Since you asked

G

Grady

Pro Player
I put Rich R and NYC cue dude on my ignore list.
Some posters have asked' "What's he done over the last 10 or 12 years?"
Nothing great but here's what:
Wrote a book.
Created and hosts the Bank Pool ring game and co-hosts the One Pocket and Bank Pool HOF dinner at the DCC every year.
Writes for Inside Pool magazine
Took four 10,000 mile plus tours doing Exhibitions and seminars
Played four $10,000 sets, won two and lost two
Played in two ring games that each had a $2,000 entry fee and starred world class players
Promoted three good sized tournaments, one on the gulf coast, another at the Sheraton hotel here and a senior event in Naples Beach,Fl
I thought this was a fair question so I responded as best I could. Oh, probably most importantly, I raised my two kids with no entitlements.
 
Grady said:
I put Rich R and NYC cue dude on my ignore list.
Some posters have asked' "What's he done over the last 10 or 12 years?"
Nothing great but here's what:
Wrote a book.
Created and hosts the Bank Pool ring game and co-hosts the One Pocket and Bank Pool HOF dinner at the DCC every year.
Writes for Inside Pool magazine
Took four 10,000 mile plus tours doing Exhibitions and seminars
Played four $10,000 sets, won two and lost two
Played in two ring games that each had a $2,000 entry fee and starred world class players
Promoted three good sized tournaments, one on the gulf coast, another at the Sheraton hotel here and a senior event in Naples Beach,Fl
I thought this was a fair question so I responded as best I could. Oh, probably most importantly, I raised my two kids with no entitlements.
Click to expand...

Lots of great things, Grady, but in my opinion it still isn't enough to qualify to get an invite to the World 14-1 Championship.

To get an invite you have to play pool on the highest level, and be damn good at it. You have done so, but do you today?

John McEnroe works as commentator and do exhibitions for a living today, even though he were one of the greatest tennis-players in the world.
 
After reading your post Grady, it looks like the last 10 years are behind the seens of tournament pool. Something I wish all great players would take time to do. We all get to a point in sport where we can no longer do what we once did. If allowed, I am sure MJ could get voted into the all star game. How many would want to watch a legend out of his league, not able to compete at a game he dominated and changed.

Today is for new players trying to build their legend and raise kids. Let us sit back and compare these players to the past champions and memories
 
Love ya Grady

Damn the naysayers. You should get the red carpet treatment in ANY venue.

In Japan, a venerable warrior, a person such as yourself, is considered a "living treasure" as you are to the game of pool here in the USA.

Your tapes have helped my game a lot.

Thanks.
 
Roy Steffensen said:
Lots of great things, Grady, but in my opinion it still isn't enough to qualify to get an invite to the World 14-1 Championship.

To get an invite you have to play pool on the highest level, and be damn good at it. You have done so, but do you today?

John McEnroe works as commentator and do exhibitions for a living today, even though he were one of the greatest tennis-players in the world.
Click to expand...

IMHO I believe that Grady, and other great straight pool players that may or may not have the 'game' they used to have, should be invited to any and all 14.1 events out of respect for their achievements. Having those players at any tournament would add 'class' to the event.
I apologize to Grady if I seemed to belittle your game. That was not my intention. Don:smile:
 
bell said:
Damn the naysayers. You should get the red carpet treatment in ANY venue.

In Japan, a venerable warrior, a person such as yourself, is considered a "living treasure" as you are to the game of pool here in the USA.

Your tapes have helped my game a lot.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I absolutely agree!
 
That's a mighty impressive list there Grady...I would venture to guess your list is a little longer than your detractors.
 
pulzcul said:
IMHO I believe that Grady, and other great straight pool players that may or may not have the 'game' they used to have, should be invited to any and all 14.1 events out of respect for their achievements. Having those players at any tournament would add 'class' to the event.
I apologize to Grady if I seemed to belittle your game. That was not my intention. Don:smile:
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So even though Grady hasn't won a World 14-1 Championship, he should still be invited for the rest of his life?

