Knowing that he had compassion towards cats and dogs says a lot about him. A cousin of mine was a teacher of Leonard Slye (Roy Rogers) and Leonard would skip school sometimes, and one time, my cousin found him hiding under a pool table at a pool hall. I have a digital photo of them both together.
I knew Fats when I worked at the Hermitage hotel. I was his chauffeur. He loved the pigeons that roosted on the balcony outside his window and I often accompanied him when he went to the nearby Tennessee state capital to feed them. They would come to him when they were sick. One he was particularly fond of he had named ‘Blackie’ because of his markings.
@@FacesoftheForgotten Thanks! Your description of his personality was spot on. Fats had a grandiose way of presenting himself. He never called me by my name, it was always “Doll”. I enjoyed all of his stories and found his bragging manner amusing. Im so happy I stumbled across your video, it brought back a lot of fond memories for me.
@@FacesoftheForgottenyou didn't mention it but - walter tevis wrote the novel 'the hustler' with the character minnesota fats. as best I understand it - he said he made the name up and didn't know anything about him. anyway a very interesting character. played ok too
I remember watching Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi in the 70's. (Now I'm dating myself here). I LOVED watching the banter and antics of Fats! He was truly an original and a very colorful character.
I was a follower of Minnesota Fats. I have not heard him mentioned in years. So, it is pretty cool to hear you tell his story! Thank you for a job well done!!
Gotta love these old time characters and their cool nicknames! Everyone knows the name Minnesota Fats and the game of pool. This was a fun story of a different era. Thanks Ron "Tombstone" Carlson! Lol!
It's so nice to be reacquainted with Minnesota Fats, I remember watching him on TV when I was a kid. Thanks for sharing your recollection of meeting him. How very cool to that was!
I'm from Southern Illinois but moved to Iowa in '86. I lived down the road from Fats in Dowell, Illinois and did all kinds of chores for Fats and his wife, Evelyn- I even mailed their divorce papers. He was an amazing dude. Had three limos, one for all the cats and dogs and had a small heated and air conditioned building for all the animals. He really loved the animals.
My favorite pool player of all times I love hearing stories about Minnesota I can never hear enough. Next time I'm in Tennessee I will take some flowers to his grave.
Sometimes those flat markers can present problems trying to locate. Great to learn about Minnesota Fats. Great presentation as always! One of the best, Ron. Awesome job.
Thanks Chris, glad you liked it. This one was special to tell, it was fun to meet him in college for those moments...but he was not a guy you could really talk to, he would just talk in those "one liners", one after another....well, that was his act I guess.
There are a lot of newer cemeteries in Tennessee that are are all flat markers. Unless you know exactly where someone is buried, it is difficult to find them.I have to wander the cemetery to find my own great grandparents.
Hi Ron, what a nice chap he was, full of fun, he was a legend Ron, he lived a long time, especially after a heart attack, he was a big guy. RIP Fats. Thank you Ron. Xxxxx
Thanks Ron. I don’t think I’ve ever heard his real name. Only knew him as Minnesota Fats. I’ve been gone for a bit with Covid. I’m feeling a lot better now.
Thanks for all the stories. It’s such a relaxing way to watch tv and learn something. FYI: cemeteries that do not have vertical headstones are actually not called cemeteries or graveyards. They are called memorial parks. The idea is to create uniformity and a peaceful park-like setting.
It’s unreal how you can forget about someone but with Ron’s videos it brings the memories back. Thank you so much for helping us remember these people from so long ago.
Fascinating story so cool that you met him as a young man :) my dad always remembered meeting Frank Sinatra in his early days. Dad used to write songs in the 1940s and Frank looked one over and gave dad a few pointers on how to improve it.
This is amazing. Just the other day, I was talking to a friend about sports on TV when I was a teenager and how boring it was. That was until I ran across Minnesota Fat's TV show, Celebrity Billiards. I was hooked by his personality and enjoyed his interaction with his celebrity guests. It was a fun show that was on in 1968.
Ohh I remember the big fueds between Fats and Mosconi! Good times! Mosconi was and always will be the greatest but I was actually impressed to see that Fats really could shoot pretty good and he got better in later years.
Love this! I briefly met him while staying at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville around ‘87? Guess where in the hotel? 😂 My husband at the time went absolutely nuts and was able to shoot a game with him! He was a big fan and pool player, too. Great memory, thanks for honoring him. Btw, glad you met the legend and had the same experience we did.
I loved hearing the story of Minnesota Fats, how cool is that, you got to meet him Ron!! It sure sounds like he was the perfect showman for the game of pool and probably made alot of new fans for the game too. What a great character!! Awesome job Ron!
