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Willie Mosconi "Fats Can't Shine My Shoes" Signed Pool Ball Collection (4) PSA/DNA
Willie Mosconi and New York Fats (Rudolf Wanderone) were great rivals in pool. Mosconi was the World Straight Pool Champion an amazing 13 times between 1940 and 1956. Mosconi also set a world's record for sinking 526 balls in a row in an exhibition match in 1954. Wanderone was a famous pool player and hustler who was born in Brooklyn, New York. The year of his birth is thought to be 1913, but Wanderone often changed his "official" date of birth, so the exact year is unclear. Author Walter Tevis wrote the novel The Hustler, and the subsequent movie by the same name, a recipient of two Oscars and seven more Oscar nominations, produced in 1961, featured a character named Minnesota Fats, played by Jackie Gleason. The movie, with a terrific cast that also included Paul Newman, George C. Scott and Piper Laurie, helped to rekindle interest in pool. Wanderone, 5'10" and 300 pounds, was convinced the movie character was based on him, so he changed his nickname from New York Fats to Minnesota Fats to capitalize on the fame of the hit film. Mosconi was convinced that New York/Minnesota Fats was just jumping on the band wagon of the movie's popularity. There is evidence on both sides as to whether Tevis based his character on New York Fats. Throughout many years Mosconi challenged Wanderone to a match, but Wanderone always refused. Finally, in 1978, the rivals faced each other on ABC-TV's Wide World of Sports, hosted by Howard Cosell and Mosconi won decisively. The personal rivalry between the two pool players continued, with Mosconi feeling "Minesota Fats" was more of a hustler (which he was) than a champion. Offered is a group of four billiard balls, each in excellent condition and each one autographed and inscribed by Mosconi as "Fats Can't Shine My Shoes/Willie Mosconi." Included are the #5, #7, #11, and the #15 balls. Mosconi has signed and inscribed the #5 ball in black ink from a marker, and the remaining balls in silver ink from a marker. The inscriptions and signatures on all of the billiard balls are clearly written. The offering makes a great display item that stands for a great rivalry, with quite a story involving both sport and film, and a terrific, humorous inscription by Mosconi. The signed and inscribed billiard balls come with an enclosed PSA/DNA Certificate of Authenticity.
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