The book is fiction. It only has one page when someone asks how good she was. I just didn't want my answer to be fiction in Jean's case. Johnnyt
A Little Help on Jean Balukas please
- Thread starter Johnnyt
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The book is fiction. It only has one page when someone asks how good she was. I just didn't want my answer to be fiction in Jean's case. Johnnyt
IF the book is fiction, then I think you have plenty of material to base Jean's charactor on.
Jean was a champion speed player, probably equivalent to the best of the current WPBA crop. She had the ability to beat the top men, but wasn't a favorite. Only the elite men would have an advantage over Jean.
I don't know if she still does it, but, she used to run an open tourney at H.O.F. Billiards, in Brooklyn, the last Thurs of the month. She would play in it (I've played in it several times) so if you really wanna gauge her speed, maybe you should check it out for yourself. For a woman that never practices anymore, Jean is apt to walk in, screw her stick together and let it rip. It still takes a good player to beat her.
Eric
Jean was a champion speed player, probably equivalent to the best of the current WPBA crop. She had the ability to beat the top men, but wasn't a favorite. Only the elite men would have an advantage over Jean.
I don't know if she still does it, but, she used to run an open tourney at H.O.F. Billiards, in Brooklyn, the last Thurs of the month. She would play in it (I've played in it several times) so if you really wanna gauge her speed, maybe you should check it out for yourself. For a woman that never practices anymore, Jean is apt to walk in, screw her stick together and let it rip. It still takes a good player to beat her.
Eric
I came in in the middle of that match. Liscotti took a break and announced very loudly he was going to the MEN's room and made some comment about her not being able to follow him there on the way out.
I didn't know any of the players then but some of them made it clear they were not happy with her being in the field. Seeing her play it was obvious why. She had a very powerful stroke.
I went to a local tournement in Elizabth NJ back in the late '80s as a spectator. So in i walk and look around and saw Jean, Jimmy and Pete Fusco, Neptune Joe Frady and Tom Storm among others.Nice field.
Jimmy Fusco played Jean and crushed her. I thought this women is a legend and she played terrible. So i figured bad night, out of stroke whatever. This was the first and last time i saw her play so i still have no first hand knowledge of her true speed. Very dissapointing.
Jimmy Fusco played Jean and crushed her. I thought this women is a legend and she played terrible. So i figured bad night, out of stroke whatever. This was the first and last time i saw her play so i still have no first hand knowledge of her true speed. Very dissapointing.
I wasn't at the tournament you're talking about, but I've saw her play many times and can tell you she was capable of beating anyone in a tournament. Everyone has bad tournaments. It's such a mental game. Probably all those top men players she beat had bad nights too I would guess. Johnnyt
I'm not saying she couldn't play. But i was real bummed out that i got to she her and she had an off night.
I knew what you meant. That last comment was't meant as a barb to you...sorry. Johnnyt
Jean pounded the Women's Tour. I'm sure she was bored and it had to be a drag always having the fans pulling for the underdogs.
When Jean started playing in the Men's I think for the first time she really enjoyed playing again, she felt the pressure and stepped up to plate. I think her game was strong enough to get there...and so did the Men at that time.
I had a blast sweating the matches...no one dogged it against her she flat out played her opponents that game. She was always a gracious champion ( wasn't the best at losing, I don't think she did it often enough to know how).
It was a sad day when the men changed it from the PBA to the MPBA for the soul reason of Jean playing. I think it was one time our sport had a chance to hit Corporate.
Good Memories indeed thanks for the thread.
When Jean started playing in the Men's I think for the first time she really enjoyed playing again, she felt the pressure and stepped up to plate. I think her game was strong enough to get there...and so did the Men at that time.
I had a blast sweating the matches...no one dogged it against her she flat out played her opponents that game. She was always a gracious champion ( wasn't the best at losing, I don't think she did it often enough to know how).
It was a sad day when the men changed it from the PBA to the MPBA for the soul reason of Jean playing. I think it was one time our sport had a chance to hit Corporate.
Good Memories indeed thanks for the thread.
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Thank you Robin for verify that the PBA changed to the MPBA since I don't believe alot of people believe this BUT IT DID HAPPEN!
I too think the men shot themselves in the foot again with that deal. At the time there were her and what other women that could hold their own against men pros? One woman. Women mixed with the men might have gave pool the shot in the arm it needed and still needs. Thank you for posting Robin. Johnnyt
Eric...EXACTLY the concept that we teach...find your process (SPF helps to define it)...practice it until you can do it PERFECTLY...take it into combat a LOT...and, with enough time, it becomes like "riding a bike with no hands" (do it without thinking). The benefits are: 1) you're never "out of stroke"; 2) you never have to "warm up", and 3) you can play once a year (or even lay off for years), and play full speed, off the first shot!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Robin...I may be wrong, but I don't think so...as this was told to me by Mighty Mouse (Howie Pearl), who was there! I believe you have the progression a little backwards. First, in the 70's, it was the PPPA (professional pool player's association). That morphed into the MPBA (men's professional billiards association). Then, in the early 80's, came the PBTA (professional billiards tour association), and it's assorted woes, with Don Mackey, as "dictator". After the demise of the PBTA (late 90's, after Mackey sued RJ Reynolds, won, and absconded with the player's $$$), there was nothing for a while, until Charlie Williams came up with the UPA (united states professional poolplayer's association). Regardless...when Jean started beating many of the elite men, a bunch of them got pissed off, and they voted to disallow her (scaredy cats!). Not long after that, she had her "run-in" with you, with her subsequent self-imposed exile from professional pool in any form. As was mentioned, she continues to play occasionally, in her own room.
