Fats vs Mosconi: The Greatest Pool Shoot-Out

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  • Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
  • ** Most watched pool match in U.S. history **
    Firstly, SORRY FOR THE LOW QUALITY!
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    The Hustler and The Champ - Willie Mosconi, Minnesota Fats, And The Rivalry That Defined Pool
    Before TV cameras, Howard Cosell, and 20 million Americans, pool’s greatest champion would challenge its greatest hustler. The date: February 14, 1978. The stakes: honor, a legacy, the true meaning of a sport. R.A. Dyer, the award-winning author of Hustler Days, tells the improbable but true story of pool’s two most important players and of a single match that captured the public’s imagination like none other, before or since. Willie Mosconi stood for artistry, Minnesota Fats for show business; Mosconi brought dignity to pool, Fats made it fun. When they came together for the most watched pool match in American history, the results would be explosive.
    #The great shootout
    Willie Mosconi was pool's greatest champion - the winner of 15 world titles, the holder of records that have remained undisturbed for generations. Minnesota Fats was pool's most important trickster, a man who built his fame and fortune upon deceipt and guile. In 1978, both men came together for what would become the most viewed pocket billiards match in American history. Before a breathless nation, pool’s two most important personalities set out to prove who really was best.
    Mosconi may have been remembered as one of the most dominant sports figures of all time, a man who had laid low some of the greatest players in history-but no one would pose a greater threat to his legacy than the man-child Minnesota Fats. So when the consummate perfectionist and the unapologetic gambler finally went head to head for what Howard Cosell described as one of the most fascinating televised segments he ever hosted, all of America would ask the same question: Who would win?
    The Hustler & The Champ tells of both men’s hardscrabble march to greatness, of their bitter decades-long rivalry, and finally of the televised shoot-out that revealed pocket billiards to millions even as it exposed the deep contradictions within all of organized competition. Through the 1920s, the Great Depression, and the resurgent 1960s, R.A. Dyer follows the lives of both men and tells the story of America’s conflicted love affair with the sport of rogues.
    #Support author and buy this book:
    Hustler & The Champ: Willie Mosconi, Minnesota Fats, And The Rivalry That Defined Pool:
    www.amazon.com/...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 141

  • @c.johnson3426
    @c.johnson3426 Рік тому +8

    i remember this match.. it was on abc tv in 78. my mom made me go to my room initially but my uncle convinced her to let me watch it because it was sports related. mans i learned how to trash talk watching this match.. it was like hearing Richard Pryor. perform. some great stuff.

    • @mgcuniverse9037
      @mgcuniverse9037 8 місяців тому

      Fats was like a rapper before rappers

    • @jameson71
      @jameson71 6 місяців тому +1

      @@mgcuniverse9037 Both being from the streets of New York probably has a lot to do with that

  • @jimthescotsman
    @jimthescotsman 6 років тому +3

    iPool. I remember saying somewhere to somebody the word speechless Oh I'm speechless. But every time in my years alive saying it I realise now that I never meant it, I was still able to talk. This video here though has left me out of oxygen total shocked this exists. I cannot believe I'm watching this and the entertainment is priceless. I thought earl the pearl had a mouth. Awesome seeing Minnesota Fats bring out a stack of cash. Thanks for uploading this film you have made me a very happy individual today.

  • @louisskulnik7390
    @louisskulnik7390 Рік тому +5

    We needed Carroll O’Connor to play Fats in a true biopic. Just watched “The Hustler” for the first time last night. (The restaurant where I work in New Orleans has the Jackie Gleason pool cue hanging on the wall.)

  • @Downecker
    @Downecker 6 місяців тому +2

    Ouch ! It hurts watching these guys, past their prime ! Such legends ! 😊

  • @lkw3695
    @lkw3695 2 роки тому +15

    The style and way the players played then is so different than now. Legends.

    • @jesuscorrales9471
      @jesuscorrales9471 8 місяців тому

      I think they learned from them

    • @do_notknow_much
      @do_notknow_much 8 місяців тому +1

      Mosconi used a slip stroke. It was his key to start the cue action.
      ...He hold's the cue forward with his right hand, but when he starts his final stroke to hit the cue ball, his hand slides/slips back a few inches.
      ...Also Mosconi's posture is still excellent.
      ...Bridge hand - dominant aiming eye - and cue holding hand are all in beautiful alignment.
      ...And a very smooth tempo.