Wow I live within 4 miles of that cemetery. My Dad and Brother are both entombed there. I drive by it almost every day. I Never knew Minnesota Fats was buried there. I hope you visited the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson while you were here. great video!
I like Carbomdale. My uncle studied Agriculture at SIU. I'm amazed by your memory. Thank you for sharing your memories and for what you do to produce your interesting stories.
Love the epitaph on his marker he sure could shoot a game pool may he rest in peace and I remember the commercials if the billiard store that beared his name commercials
I met Minnesota fats in the early 1970 , he bought me soda pops, and played with my dad ,what wonderful man and caring individual. He played at Mr. Ed’s in Iowa.
Ron how totally cool you guys got to meet Minnesota Fats. I love your stories. I’m cutting to the head of the line when you finally get your first book book published. You tell stories so well. Thank you. Stay safe.
@@pippadot679 Thank you. I am so looking forward to that. Ron’s story has this cozy comfortable familiarity about it. He’s a great teacher. Very easily I can remember the new things I learn from his videos. I’ve become more curious about architecture than I ever was.
As a teen I remember watching him on Wide World of Sports. The shots he'd make were unbelievable. He was always very entertaining and funny. Great story, Ron, ty
Same here! 😊 I was a teenager and was just learning to shoot pool and I also watched him play in many games on WWS especially against his biggest rival Willie Mosconi and loved any documentaries about them both. They certainly didn't mince words with each other...lol. But I watched them both and studied some of their shots and applied them to my pool games and did pretty good against my opponents. I was dating my future husband at the time and he gave me an exact replica pool cue of the one Minnesota Fats played with ...it was out on the market at the time and i was so thrilled to get it! I still have it and cherish it. So I am really excited that you're talking about his story and boy does it bring back so many great memories and thank you! 😊 He was absolutely incredible. 🎱
Very interesting story Ron, and an interesting man. I loved playing pool when I was younger and saw Minnesota play many time. He was an amazing larger than life man. Rest in Peace. I missed you last few episodes as my computer went down. I am glad I got it back and will now catch up. Have a great weekend
I’ve ever heard about Fats” Or Rudolf W. Wanderone “ but I’m loving to Learn about them ! What a interesting life He had ! RIP 🙏 Thanks Mister Ron For this fabulous Content !
I remember when i used to go to the pool halls in the mid 90s around south bend Indiana we used to talk about him he was a good man and one hell of a pool player. Thanks for sharing this
You bring back so many memories for me! Yesterday I watched the “Bender” vid from Cherryvale, and today you talk about Carbondale. When I was going to nursing school in Chanute, my husband worked for the army corp of Engineers and was working on a dam project not far from there in Olmstead, IL. It’s such a small world! We live in Helena , MT now, we have wonderful summers and some really cool cemeteries. I love your content! Keep up the great work and plan a trip to Montana!
Oh do I have a great story on Fats. I played Semi-pro billiards for several decades. At the time I lived in South Jersey. Occasionally I would run into Willie Mosconi who also lived in the area. He was a great man and later in his life did a lot for charity. I adored him. Anyway, I asked him about Fats and he went on a rant. He said everything he did was a money hustle even if it involved cheating. He called him one of the worst pool players he’d ever played and said he was nothing but an old windbag. He also said he wasn’t a pool player but strictly a hustler. I’m laughing because you used a lot of these words and they are apparently true. RIP Fats You we’re one of the best! Rack em up! Thank you Ron for some good memories.
You are dead on correct, Willie Mosconi was way better than him. But you have to give him credit, he was a good player and could hit the bank shot like nobody else. He had a great act!!
“The Hustler” is one of my favorite films. Just finished watching another great film, “Cinderella Man” - The James J Braddock story. Ron if you’re ever in New Jersey it would be awesome if you visited his gravestone at Mount Carmel Cemetery Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA. I’ve always found stories about fighters to be a huge inspiration.
What a great story and so cool you got to meet him. It really personalized this video and added so much value to the story, hearing how he interfaced with you and your buddies that day. I would listen to you talk all day long, you have the most interesting documentaries.