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
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In the days of the PPPA, at some events, including the World 14.1 championships, a problem the men had with Jean's participation in the men's event was her simultaneous participation in the women's event, which was a match scheduling nightmare for the tournament directors. The men were not smart enough to stay out of the way as something that might have helped the sport had a chance to gain momentum. The ABC Wide World of Sports Challenge between Mosconi and Balukas (1975, I think) had been a ratings success, so the possibilities should have been understood. Ah, for what might have been.
A Little help on Jean Balukas
Here is some clarity about jean Balukas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Balukas
A brief part:
Balukas won the U.S. Open seven years in a row from 1972 through 1978, accumulating six world championship titles, had well over 100 professional competition first place finishes with 38 majors to her name, had a streak of 16 first place finishes in women's professional tournaments, and was the only woman to compete on equal footing with men in professional play in her era.[10][7][11][12] She quit the sport amidst controversy in 1988 while at the height of her ability, due to a dispute over her conduct in a match at the World Open Nine-ball Championship of that year.[10][5]
Another brief part:
Balukas was initially entered in both the men's and women's divisions of the 1987 B.C. Classic, a nine-ball competition. After notable controversy (detailed below), she competed only on the men's side. Along the way she trounced Keith McCready 11–3 (at the time the 17th-ranked male player by money list, and who guest-starred as obnoxious hustler "Grady Seasons" in the 1986 film The Color of Money). Balukas finished in a tie for 9th place among many of the best players in the world.
An amazing player. I hope you read the entire article to appreciate how good she was. Trust me when I tell you that she played like the men did in that era (stroke, stance, excution, etc).
Here is some clarity about jean Balukas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Balukas
A brief part:
Balukas won the U.S. Open seven years in a row from 1972 through 1978, accumulating six world championship titles, had well over 100 professional competition first place finishes with 38 majors to her name, had a streak of 16 first place finishes in women's professional tournaments, and was the only woman to compete on equal footing with men in professional play in her era.[10][7][11][12] She quit the sport amidst controversy in 1988 while at the height of her ability, due to a dispute over her conduct in a match at the World Open Nine-ball Championship of that year.[10][5]
Another brief part:
Balukas was initially entered in both the men's and women's divisions of the 1987 B.C. Classic, a nine-ball competition. After notable controversy (detailed below), she competed only on the men's side. Along the way she trounced Keith McCready 11–3 (at the time the 17th-ranked male player by money list, and who guest-starred as obnoxious hustler "Grady Seasons" in the 1986 film The Color of Money). Balukas finished in a tie for 9th place among many of the best players in the world.
An amazing player. I hope you read the entire article to appreciate how good she was. Trust me when I tell you that she played like the men did in that era (stroke, stance, excution, etc).
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Yes, I knew Howie in New York in the 1980's. He was a fine player whose unimposing presence belied how tough a competitor he was. Nice guy, too.
(play to tune of Harper Valley PTA).
I want to tell you all a story 'bout a girl who graduated from McGowan's Paradise High
Who was known for her skills because it gave competing women no chance even with BYE
Well Al saw his daughter came home one afternoon and she didn't even stop to play
Angry Jean said, "I got a note here from the Women's P.B.A!"
The note said, "Ms. Balukas you oughta be wearing flowerly dresses for the semi-finals tonight.
It's also reported you've beaten The Miz in staight pool, and the menfolk's say that ain't right.
And we don't believe your oughta continue on the lady's tour unless you dress this way"
It was signed by the Secretary of Women's P.B.A.
The day Jean was fined by two hundred by the Women's P.B.A.
I want to tell you all a story 'bout a girl who graduated from McGowan's Paradise High
Who was known for her skills because it gave competing women no chance even with BYE
Well Al saw his daughter came home one afternoon and she didn't even stop to play
Angry Jean said, "I got a note here from the Women's P.B.A!"
The note said, "Ms. Balukas you oughta be wearing flowerly dresses for the semi-finals tonight.
It's also reported you've beaten The Miz in staight pool, and the menfolk's say that ain't right.
And we don't believe your oughta continue on the lady's tour unless you dress this way"
It was signed by the Secretary of Women's P.B.A.
The day Jean was fined by two hundred by the Women's P.B.A.
Henry...You might have missed your calling! LOL 
See you next Friday!
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
See you next Friday!Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com