Willie Mosconi is considered one of the greatest pocket pool players of all time. His many trick shots are what make him a legend in pocket pool. He holds several world records. His skills, along with his good looks, combined to make him an icon for the sport.
Willie Mosconi is a Philadelphia native who was born on June 27, 1913. Joseph, his dad, was a fighter boxer. Helen O'Reilly, Helen's mother, was homemaker. Willie was first introduced to pool when he was young. At age six, he started competing in tournaments. His experience in tournaments led him to becoming a professional billiards player.
In the 1930s, Willie started playing for cash. He earned between $10,000-$15,000 per year. His earnings increased dramatically after the Great Depression. His success enabled him to provide for his family in times of need. Gloria, his child, was born to him in 1953. She went on to become an accounting professional. Paul, her younger son, became an accountant.
Mosconi embarked on a cross-country tour of exhibitions in the middle 1950s. During this tour, he met Ralph Greenleaf. Greenleaf declined to play against Mosconi. However, he accepted. While on the tour, Mosconi had a great run. He sank 526 consecutive baseballs during the tour. The record was later confirmed.
Willie Mosconi wrote instructional books on the game eventually. These books include Willie Mosconi, Pocket Billiards (Ziff-Davis Publishing Company), 1948, and Winning Pocket Billiards [Crown Publishers], 1959].
He wrote many articles on the game of billiards. He was a consultant to the Brunswick Corporation. He also appeared in a variety of television games.
Mosconi had been active in the promotion of the sport before his death from heart disease in 1984. Apart from his work for the Brunswick Corporation, Mosconi also played the role of a stakes holder on the 1961 film "The Hustler", in which he played Minnesota Fats. He was also the technical adviser for the 1961 movie.
Willie Mosconi was a key player in the introduction of billiards to new audiences. At the end his life, he won thirteen World Championships. He was inducted into Straight Pool Hall of Fame.
Despite his fame Willie Mosconi was a terrible person who hated the life in a pool hall. He traveled across the country to participate in tournaments. He was also a rival to Fast Eddie Felson of Minnesota Fats.
He was an avid fan. He wrote articles on pool. He tried to distance it from the image it has been associated with, which is that of drunken people. He was a member of American Billiard Congress. He contributed significantly to the growth and development of the sport.
Willie Mosconi, an adult, coached Paul Newman on the art of the billiards. He was well-known on television and in movies. One of his most memorable performances came in the George Thorogood music video for "Bad to the Bone".
At 64, Mosconi suffered a heart attack and died. Ann, his wife was remarried.