I know its a tough NYC list, but I would also include these two:
1. Shin Park
2. Shaun Wilkie
I know Shin isn't here anymore and although Shaun is often at NYC events, I don't believe he lives here either.
I know its a tough NYC list, but I would also include these two:
1. Shin Park
2. Shaun Wilkie
Hey Jude,
Put "Tony T" in that spot. And where is Chris Lynch?
On the whole, I think there are about 20 additional players in NYC that can be considered "cusp" players. At any given moment, they can be as difficult to beat as anybody. Some names that haven't been mentioned would be Mark Vidal, Sean Morgan, Eddie Vasquez and Mhet Vigara. There's quite a few guys out there in this general range. Chris Lynch would be at the higher end of this cusp group. He may miss most people's "top 10" list but would certainly be included in everyone's top 20.
Tony T himself would probably disagree with your assessment of his play. He is very talented and undoubtedly could be much better if he were more devoted. Right now, I would have to say there are at least 50 people in NYC that would be favored over him.
I will add, both players you mention are fathers of young children. I know this can sap a lot of one's free time. Perhaps we will be forced to revisit their proper place on NYC's totum pole when their kids are a bit older.
Is Ant Lee (sp) still in NYC? I remember seeing him play about 15 years ago and I was very impressed he seemed at the time to be roughly Frankie H's speed.
I haven't seen nor heard about him in YEARS. Yes, he was a very good player but I wouldn't put him quite at Frankie's speed. Frankie is kind of awesome on the local level, I think a lot of people forget that.
I must have caught him on good days when he was in stroke...I remember thinking damn this guy is good.
Yeah, it's been a long time, too. An Lee (sp?) was just reaching about Open speed the last time I saw him. Frankie, on the other hand, he's really an amazing 9ball player. Nobody breaks better than him. He pockets as well as anybody and he's very creative defensively.
Earl moved, he's not in NC anymore. I think you would have to move BJ up a few spots though. If he's been hitting them even a little bit he beats the majority of that list(- Earl, Bennett, Fuller)
Yeah Frankie seems to have a lot of talent but I could never pinpoint exactly why he never rose to Ginky's level. Desire? Discipline?
On the whole, I think there are about 20 additional players in NYC that can be considered "cusp" players. At any given moment, they can be as difficult to beat as anybody. Some names that haven't been mentioned would be Mark Vidal, Sean Morgan, Eddie Vasquez and Mhet Vigara. There's quite a few guys out there in this general range. Chris Lynch would be at the higher end of this cusp group. He may miss most people's "top 10" list but would certainly be included in everyone's top 20.
I would add Jorge Rodriguez, Rob Pole, Joey Kong, Bobby Blackmore. And maybe Jude Rosenstock, Shorty, John Alicia somewhere near that too.
Let's not forget Nicholas Schulman. He is probably the last great player NYC produced.
Where does Chavez live? I thought he lived in Mexico.
This is MY top 10 for New York City.
1. Mika Immonen
2. Tony Robles
3. George SanSouci
4. Danny Barouty
5. Steve Lipsky
6. Frankie Hernandez
7. Zion Zvi
8. Jim Gottier
9. Jonathan Smith
10. I'll leave this one blank since I can think of about 10 players that could arguably fill this spot.