- Joe Balsis
Joseph (Joe) Balsis (b. 1921,
Minersville, Pennsylvania ; d. 1995), nicknamed "the Meatman", was a professional pool (especiallystraight pool ) player, and was inducted into theBilliard Congress of America 's Hall of Fame in 1982. [http://www.bca-pool.com/industry/hof/ind77-84.shtml "Hall of Fame Inductees, 1977-84"] , Billiards Congress of America, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; accessed February 2, 2007]Early life
Joe grew up playing in the
billiard room of his father, John (who was in the meat business). The young Balsis was skilled enough by age 11 to playexhibition match es against professional players includingAndrew Ponzi andErwin Rudolph . In his teens, he won four consecutive annual junior titles, then left the game and joined the Coast Guard as a boat machinist for several years during pool's temporary decline. In 1944, he took up competition again, winning the Armed Services Champion title.Professional career
In 1964 Balsis began competing professionally, winning the US Open in 1968 and 1965
Billiard Room Proprietors Association Tournament, the 1966 World All-Around Championship , and both the 1968 I personally saw Joe play in a atraight pool tournament against "Weeny Beeny" Staton. On the opening break, Staton did not get two balls to a rail. Balsis proceeded to run 150 balls in a row and won, 150 to -2. [1969 in sports|1969]Jansco Brothers' Stardust Open "All-Around" title.References
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