Untold Stories: Ralph Greenleaf

Mosconi and Greenleaf -- TOGETHER

2011-01-07T17:32:00.001-08:00

Billiard Champs Entertain The Troops

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Will the wonders of the Internet never cease? I just came across this very cool footage of legends Willie Mosconi and Ralph Greenleaf sharing an exhibition stage. (Click here to see it.) Willie appears to be at the peak of his abilities. Greenleaf looks hung over. The footage, from a website called British Pathe, was shot during a performance for injured troops at Gardner General Hospital, in Chicago. I suspect this footage was taken in January 1944, as it was in that month that Mosconi and Greenleaf went on a four-city tour together. Two months later Mosconi would be inducted into the army. Six years later, Greenleaf would be dead.

The two also reportedly joined together for a tour in 1934, shortly after Mosconi's debut in world competition. Willie told biographer Stanley Cohen that Greenleaf was drunk for much of it. But even still, Greenleaf's staggering ability seemed undiminished. "I don't know how he did it," Willie said. "Even on long shots he seemed to be able to feel a ball right into the pocket, to shoot it just hard enough without banging away. It was like watching a virtuoso playing a violin, just beautiful."

You can also read about Greenleaf and Mosconi in The Hustler & The Champ.

-- R.A. Dyer

The History of Pool Cue Abuse

2010-03-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

Earl Strickland's emotional outbursts have earned him a lot of criti cism over the years. But judging from internet traffic, they also have brought a lot of attention to the sport. As of March 7, 2010, the image of Earl smashing his pool cue in frustration during a Mosconi Cup event has been viewed 181,233 times (181,238 if you count the five times I watched it that day). I've included the video, above, for your amusement.

But know that Earl is not alone for engaging in such over-the-top antics. Some of the very greatest players in our sport have been known to snap a cue -- or worse -- in a fit of pique. Check out, for instance, the article at right. It describes the great Ralph Greenleaf breaking his cue during a match-up with Mosconi. This occurred in 1945, during what would turn out to be Greenleaf's last world championship confrontation with Mosconi. At the time, Greenleaf was clearly in decline while Willie was on the way up.

There's also a story in The Hustler and The Champ that describes an angry Mosconi brandishing his cue like a spear during a 1965 tournament.

-- R.A. Dyer

Untold Stories in Billiards Digest: Greenleaf questioned in murder before winning first title

2009-09-06T17:48:00.000-07:00

Shortly before winning his first national title, pool legend Ralph Greenleaf was picked up by police as part of their investigation into a grisly murder. The young victim had been abducted, possibly tortured, and then ... beheaded. You can read more about the infamous murder and the celebrated champion in my Untold Stories column in this month's Billiards Digest. An earlier column described the end of Greenleaf's career. This latest column is about its beginning -- and Greenleaf's startling detention.

Two stories about Greenleaf's marital problems.

2009-08-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Here are two stories about Ralph Greenleaf's marital problems. They include references to a missing tooth, a hurled ashtray, Greenleaf surrendering all his money to one his wives and "barbarous treatment." Both articles are from the Chicago Tribune. The first article identifies Greenleaf's wife as "Beatrice." It's from Dec. 24, 1924. The second is from December 20, 1933 -- almost exactly 9 years later -- and references the more well known of Greenleaf's wives, Amelia Ruth Parker, also known as the Princess Nai Tai Tai. She was a Vaudeville performer. I've referenced the hurled ashtray incident in an earlier post. You can also see a picture of Greenleaf with the Princess in that earlier post. Despite the divorce papers, Amelia Ruth Parker and Greenleaf remained together until his death in 1950.

America's Best Ever Pool Player? You Decide

2009-08-07T06:36:00.001-07:00

Who is America's best ever pool player? The poll on the top right of the pool history blog lists some all-time favorites, including recent Hall of Fame inductee Johnny Archer. I've left Willie Hoppe off the list because he was known as one of the best-ever billiards players, as opposed to one of the best-ever pool players. Neither have I included one of my personal favorites, Efren "Bata" Reyes. As he's from the Philippines, I figured I'd save him for a future poll of the greatest international players. I've also tried to get a good mix of players from different eras. (Van Boening vs. Greenleaf?!) Vote early. Vote often. I'll leave the poll up for awhile. Also, if you have a write-in candidate, feel free to comment at the bottom of this post. I'll tally up the write-ins later, along with those listed on the ballot.

