When the world of billiards was in full swing in 1990, we saw some of the greatest players ever to grace the sport take to the tables. From Ralph Greenleaf and Willie Mosconi to Jeanette Lee and Masakao Katsura, these were the names on everyone’s lips.
Masakao Katsura
The Japanese player Masako Katsura was one of the greatest billiards players in history. She was born on March 7, 1913, in Tokyo, Japan. Her father died when she was twelve years old, and she was raised by her older sister and husband.
After World War II, Katsura became an assistant in a billiard parlor, working at a young age, and gaining the skills she would later use as a professional. She was known as the First Lady of Billiards in the 1930s.
In the mid-1950s, she appeared in a number of exhibitions, including the three-cushion competition. Her performances were so exciting that the crowds swelled to over a thousand.
She also appeared on television shows like You Asked For It, and performed trick shots on western movie sets. She toured in the United States with American billiards legend Welker Cochran.
Masakao Katsura
Allison Fisher is a snooker and pool professional. Having made her name by winning the World Snooker Championships, she now lives in Charlotte, NC. Her brand of pool isn’t for the faint of heart. But her skills at the table can be seen at various events throughout the year.
Although her career began in England, she moved to the US in 1995. It wasn’t long before she began racking up the wins. In the ensuing years, she became the queen of the WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiard Association) circuit. She has a record of 53 tour titles, including the most wins in a single season.
Fisher is also credited with helping to grow the women’s pro billiards scene. This sport is dominated by men, and Allison Fisher helped to push the female game into high gear.
Willie Mosconi
Willie Mosconi, one of the Elite Five of 1990 billiards greats, was a pool player with a unique style of playing the game. In his heyday, he was regarded as one of the best straight pool players in the world. He also played pocket billiards.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, he played in a number of games shows on television. He was also a regular consultant for Brunswick Corporation and wrote numerous books on billiards.
When he was in his mid-60s, Mosconi suffered a stroke, but recovered quickly and went back to playing pool tournaments. He won fifteen consecutive world straight pool championships from 1941 to 1957.
Among his other accomplishments, Mosconi set an all-time record for the most consecutive balls pocketed in a straight pool match. He did this by running 526 straight balls in an exhibition in Springfield, Ohio. His opponents looked on in amazement.
Ralph Greenleaf
Billiards is a popular sport, but a few players have earned a place in the world of billiards history. The Elite Five are some of the top players in the game. They have won dozens of tournaments and have earned accolades for their playing skills.
A native of Puerto Rico, Mike Rodriguez is a competitive, hard-working player. He has won a number of tournaments and has been on the Pro Billiards Tour for nine years. In addition to his tournament victories, he also has a winning record on the Challenge of Champions.
Nick Varner has won a number of championships, but he has a record in the Challenge of Champions that stands out. He has lost to Buddy Hall in ’92 and to David Howard in ’91.
Jeanette Lee
One of the most successful pool players of all time, Jeanette Lee, has been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Currently, she is receiving a four-drug chemotherapy cocktail to help her fight the disease. She is also undergoing several surgeries to help relieve the pain associated with the condition.
As the mother of three daughters, she is concerned about their future. The Lee family has formed a fund to assist with their children’s education. This fund will be called the Jeanette Lee Legacy Fund.
In addition to her billiards prowess, Lee is also a philanthropist. Her website has an impressive list of donations. Some of the biggest names to donate include: Reggie Bush, Tony Stewart and Reggie Bush.
Lee has also been a major supporter of the American Poolplayers Association. She has served as its spokeswoman for many years. Additionally, she has appeared on live television shows like Live With Regis and Kelly and Late Night with David Letterman.
