Name That Player

fred bentivegna

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Grady Mathews, in his promotional brochure lists the players that he gambled with in his career. The list is formidable and voluminous. But I have a long list too. So Steve Booth and I are concocting a little promotion/game to stir up the forum a bit. Basically we are asking the forum members to come up with players of some reknown from 1965 to 1990 that I didnt gamble with. The first guy that accumulates ten players I ducked or missed will win a Banking With The Beard T-shirt and a BWTB or The GosPool Book. This wont be easy. There are very few players that I didnt cross swords with. Further details will be posted by Steve very soon.

the Beard
 

Terry Ardeno

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Freddie,
Just in time! I was going to order The GosPool and send a photo for you to autograph for me like I did when I ordered BWTB.
How about Don Willis, Al Coslosky, Irving Crane, Luther Lassiter, "Cuban Joe" Valdez,Richie "Memhis Flash" Austin, Hubert Cokes, Charlie Brinson, Monroe Brock, Charlie Devalliere, Willie Munson, Dallas West, Pete Margo, Jim Rempe,
Norman Hitchcock, George "Rotation Slim" Hairston, Jimmy Fusco, Mike Carella,Clyde Childress, Benny "The Goose" Conway, Richie Florence, John Hagar, Dave "Super Dave" Williams, Frank McGown, Howard Vickery, Alvin "Titanic Thompson" Thomas, Johnny "Johnny Irish" Lineen, Johnny Vives, Johnny Ervolino, Bill Dunsmore, Ismael "Morro" Paez, Cliff Joyner, Ronnie Wiseman, Danny Medina, Edgar "Shake N Bake" White, Earl Herring, Jay Helfert, Bob Vanover, Seth "Buttermilk" Brown, Ernesto Dominguez, Jimmy Marino, "San Jose" Dick Moran, Jack Colavita, Keith Thompson, Steve Cook, C.J. Wiley, Dave Bollman, Bill Stigall, Don Steele, Howie Pearl, Frank Tullos, Cowboy Jimmy Moore, U.J. Puckett, Harold Worst, Boston Shorty Larry Johnson, Mike Eufemia, Joe Canton, Glen Womack, Jay Swanson, George Rood, Earl Heisler, Earl Shriver, Nick Vlahos, Dick Lane, Larry Hubbart, Larry Price, James Walden, "King Kong" Cahvez, Bill Stephen, Mike Massey, James Evans.
I'll add some more later. I'm going to be late picking up the kids.
 

Terry Ardeno

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Freddie,
Sorry I had to rush off. I typed like I was double parked and I'm sorry for some of the mis-spelled names.
Round 2...Junior Goff, Jack Cooney, Donnie Anderson, Joey Spaeth, Eddie Burton,Joe Kerr, Lou Butera, Marshall Carpenter, Danny Gartner, Warren Costanza, Louie Roberts, Junior Harris, Al "New York Blackie" Bonife, George or Paulie Jansco, Rudolph Wanderone, Sonny Springer, Ray Martin, Cicero Murphy, Jimmy Reid, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Earl Strickland, Larry Lisciotti, Eddie Taylor, Alton Whitlow, "Detriot Whitey" Eddie Buechene (SP?), Maurice "Tugboat" Whaley, Jimmy Caras (WAS STILL PLAYING Freddie :) ), Allen Hopkins, Ed Kelly, Jose Parica, Jose Garcia, Pat Fleming, Bobby Hunter, Ralph Guest, Norm The Farmer" Weber, Cole Dixon, Jeff Carter, Mark Beilfus, Jack Breit, Tom Jennings, George Fels, David Matlock, Gene Nagy, Richie Richeson, Toby Fleharty,...these next several are stupid picks on my part but just in case by some rare fluke that you guys missed each other: Truman Hogue, John Brumback, Marvin Henderson, Ike Runnels & Glen Rogers.
 

