A Cool Rempe Picture

Drawman623

Drawman623

Box Cue lover
Silver Member
rempecoat.jpg


This is a favorite photo of Jim Rempe that I have been saving for some years. He is in the finals of the World Straight Pool Championship. Though Balsis eventually wins, Rempe comes within a single ball of being named best in the world.

The picture is interesting to me because Jim is actually stroking as it was shot. His head and bridge are solid and in focus. His back hand is blurred. Looks like good mechanics.

Jim told me the finals were going to be aired on television and he was required to wear a sportcoat. He didn't have one so he is wearing a coat borrowed from Billy Incardona. Rempe is a much taller man, but Cardone's shoulders still fit...the sleeve length, however, was a little short. Too bad the Nixon impeachment stroy preempted the straight pool final.

I like a picture with a story.
 
Drawman623 said:
rempecoat.jpg


This is a favorite photo of Jim Rempe that I have been saving for some years. He is in the finals of the World Straight Pool Championship. Though Balsis eventually wins, Rempe comes within a single ball of being named best in the world.

The picture is interesting to me because Jim is actually stroking as it was shot. His head and bridge are solid and in focus. His back hand is blurred. Looks like good mechanics.

Jim told me the finals were going to be aired on television and he was required to wear a sportcoat. He didn't have one so he is wearing a coat borrowed from Billy Incardona. Rempe is a much taller man, but Cardone's shoulders still fit...the sleeve length, however, was a little short. Too bad the Nixon impeachment stroy preempted the straight pool final.

I like a picture with a story.
Click to expand...



I know where the Balabushka he is shooting with is located.
 
Drawman623 said:
rempecoat.jpg


This is a favorite photo of Jim Rempe that I have been saving for some years. He is in the finals of the World Straight Pool Championship. Though Balsis eventually wins, Rempe comes within a single ball of being named best in the world.

The picture is interesting to me because Jim is actually stroking as it was shot. His head and bridge are solid and in focus. His back hand is blurred. Looks like good mechanics.

Jim told me the finals were going to be aired on television and he was required to wear a sportcoat. He didn't have one so he is wearing a coat borrowed from Billy Incardona. Rempe is a much taller man, but Cardone's shoulders still fit...the sleeve length, however, was a little short. Too bad the Nixon impeachment stroy preempted the straight pool final.

I like a picture with a story.
Click to expand...
That was the US open in Chicago when he lost 200 to 199. The Nixon story is true. If I remember right they announced over the PA that the president had just resigned. I don't believe it was being televised although there were cameras there. I don't think the jacket story is true. He was wearing a tan leather jacket that was beautiful. I believe that is it in the picture.
 
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I got the jacket story straight from Jim himself. I was hoping that Wincardona might see the thread and tell his story though.
 
Drawman623 said:
I got the jacket story straight from Jim himself. I was hoping that Wincardona might see the thread and tell his story though.
Click to expand...

If he says so it must be true. It fit pretty good though. The only thing is, if I remember right they all wore jackets in every match, it was the rules. I remember Miz dropping his pants once and tucking the bottom half of his jacket in so as not to foul a ball when he was reaching over the table. Rempy by the way didn't just lose by a ball, he missed an easy shot in the side pocket to win. After the miss he looked like he was going to faint. The girl with him maybe his wife grabbed him as he returned to his chair and held on to him for the longest time. The audience was in shock after the miss. Balsis came with a very tough long shot to start his run out. I think he needed about 19 to get out and it was very tricky all the way through for some reason. I should add ironical, Rempy the king of 9-ball at the time, It was a 9-ball that he missed.
 
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macguy said:
Rempy by the way didn't just lose by a ball, he missed an easy shot in the side pocket to win. After the miss he looked like he was going to faint. The girl with him maybe his wife grabbed him as he returned to his chair and held on to him for the longest time. The audience was in shock after the miss. Balsis came with a very tough long shot to start his run out. I think he needed about 19 to get out and it was very tricky all the way through for some reason. I should add ironical, Rempy the king of 9-ball at the time, It was a 9-ball that he missed.
Click to expand...

Here is a pic of the infamous 9-ball. Jim told me it took him 20 years to get over that miss. The nine "turned" on him as he described it to me once. I have Jim's trophy from that match and a few other items that together help tell the story of his battle with Mr. Balsis on that day. I also heard that Pat Flemming is restoring an original copy of the match. I hope it becomes available some day.

It's a nice pic of the Balabushka too. Thanks Coby for that fine picture.

MVC-012F.jpg
 
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macguy said:
If he says so it must be true. It fit pretty good though. The only thing is, if I remember right they all wore jackets in every match, it was the rules. I remember Miz dropping his pants once and tucking the bottom half of his jacket in so as not to foul a ball when he was reaching over the table. Rempy by the way didn't just lose by a ball, he missed an easy shot in the side pocket to win. After the miss he looked like he was going to faint. The girl with him maybe his wife grabbed him as he returned to his chair and held on to him for the longest time. The audience was in shock after the miss. Balsis came with a very tough long shot to start his run out. I think he needed about 19 to get out and it was very tricky all the way through for some reason. I should add ironical, Rempy the king of 9-ball at the time, It was a 9-ball that he missed.
Click to expand...

You are very correct i was there and it was the 9 ball in the side pocket.
RAY MARTIN
 
Awesome pics of 1 of the greats in the 70's. I would love to find a original pic like these to hang on my wall!! :wink:
 
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