I wouldn't even invite World Champions in 9-ball to future World 9-ball Championships. I think the rule Matchroom/WPA has, with inviting the champions from the 5 past years, is a good rule.

If you haven't won the Championship the last 5 years, you better qualify.

Should Daryl Peach be invited to all coming World 9-ball Championship till he dies? Didn't think so...
 
I can't solve any of the unfortunate "pool political" issues being alluded to, but I do want to thank you, Grady, for all the help you've been to me via your teachings & example thru the years; along with all of your past & continuing contributions to a pool world often all too willing to eat their young and disregard their elders.
I wish only the best for you, Randi, and all of yours.
 
Grady said:
I put Rich R and NYC cue dude on my ignore list.
Some posters have asked' "What's he done over the last 10 or 12 years?"
Nothing great but here's what:
Wrote a book.
Created and hosts the Bank Pool ring game and co-hosts the One Pocket and Bank Pool HOF dinner at the DCC every year.
Writes for Inside Pool magazine
Took four 10,000 mile plus tours doing Exhibitions and seminars
Played four $10,000 sets, won two and lost two
Played in two ring games that each had a $2,000 entry fee and starred world class players
Promoted three good sized tournaments, one on the gulf coast, another at the Sheraton hotel here and a senior event in Naples Beach,Fl
I thought this was a fair question so I responded as best I could. Oh, probably most importantly, I raised my two kids with no entitlements.
Click to expand...
Grady, you can ignore me if you want, that is your right, however, all of my posts have been respectful. I am not bashing you. I am only disagreeing with you.

I am only asking why you think you should be invited to a straight pool world championship tournament. The list above doesn't show one connection to straight pool. Your list of titles in the other thread show no connection to straight pool in over 20 years. I fail to see why you think you should be invited.

Let me add, if we were talking about a world one pocket championship, I would be in your corner fighting for your invitation. Unfortunately, we are discussing straight pool, not one pocket.
 
Grady said:
I put Rich R and NYC cue dude on my ignore list.
Some posters have asked' "What's he done over the last 10 or 12 years?"
Nothing great but here's what:
Wrote a book.
Created and hosts the Bank Pool ring game and co-hosts the One Pocket and Bank Pool HOF dinner at the DCC every year.
Writes for Inside Pool magazine
Took four 10,000 mile plus tours doing Exhibitions and seminars
Played four $10,000 sets, won two and lost two
Played in two ring games that each had a $2,000 entry fee and starred world class players
Promoted three good sized tournaments, one on the gulf coast, another at the Sheraton hotel here and a senior event in Naples Beach,Fl
I thought this was a fair question so I responded as best I could. Oh, probably most importantly, I raised my two kids with no entitlements.
Click to expand...

There is no doubt about it Grady you have done alot for the game and have helped many pool players get ahead in their game. You won't let this slow you down. If you are like me (and I know I am ) this will inspire you to do even more. You have plenty to be proud of.
 
Here is a little story for you forum members that I have told many times in conversation.

It is 1992 and I am at the Roosavelt in New York. The 14.1 US Open, an invitational event. All the great players are there, field of 32, The Miz, Sigel, Hopkins, Zuglan, Dallas West, Grady and on and on. The opening ceremony starts and to my surprise they announce they have Cisero Murphy there and in the field!. Cisero has been retired from the tournament scene for several years, BUT the crowd is in a buzz with excitement with just the presence of the great legendary Cisero Murphy. I had never had the chance to see Cisero play and here it is I have that chance, and to also approach him for a little chat and handshake, one of the most personable humbling players you could ever meet. Maybe just a little of that greatness will rub off!

Well, Cisero drew Mike Zuglan and Mike puts 109 on him, Cisero gets up and with that sweet long flowing stroke runs about 28 and gets out of position a bit and missed. Mike gets out shortly after. Cisero then lost his next match as well.

BUT, I was there and I can always tell this story of how I was there and saw the legendary Cisero Murphy play, and got to meet him and chat for a bit. And yes that experience influences me to this very day.

The only regret I have from that tournament was not meeting Grady for just a hello and handshake.

