I wonder if you have some bias against SVB, “I couldn’t be happier…. , but ….”. That’s just the feeling I get, that you’re reluctant to give Shane his due. I know you’re knowledgeable and probably pay a lot more attention to all things pool than I do, but I wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I definitely appreciate your write ups of events, they’ve great!
Shane’s been around for quite a while, and he’s not done yet.
There was a long period when Shane dominated 9-ball. Shane’s about 14 years older than Filler, so the jury is still out. Filler was around 18 when Shane finished his run at the US Open (I know people say the fields were not as tough), so are they of the same generation?.
Filler was definitely on fire in 9-ball at the derby though, but Shane, at 42 years old, won the all around!
I was delighted to have the opportunity to congratulate SVB in person for his great achievement. Perhaps it is lost on you how difficult it is to win the Master of the Table when Fedor Gorst is present, let alone to win it when you haven't won it in over a decade. Gorst, Master of the Table in three of the previous four Derby City Classic events, offers as stiff a challenge to any would-be all-around champion since Efren did in 1999-2010. It was a wonderful story, and I stayed for the award ceremony to see Shane get his Master of the Table check. Well done!
FYI, Filler, who is just 28, has a resume of majors that already exceeds that of Shane, and the gap will greatly widen in the coming years. Filler has won the World 9-ball, the UK Open, the US Open, the China Open, World 8-ball, the Qatar Open, the European 9ball, the European 14.1, the European 10ball, the American 14.1, the Derby City 9ball, the Derby City banks, the Derby City Master of the Table, the Buffalo Billiards one-pocket, the World Pool Masters, the World Cup of Pool, double digit Euro-tour titles and has been a Mosconi MVP. Just for good measure, he also has a silver at the World 10ball. He is the most prolific collector of major titles in the entire 9ball era. His is the most complete competitive resume since the days of Mike Sigel, and it will greatly exceed that of Mike Sigel before he hangs up his cue. In fact, for most of his career, SVB had an uninspiring record on foreign soil, while Filler has won on every continent on a regular basis for the length of his career. Perhaps you need to do a little more research if you think SVB's career is on a par with that of Filler. As SVB had noted in interviews, Josh has worn him out for the length of his career at 9ball.
But for now, it is time to celebrate Shane's special accomplishment this past week at the Derby. I felt truly honored to have seen it up close. Shane carried Derby week and he has the prize money checks to prove it! SVB is a legendary player and will always be counted among the greatest in pool history.
