 | |
| Born | 1889 Schenectady, New York |
|---|---|
| Died | 1941 |
| Sport country |  United States |
| Nickname | ""The Gray Fox" |
| Professional | 1915 |
| Tournament wins | |
| World Champion | Straight Pool 14x |
Frank Taberski (1889–1941) was a professional pocket billiards player from Schenectady, New York. Nicknamed "The Gray Fox,"[1] he won 14 world titles.[2]
Taberski was born in 1889, and first made a living by selling milk door to door. He began practicing pool at 13 years of age,[3] playing 30 minutes a day when his working hours were over.
In 1915, at age 26, he turned pro after attending the New York City pocket billiards championship.[2]
In 1916 he became world champion by defeating Johnny Layton.[4]
Also in 1916 he retained his title by defeating Ralph Greenleaf.[5]
In 1917 he retained his title again by defeating James Maturo.[6][7]
By 1918 he had won 10 consecutive challenge matches.[2] Following those victories, Taberski temporarily retired that same year.
He returned to pocket billiards in 1925 and regained the world title from Greenleaf who held it over 10 challenge matches in a row.
His highest straight pool run is 238.[8]
Taberski died in 1941. He was 52.
His son Harold Taberski was also a pool player.[9]
Taberski was inducted into the Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame in 1975.[2]
In those days, 450 point challenge matches were the means of competition; the prize a ruby and diamond studded gold medal with the proviso that any one who won 10 consecutive challenge matches could keep it. Alfredo DeOro had come closest with five straight defenses. By 1918 Taberski had accomplished the impossible and the medal was his.
The pocket Billiard championship of America remains in the secure possession of Frank Taberski of Schenectady, for last night he cut short the aspirations of Ralph Greenleaf of Monmouth, Ill., by coming from behind and defeating the sixteen-year-old boy in a thrilling match at Doyle's Academy by a score of 450 to 407 for the three nights' play.
Early next month Frank Taberski of Schenectady will again be called upon to defend his right to the professional pocket billiard championship. His match against the challenger, James Maturo of Kansas City, must take place some time between Jan. 2 and Jan. 12 and will probably be scheduled in Schenectady, although as yet the exact date and place of the encounter have not been announced by the champion.
| Preceded by Johnny Layton |
World Straight Pool Champion (Pre-WPA) 1916-1918 |
Vacant Title next held by Ralph Greenleaf |
| Preceded by Ralph Greenleaf |
World Straight Pool Champion (Pre-WPA) 1925-1926 | |
| Preceded by Ralph Greenleaf |
World Straight Pool Champion (Pre-WPA) 1927-1928 |
Succeeded by |
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