Razorio
06-24-2004, 08:00 PM
Hey
I'm new, first post.
I read "Hustler Days" a month or two ago and it has created an avalanche of nostalgia for me. Since then I 've bought the dvds of the Hustler and The Color of Money, the book about McGoorty, Riding The Rails, Byrnes collection of short stories, and other stuff.
When I was 16-17 I used to shoot pool at Ovington in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (now Hall of Fame). I never saw Jean Balukas play but her posters were on the Wall, she was a prodigy. It was run by Onofrio Lauri who we used to call "The Sheik"(don't know why). He was a character, I can still see him behind the desk with an umbrella out when the Yankees were losing. I was a mediocre player and he used to play me 100-20. My favorite memory is running 13 & out on him and the expression on his face. He used to give me time on a back table if I brushed some for him. Tony Meatball was ALWAYS there, sitting by himself in his muscle shirt and pencil stripe mustache. He was sociable if you talked to him but I don't think I ever saw him start a conversation. I was saddened recently to read of his passing. I remember Jersey Red playing one night but don't remember the details. I think he did a coupla trick shots and maybe played Tony M.
I could go on but here's what I wanna know. Are there any stories in back issues Of any magazines that talk about either Lauri or Tony. I think I read somehere that Lauri died right after or during a run of 70 balls. I would like to read any old stories about these guys that are around. Can anybody recommend any?
Those were great days.
Best to all of you,
Ray
I'm new, first post.
I read "Hustler Days" a month or two ago and it has created an avalanche of nostalgia for me. Since then I 've bought the dvds of the Hustler and The Color of Money, the book about McGoorty, Riding The Rails, Byrnes collection of short stories, and other stuff.
When I was 16-17 I used to shoot pool at Ovington in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (now Hall of Fame). I never saw Jean Balukas play but her posters were on the Wall, she was a prodigy. It was run by Onofrio Lauri who we used to call "The Sheik"(don't know why). He was a character, I can still see him behind the desk with an umbrella out when the Yankees were losing. I was a mediocre player and he used to play me 100-20. My favorite memory is running 13 & out on him and the expression on his face. He used to give me time on a back table if I brushed some for him. Tony Meatball was ALWAYS there, sitting by himself in his muscle shirt and pencil stripe mustache. He was sociable if you talked to him but I don't think I ever saw him start a conversation. I was saddened recently to read of his passing. I remember Jersey Red playing one night but don't remember the details. I think he did a coupla trick shots and maybe played Tony M.
I could go on but here's what I wanna know. Are there any stories in back issues Of any magazines that talk about either Lauri or Tony. I think I read somehere that Lauri died right after or during a run of 70 balls. I would like to read any old stories about these guys that are around. Can anybody recommend any?
Those were great days.
Best to all of you,
Ray