    • @wilkamania
      @wilkamania 8 місяців тому

      My friend and I were just discussing this. Watching pool players from the 80s and 90s, it seems like you could tell differences in their styles and approach. Also personalities. Now it seems everyone shoots the exact same way and are all copies of each other (there are exceptions). Not that there's anything wrong with that as they are just refined versions of technique, but it's not as fun to watch. Sigel, strickland, Reyes, Bustamante, Archer, etc etc etc, all great players to watch.

  • @aaronlewis5063
    @aaronlewis5063 2 місяці тому

    The trash talking with these two is hilarious. I

  • @musiclover1937
    @musiclover1937 7 років тому +7

    Willie Mosconi fifteen world championships and also three runnerups. Hard to top. The best ever

    • @Neurotik51
      @Neurotik51 9 місяців тому +3

      Much much much lower standard of play

    • @pugsnhogz
      @pugsnhogz 8 місяців тому

      @@Neurotik51 true, but then again, always true of the distant past. That's what makes "GOAT" conversations interesting, IMO!

    • @Nver91
      @Nver91 8 місяців тому +3

      Efren is the best ever

  • @rodrigoaugusto6980
    @rodrigoaugusto6980 8 місяців тому +1

    What a great two gentlemen here!

  • @bdaumueller
    @bdaumueller 3 місяці тому

    Seeing Mosconi in the early 1960's at the University of Wisconsin while in college was huge for me since I learned to play from his book. He was my early hero. Smooth, fast and deadly. Video's don't do him justice as he was well past his prime.

  • @vebnew
    @vebnew 8 місяців тому

    I've lost count of the number times I have watched this great video - - - highlight of the video is Howard using his term "ring balls", striped balls will never be the same. Thanks for this wonderful old video of long dead pool Masters!

  • @brjones27
    @brjones27 9 місяців тому +4

    Best thing I like about Mosconi, is the lack of trash talk. Just let the pool speak for itself.

    • @leonardbenzies6374
      @leonardbenzies6374 9 місяців тому

      It's a wonder that rude Fats gets anyone to play with him. What a disgusting person.

  • @DanielBarket
    @DanielBarket 8 місяців тому +1

    I never knew Mosconi was so particular about the audience being quiet during his time at the table! A bit precarious he would find the situation at the tournament named after him! Haha. The loudest racket in pool today.

    • @paulross9287
      @paulross9287 4 місяці тому

      Definitely ironic. ( I hate those loud games myself).

  • @joesatchton212
    @joesatchton212 7 років тому +2

    omg....this video and others like it are PRICELESS...THANK YOU SO MUCH....

  • @tommanfrede5241
    @tommanfrede5241 7 років тому +8

    There will never be another Howard Cosell.

  • @trollzaj
    @trollzaj 9 місяців тому +7

    Must make a movie about their rivalry starring Anthony Hopkins (Mosconi) and John Goodman (Fats)!

    • @andrewbell7579
      @andrewbell7579 9 місяців тому +1

      John Goodman is not so fat anymore.

    • @trollzaj
      @trollzaj 9 місяців тому +1

      @@andrewbell7579well, he could spend a few weeks at McDonalds for the sake of method acting...

    • @tupac2672
      @tupac2672 5 місяців тому +1

      John Candy played Fats in a TV skit

    • @trollzaj
      @trollzaj 5 місяців тому

      @@tupac2672 Wow! I gotta search for that footage. I loved J. Candy movies when I was a child... He passed too early, he was way too young

  • @LozVegas
    @LozVegas 7 років тому +2

    Thanks for uploading this! 👍🏻

  • @jdmikeg4
    @jdmikeg4 8 місяців тому +5

    Imagine Mosconi vs. Efren. That would be a match of the century.

    • @mjsudela
      @mjsudela 8 місяців тому +2

      Efren would win.

    • @leemendez7876
      @leemendez7876 8 місяців тому +3

      ​@@mjsudelaAfter watching 15 minutes of this I'd say Efren would wipe the floor with him. Standard of play is a lot lower than I expected.

    • @rprzpnting
      @rprzpnting 8 місяців тому +2

      @@leemendez7876Efren wins in every game

    • @paullaney5016
      @paullaney5016 8 місяців тому +1

      Efren wins easily

    • @josephgrady2129
      @josephgrady2129 Місяць тому

      A lot of people don't know how good Mosconi was, he is definitely past his prime here

  • @jaywall6305
    @jaywall6305 7 місяців тому +1

    I just caught Willie moving the 6 ball in rack 3!!!! Can’t believe nobody caught that, it’s when he leans over to bank the 2 cross corner. Go to minute 14:34. Check it out 🤪

  • @HUKIT.
    @HUKIT. 7 років тому +3

    John Madden commentating on pool is hilarious!