Great video as always Ron thank you 🙏..we are expecting a severe storm here in upstate Ny ,near Bennington Vermont where you visited …we are expecting snow ,sleet and ice ,,,going to work at the hospital in Albany will be fun tomorrow…yikes
Wow what a great memory to have so cool 👍 I remember fats, moskoni and many other matches and players at that time , I am 55 and remember, my grandfather was a very good player and the pool, pinball, hall was Across the street from there apartment, pool in the back, pinball in the front, my grandmother did not like me going there she knew what went on, I would go visit a couple times a year and was always in that place or the movie theatre next door, they lived in a small town, Brandon Manitoba 🍁🇨🇦 that smoke filled building was Awsome to me👍 grandad was around 70, Snooker was the game of choice, New sub 👍🇨🇦🍁
See, Mosconi grew up playing to survive. Literally. I spoke with Willies wife, Flora not long before she passed and I asked her “if Willie was here, what advice for pool playing would he give me?” And she thought for a minute and replied “he’d say, never play pool as a profession! Go to college! Get a real job..” lol But anyways, Fats was always to loud mouthed and he always made a mockery of the game and that’s what pissed Willie off most. In the end though, they were both massive figures in the game.
i remember watching his televised match with willie mosconi in the mid 80s... i think it was on espn, not sure but i recall how he never let up yappin at mosconi😂... pure entertainment!.. jackie gleason was perfect playing him in the hustler... gleason was an excellent pool player himself. my favorite line was when fast eddie told him ..." look at cha fats!!.. all pink n powdered up like a baby!"😂
Very good story Ron. I was very interested in hearing you tell his story Minnesota fat......I remember hearing about him abd being greatest pool player of all times.and hearing about his personal like being married 2 times.... 😎.....thank you Ron sage travels and stay safe and warm.....in colder days everywhere...🏠🔥🏠🔥⛄☃️🌨️
Graduated from SIU in 1965. Played Fats in a down town Carbondale pool hall that year. He showed up in his pink Cadillac, alligator shoes and silk shirt. Most colorful person I ever met. An incredible talent.
Interesting man. Ron, I have to ask. Do you ever wish there was a way to communicate with those under us? When I go to the cemetery, I literally ask out loud "who were you, what were you like, did you have loved ones?" I do that with ever video you show us, also. Thanks for your gift.
Beautiful cemetery: what a character fats was damn could he shoot pool extraordinary player bet he was the life n soul of the party with that wicked sense of humour he showed round the table rest easy fats✝️ thanks for sharing that Ron
I remember watching him on TV when I was a child. My memory was that he was on TV quite often playing pool. But I was just a child so I could be wrong🐝🤗❤️
What a wonderful tribute you did about Rudolf Wonderon aka Minnesota Fats. I have been to his grave before when I was living in the Nashville area. I didn't know much about him accept that he was a famous pool player. I grew up around a pool table. My father is a very good pool player. He can run the table pretty well. Me not so much. Now I know a little more about Minnesota Fats. Thanks again for the wonderful story Ron. Also wanted to mention did you know that Ernest Tubbs is also buried in that cemetery FYI thanks again 👍
So... you go to Music City, USA 🇺🇸 and visit Minnesota Fats? I don't know why that strikes me funny, but it does! 😆 It was amazing how many graves had flowers 💐! I enjoyed your memories of him and hearing his story! And I enjoyed seeing the grave of someone who might otherwise be overlooked! Thanks again Ron!
That's cool you went to SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. I still live in my hometown of Herrin. Herrin is about 17 miles North East of Carbondale. I go there on a regular basis. If you ever get back into Southern Illinois, check out the new headstone in the Herrin Cematery for the victims of the Herrin massacre that happened in the 1920s. In 2014 I believe, they dug in the potter's field and found remains and proof of were they were buried. You can found out about the Herrin Massacre by TH-cam, or the book Bloody Williamson by Paul Angle. Also the Charlie Burger gang was active here as well back then. Charlie Burger was hung just North of Herrin in a little town called Benton. Also about a mile or so from were I live now, Minnesota Fats used to have a pool tournament at a place called Hurleys Show Bar back in the early 70s. The show bar is gone now, but the building is still there. It's just off I57 at exit 59 Johnston City, Illinois.
You should make a journey to PA, we got Jayne Mansfield burial site. We have Jim thorpe, burial site. Both our a good story. And an original well Ben Franklin built all not too far away from each other. Jim Thorpe buried in Jim Thorpe. And Jayne is buried at fairview cemetery pa. Pen argyl pa. Bens well is in weissport pa. Alot of history. They settled in weissport and walked the Gap.
hey ron❤ thank you!! remembering Minnesota fats the greatest pool player that ever lived!!! rip!! you are sweet ron!! I used to watch Minnesota for. ron you're goooood!! we love you!!❤❤
My uncle played a closed match against Minnesota Fats in the late 60's to early 70's some time, and supposedly won. I can't say for sure, because my mom knew more about it, and she passed away in July this past year. It was played in Chicago from what I can remember her saying. My uncle was a sharps in the military, and was dishonorable discharged for desertion, but he loved pool, and I guess Fats asked for the match to happen but he wanted no cameras allowed in the pool hall during the match.