glee

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fred bentivegna said:
Grady Mathews, in his promotional brochure lists the players that he gambled with in his career. The list is formidable and voluminous. But I have a long list too. So Steve Booth and I are concocting a little promotion/game to stir up the forum a bit. Basically we are asking the forum members to come up with players of some reknown from 1965 to 1990 that I didnt gamble with. The first guy that accumulates ten players I ducked or missed will win a Banking With The Beard T-shirt and a BWTB or The GosPool Book. This wont be easy. There are very few players that I didnt cross swords with. Further details will be posted by Steve very soon.

the Beard

Great post Fred, heres a few
Clem Metz
Shorty Johnson
Jack Perkins
Jonnny Vivis
Keith Ryan
J. C. Chapman
Ed Kelly
Jack Coony
Bucktooth
 
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Smorgass Bored

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Oh, Players Of "Some Reknown"..... NEVERMIND

Oh, Players Of "Some Reknown"..... NEVERMIND

I think Terry Ardeno named them ALL.

Doug









.
 
Last edited:

fred bentivegna

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Jumped the gun a little

Jumped the gun a little

Guys, we jumped the gun a little. For brevity, Steve is going to post a list of the for sure guys I played. So you should check the list first before posting. The list wont be complete because those are only the guys I have been able to remember playing. As you name guys that I can recall playing, the list will be extended.
There will be a couple provisos. Guys that seldom bet anyway certainly dont count, (like Irving Crane, Mike Eufemia). Guys that only played straight pool, (Jack Colovita, Frank McGowan, etc.). Guys with one foot in the grave, on social security, and their careers long over, dont count either, (Jimmy Moore, Rotation Slim, Jimmy Caras, Tugboat Whaley?, James Evans? How old do you think I am?) We're only using active known players and gamblers from 1965 to 1990.

the Beard
 

NH Steve

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Freddie's list

Freddie's list

Good luck, it's a whole slew of players!