    • @jamest3552
      @jamest3552 2 роки тому

      ...and here's the break...BOOM!

  • @tommysmith5267
    @tommysmith5267 8 місяців тому +1

    Efren Reyes still wiping the floor with them 😂

  • @brjones27
    @brjones27 9 місяців тому +2

    My grandpa, who had the table I learned on, used to play with MN Fats.

    • @hoss-lk4bg
      @hoss-lk4bg 8 місяців тому

      lie

    • @brjones27
      @brjones27 8 місяців тому

      @@hoss-lk4bg Possible. But he did live in MN. He knew a LOT of other famous ppl there and was a damn good pool player. It's possible he lied. Just doubt it.

    • @jameson71
      @jameson71 6 місяців тому

      @@brjones27 Minnesota Fats was from New York. He changed his name after the movie came out.

    • @brjones27
      @brjones27 6 місяців тому

      @@jameson71 I have no clue. My gpa was in IN and went all over.

  • @PostUp_Time
    @PostUp_Time Рік тому +4

    *ALLEN HOPKINS IS STILL ALIVE AND PRODUCES THE POOL EXPO EVERY YEAR. MAKING HIM KINDA OF A LEGEND SINCE HE WAS ABLE TO KNOW MOSCONI, FATS, ETC. PROBABLY THE LAST POOL PLAYER ALIVE TO KNOW ALL THE GREATS, PLAYED WITH THE GREATS*

  • @johnirvin7880
    @johnirvin7880 7 років тому +3

    this is priceless

  • @GEEK675309
    @GEEK675309 5 років тому

    Caught a flash of what looked like an old Whataburger commercial at 7:58! :D

  • @LavishPatchKid
    @LavishPatchKid 8 місяців тому +3

    American pool had so much personality before the sport went international.

    • @user-pm9jr2cr8g
      @user-pm9jr2cr8g 7 місяців тому

      you mean the game that was invented hundreds of years before america was even a thing

    • @LavishPatchKid
      @LavishPatchKid 7 місяців тому

      @@user-pm9jr2cr8g You're talking about billiards.
      I'm talking about "American pool".

    • @user-pm9jr2cr8g
      @user-pm9jr2cr8g 7 місяців тому

      @@LavishPatchKid bro pool was invented in france in like the 1400s the only difference to american pool is yous suck so bad yous made bigger pockets an thinner felt

    • @LavishPatchKid
      @LavishPatchKid 7 місяців тому

      @@user-pm9jr2cr8g So you acknowledge American pool is different.
      Great. lol
      Why did you even comment?

  • @bradbraddock798
    @bradbraddock798 Рік тому +1

    So wonderful

  • @tysongonsorowski8574
    @tysongonsorowski8574 8 місяців тому

    He's got a better chance of swimming here to Arabia underwater.... that's just awesome im going to say that next time I'm challenged, this is some top notch pool here

  • @vickistover2446
    @vickistover2446 6 років тому +3

    Both were obviously past their prime but it's apparent fats has always been full of bravado while Wille was more professional and also the better player all around. He rightfully believed fats gave pool a bad name. Not bar pool. Professional pool.

    • @foarfield
      @foarfield 2 роки тому +1

      Fats would have been a great pro wrestler.

  • @Joey-tj9fd
    @Joey-tj9fd 9 місяців тому

    These geezers here was trying to win that mental game from the introductions lol

  • @Dumb-fw1ey
    @Dumb-fw1ey 8 місяців тому

    Great tv reception 😅

  • @rajapsimbolon999
    @rajapsimbolon999 8 місяців тому

    Willie Mosconi was named of big pool tournament now...

  • @xs10tl1
    @xs10tl1 Рік тому +3

    Two greats hustle the crowd.

  • @inewdayi541
    @inewdayi541 6 років тому +4

    27:04 is the shot I've always dreamed of making... Im 21 and been playing pool since i was 4

    • @hmq9052
      @hmq9052 9 місяців тому

      He missed it by a foot

    • @Neurotik51
      @Neurotik51 9 місяців тому

      ? that was a complete fluke

    • @new2POOL208
      @new2POOL208 8 місяців тому

      Deff not what he wanted

    • @freakoffear3823
      @freakoffear3823 8 місяців тому

      You’ve never seen a fluke?

  • @R_1980p
    @R_1980p 9 місяців тому +2

    Pocket could get 3 balls side by side 😂

  • @chrishardee8487
    @chrishardee8487 9 місяців тому +1

    Fats never won a single tournament in his life. In today's level of play, he wouldn't even be known as a top 100 ranked player. The movie the hustler, wasn't about him, although he made everyone believe it was after adoption the name *Minnesota fats* from the movie. Prior to the movie, he was known as NY fats. Mosconi was in fact, an amazing player, and is still regarded as the #2-3 best to have ever played the game. Efren Bata Reyes is regarded as the best to ever play the game, and by a large margin.