Funny story: my dad got the chance to play pool with Minnesota Fats and my mom didn't know who he was. She yelled out that her husband is going to beat him bad at pool. My dad kept trying to get her to shut up because of who he was. Dad did lose but MN Fats was a great guy and bought my mom a drink and thanked her for letting such a great guy play pool with him.
Thx 4 doing this 1. My Dad was an accountant @ Walter Reed for 40 yrs. He loved 2 play pool🎱. Minnesota Fats came 2 give an exhibition in the early 1980s. My Dad went 2 the rec hall & he was there with Fats all alone. Fats asked him if he wanted 2 play some games so he could warm up. My Dad ended up beating him several times! He never forgot that day & was still talking about it before he died in his sleep @ 92 in r family home. I was his caregiver & miss him every day.
I just ran across this video and would like to make a couple comments. First, thank you for doing a video on Fats. However, that isn't Teresa (T Bell) in the photo. She is my cousin and in her 60's today (2024)... much younger than him. She lives close to Hermitage with her dogs. According to her, Fats and Willie Mosconi were actually good friends. The rivalry was all part of the show.
Knowing that he had compassion towards cats and dogs says a lot about him.
A cousin of mine was a teacher of Leonard Slye (Roy Rogers) and Leonard would skip school sometimes, and one time, my cousin found him hiding under a pool table at a pool hall. I have a digital photo of them both together.
I always hear him bragging on videos about letting cats and dogs sleep in the president's limousine.
I knew Fats when I worked at the Hermitage hotel. I was his chauffeur.
He loved the pigeons that roosted on the balcony outside his window and I often accompanied him when he went to the nearby Tennessee state capital to feed them. They would come to him when they were sick. One he was particularly fond of he had named ‘Blackie’ because of his markings.
Oh wow! I bet you could really add to his story🐝🤗❤️
very cool Carol, you are lucky to have met him. I liked him when he came to S.I.U.
@@FacesoftheForgotten Thanks!
Your description of his personality was spot on. Fats had a grandiose way of presenting himself. He never called me by my name, it was always “Doll”. I enjoyed all of his stories and found his bragging manner amusing. Im so happy I stumbled across your video, it brought back a lot of fond memories for me.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recollection with us ! I certainly remember him but I'm most pleased to hear he was an animal lover as well.
@@FacesoftheForgottenyou didn't mention it but - walter tevis wrote the novel 'the hustler' with the character minnesota fats. as best I understand it - he said he made the name up and didn't know anything about him.
anyway a very interesting character.
played ok too
I remember watching Minnesota Fats and Willie Mosconi in the 70's. (Now I'm dating myself here). I LOVED watching the banter and antics of Fats! He was truly an original and a very colorful character.
I was a follower of Minnesota Fats. I have not heard him mentioned in years. So, it is pretty cool to hear you tell his story! Thank you for a job well done!!
Gotta love these old time characters and their cool nicknames! Everyone knows the name Minnesota Fats and the game of pool. This was a fun story of a different era. Thanks Ron "Tombstone" Carlson! Lol!
😁
@@pippadot679 HI,Pippadot.
I remember watching fats on tv , I always loved to watch him ,very interesting and fun fellow RIP Mr. Mins, Fats , thanks Ron great choice
It's so nice to be reacquainted with Minnesota Fats, I remember watching him on TV when I was a kid. Thanks for sharing your recollection of meeting him. How very cool to that was!
My uncle is buried some where at that graveyard. Beautiful country. Love and Peace
Wow..great video. I always thought the movie was about him. Stay safe. And thank you for taking us along 👍
I'm from Southern Illinois but moved to Iowa in '86.
I lived down the road from Fats in Dowell, Illinois and did all kinds of chores for Fats and his wife, Evelyn- I even mailed their divorce papers. He was an amazing dude. Had three limos, one for all the cats and dogs and had a small heated and air conditioned building for all the animals. He really loved the animals.
My favorite pool player of all times I love hearing stories about Minnesota I can never hear enough. Next time I'm in Tennessee I will take some flowers to his grave.
Those were the days !! 🤣🤣. Millennials will need a safe space over these nicknames from back in the day. 🤣🤣🤣. Fats was a gem. Rest in Joy !
I know, most like will be having therapy if they read this wonderful story!
@@theeweemo 🤣🤣🤣
Sometimes those flat markers can present problems trying to locate. Great to learn about Minnesota Fats. Great presentation as always! One of the best, Ron. Awesome job.
@@pippadot679 Hello!
