Minnesota Fats The Bank Shot Bandit
Born in the year of 1913, when asked his age he would never tell anyone what it was. But he was born in New York. He would be a person who hung near or around pool halls and hustle people. He was great for getting everyone who was watching to take his side. He continued to be the great showman long into his golden years.
Minnesota would often be asking his opponent to show him mercy and then turn around and take them for all they had. Fats was a very colorful person and was great for the game of pool, people loved to watch him and cheer him on during his matches where at times he would seem to come back from insurmountable odds.
Fats died in Tennessee due to heart failure. It’s surprising to know that Fats never did win a championship. Though he did like to call himself the “greatest of all time”. There was some allegations about his nickname being found in a book, instead of being made up by him. But really does it matter, the man was still a great.
Fats attended the Johnston City tournaments in the 60’s, in fact he played host on the television show “Minnesota Fats Hustles the Stars”, and he would challenge different Hollywood people to a game of pool. He stopped playing in most tournaments at this time too.
He may not have been the best but his personality definitely took him far being inducted into the hall of fame in 1984. It’s even said that Willie Mosconi lost a bunch of money to Fats, and called him a great one pocket player.
Minnesota Fats was a good pool player who used his skills of loving to talk and being able to distract people so he could win money and the game. A great of the game, even if he wasn’t the best.