2009-08-04T06:41:00.001-07:00

Although he was one of the most recognizable sports figures of the Jazz Age, the great Ralph Greenleaf nonetheless would inexplicably vanish from time to time during his later years. In one of my recent columns, I wrote about Greenleaf going AWOL in 1946. He showed up later. He was probably on an extended bender. I've reproduced here a small portion of another article from the Chicago Tribune that references "a nation-wide search" for Greenleaf in 1936. According to the article, Greenleaf showed up inexplicably in a neighborhood pool hall, where he introduced himself as the "former world's champion billiards player." The patrons said he amazed the crowd with a number of "fancy shots" before vanishing once again.

A Willie Mosconi & Ralph Greenleaf Mystery

2009-07-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Here's a mystery. In 1934, shortly after Willie Mosconi and Ralph Greenleaf competed together in a national championship, the two icons supposedly went on the road together. Mosconi told stories about the road trip in his biography, written with Stanley Cohen. Both Mosconi and Greenleaf supposedly had been contracted by Brunswick Billiards to promote the sport during a series of exhibition matches.

Here's the mystery part: as far as I know, no one has ever produced any sort of independent confirmation of this long series of exhibition matches. I myself have gone through hundreds of articles in the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and elsewhere, but have never come across a reference. I've asked a few other guys about this -- including pool historians Charles Ursitti and Mike Shamos -- and they agree that they've never come across any any sort of advertisement or news article to provide independent confirmation of the 1934 Greenleaf and Mosconi tour.

The problem may be that without a description of when and where these exhibition matches were played, it's hard to know in which newspapers to look, and in which editions. So I put it to the blogosphere: Has anyone out there hoarded an old article or advertisement from their hometown newspaper? Or how about this: Does anyone even KNOW anybody who's still alive who knew Ralph Greenleaf or his wife, the Princess Nai Tai Tai? I recently wrote about Harold Houle. But such folks are now tough to find.

Ralph Greenleaf is a Camel Man

2009-06-12T14:15:00.001-07:00

Here's a cool image of Ralph Greenleaf from a 1938 print advertisement for Camel cigarettes. You can find similar images of billiards related advertising at the 3cushion.com website. This site also has plenty of information for collectors and three-cushion enthusiasts.

Greenleaf in Delaware

2009-05-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

There's a very brief article in this book about Ralph Greenleaf's 1926 encounter with a young Jimmy Caras. The article indicates that Ralph lived in Delaware for a time, and that his father operated the Royal Billiard Parlor at 8th and Market. The Great Delaware Sports Book is by Doug Gelbert and is available on Amazon.

Time Magazine: Greenleaf and his Princess

2009-05-12T06:24:00.001-07:00

There's a great story online from the Jan 1, 1934 edition of Time Magazine relating the story of Greenleaf's appearance in the world championship that year. Apparently Ralph was drunk and close to divorce. The story describes bruises on Greenleaf's head -- apparently from ashtrays hurled by his wife, the Princess Nai Tai Tai.

Here's an excerpt:

More astonishing than (Irwin) Rudolph's victory was the complete disintegration of handsome, suave Ralph Greenleaf, who had won the championship twelve times. ... It was the first game Greenleaf had lost in three years of championship play. All but two other opponents found him an easy mark. To pool enthusiasts the spectacle was pitiful, particularly the after noon when Greenleaf, always the well-mannered sportsman, appeared for his match with Jimmy Caras in no condition to play. Apparently drunk, he loudly protested that Caras had shoved rather than shot the cue ball in making one point. The referee waved Greenleaf away. When he continued to argue the referee disqualified him.

Ralph Greenleaf in Lancaster, PA

2009-04-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

Mr. Coby Atkins writes in with a story about Ralph Greenleaf. He also has a great idea about visiting the retirement homes in his area for more information. Notice at the bottom he describes a shot that appears very similar to the "Jersey Red" one-pocket shot. I had always heard that Jersey Red was credited with that shot but maybe Ralph Greenleaf was shooting it even earlier.

Here's Mr. Atkins note:

Hello Mr. Dyer,

I am 55 years old and have lived most of my days in Lancaster, PA. As a young pool enthusiast, I often sought out the old timers to, hopefully, steal a tip or a secret to mastering the game of Pocket Billiards.

As published in the Billiard Digest, Mr. Greenleaf had written a letter of complaint to Brunswick from Lancaster. I don’t know what the date of that letter was, but that helps in putting into perspective the stories I had heard regarding Mr. Greenleaf’s stay here in Lancaster.

