The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023

Willie Mosconi

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Athletes 2023
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Billiards
Statistics: 15 World Straight Pool Championships

Member of the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame
Arguably, two billiards players reached celebrity consciousness; a hustler, Rudolf "Minnesota Fats" Wanderone, and a champion, Willie Mosconi.

Calling Mosconi a champion seems so simple. Mosconi won a record fifteen straight World Straight Pool Championships (1941-57), earning the nickname of "Mr. Pocket Billiards." He was also a trick shot master, and he was a large part of raising the profile of the sport.

Mosconi was an advisor and had a small role in the 1961 film, the Hustler. Wanderone claimed that the role of Minnesota Fats was based off of him, and he adopted (or reclaimed) that nickname and became far more recognized. He kept talking about Mosconi, which led to a high-profile match between the two when both were in their 60s.

Mosconi soundly beat Wanderone, proving who was the best billiards player, and showed that technique and skill would defeat flash and cockiness. It remains the most famous billiards contest ever.

We are proud to nominate Willie Mosconi for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.