150 BALLS RUN Irving Crane vs Joseph Balsis U S Open 14 1 Championship 1966 FINALS

[@RJMEL24]

Joe was from my hometown of Minersville, PA and hadn’t played pool in 15 years before he inherited his father’s pool room and decided to get back in the game in the early 60’s. Myself and and a number of my high school friends ( Balsis’s Boys) became his practice folder for about 6 months to a year before he reentered professional billiards. He quickly regained his prowess and for the rest of the 60’s was regarded as one of the best in the world at straight pool. Can tell you countless stories of the greats that visited this small coal town to take him on. I think he was the first professional straight ball shooter who ever went 150 and out in a tournament in Las Vegas. And yes, he told me Minnesota Fats was a hustler (mostly celebrities) who didn’t belong on the same table with most of the greats of his era.

[@capacola262743]

did he say anything about Mosconi?

[@matthewg9205]

That's a cool story. Thanks for sharing

[@RJMEL24]

@@capacola262743 Yes, they were friends and he said he was a fierce competitor. Willie is regarded as the GOAT of professional Billiards (pool). Willie actually came to this small community to make the speech inducting Joe into the PA Sports Hall of Fame. He introduced me to Willie at that event. Willie was originally from Philly about 100 miles away and Joe and Willie’s friendship appeared to go way back.

[@anthonycilano9694]

Irving Crane, from my home town of Rochester, NY, home of several great pool players.

[@oldschool4456]

Ran into him once at Ridge Billiards, when I was a teenager. He saw me shooting and gave me a few pointers.

[@timippolito1182]

I was thinking he was from Rochester. Close by to me. I had a 4.5' x 9' Irving Crane 3 piece slate pool table..

[@johnsalvatore5595]

This is such an enjoyable matchjust the way they conduct themselves to way they dress the way the commentator calls the game the people in the seats are all so knowledgeable this is really an enjoyment to watch

[@Downecker]

Players had class back then ! No showboating or jumping on the pool table after a win !😂 Today, forget about it!😮😢

[@Mosconi526]

Does anyone have any footage like this of Mosconi running racks and winning?

[@Noejjkkkj]

I guess not…

[@justinv6410]

When I hear Irving Crane, I always remember Willie Mosconi’s words on how Crane would only shoot a shot his grandmother could make. Anything else and he’d play a safety 😂 It’s a way to play.

[@nickbonvino]

I love Willie but I have to disagree after seeing this performance! Crane can play!

[@justinv6410]

@@nickbonvino oh I agree. Love watching Crane play and I prefer a defensive style myself but I’m just writing what Willie Mosconi said and he knew Irving Crane a lot better than just a few matches. You can feel the impatience of a Mosconi who was an offensive machine gun having to sit and watch Crane take his time with each shot and play safety after safety ? 😂

[@johnschmidtmr400]

people always say they didnt have fast cloth.not true.this cloth very fast.the players today run 150s on diamonds.on these tables they would do it even more.fields much much much deeper now.crane would be another solid player today but not a standout.

[@jamescathcart4762]

I don't know about that. Just curious. I wonder how many of todays players can run 150 and out on national TV? It sure is interesting to wonder!

[@snoopyshultz]

pockets were easier to cheat on these tables according to the people who played on them