English Dan and my list of Poolhustlers were great, however after the neighborhood game began to fade in the late 1950’s, big time pool tournaments shed light on some of the game’s more popular shooters. Willie Mosconi, born in Philadelphia frequented Chick’s Pool Hall as seen in that famous mural at Broad and South Street, was one of the more colorful characters. Ralph Wanderone  aka Minnesota Fats talked so much trash while shooting, Mosconi had to wear earplugs to drown out his excessive banter.

Names like Ralph Greenleaf , Steve Mizerak, and what many would call “The Goat” Efren Reyes , the Filipino born , bring up the rear.

Female players like Allison Fisher and Jeanette ( The Black Widow) Lee were lethal on the green felt tables.

One name which seems to be overlooked is Cisero Murphy. Many call him the “Jackie Robinson“ of pool tournaments. After racism refused to allow him to participate, Murphy was the first Afro American to win the World Championship ( straight pool ) in 1965.