Robert Houseman in TCOM Agins
Ronnie Fast Eddie Allen
Richie Richie from the Bronx Ambrose
Donnie Anderson
Jaffar Patch Eye, One-eyed Henry, Henry Chapman Basheer
Eddie Detroit Whitey Beauchene
Artie Smartie Artie Bodendorfer
Louis Little Hand Bramlett
Rusty Rusty Brandymeyer
George Flamethrower Breedlove
Jerry Breisath
Jack Jersey Red, The Red Raider Breit
Tony Tough Tony Brewer
Paul Doc Brienza
Melvin Strawberry Brooks
James Youngblood Brown
George Brunt
Paul Jew Paul Brusloff
Billy Cornbread Red Burge
Eddie The Hat Burton
Calhoun Houn' Dog Calhoun
Marcel Campy Camp
Mike Carella
Vince Pancho Carelli
Mickey Port Chester Mickey Carpinello
Jeff Carter
Gene The Glove Catrone
Johnny Lefty, Cannonball Chapman
Clyde Childress
James Christopher
Harry New York Harry Cohen
Hubert Daddy Warbucks Cokes
Tony Benton Harbour Tony, Tony Banks Coleman
Benny Goose Conway
Richard Bucktooth Cook
Steve Cookie Monster Cook
Jack Frisco Jack Cooney
Warren Monk Costanza
Tommy The Sailor Cramer
Wade Billy Johnson, Boom Boom Crane
Bill Diamond Bill Cress
Sam Okie Sam, Nashville Sam, Robert Ryan Crotzer
Rod Surfer Rod Curry
Alphonso Fonzi Daniels
Shannon Shannon, The Cannon, Doughboy Daulton
Buddy Baltimore Buddy Dennis
Danny Buffalo Kid Di Liberto
Cole Hippie Cole Dickson
Don Waterdog Edwards
Vernon Eliot
Johnny Velvet Foghorn, Brooklyn Johnny Ervolino
Louis Esposito
Jamie Red Rifle Farrell
Don Preacher Feeney
Tony Fargo Ferguson
Richie Florence
Milborn Gar Frazier
Jimmy The Philly Flash Fusco
Petey Fusco
Mike Shoes Gamboni
Michael Geese Gerace
Isaac Miami Gonzales
Roger The Rocket Griffis
Mike Babyface Gulyassy
John John Drew Hagar
Cecil Rifleman, Buddy Hall
Tommy Staten Island Tommy, Doc Halliday
Calvin Country, Crazy Calvin Hargrove
Jay Toupee Jay Helfert
Marvin Pittsburg Flash Henderson
Norman Hitch Hitchcock
Truman Hogue
Allen Young Hoppe Hopkins
Tony One-Eyed Tony Howard
David Little David, The Giant Killer Howard
Norman The Jockey Howard
Larry Iceman Hubbart
Bobby Hunter
Hank One Eyed Hank Hurst
Bill Cardone, Pittsburgh Billy, Mustache Charlie Incardona
Larry Boston Shorty Johnson
Danny Handsome Danny, Kennesaw Jones
Sammy Jumpin' Sammy Jones
Paul Chicago Paul Jones
Charles Low Down Dirty Red, Preacher Red Jones
Cliff Spotmaster Joyner
Martin Omaha Fats Kaiman
Tommy Karabatsas
Eddie Champagne Eddie Kelly
Eddie Cannonball Kienowski
Scott Kitto
Glen Fat Glen Knowles
Roy Kilroy Kosmolski
Robert Cotton LaBlanc
Bill Lawson
Mike Spanish Mike LeBron
Ardell Blackie LeSieur
Peter Peter Rabbit Linhard
Larry Oil Can, The Prince of Pool Lisciotti
Rudolfo Boy Sampson Luat
Chris MacDonald
Bob Florida Bob Maidhoff
Jimmy Hippie Jimmy Marino
Marco The Snake Marquez
Mike Tennessee Tarzan Massey
Jimmy Pretty Boy Floyd Mataya
Grady Professor Mathews
Ronnie The Hat, Bald Eagle Mayes
Henry Lotsapoppa McCloud
Harry The Horse McConnell
Harry Harry the Horse McConnell
Don McCoy
Keith Earthquake, Ether, Grady Seasons McCready
Edward Chris McGeahan
John John Henry McHenry
Howard The Coward Meechum
Eugene Clem Metz
George Michaels
George Tacoma Whitey Michaels
Johnny Popcorn Miller
Al Racine Al Miller
Steve Miz Mizerak
Charles Country Monroe
Willie Munson
Johnny Sugar Shack Novak
Elihu Alley-Oop O'Rear
Jerry Jerry the Actor Orbach
Bob Black Bart, Bud, Bob Ogburn Osbourne
Jose Amang, Little Giant Parica
George Pawalski
Gary Pinkowski
Dave Cadillac Dave Piona
Joe Iron Joe Procita
Utley UJ Puckett
Maurice Gabby Puncy
Jimmy Hippie Jimmy Reid
Jim King James Rempe
Kenny Romburg Remus
Efren Bata, The Magician, Cesar Morales Reyes
Skippy Riggs
Louie St. Louis Louie Roberts
Frank Bananas Rodriguiz
Glen Piggy Banks Rogers
Bernard Bunny, Pots and Pans Rogoff
Al Little Al Romero
Don Rose
Isadore Pony Rosen
Charles Rosie Rosenblatt
Joe Kokomo Joe Ross
Joe Philly Ross
Rousey from Memphis, friend of "Rosie" Rousey
Leonard Bugs Rucker
Ike Runnels
Joe Seattle Joe, Tracy Joe Salazar
Freddy Salem
Bernie The Hawk Schwartz
Denny Searcy
Harry Poochie Sexton
Mike Captain Hook Sigel
David Sizemore
Johnny Johnny Boy Skinner
Richard Rocketman Slupik
Steve Lizard Smith
Joey Cincinnati Kid Spaeth
Jimmy Flyboy Spears
Gary Speith
Tom Spencer
Vernon Brier Spivey
Tex Jean Sonny Springer
John Pittsburgh John Stapoli
Frank Sailor Stellman
Greg Big Train Stevens
Earl The Pearl Strickland
Billy Stroud
Jay Swanee Swanson
Ronnie three finger Ronnie Sypher
Rodney Babe Thompson
Keith Young Squirrel Thompson
Samuel Seattle Sam, Fat Sam Trivett
Cecil The Left Duke Tugwell
Nick Varner
John Mexican Johnny Vasquez
Joe Philadelphia Joey Veasey
Sterling Buttermilk Ward
Junior Weldon
Dallas West
Jimmy The Kid Wetch
Edgar Shake and Bake White
Alton Babyface Whitlow
Robert Rags Woods

