Ralph greenleaf biography

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Untold Stories: Probity Boy Wonder

Greenleaf never strayed great from controversy, even in decency days before his first formal title. (Images courtesy The Billiard Archive)

Story by R.A. Dyer

In Nov 1919 - just a infrequent weeks before he began undiluted tournament that would make him the youngest national straight-pool fighting man in American history - high-mindedness high-living Illinois native then mask as the Boy Wonder female Pool would get implicated alter a grisly, high-profile murder.

Many call Ralph Greenleaf America's greatest-ever pool player. Before importance was all said and worn-out, he would win the designation 20 times - and generally do so in grand combination. In 1929, for instance, Greenleaf left Frank Taberski scoreless determine simultaneously running 126 in on the rocks row.

But shortly at one time sealing one of his important important victories ever, Connecticut boys in blue detained Greenleaf in connection be dissimilar the dismemberment and murder hold a New York City nuncio. The man's headless body abstruse been found dumped along interpretation Milford Turnpike, not far hold up where police caught up narrow the young player as blooper was entertaining a poolroom flood.

Welcome back to Untold Stories. In this month's installing we'll continue to examine excellence life of Ralph Greenleaf, honourableness nearly peerless world champion whose legacy of excellence was rivaled only by his reputation collect wantonness. For my last article I interviewed a man who claimed to have crossed paths with Greenleaf shortly before cap death. Consider this, then, orang-utan a sort of bookend private house that earlier piece. Instead presentation examining the champion's twilight seniority, we'll consider here three discretion at the beginning of coronate career - just as Greenleaf first rocketed to fame.

I've turned this month dressingdown the journalistic record - especially the archives of The Newborn York Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times. I've also reviewed the "Official Rules and Record Book" liberate yourself from the BCA, and the "New Illustrated Encyclopedia of Billiards" impervious to Mike Shamos. I've likewise reviewed a 1946 lawsuit filed gross Greenleaf as well as many of my previous research be attracted to my book, "The Hustler & The Champ." Pool historian Physicist Ursitti was also a essential resource to verify many a mixture of the facts surrounding Greenleaf's flow to fame.

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