify him by telling him that my look was good for the hustle and also how it was getting me more cute hippie chicks than I could handle...:)


- Ghost

[mosconiac]

I'm picking up a strong SVB-vibe off this pic? Is it a fluke or did the hippie-ghost kinda resemble him?

http://onepocket.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=855

[jrhendy]

I'm picking up a strong SVB-vibe off this pic? Is it a fluke or did the hippie-ghost kinda resemble him?

http://onepocket.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=855

You never hustled through So. Dakota did you Ghost?

I never made it to Ye Billiard Den much, although I was in action quite a bit in those days. I only lived about 15/20 miles away but the players came to me over in Rosemead/El Monte. I did play Butch some snooker there once. I had him 3 games stuck for $5 a game & when I found out what could happen if he found out I was hustling him, he won three in a row and we quit friends.

I did spend some time at Hollywood Billiards, The House of Billiards at 6th/Western and Romy's at 4th/Main from the late 50's to the 80's, before I moved to No. Calif.

[One Pocket Ghost]

I know it's bragging, but I beat a million guys who came into the place. The Ghost might have been one of them.

P.S. I ate at Irv's at least 3-4 times a week.



More likely, I was one of the ones you didn't beat...:)...:cool:


- Ghost



I'm picking up a strong SVB-vibe off this pic? Is it a fluke or did the hippie-ghost kinda resemble him?





Fuggedabout it mocconiac..:rolleyes:..back in the day, I was way better looking than SVB...he could give me the orange crush playing 9ball, but trust me, back then I coulda gave him at least the 5 and the breaks when it came to scoring with the ladies...:)...:cool:


- Ghost

[mr3cushion]

This isn't Dale (the Beatle) from Baltimore is it? He was a good player who hung around Ye Billiard Den for a year or two. I found out later he was AWOL from the Army. We just called him The Beatle and he played pretty salty 9-Ball, until Jimmy Marino showed up and busted him.

That is Winston in the photo above, a pretty sharp hustler. The guy in the middle looks a lot like Jimmy Marino. That is exactly how he looked back then - long stringy black hair and blue denim all the way. He snuck around L.A. real good back in the 60's. Jimmy would lay low in Venice Beach for months (getting high naturally), and then show up somewhere and bust someone. The only guy who ever got the best of Jimmy was Richie Florence, but he beat everyone back then for the cash.

The girl looks familiar, one of the Den's regulars. A lot of young hippy chicks hung out in there. I was too into pool to have time for them though (with a couple of exceptions of course). The Ghost and I must have met in there, because I was there so much. We might have played back then. I played anyone and everyone who wasn't an established champion. I know it's bragging, but I beat a million guys who came into the place. The Ghost might have been one of them.

P.S. I ate at Irv's at least 3-4 times a week.


Jay; I hate to burst Jimmy Marino fans bubble, but, back in the late 60's I snuck up on him and busted him for about $1,200.00 playing 3C billiards in Frisco at the Palace along with Homero Valdespino, he was the best 3C player in the Bay area back then everyone in the room bet on him. When Jimmy found out I beat Homero he was a little hot he got trapped, but a friend and I laid it down perfect.

Bill Smith "Mr3Cushion"

[SJDinPHX]

back in the day, I was way better looking than SVB...he could give me the orange crush playing 9ball, but trust me, back then I coulda gave him at least the 5 and the breaks when it came to scoring with the ladies...:)


- Ghost

Ghostmonster,

Braggadocio has reared it's ugly head again...Is that all you Chi-guys can do ?....Boast about your pool conquests, and your equally astonishing success [sic] with the ladies ? Don't you know, drugged out hippie chicks, and runaway 16 year old hillbillies,...should NOT count.:rolleyes:

First of all, I would say you and SVB, are a toss-up at best, in the looks dept. (sorry SVB) Obviously, no contest in pool skills... :D

And secondly, let me just say this...The trio of RA, RF, and SJD...could have given ANYBODY from Chicago, AT LEAST 8 to 3 and the break, back in OUR carousing days..We used to "hypnotize" 'em (or BS 'em) off their feet,...literally..:p (only Califonia cuties needed to apply)

PS..The only pool player's who came close to us in those days, were Cardone and Kelly...and maybe Mataya...:eek:

PPS..By the way, where is Beardmonster ? I see he's posting on AZB these days...action too tough here ???

[Clare]

Well, I went through all of my old pics and I'm mad :mad: because I can't find one of my favorite pics...it's the only one I have that was taken inside Ye Billiard Den, and it was of me playing 'Brooklyn Butch' 9ball - in the pic, I'm shooting and because I'm not missing often enough to suit Butch, he's giving me his famous tush-hog glare :o - I didn't really have to worry though, because luckily, Butch liked me...:)...

Anyway, here's a couple of pics for now...one pic is of me standing inside my 'pad' behind the mansion, just around the corner from the Billiard Den....the other pic is taken at the one and only Irv's burgers, straight across the street from the Billiard Den - Irv's is an L.A. landmark - best burgers in L.A. and it's still there....sitting on the stools are three regulars from the Billiard Den...

The brother on the left with the afro played and hustled pretty good - his name was Winston...I forget the guy in the middle's name...and the girl was the daughter of an L.A. movie producer and her name was Amy.


- Ghost

Ghosty, thanks for sharing the very cool hippie pic. Quite handsome !!