Thanks Chris, glad you liked it. This one was special to tell, it was fun to meet him in college for those moments...but he was not a guy you could really talk to, he would just talk in those "one liners", one after another....well, that was his act I guess.
There are a lot of newer cemeteries in Tennessee that are are all flat markers. Unless you know exactly where someone is buried, it is difficult to find them.I have to wander the cemetery to find my own great grandparents.
Mr. RON, another great history lesson! Thank you
Hi Ron, what a nice chap he was, full of fun, he was a legend Ron, he lived a long time, especially after a heart attack, he was a big guy. RIP Fats. Thank you Ron. Xxxxx
I remember that episode of "Wide World of Sports" with Minnesota Fats...wow, thanks for the trip down Memory Lane! Take care and stay safe Ron. 👍
Thanks Ron. I don’t think I’ve ever heard his real name. Only knew him as Minnesota Fats. I’ve been gone for a bit with
Covid. I’m feeling a lot better now.
Hope you’re doing better!
@@KimberlyLew thank you
glad u r gettin better!
@@FacesoftheForgotten thank you
@@pippadot679 thank you
Thanks for all the stories. It’s such a relaxing way to watch tv and learn something. FYI: cemeteries that do not have vertical headstones are actually not called cemeteries or graveyards. They are called memorial parks. The idea is to create uniformity and a peaceful park-like setting.
It’s unreal how you can forget about someone but with Ron’s videos it brings the memories back. Thank you so much for helping us remember these people from so long ago.
And honoring them so eloquently
Fascinating story so cool that you met him as a young man :) my dad always remembered meeting Frank Sinatra in his early days. Dad used to write songs in the 1940s and Frank looked one over and gave dad a few pointers on how to improve it.
This is amazing. Just the other day, I was talking to a friend about sports on TV when I was a teenager and how boring it was. That was until I ran across Minnesota Fat's TV show, Celebrity Billiards. I was hooked by his personality and enjoyed his interaction with his celebrity guests. It was a fun show that was on in 1968.
Thanks for this Ron. I would watch him on TV with my dad because we loved to play. He was one of the greats for sure. May he RIP>
Hey, Ron, being an avid pool player I loved this episode! Maybe you can do a segment on Mosconi sometime!!
Ohh I remember the big fueds between Fats and Mosconi! Good times! Mosconi was and always will be the greatest but I was actually impressed to see that Fats really could shoot pretty good and he got better in later years.
The greatest player of all time is Efren "Bata" Reyes... however between these two Fats or Willie that definitely goes to Mosconi...
@@stevenbonnesen5988 Reyes is a mega player! But I’d put my money on a 20 year old Mosconi over Reyes in a game of 14.1 any day!
Jan Lynn ~ Hayward, Wi.
Another awesome story ! Thanks Ron, Keep it up and drive safe 👍
Love this! I briefly met him while staying at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville around ‘87? Guess where in the hotel? 😂 My husband at the time went absolutely nuts and was able to shoot a game with him! He was a big fan and pool player, too. Great memory, thanks for honoring him. Btw, glad you met the legend and had the same experience we did.
very cool!!!
I loved hearing the story of Minnesota Fats, how cool is that, you got to meet him Ron!! It sure sounds like he was the perfect showman for the game of pool and probably made alot of new fans for the game too. What a great character!! Awesome job Ron!
Wow I live within 4 miles of that cemetery. My Dad and Brother are both entombed there. I drive by it almost every day. I Never knew Minnesota Fats was buried there. I hope you visited the Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson while you were here. great video!
I get so excited everytime you put up a new video, it's like a new episode of your your favorite show coming on TV.
Thanks Ron, I enjoyed a few games of pool too, or snooker 🎱😀
I like Carbomdale. My uncle studied Agriculture at SIU. I'm amazed by your memory. Thank you for sharing your memories and for what you do to produce your interesting stories.
I remember him well from the 1960s and 70s. Kind of surprised to hear he almost made it to 83.
Love the epitaph on his marker he sure could shoot a game pool may he rest in peace and I remember the commercials if the billiard store that beared his name commercials
I met Minnesota fats in the early 1970 , he bought me soda pops, and played with my dad ,what wonderful man and caring individual. He played at Mr. Ed’s in Iowa.
Ron thank you for another wonderful story.I saw this pop up i squealed because I love watching your channel.Please stay safe in your travels
@@pippadot679 Im a huge fan haha
Hello. Always excited for a new video.
Great video & story today Ron! RIP Minnesota Fats
I do look forward to your videos, beautiful cemetery. Thank you Ron for all you do.
Ron how totally cool you guys got to meet Minnesota Fats. I love your stories. I’m cutting to the head of the line when you finally get your first book book published. You tell stories so well. Thank you. Stay safe.
