 | Billy Incardona, Jimmy Fusco, and Jansco Bros.
Inducted into One Pocket Hall of Fame
Old friends and, still, fierce competitors grappled and gouged at each others egos as they reminisced over every ball they ever missed in the bliss of battle. It was more like a roast as Master's of Ceremonies Grady Mathews and Freddy Bentivegna and the likes of Pete Fusco, Jay Helfert and Danny DiLiberto, jabbed and poked at their one pocket peers. Leaving no ball unturned, post mortems on every match-up divulged secrets of the road, some glowing, and some where honorees cowered as their inglorious past came back to haunt them.
Onepocket,org's Steve Booth, who initiated the Hall of Fame four years ago, couldn't have been more pleased at the wall to wall gathering of pool royalty.
Billy, best known for his indomitable, competitive spirit and as the "Voice of Accu-Stats," has helped popularized one pocket throughout the world. Fusco, acknowledged as one of the game's more aggressive players, partnered with Grady to bring us the first Legends of One Pocket event. Awarded posthumously, George and Paulie Jansco are the power behind the infamous, long running Johnston City events that made it to ABC's Wide World of Sports. Unfortunately, that also brought it to the attention of the FBI who quickly brought an end to it all. Fortunately, we now have the Diamond Derby City Classic which, most agree, is following in it's cue strokes. It's a good thing gambling is legal in Louisville.
78 year old Donny Anderson was honored as Bank Pool was added to the inductions three years ago. In 1972 Donny was Bank Pool's first world champion. Still wry after all these years, he had the house in hysterics as he badgered Truman Hogue about all the money he had donated to him. As a past Derby City semi finalist, Truman had learned well from his investment.
Jimmy Reid garnered the Lifetime Pool in Action award. Although a past U.S. Open 9-Ball Champion Jimmy loved the lure of one-pocket. In fact he was in the semi's when the FBI raided the Johntson City tournament. Funnily enough, Fusco ended up winning it. Though ailing in health, Jimmy maintained his "No Time for Negative" attitude and has entered all 3 events in this year's Derby. We wish him well.
Visit us tomorrow for more Diamond Derby City Classic one pocket action.
  
Jimmy Fusco Billy Incardona Jimmy Reid
From David Thomson. photos ©2008 mediumpool.com
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