One of those “Old Timers” was Ducky Gilbert. He was probably about the same age as Mr. Greenleaf. I had met Ducky in the early ‘70’s, perhaps ’73 or ’74, and he was in his early 70’s himself. Three Cushion Billiards was his game and he was much better than average. Ducky always claimed it was Ralph Greenleaf who showed him the way to better Billiards. One of his stories was that Mr. Greenleaf never had any money. He would start his day by entering the poolroom on Queen Street and borrow a one dollar bill. He would then lay the bill on the table at the Brunswick Logo and ask for bets as too him shooting a spot shot (object ball on the foot spot and cue ball on the head spot) and after pocketing the object ball, the cue ball would stop on the dollar bill. Apparently Mr. Greenleaf was extremely proficient at the shot and very, very rarely failed. This story was verified by Peter DeLaurentis, who would have been in his early twenties at that time.

In York, PA, there is a private Men’s Club called the Yankee Athletic Association. A very cool place to play. When I was first introduced to the Club in 1975, there were 4 Brunswick Centennials in a theater setting with 150 point wires over each table. One of the bartenders was an “Old Timer” with white hair, in which they called (get this) “Whitey”. Having no idea Whitey even played pool, he began to tell me about Mr. Greenleaf, when he found out I was from Lancaster. He said that someone would usually have to bring Mr. Greenleaf over to the Yankee, because he did not have his own transportation. The Club Membership had many accomplished players, of which, Whitey was of the best. He described Mr. Greenleaf’s stroke in that he always aimed the tip of his cue low on the cue ball before following through to the point of contact. He, also, said that Mr. Greenleaf was all but mediocre, at best, until he had at least two drinks in him.

Both Ducky and Whitey, both, told me it was Mr. Greenleaf who showed them the double kiss bank off the long rail. Cue ball in the kitchen (or near that whereabouts), Object ball frozen to the rail one diamond or so above the side pocket. Shoot medium speed just to the upper side of the center of the object ball. Object ball will double kiss back into the rail and bank into the lower corner pocket. I’ve used it many times during one pocket games and have seen it used only once against me ever.

There are more and I’m probably not the only new young old timer with these second hand stories or memories.

All these folks are gone. But, before it may be too late. I was considering entering a small "request for information" ad in a few of the retirement villages and homes in Lancaster County. There just might be someone left in the area who has some memories of that time.

Would I be wasting my time? Is there any special type of notice I should arrange? Do you have any suggestions? Would you be interested in any of this information, if there is some to be found?

I’m sure all of it would be hearsay, but would make for some great scuttlebutt.

Two Balls and the Silver Dollar

2009-04-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Reader John Kirchel writes in about a story he heard from old-timer Hal Houle, who is the subject of of one of my Untold Stories columns in Billiards Digest. Houle used to run around with Greenleaf, when Greenleaf was nearing the end of his tragic career.

Houle didn't tell me this story, exactly, although he told me similar ones. In the story Houle relates Kirchel, Greenleaf was probably drunk. He may also have been into opium.

I'll let Kirchel relate the rest:

"He (Greenleaf) walked into a hall and started making proposition bets. As the negotiating got to be ridiculous, he bet someone that he could throw 2 balls and a silver dollar out on the table randomly. The bet was after running the two balls he would stop the cue ball so that it was touching the silver dollar. Back in that time people did not carry large sums of money so the bet was agreed at $100 (which in today's value would be easily a thousand).

"Needless to say (Greenleaf) had no issues sinking the first ball and when it came to the second it looked as though he was on the wrong side to get to the coin. The assumed winner started grinning from ear to ear but it quickly faded as the second ball fell and the cue ball traveled 3 rails and crawled up to the coin and pushing it ever so slightly as it came to a stop. The hall erupted with cheers and Ralph took it in stride."

Ralph Greenleaf lawsuit (1947)

2007-09-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Ralph Greenleaf (lawsuit)

2007-09-18T20:14:00.000-07:00

Ralph Greenleaf lawsuit (1947)

2007-09-18T20:12:00.000-07:00

Another from Greenleaf Lawsuit

2007-09-18T20:11:00.000-07:00

This is a page from a 1947 lawsuit between Greenleaf and Brunswick

2007-09-18T20:08:00.000-07:00

A partial timeline of Ralph Greenleaf's career

2007-09-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

Beginning on Page 11 in testimony provided by Ralph Greenleaf in his lawsuit with the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., the former champion partially details the highlights of a his tournament and exhibition career. The testimony was filed on June 9, 1947 in U.S. District Court. Notice he mentions owning a farmhouse in Maryland.