  • @ilikebacon.6483
    @ilikebacon.6483 10 місяців тому

    iv'e probably watch this probably 100+ times. learn everything new each time. I am a road player. this is the bible.

  • @PostUp_Time
    @PostUp_Time Рік тому +1

    *7 BALL GREATEST GAME EVER. IT STARTED 9 BALL THEN EVENTUALLY 10 BALL. IF THERE WASNT 7 BALL THERE WOULDNT BE 9 OR 10 BALL*

    • @9Ballr
      @9Ballr Рік тому +1

      The game of 7 Ball was created in the 1980's. The game of 9 Ball dates back to the 1920's.

    • @tgh223
      @tgh223 9 місяців тому

      just think does that mean if there were no chickens we would not have eggs

    • @new2POOL208
      @new2POOL208 8 місяців тому

      Google

  • @JohnBowl14690
    @JohnBowl14690 8 місяців тому

    Mosconi beat Fats on what looks like a 5 x 10 table. Mosconi shoots so fast and so fluid.

  • @killadawgs456
    @killadawgs456 3 роки тому +1

    I thought fats was Archie bunker for a minute!

  • @hugocastagnola156
    @hugocastagnola156 8 місяців тому +1

    Buenos jugadores .pero creo que el nivel de hoy es muy superior

  • @tgh223
    @tgh223 9 місяців тому +1

    fats was a showman but he was never pro level

  • @brjones27
    @brjones27 9 місяців тому +1

    Dang, these guys don't even get down and aim. Just jump up and shoot it in almost every time.

    • @c.j.7226
      @c.j.7226 8 місяців тому +1

      I noticed this too.

  • @paulross9287
    @paulross9287 4 місяці тому

    Modern pool is like watching robots play.

  • @hoss-lk4bg
    @hoss-lk4bg 8 місяців тому

    al michaels gets shout out from howie, abc had tha market cornered on them heebs

  • @j.d3804
    @j.d3804 6 років тому +1

    Great shit talking ....love it

  • @richardlawson6787
    @richardlawson6787 3 місяці тому

    I became jealous when "fats"said he never worked a day in his life..of course id say bending over a pool table in smoky bars for hours on end is hard work but if you truly love something its easy...most never find their passion

  • @marc7491
    @marc7491 8 місяців тому

    I would've liked to have seen Mosconi v Reyes.

    • @IWillSayMyPeace
      @IWillSayMyPeace 8 місяців тому

      Mosconi would have been a sort of pastry.

  • @brjones27
    @brjones27 9 місяців тому

    Is it just me, or were tables back then 10x more forgiving than they are now?

    • @MikeyD22
      @MikeyD22 9 місяців тому +1

      Compared to a Diamond table, yes they are.

  • @joeholman8590
    @joeholman8590 7 років тому

    Fats was not Etta James dad her dad just passed on July 10th here in Winchester Tennessee and his name is Wallace Edward Perry aka Buddy

    • @joeholman8590
      @joeholman8590 7 років тому

      the jokes on you Fool send pictures and wow look close at them

  • @franciscalagunajimenez6621
    @franciscalagunajimenez6621 7 років тому +1

    Thank you very much for the video. The best players ever!! And Efren Reyes the third one.

  • @bretwahlberg1146
    @bretwahlberg1146 3 роки тому +1

    What people do not know it yellow journalism!!!,, they were best friends

    • @c.johnson3426
      @c.johnson3426 Рік тому

      facts.. they just talked lots of shyte to syke and elevate each others play.

  • @gregburton5404
    @gregburton5404 Місяць тому

    Wow at 14:35 Willie banks the 2 in and moves the 6 and while it is rolling he grabs it with his hand and stops it,he knows he cheated and keeps shooting,I lost all respect for the man after seeing that.

  • @ronniemillsap
    @ronniemillsap 5 років тому

    Who is the little boy that makes the shot at 1:48:00? also his father is famous player?

  • @Frank-n-Sense
    @Frank-n-Sense 8 місяців тому

    for the love of god, will you quit fooling with the television set?
    I'm trying to watch something over here.

  • @adrianwright3256
    @adrianwright3256 7 років тому

    is rags woods still alive?

  • @abj136
    @abj136 8 років тому

    31:45 for some drama.