Unknown last names:
California California Shorty xxx
Nate Black Nate xxx
Vince Joe Dimaggio from Allingers in Philly xxx
Iceman Black Iceman xxx
Red Jew Town Red xxx
Charley The Ape xxx
 

NH Steve

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New Hampshire
One other note...

One other note...

Players will continue to be added to the list if their names come up, and Freddie has played them, but hadn't remembered their names when he compiled his list. New names of players that he has played won't count, they'll just be added to his hit list :)

The winners will come from the most names of legit player/gamblers that Freddie either ducked or never ran into. It's not easy, The Beard covered a lot of territory!!
 

fred bentivegna

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chicago illinois
Very good

Very good

Terry Ardeno said:
Freddie,
Just in time! I was going to order The GosPool and send a photo for you to autograph for me like I did when I ordered BWTB.
How about Don Willis, Al Coslosky, Irving Crane, Luther Lassiter, "Cuban Joe" Valdez,Richie "Memhis Flash" Austin, Hubert Cokes, Charlie Brinson, Monroe Brock, Charlie Devalliere, Willie Munson, Dallas West, Pete Margo, Jim Rempe,
Norman Hitchcock, George "Rotation Slim" Hairston, Jimmy Fusco, Mike Carella,Clyde Childress, Benny "The Goose" Conway, Richie Florence, John Hagar, Dave "Super Dave" Williams, Frank McGown, Howard Vickery, Alvin "Titanic Thompson" Thomas, Johnny "Johnny Irish" Lineen, Johnny Vives, Johnny Ervolino, Bill Dunsmore, Ismael "Morro" Paez, Cliff Joyner, Ronnie Wiseman, Danny Medina, Edgar "Shake N Bake" White, Earl Herring, Jay Helfert, Bob Vanover, Seth "Buttermilk" Brown, Ernesto Dominguez, Jimmy Marino, "San Jose" Dick Moran, Jack Colavita, Keith Thompson, Steve Cook, C.J. Wiley, Dave Bollman, Bill Stigall, Don Steele, Howie Pearl, Frank Tullos, Cowboy Jimmy Moore, U.J. Puckett, Harold Worst, Boston Shorty Larry Johnson, Mike Eufemia, Joe Canton, Glen Womack, Jay Swanson, George Rood, Earl Heisler, Earl Shriver, Nick Vlahos, Dick Lane, Larry Hubbart, Larry Price, James Walden, "King Kong" Cahvez, Bill Stephen, Mike Massey, James Evans.
I'll add some more later. I'm going to be late picking up the kids.


I will concede you the ones that I boldened. The others I either played or are too much of a stretch or are strictly straight pool players.
Charlie Brinson, Bill Dunsmore, Earl Herring, Don Steele, Howie Pearl, Frank Tullos, Nick Vlahos, Bill Stephen, Seth Brown, Dave Williams. Dont know them.