Here's an excerpt:

"Plaintiff did not compete in the 1935 championship pocket billiard tournament because of illness, nor in the 1938 championship pocket billiard tournament because he had played in two championship tournaments and a challenge round in 1937 and was of the opinion that the 1938 tournament followed too closely the other contests and because plantiff's health was not good at that time. ...

"Plaintiff particpated in pocket billairds exhibition matches at or about the times, and the places, and for the amounts specified below:

December 21, 1946, Elks Club, Red Lion, Pennyslvania -- $50.00.

December 22, 1946, Red Lion Billiards Room, Red Lion, Pennsylvania -- $50.00

January 7, 1947, C.J. Perry Lodge (Elks) 1416 North Broad Street, Philadelphia -- $120.00.

January 15, 1947, Pachellis' Pocket Billiards Room, 715 North 23rd Street, Phladelphia, Pennsylvania -- $50.00

January 28, 1947, C.J. Perry Lodge (Elks) 1416 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- $100.00

February 4, 1947, Pachelli's Pocket Billiards Room, 715 Noreth 23rd Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- $40.00

February 11-14 (incl.) 1947, Paragon Billiards Academy, Vineland, New Jersey -- $100.

February 19, 1947, Deighans Sports Centre, 811 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey -- $95.00

March 4, 1947, Mr. Holly Billiard Academy, Mt. Holly, New Jersey -- $60.00.

March 12, 1947, Beverly Pool Room, 409 Warren Street, Beverly, New Jersey -- $35.00

March 18-19, 1947, Church of Lacy of Pompeii, 6th Street and Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- $50.00

March 25, 1947, Bing Billiards room, Pleasantville, New Jersey -- $40.00

March 26, 1947, Ross Billiard Academy, 19 North Carolina Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey -- $60.00

April 1, 1947, Notty Pine Billiards room, Hammonton, New Jersey -- $50.00

April 8-9, 1947, Madison Recreation room, Perth Ambody, New Jersey -- $125.00

April 13, 1947, Brunswick Recreation room, New Brunswick, New Jersey -- $60.00

April 24, 1947, Ralph's Billiards, Heightstown, New Jersey -- $55.00

May 1, 1947, Spottswood Recreation room, Spottswood, New Jersey -- $60.00

May 6, 1947, Juliustown Inn, Juliustown, New Jersey -- $50.00

May 10, 1947, Veterans of Foreign Wars Club, Burlington, New Jersey -- $50.00

May 28, 1947, Moose Bluc, Burlington, New Jersey -- $40.00

"In addition to the foregoing, on or about February 1, 1947, plaintiff received from Frank Lanza, trading as Victor Billiard Co., Broad and Reed Streets, Philadeplhia Pennsylvania, the sum of $500.000 in connection with a contract by the terms of which plaintiff granted to Lanza exclusively the right to manufacture and distribute a "Greenleaf" billiard cue. ...

"In addition to playing certain exhibition matches, described below, plaintiff pariticpated in four championship tournaments conducted by defendant -- either in the name of the defendant, or in the name of Billiard Association of America -- as follows:

1. The pocket billiard tournament held at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in December 1941.

2. The three-cushhion carom billiard tournament held at Chicago, Illinois, in February, 1942.

3. The pocket billiard tournament held at Detroit, Michigan in December, 1942.

4. The three-cushion carom billiard touirnament held at New York City, New York in December, 1944.

"Plaintiff has no record of the sums paid to him by defendant for his participation in these tournaments.

"During the period of January to December, 1941, plaintiff was traveling from Salt Lake City, Utah to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and played exhibition matches in various cities and towns in the states of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Illinois.

"Plaintiff estimates that during this period he played 120 exhibition matches for an average of $50.00 per match. These mathes were played in pool and billiard rooms and clubs and hotels the names of which in most part plaintiff is unable to give. Then ames recalled byplaintiff at this time are : George Cates' Billaird Room in Salt Lake City, Utah; the Elks Club in Pocatello, Idaho, Sarconis' billiard room and the Athletic Club and the Denver Club, In Denver, Colorado; Homes Recreation Academy and Wrankicks Bilaird Academy in OMaha, Nebraska; Mason and Heir Billiard Academy in Monmouth, Illinois; Bensingers' Billiard Academy in Chicago, Illinois and Manley's Billiard Academy at 16th and Chestun Streets, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."