Kevin Vidal
 
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How's your game Grady?

Grady, if you don't mind me asking, how is your 14.1 game? Given an invite, and some time to bone up on the game, how competitive do you feel you'd be?

I know this is not the issue you are addressing, but some believe it is part of the equation.

Take care,

Matt
 
Roy Steffensen said:
Lots of great things, Grady, but in my opinion it still isn't enough to qualify to get an invite to the World 14-1 Championship.

To get an invite you have to play pool on the highest level, and be damn good at it. You have done so, but do you today?

John McEnroe works as commentator and do exhibitions for a living today, even though he were one of the greatest tennis-players in the world.
Click to expand...

Um, you would THINK that playing pool at the highest level WOULD be the driving criteria. However in Grady's case people who can't lick his boots in straight pool were INVITED to the 14.1 "World Championship" instead of him.

Cowboy Jimmy Moore reported ran or still runs a hundred balls a day in his 80s.

Wille Mosconi received invites and WON a straight pool world title in his sixties "after" he was retired from active competition.

Buddy Hall and Mike Lebron both won the US Open after they were 50.

The point of all this Roy is that Grady was NOT passed over because of his ability of lack of it. He was and will continue to be passed over because he was OPENLY and harshly critical of the tournament promoter Charlie Williams when Charlie was running the UPA. It's politics as usual.

It's the same reason Sarah Rousey won't be getting "invites" to Dragon Promotions events.

Grady knows this.

Still though his point is completely valid that he is still an active player, that he can still compete, that he has promoted and done well in 14.1 events and that he should be invited on those credentials alone and politics should be left out of it.

But, it's the pool world Roy and nothing is as it "should" be.
 
Rich R. said:
Grady, you can ignore me if you want, that is your right, however, all of my posts have been respectful. I am not bashing you. I am only disagreeing with you.

I am only asking why you think you should be invited to a straight pool world championship tournament. .
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This is meant as nothing but words to read.

Grady Matthews was runner-up to the Miz in the World 14.1 Championship. When he moved to New england right around 1990, he promptly won the New England 14.1 Championship. And up until that point, 14.1 was still going strongly in New England.

Several years late, Amsterdam Billiards decided to have an event that they called the National 14.1 Championship. Though there were several new age 14.1 players running 100's from everywhere, an out-gunned, out- matched, over-the-hill Grady Matthews ground out a supremely competitive 5th place out of a world class field.

I know Grady is past his prime, but even when everyone thought he was all washed up, he still came with it. He's got a background that includes 14.1, for those that don't know. If others with less history and qualification are invited, then not inviting him IMO is wrong. We've seen it in the past where others with less were invited to these types of events.

Fred
 
JB Cases said:
Wille Mosconi received invites and WON a straight pool world title in his sixties "after" he was retired from active competition.

Buddy Hall and Mike Lebron both won the US Open after they were 50.
Click to expand...

Jimmy Caras 1967 - US Open -
 
A few more things

This post wasn't meant to try to get an invitation. It was just to answer about what I've been doing the last 10 or so years.Look, if any promoter doesn't consider it an honor to have Grady Mathews in his field, it's his loss, not mine.
If I were proffered an invite for next year, I'd practice every day and I'm pretty sure I could play straight pool near the championship level. I do have some pride, you know.
Interesting that selftaut enjoyed meeting Sisero so much in 1992. In 1995, I paid his entry fee, his travel and his room for him to come play in my $25,000 added Maine Event 14.1 championship.He passed shortly after that and I must say, his presence added a lot of class to my event.
Please allow me to add a couple of things I've done over recent years:
1. I finished 7th out of more than 400 players in the Bank Pool at the DCC. I defeated Truman Hogue, Ike Runnels and John Brumback, among others, a pretty good trifecta if you ask me. Banks was never my best game.
2. We opened a family pool room, with 22 tables.
3. Since I quit smoking, I try to run a few miles every day. I aint fast but it helps me stay healthy.

Roy, baby, you have to go on the ignore, too. Bye
 
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