Cowboy Dennis said:
Freddy,
If you don't mind I'll butt in here and post it. I believe the Duck lost his copy of SM&S in his mini-katrina, and also because he's busy with other things right now. I'm not certain that SJD was referring to this quote but here is Jersey Red on page 299 of SM&S referencing the Duck in regards to SJD's story of having played Fats and having to fade his poodle. After losing to Fats in an exhibition, SJD gave Fats 8-7 and beat him in a $2000 set and then gave him 10-8 the next night and beat him for another $2000. This is the match where SJD mentions that Fats' poodle would come over when he was shooting and try to pee on his shoes.
Breit: I was there and that poodle was truly a pisser. Dick, who was within a ball of anyone of any era, was easily the better player by that time and nothing could have saved Fats; not even that dog. The last time Fats played really well was when Richie Florence tried to give him 8-7 in Johnston City, Illinois, in 1965 or 66. Fats, already over the hill for 10 to 12 years, turned back the clock. He kept running out like it was 1946 all over again.
P.S. These matches took place in the late 60's according to SJD.
Dennis
Thank you Dennis,
As George W. said, "I cannot tell a lie" ... Red was there, (as was our Rodney) ... Rod recently corrected me on my [sic] recollections...After losing the exhibition match. (in which Siegel put up 1k to the winner) We broke even the next two sessions, and Fat's declined to play the rubber match, which I guess I considered a huge moral victory...Red and I also lost a few schekels side wagering..
I have faded a lot of major sharking in my days, (think RA)...but no one ever laid it down like Fatty. I had a lot of fun playing him, and watching him play to the crowd, which was 3 deep every day...He even stole my "fan club", because they knew he was the underdog.
The only reason I wound up in the box, was because Fat's would not play Red. He knew he could not win in that spot, and I was a relative unknown.
I have tried (unsuccesfully) to retrieve a copy of the Houston Chronicle. (Sunday,front page sports section) In which a reporter, who had probably never seen a game of pool (let alone onepocket) in his entire life, wrote a glowing half page article on Fat's destruction of a mere mortal. It went to the last ball hill/hill, only because I dogged my brains out under the spotlight...
...I have never found it because I don't have a clue if it was 66, 67, 68 or 69... nor do I recall the time of year.
As Dennis says..."gotta love the Fatman"
PS..Freddy, Dennis did get Red's quote right, ver batum..
PPS..There MAY be a few other stories, in SMAS, where the actual outcome of any given story...may be just a little off...But it does make for good reading. (but only to a pool degenerate)....