@@pippadot679 Thank you. I am so looking forward to that. Ron’s story has this cozy comfortable familiarity about it. He’s a great teacher. Very easily I can remember the new things I learn from his videos. I’ve become more curious about architecture than I ever was.
As a teen I remember watching him on Wide World of Sports. The shots he'd make were unbelievable. He was always very entertaining and funny. Great story, Ron, ty
Same here! 😊
I was a teenager and was just learning to shoot pool and I also watched him play in many games on WWS especially against his biggest rival Willie Mosconi and loved any documentaries about them both. They certainly didn't mince words with each other...lol.
But I watched them both and studied some of their shots and applied them to my pool games and did pretty good against my opponents. I was dating my future husband at the time and he gave me an exact replica pool cue of the one Minnesota Fats played with ...it was out on the market at the time and i was so thrilled to get it! I still have it and cherish it. So I am really excited that you're talking about his story and boy does it bring back so many great memories and thank you! 😊
He was absolutely incredible. 🎱
Very interesting story Ron, and an interesting man. I loved playing pool when I was younger and saw Minnesota play many time. He was an amazing larger than life man. Rest in Peace. I missed you last few episodes as my computer went down. I am glad I got it back and will now catch up. Have a great weekend
Gotta love technology 🙄
I guess so Kimberly, though I still suck at it, lol 😂 and very seldom use it!
Thank you for this episode. Love it. Love it. You’re the best Ron-sters.
Thanks for sharing his story with us!!!
RIP 🙏🏻
I’ve ever heard about Fats”
Or Rudolf W. Wanderone “
but I’m loving to Learn
about them !
What a interesting life
He had ! RIP 🙏
Thanks Mister Ron
For this fabulous
Content !
What a fascinating life he had, what a great video Ron, as always.
What a wonderful video great story. I love ❤ all the flowers. A lot of our cemeteries have lots of flowers. God bless Ron.
I remember when i used to go to the pool halls in the mid 90s around south bend Indiana we used to talk about him he was a good man and one hell of a pool player. Thanks for sharing this
Thank you so much for your awesome videos. You bring so much detail and information on all your subjects. Keep up the great work.
You bring back so many memories for me! Yesterday I watched the “Bender” vid from Cherryvale, and today you talk about Carbondale. When I was going to nursing school in Chanute, my husband worked for the army corp of Engineers and was working on a dam project not far from there in Olmstead, IL. It’s such a small world! We live in Helena , MT now, we have wonderful summers and some really cool cemeteries. I love your content! Keep up the great work and plan a trip to Montana!
That was very interesting! Had to send it to my big bro ! Ty Ron :)
Wow. That’s very close to me. I would have come out and shaken your hand. It’s a gorgeous cemetery.
Rest in peace Minnesota Fats. 🕊️ 🕊️ He will always be known as one of the Legends of Pool...
I saw the movie, The Hustler, and Jackie Gleason was perfect for the role. Hope he does get some visitors. RIP Minn. Fats.
Loved watching him as a kid in tournaments on tv. I thought he was awesome.
Cool one day. I so remember my Father watching him play pool on tv. He was great..I loved it.
Oh do I have a great story on Fats. I played Semi-pro billiards for several decades. At the time I lived in South Jersey. Occasionally I would run into Willie Mosconi who also lived in the area. He was a great man and later in his life did a lot for charity. I adored him. Anyway, I asked him about Fats and he went on a rant. He said everything he did was a money hustle even if it involved cheating. He called him one of the worst pool players he’d ever played and said he was nothing but an old windbag. He also said he wasn’t a pool player but strictly a hustler. I’m laughing because you used a lot of these words and they are apparently true. RIP Fats You we’re one of the best! Rack em up! Thank you Ron for some good memories.
You are dead on correct, Willie Mosconi was way better than him. But you have to give him credit, he was a good player and could hit the bank shot like nobody else. He had a great act!!
How lucky and cool is it that you got to meet and talk to Willie Mosconi? Wow thanks for sharing that!!!! 👍👍👍
I watched him on an old movie playing pool.He talked and was quite when he was thinking.He really talked alot and rough.I enjoyed it so much
Throughout history, there has been no shortage of fascinating characters.🙂👍👍👍
“The Hustler” is one of my favorite films. Just finished watching another great film, “Cinderella Man” - The James J Braddock story. Ron if you’re ever in New Jersey it would be awesome if you visited his gravestone at Mount Carmel Cemetery Tenafly, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA. I’ve always found stories about fighters to be a huge inspiration.
Thanks I will definitely keep it in mind!!
A new story for me....thanks for sharing!!