Don Willis, 1965 pretty much retired. Rotation Slim, in his 80's in the 60's. Titanic Thompson, in his 70's in the 60s. Johnny Irish, dead in 1962. Johnny Vives, was doped out and wouldnt play me on the 5x10 in his own joint. James Evans? He fought in the Civil War. George Rood? Never left Ohio after 50s. Jimmy Moore? Way over the hill in 1965.

the Beard
 

fred bentivegna

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chicago illinois
Another good batch

Another good batch

Terry Ardeno said:
Freddie,
Sorry I had to rush off. I typed like I was double parked and I'm sorry for some of the mis-spelled names.
Round 2...Junior Goff, Jack Cooney, Donnie Anderson, Joey Spaeth, Eddie Burton,Joe Kerr, Lou Butera, Marshall Carpenter, Danny Gartner, Warren Costanza, Louie Roberts, Junior Harris, Al "New York Blackie" Bonife, George or Paulie Jansco, Rudolph Wanderone, Sonny Springer, Ray Martin, Cicero Murphy, Jimmy Reid, Mike Sigel, Nick Varner, Earl Strickland, Larry Lisciotti, Eddie Taylor, Alton Whitlow, "Detriot Whitey" Eddie Buechene (SP?), Maurice "Tugboat" Whaley, Jimmy Caras (WAS STILL PLAYING Freddie :) ), Allen Hopkins, Ed Kelly, Jose Parica, Jose Garcia, Pat Fleming, Bobby Hunter, Ralph Guest, Norm The Farmer" Weber, Cole Dixon, Jeff Carter, Mark Beilfus, Jack Breit, Tom Jennings, George Fels, David Matlock, Gene Nagy, Richie Richeson, Toby Fleharty,...these next several are stupid picks on my part but just in case by some rare fluke that you guys missed each other: Truman Hogue, John Brumback, Marvin Henderson, Ike Runnels & Glen Rogers.

I concede the boldened names, the rest I played or were straight poolers or before my time.

Joe Kerr? Who did Joe ever gamble with?
Danny Gartner. Over the hill in the 60s
Junior Harris. Dont know him
George and Paulie Jansco. You need to be missing limbs for them to play you.
Tugboat Whaley. In his 70's in the 60s.
Jose Garcia? Dont know him.
Ralph Guest? Dont know him.
Ray Martin, Cisero, Jimmy Caras, Pat Fleming, Tom Jennings, all straight pool only players. I played all the rest.

the Beard
 

fred bentivegna

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chicago illinois
you got one

you got one

glee said:
Great post Fred, heres a few
Clem Metz
Shorty Johnson
Jack Perkins
Jonnny Vivis
Keith Ryan
J. C. Chapman
Ed Kelly
Jack Coony
Bucktooth


Never played Jack Perkins. He was very careful who he played anyway. Keith Ryan, I didnt know him. Tangled with all the rest.

the Beard
 

NH Steve

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fred bentivegna said:
I will concede you the ones that I boldened. The others I either played or are too much of a stretch or are strictly straight pool players.
Charlie Brinson, Bill Dunsmore, Earl Herring, Don Steele, Howie Pearl, Frank Tullos, Nick Vlahos, Bill Stephen, Seth Brown, Dave Williams. Dont know them.

Don Willis, 1965 pretty much retired. Rotation Slim, in his 80's in the 60's. Titanic Thompson, in his 70's in the 60s. Johnny Irish, dead in 1962. Johnny Vives, was doped out and wouldnt play me on the 5x10 in his own joint. James Evans? He fought in the Civil War. George Rood? Never left Ohio after 50s. Jimmy Moore? Way over the hill in 1965.

the Beard
Nick was one of the top pool talents to ever develop up here in the Boston area. Early on he was called Nick 'The Indian' -- although he wasn't very Indian, at least I don't think he was... Spent some time on the road when he was young, but I'm not sure how far he ranged.