[One Pocket Ghost]

Ghostmonster,

And secondly, let me just say this...The trio of RA, RF, and SJD...could have given ANYBODY from Chicago, AT LEAST 8 to 3 and the break, back in OUR carousing days..We used to "hypnotize" 'em (or BS 'em) off their feet,...literally..:p (only Califonia cuties needed to apply)




Papie.....Trust me, and you can take this to the bank, back in the day, you would have been thrilled to death if you could have just had some of my castoffs...:eek:...:D....:cool:


- Ghosty

PS, Read Clare's post, #43 - I think I'll take her opinion of my looks back in the day, instead of your opinion...:rolleyes:

[Cowboy Dennis]

Ghostmonster,
And secondly, let me just say this...The trio of RA, RF, and SJD...could have given ANYBODY from Chicago, AT LEAST 8 to 3 and the break, back in OUR carousing days..We used to "hypnotize" 'em (or BS 'em) off their feet,...literally..:p (only Califonia cuties needed to apply)



I see the "shit blizzard" came early today.

[SJDinPHX]

Papie.....Trust me, and you can take this to the bank, you would have been dead by now,... if you had, had ANY of my disease infested, drug addled, OD'd, hippie chick's...Thank God for penicllin, or I'd be long gone..:eek:


- Ghosty

PS, Read Clare's post, #43 - I think I'll take her opinion of my looks back in the day, instead of your opinion...

Clarebaby, Now you have done it...Don't you know, being flattering to Chi-guy's just sends them through the roof with excitment (99% of the flattery they get is self-inflicted).;)

Apparently Clare has not seen my pic, on pg 32, of SMAS, (E.R. typo,... it was taken in '77, not '57)...heh,heh..:D


PS..Ghrost, I doubt if your first-stringer's, could have met my very high standards back then...(they had to be female, and breathing)...let alone the ones who dumped you...:eek:

[SJDinPHX]

I see the "shit blizzard" came early today.

Hey Bar Rag Breath,...Ghost hi-jacked John's fine 1P thread...And for your smart-ass remark...you are back on ignore AGAIN...How you like 'em apples ??? :p :p :p

PS maybe you should have invested in a "s**t blower"...heh,heh.:eek:

[Wayne]

It was "Harry The Horse" Mc Connell. He beat me playing golf in El Monte sometime in the 60's. You were liable to run into him anywhere and he played all games just a tick below the very good ones.

I have just returned from a vacation in my motorhome to the Mendocino Coast. Had to leave my motorhome in Gualala and have to head back tomorrow with the garage guys van to pick up the motorhome. I will be looking to play when I get back. Heading to Phoenix on the 21st and will stop by Los Angeles on the way back.

Bringing lots of $$ so boys get ready! Heard someone in Santa Monica wants to give me 9/7 so I'm bringing extra barrels in case I go off too much in Arizona.

Hi John: Who is it in Santa Monica that wants to give you 9/7? I know I never told anyone that so the only person it could be is Rich Grenier. Let me know when you are coming and we can match up or I will let Phil know when you will be here and you can play him again. Wayne

[jrhendy]

Hi John: Who is it in Santa Monica that wants to give you 9/7? I know I never told anyone that so the only person it could be is Rich Grenier. Let me know when you are coming and we can match up or I will let Phil know when you will be here and you can play him again. Wayne

I am going to be in Phoenix the weekend of April 24/25 & should be back in LA Monday the 26th & would like to play either you or Phil or both if my $$ lasts.

As far as playing Rich, I am zero for 15 games against him trying to play even a few years back, but would have to play some 9/7.

Looking forward to seeing you guys. Santa Monica is a great place to play. John

[SJDinPHX]

I know. I did it again. What is wrong with me? Now that I'm older, one hippie looks pretty much the same as the next. Maybe I need some glasses. LOL. My favorite pic of Jimmy is NOT a hippie pic. In fact, I have a pic of Jimmy when he was about 19 or 20 years old. He is, in that picture, the most handsome man I have ever seen. I always told him that he should have NEVER gone out to California. I understand that's where the pool action was at the time, but it tainted him. (JMHO). I have always believed that going out to California was the biggest mistake Jimmy ever made. He never, ever should have gone out West. Just sayin. (I got no problem with his Detroit stint, but the Cali thing just doesn't sit well with me).

Clare,

In all seriousness, I truely understand where you are coming from. Not trying to bring back any bad mems, but maybe thats where you guys strongly disagreed with each other... I surely don't know that, but I know I had a similar situaton.

California (and the whole West)...is a much different life style for a gambler...Its like going to Vegas...Everything is more about fun, and enjoying life... Money, (at times) can have very little meaning....Some guy's easily accepted that, some didn't...Most of us thrived on it.

The sucker,-to hardcore scuff ratio, was/IS, a whole lot different than it ever was in New York, or Chicago or Detroit. Back east, it was dog eat dog...Whereas people "gambled" out here in the west... and they still do.

I really think Jimmy accepted that change in life style, He did as good or better out here, than he did back east. (most of the time)

Personal problems aside...I would bet he enjoyed California as much as he did any other time in his life...I wish you could get him to weigh in on that....Times were really good then.

Edit; I probably should have PM'd this, but its too late now. Hope you understand, I mean only good thoughts for you.

[SJDinPHX]

I guess you don't know how to delete a post yet eh? It works well when nobody has quoted it yet.

Now that some "nosy" person has quoted it, I guess its too late huh ? Clarebaby will understand..;)

[Cowboy Dennis]

Now that some "nosy" person has quoted it, I guess its too late huh ? Clarebaby will understand..;)


I can delete mine too, bonehead. See how it's no longer there, except for your quoted post.

[SJDinPHX]

I can delete mine too, bonehead. See how it's no longer there, except for your quoted post.

Oh well, let her read it someday...it is from the heart...Bonerhead !!!