A wonderful tribute to Minnesota Fats.
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt experience with him, as well 😊
That was very nice. God bless you for celebrating his memory and making this video
Best notification I ever get!!! 👍👍
What a great story and so cool you got to meet him. It really personalized this video and added so much value to the story, hearing how he interfaced with you and your buddies that day. I would listen to you talk all day long, you have the most interesting documentaries.
Great video as always Ron thank you 🙏..we are expecting a severe storm here in upstate Ny ,near Bennington Vermont where you visited …we are expecting snow ,sleet and ice ,,,going to work at the hospital in Albany will be fun tomorrow…yikes
I also went to SIU Carbondale in "73! Remember the Student Union Building very well. I lived in the Allen dorm for 9 months!
Schneider here, then to lewis Park---keggers in Giant City!!!!!
Springsteen used to come, and stay out late at the bars. I was bouncer at gatzbys.
@@FacesoftheForgotten I forgot about Gatzby’s 😂😂😂
Wow what a great memory to have so cool 👍 I remember fats, moskoni and many other matches and players at that time , I am 55 and remember, my grandfather was a very good player and the pool, pinball, hall was Across the street from there apartment, pool in the back, pinball in the front, my grandmother did not like me going there she knew what went on, I would go visit a couple times a year and was always in that place or the movie theatre next door, they lived in a small town, Brandon Manitoba 🍁🇨🇦 that smoke filled building was Awsome to me👍 grandad was around 70, Snooker was the game of choice, New sub 👍🇨🇦🍁
See, Mosconi grew up playing to survive. Literally. I spoke with Willies wife, Flora not long before she passed and I asked her “if Willie was here, what advice for pool playing would he give me?” And she thought for a minute and replied “he’d say, never play pool as a profession! Go to college! Get a real job..” lol
But anyways, Fats was always to loud mouthed and he always made a mockery of the game and that’s what pissed Willie off most. In the end though, they were both massive figures in the game.
Always liked Willy better 😉
i remember watching his televised match with willie mosconi in the mid 80s... i think it was on espn, not sure but i recall how he never let up yappin at mosconi😂... pure entertainment!.. jackie gleason was perfect playing him in the hustler... gleason was an excellent pool player himself. my favorite line was when fast eddie told him ..." look at cha fats!!.. all pink n powdered up like a baby!"😂
Thanks!
Thank you, Dani
@@KimberlyLew I joined FOTF Patreon as well today!
@@danithompson1693 🥳
ty Dani!
Beautiful flowers
Great video Ron enjoyed it Thanks for sharing ❤
You should do a video visiting Mosconi’s grave in Camden County New Jersey. That would be cool too.
he has been on my list for a while, ty.
I remember watching those matches of Minnesota Fats and Willy Masconi on ABC Wide World of Sports.
Very good story Ron. I was very interested in hearing you tell his story Minnesota fat......I remember hearing about him abd being greatest pool player of all times.and hearing about his personal like being married 2 times.... 😎.....thank you Ron sage travels and stay safe and warm.....in colder days everywhere...🏠🔥🏠🔥⛄☃️🌨️
Graduated from SIU in 1965. Played Fats in a down town Carbondale pool hall that year. He showed up in his pink Cadillac, alligator shoes and silk shirt. Most colorful person I ever met. An incredible talent.
wow, cool!!
Interesting man. Ron, I have to ask. Do you ever wish there was a way to communicate with those under us? When I go to the cemetery, I literally ask out loud "who were you, what were you like, did you have loved ones?" I do that with ever video you show us, also. Thanks for your gift.
You sound like me. I do things like that too🐝🤗❤️
Beautiful cemetery: what a character fats was damn could he shoot pool extraordinary player bet he was the life n soul of the party with that wicked sense of humour he showed round the table rest easy fats✝️ thanks for sharing that Ron
In addition, he was the foremost of the game that lifted it out of the dark places and made it respectable.
I remember watching him on TV when I was a child. My memory was that he was on TV quite often playing pool. But I was just a child so I could be wrong🐝🤗❤️
My brother took me to see him in the 50's. Thanks for the story.
What a wonderful tribute you did about Rudolf Wonderon aka Minnesota Fats. I have been to his grave before when I was living in the Nashville area. I didn't know much about him accept that he was a famous pool player. I grew up around a pool table. My father is a very good pool player. He can run the table pretty well. Me not so much. Now I know a little more about Minnesota Fats. Thanks again for the wonderful story Ron. Also wanted to mention did you know that Ernest Tubbs is also buried in that cemetery FYI thanks again 👍
thanks, yes, saw that...can only do so many stories. 👍
So... you go to Music City, USA 🇺🇸 and visit Minnesota Fats? I don't know why that strikes me funny, but it does! 😆 It was amazing how many graves had flowers 💐!