"During the priod from December, 1941 to December 1942, plaintiff played exhibitions mmatches in the city of New York and in Waterbury, Connecticut, the estimated total of which is seventy, at an average of $60.00 each. Many of these matches were played at Julian's, 14th Street Billiard Academy, in New York City, New York, and in the Brooklyn Billiard Academy, in Brooklyn, New York.

"During the period from December, 1942 to December 1944, plaintiff was engaged in war work at the plants of the Ford Motor Company at the Palmar Bee Company in Detroit, MIchigan. During this period, plaintiff estimates that he played about thrity exhibition matches in the City of Detroit at an average of about $40.00 per match.

"During the period of December, 1944 to about April 1, 1945, plaintiff was principally engaged in playing exhibition pocket billaird matches and championship challenge matches with William Mosconi, under the auspices of the defendant. These matches were played principally at McGirrs Billiard Academy, 51st Street and Broadway, New York City, New York; Madison Recreation Academy, Perth Amboy, New Jersey; Strand Billiard Academy, New York City, New York; Kleins' Billiard Academy, Baltimore, Maryland; Browns' Billiard Academy, Wilmington, Deleware; Kling and Allens Billiard Academy, Kansas City, Kansas; Detoirt Recreation Academy, Detoirt, Michigan, and Bensinger's Billiard Academy in Chicago, Illiinois. Plaintiff estimates that during this period he played about 30 matches at an average of $75.00 per match.

"During the period from aboiut April 1, 1945 to July 1, 1945, plaintiff was principally engaged in playing exhibition matches in the southeastern states of the United States under the direction of Edgar G. Spears of 151 Nassau Street, Atlanta, Georgia. Plaintiff estimates that during this period he played about fifty matches at an average of $50.00 per match.

"During the period from July 1 to about September 1, 1945, plaintiff was traveling from the state of Georgia to plaintiff's farmhouse near Bozman on the Eastern Shore, State of Maryland. Plaintiff estimates that during this period he played about twenty-five pocket billiard exhibition matches in various billiard and poool room on the route from Atlanta, Georgia to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Plaintiff is unable to give the names of these billiard and pool rooms, or of the propreitors thereof, or the exact amount of compensation received, because of lack of records, but plaintiff estimates that his average receipts from said twenty-five matches were $40,00 per match.

"During the priod from September 1, 1945, to January 1, 1946, plaintiff remained at his said farmhouse. Plaintiff estimates that during this period he played about ten pocket billiard exhibition martches, at an average of about $40.00 per match, in billiard and pool rooms in and around the town of Bozman, State of Maryland.

"During the priod from Januray 1, 1946 to December 3, 1946, plaintiff resided in the cities of Philadelphia and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Plaintiff estimates that during this period he played about 90 pocket billiards exhibgition matches in various billiard and pool rooms in and around the cities of Philadelphia and Lancaster, at an average of about $50.00 per match. The names and location of said billiard and pool rooms, or of the propreitors thereof, which plaintiff at this time is able to give are as follows:

Grossman Bros. Billaird rooms at 11th and Chestnut Streets and 8th and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Longo's Billiard Academy, 5th and South Streets, Philadelphia,.

Mason's Billiard room, 1710 South 7th Street, Philadelphia.

Iacono's Billiard Room, 1408 South Broad Street, Philadelphia.

The Brotherhood Club, 16th and Lombard Streets, Philadelphia.

Levin's BIlliard Room, 5601 North 5th Street, Philadelphia.

20th Century Billiard Room, 3001 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia.

C. J. Perry Lodge (Elks) 1416 North Broad Street, Philadelphia.

The Elks Club, Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The Eagles Club, Norristown, Pennyslvania.

Hampilo's Recreation Academy, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The York Billiard Academy, York, Pennsylvania.

"In addition to the above, plaintiff played matches in billiard and pool rooms located in Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Reading, Millersburg, Mechanicsburg, Steelton, Coatesville, LeMoyne, Columbia, Wrightsville, Hershey, Carlisle and Lebanon, allin Pennyslvania.

"Plaintiff is unable to give more precise or more detailed information as to names of persons, dates of payments received or amounts of payments received in answer to this interrrogatory because of lack of records."
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