The smoky, cool image surrounding Paul Newman's film "The Hustler" spurred pool's U.S. popularity in 1961. But portraying it as a sport of rogues has also given the pastime a black eye, say some billiard hall owners.
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Willie Mosconi —
Philadelphia's Willie Mosconi was 19 in 1933 when he played the Pocket Billiards Championship tourney in Chicago. Throughout his career, Mosconi was all business. His widow, Flora Mosconi, told The New York Times, "Willie thought so highly of the game that he never referred to it as 'pool.' He insisted on calling it billiards."
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Francisco Bustamante —
Pool champs of the 21st century include Francisco "Django" Bustamante of the Philippines, seen here lining up a shot at the 2004 World Pool Championship in Taipei. "I like action," Bustamante told Billiards Digest. "Gambling in pool makes you strong. It builds your heart, your nerves, and you get the experience. ... There are a lot of good players in the Philippines. And everybody's hungry."
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Jeanette Lee —
As a teen, Jeanette "The Black Widow" Lee was diagnosed with the spinal disorder scoliosis, according to her website. Despite 11 surgeries to her back, neck and shoulder, Lee is a former No. 1-ranked American player and a member of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame.
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Earl Strickland —
Hall of Famer Earl "The Pearl" Strickland has gained a reputation for being a little rough around the edges. "People come out now to see if there's going to be a crash," he told Billiards Digest. "Forget about the talent. They want to see me go off."
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Efren Reyes —
In the 1980s, when Efren Reyes left the Philippines to hustle pool in the States, legend has it he was making $80,000 a week, according to ESPN Magazine. Reyes is seen here at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, in suburban Manila in 2007.