I enjoyed your memories of him and hearing his story! And I enjoyed seeing the grave of someone who might otherwise be overlooked! Thanks again Ron!
He was a funny guy!
Yup! I enjoyed the story! ❤💙💜💖💗💘
Ron thanks for another great walk among the tombstones very educational a lot of things I didn’t know about fats.🙏🏻🇺🇸👮🏻♂️
I went to SIU, too. I heard lots of stories about him from friends who lived near him in Dowell.
That's cool you went to SIU in Carbondale, Illinois. I still live in my hometown of Herrin. Herrin is about 17 miles North East of Carbondale. I go there on a regular basis.
If you ever get back into Southern Illinois, check out the new headstone in the Herrin Cematery for the victims of the Herrin massacre that happened in the 1920s.
In 2014 I believe, they dug in the potter's field and found remains and proof of were they were buried. You can found out about the Herrin Massacre by TH-cam, or the book Bloody Williamson by Paul Angle. Also the Charlie Burger gang was active here as well back then.
Charlie Burger was hung just North of Herrin in a little town called Benton.
Also about a mile or so from were I live now, Minnesota Fats used to have a pool tournament at a place called Hurleys Show Bar back in the early 70s. The show bar is gone now, but the building is still there. It's just off I57 at exit 59 Johnston City, Illinois.
the massacre is on. y list, ty...know Herrin, lots of SIU memories!
I’d forgotten about the wide world of sports-Howard Cossell and the pool exhibition
You should make a journey to PA, we got Jayne Mansfield burial site. We have Jim thorpe, burial site. Both our a good story. And an original well Ben Franklin built all not too far away from each other. Jim Thorpe buried in Jim Thorpe. And Jayne is buried at fairview cemetery pa. Pen argyl pa. Bens well is in weissport pa. Alot of history. They settled in weissport and walked the Gap.
hey ron❤ thank you!! remembering Minnesota fats the greatest pool player that ever lived!!! rip!! you are sweet ron!! I used to watch Minnesota for. ron you're goooood!! we love you!!❤❤
Hi Ron injoyed the vlog Margaret UK
Great presentation Ron,sorry to say my usual shot is black in the pocket straight off,stay safe and well,👋👋from 🇦🇺
Nurses from EMCHC watching 😊😊😊
Hello nurses 👋🏼❤️
@@KimberlyLew 3 of us say hello🥰
@@pippadot679 hello 🤗🤗🤗
@Sharon Q thank you 😊
yeah!!!!!!!!!!!! our heros, the nurses!
Loved it!
My uncle played a closed match against Minnesota Fats in the late 60's to early 70's some time, and supposedly won. I can't say for sure, because my mom knew more about it, and she passed away in July this past year. It was played in Chicago from what I can remember her saying. My uncle was a sharps in the military, and was dishonorable discharged for desertion, but he loved pool, and I guess Fats asked for the match to happen but he wanted no cameras allowed in the pool hall during the match.
Great video Ron!
Funny story: my dad got the chance to play pool with Minnesota Fats and my mom didn't know who he was. She yelled out that her husband is going to beat him bad at pool. My dad kept trying to get her to shut up because of who he was. Dad did lose but MN Fats was a great guy and bought my mom a drink and thanked her for letting such a great guy play pool with him.
wow, great story!!!!!!!! ty Jinne.
I personally had never heard of him. Very interesting as usual.
Totally forgot about Howard Cosell until I saw that picture with him and Minnesota Fats.
Thx 4 doing this 1. My Dad was an accountant @ Walter Reed for 40 yrs. He loved 2 play pool🎱. Minnesota Fats came 2 give an exhibition in the early 1980s. My Dad went 2 the rec hall & he was there with Fats all alone. Fats asked him if he wanted 2 play some games so he could warm up. My Dad ended up beating him several times! He never forgot that day & was still talking about it before he died in his sleep @ 92 in r family home. I was his caregiver & miss him every day.
Very cool!
great story! Fat's wasn't the best at pool, he was the best at yapping and hustling. I'm sure your Dad was thrilled, so cool!!
Didn't know who he was, but really enjoyed the video thank you Ron. 💗
I just ran across this video and would like to make a couple comments. First, thank you for doing a video on Fats. However, that isn't Teresa (T Bell) in the photo. She is my cousin and in her 60's today (2024)... much younger than him. She lives close to Hermitage with her dogs. According to her, Fats and Willie Mosconi were actually good friends. The rivalry was all part of the show.