Joe Balsis

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Joseph (Joe) Balsis (b. 1921, Minersville, Pennsylvania; d. 1995), nicknamed "the Meatman", was a professional pool (especially straight pool) player, and was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America's Hall of Fame in 1982.^[1]

[edit] Early life

Joe grew up playing in the billiard room of his father, John (who was in the meat business). The young Balsis was skilled enough by age 11 to play exhibition matches against professional players including Andrew Ponzi and Erwin Rudolph. In his teens, he won four consecutive annual junior titles, then left the game and joined the Coast Guard as a boat machinist for several years during pool's temporary decline. In 1944, he took up competition again, winning the Armed Services Champion title.^[1]

[edit] Professional career

In 1964 Balsis began competing professionally, winning the US Open in 1968 and 1974 in sports, and reaching the finals in three other years between 1965 and 1975. He also won the 1965 Billiard Room Proprietors Association Tournament, the 1966 World All-Around Championship, and both the 1968 and 1969 Jansco Brothers' Stardust Open "All-Around" title.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Hall of Fame Inductees, 1977-84", Billiards Congress of America, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; accessed February 2, 2007

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