Joe Balsis

Joseph (Joe) Balsis (b. 1921, Minersville, Pennsylvania; d. 1995), nicknamed "the Meatman", was a professional pool (especially straight pool) player, and was inducted into the Billiard 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 play exhibition matches against professional players including Andrew Ponzi and Erwin 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.

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