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Dick Hunzicker
How good was Dick Hunzicker at straight pool?
According to Nick Serdula: "He [Dick Hunzicker] was the only person on the planet Willie
[Mosconi] wouldn't play straight pool with, [nor would] Babe Cranfield or Iving Crane. Hunzicker busted Buddy [Hall], [Jack] Rempe, Mez
[Steve Mizerak] and every champeen that came down here to play when he
was younger. Under 55. I know. My dad was bringing them in. And Dick was
knocking them down. Mez called Willie to ask about Dick. He told Mez, 'Whatever
you do, don't play him straight pool.' Mez laughed and said, 'I am the best in the
world.' Willie replied, 'You have been warned.' Many players used fake names. They
would practice in Mobile and come on over and get busted. Dick usually got the
call a day or two early and would practice usually breaking for 9 ball if
anything. He didn't practice playing ever. Only played for money. Played for the
mob before he was 15, and his first game was for $100 when he was working for
$.25 a day. He ran 100 and out. Went in the military to get away from them and
was a fighter pilot. Stayed here when he got out. When I saw him shoot for the
first time I said, 'That man can't play.' Then I saw his stroke. He could barely
walk around the table. Gary Pinkowski replied remember he beat me up in the
Syracuse poolroom years ago. Crane and Cranfield wouldn't play him when your dad
asked them if they wanted action. They knew him. I didn't, but remember him. Dick Hunzicker beat champeens, busted them and took their cues as collateral for bus
tickets out of town. Never sold them for more. He always would hold on to them
for the original owner. A real gentleman.
He said they always came back for their stick. Never wanted more action though."
Mark Twain, Was
Minnesota Fats Overrated?,
A Brief History of Billiards,
Pool/Billiards Record High
Runs, The Sexiest Sharks,
Johnston City Sharks,
Nashville Sharks,
Dick Hunzicker,
"Saint Louie"
Louie Roberts, Earl "The
Pearl" Strickland,
Who
was the best nine-ball player?
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