Unfortunately, he quit pool for about ten years, that would have been his prime years. He told me he got disallusioned when he was called to the poolroom to play some guy, when he was home in bed tangling with a good looking girl. He did get out of bed and went to the poolroom, which turned out to be a disappointment. That experience pissed him off enough that he pretty much quit, until he came out of retirement to dabble in the newly formed Joss Tour.

Triple unfortunately, he died just a few years later from a brain tumour -- he was way too young. Wicked nice guy, too.
 

gulfportdoc

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Harry "The Hook"?

Harry "The Hook"?

Freddie, was the "New York Harry" Cohen you referred to also known as Harry "The Hook"? There was a New York Harry who used to gamble around L.A. in the 60's who played all cue games strong. That may have been Cohen. I know he was Jewish. He knew well Hollywood Jack, Louie "The Magic Man" St. Pierre, and all the other usual suspects. Anyway, I wondered if it was the same guy.

You must have played Hollywood Jack. How about Phillipino Gene Ventura up in the SF Bay area?

Doc
 

fred bentivegna

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chicago illinois
Harry Cohen

Harry Cohen

gulfportdoc said:
Freddie, was the "New York Harry" Cohen you referred to also known as Harry "The Hook"? There was a New York Harry who used to gamble around L.A. in the 60's who played all cue games strong. That may have been Cohen. I know he was Jewish. He knew well Hollywood Jack, Louie "The Magic Man" St. Pierre, and all the other usual suspects. Anyway, I wondered if it was the same guy.

You must have played Hollywood Jack. How about Phillipino Gene Ventura up in the SF Bay area?

Doc

Im not sure if its the same guy, Doc. Harry was a real creep, much disliked. Played real good 3 cushion and real good 1 handed 3 cush. Decent 1 pocket. I must have played Hollywood Jack, but I dont seem to remember doing it. He played at Celebrity Billiards right? If so, I had to have played him. Phillipino Gene and I never got down.
the Beard
 

100andout

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I don't know too many from back in the day Freddie and I'm from the north east...

Jimmy Mats
Lou Johnson (Delaware)
Delaware dogs
Russell Parsons
Andy Toth
Dave Daya
Florida Bob Maidhoff
Kevin Milbourne
Don Polo

spelling might be a bit off, but thats all I can think of right now.

Gerry
 

fred bentivegna

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chicago illinois
Northeast

Northeast

100andout said:
I don't know too many from back in the day Freddie and I'm from the north east...

Jimmy Mats
Lou Johnson (Delaware)
Delaware dogs
Russell Parsons
Andy Toth
Dave Daya
Florida Bob Maidhoff
Kevin Milbourne
Don Polo

spelling might be a bit off, but thats all I can think of right now.

Gerry

I played the least amount of players from the Northeast. I dont know any of the players above except Bob Maidoff, who I did play. Does anybody else know those guys? Remember, straightpool specialists dont count.

the Beard
 

suki

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Santa Cruz, Ca.
That is an amazing list

That is an amazing list

On its face I would say no human being could remember that many people he played. I guess some people have unreal recall. Me, I can't remember much after my marriiage.
I will point out one thing though that makes the list suspect. You list One Eye Hank Hurst. You could not have played in from 1965-1990. He committed suicide in 1961. So how old are you Freddy? It is hard to believe you gambled with him in S.F. at that early age and I know Hank didn't go anywhere. He was my best friend from 1956.
 

glee

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fred bentivegna said:
Never played Jack Perkins. He was very careful who he played anyway. Keith Ryan, I didnt know him. Tangled with all the rest.

the Beard
Keth Ryan Kans City Mo. Isis Pool Hall, Clem gave him a ball, Clem lost, How did you match up with Clem?
Angus McDonald, probably around L.A in the late 60's he was mentioned in the book " Off the Rail" about Okie Sams age.
Mexican Phil, probably not, he was a basket case in the late 60's.
 
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