  • @notan_alien881
    @notan_alien881 4 роки тому

    How come all these guys look like my grandpa

  • @diathekedriven
    @diathekedriven 6 років тому +3

    Interesting video. They must've been good in their day, but by today's standards, they're nearly terrible. Funny to watch, and funny to see people consider these guys so amazing. They make some good shots, but cue ball and position play is pretty bad. Fats can't even bend over and get down on his shot. Guess they paved the way for players today.
    Also interesting how people were just SOOOOO fascinated with stupid trickshots. My goodness. They gather around and applaud and cheer after a lame trickshot like someone just cured cancer or something. ;o)

    • @ronniemillsap
      @ronniemillsap 5 років тому

      Yes in their day, which is why I was so impressed by this display. Fats just had a stroke 2 years earlier, and both were over 20 years past their competitive age.

    • @foarfield
      @foarfield 2 роки тому

      That's what I was wondering. Where the hell are the safety shots? Maybe they were banned in the rules they played with.

  • @georgiougeorge9261
    @georgiougeorge9261 8 місяців тому

    Still cant understand the way Fats was shooting

  • @marshacreary2442
    @marshacreary2442 6 років тому

    Interesting

  • @bretwahlberg1146
    @bretwahlberg1146 3 роки тому +1

    Fat’s can bank

  • @henrydorsett6076
    @henrydorsett6076 5 років тому

    imagine the experiencd you have to have to not even low down bf stroke....

  • @gordonclass1
    @gordonclass1 Рік тому

    fats was what they call a shortstop not a top player.

  • @ivanhmagana4586
    @ivanhmagana4586 11 місяців тому

    Eddie vs M fattS

  • @bretwahlberg1146
    @bretwahlberg1146 3 роки тому

    He was New York fat’s

  • @doghouse0041
    @doghouse0041 7 років тому +1

    fats was more a pool hustler than a tournament player all fats cared about was the cash r.i.p fats

    • @vicluevano1222
      @vicluevano1222 7 років тому +1

      johnathen callahan it seems to me that yes he hustled and sharked his opponents

    • @vicluevano1222
      @vicluevano1222 7 років тому +4

      I don't like to kinds of players I like players like efren Reyes and mosconi, quiet humble pool legends who just let their skill and clean stroke do the talking

    • @VolkXue
      @VolkXue Рік тому

      @@vicluevano1222 you would like Irving Crane

  • @Dranreb865
    @Dranreb865 6 років тому +1

    Whats so special about these guys?

    • @brockt9762
      @brockt9762 5 років тому +4

      Bernard Bernabe Mosconi once ran 525 straight without missing. That’s kinda special. Have u run that many?

    • @c.johnson3426
      @c.johnson3426 Рік тому

      i think they were the first to be televised and practically unfiltered on tv.

  • @jackriley5974
    @jackriley5974 8 місяців тому

    BATA!!

  • @bretwahlberg1146
    @bretwahlberg1146 3 роки тому

    I have beat all creatures on earth !!! Saint Peter rack em up , FAT’s

  • @michaelrehkop4817
    @michaelrehkop4817 Рік тому

    Two of the greatest players of all time.

    • @jadezee6316
      @jadezee6316 Рік тому +3

      ahh..no....Mosconi was for sure Fats was not...for sure

    • @tgh223
      @tgh223 9 місяців тому +3

      fats was a showman he was never good enough to be pro

    • @IWillSayMyPeace
      @IWillSayMyPeace 8 місяців тому +1

      Fats was just fat.

  • @Hithere-ek4qt
    @Hithere-ek4qt 7 років тому +2

    Fats took his name from the movie The Hustler. Just another example of trying to cash in on notoriety.

  • @SunMadeBlack
    @SunMadeBlack 8 місяців тому

    Minnesota Fats was a shit stain lol

  • @bob733333
    @bob733333 6 років тому

    Too old to be hustling.

  • @HerlonAlencar
    @HerlonAlencar 6 років тому +2

    cheater 14:36

    • @new2POOL208
      @new2POOL208 8 місяців тому

      Huh?

    • @zardoz8023
      @zardoz8023 8 місяців тому

      @@new2POOL208 Are you blind? Don't look at the 2 ball, watch what Mosconi does with his left hand after the shot.

    • @JohnBowl14690
      @JohnBowl14690 8 місяців тому

      Yeah, but it was an accident and really did not affect the outcome. But that said it was a foul.

  • @tomlew55
    @tomlew55 8 місяців тому +1

    The only guy more annoying than fats was Howard.

    • @SunMadeBlack
      @SunMadeBlack 8 місяців тому

      Reason America can’t compete anymore is respecting ass shits like Fats, keeping Billiards in joke world