Unknown "monster" players

ironman

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
In that same crew was Rick Van Uum. I think I spelled his name right. What about Jr. Brown? Did you know him?

we are telling our ages Jay. I like ridky too and he would today be a great candidate for the speed pool thing. The guy played very fast and I believe from St Louis!!

Jr Brown, an incredible character is alive and so far, well in Wichita Kansas!! Jr is one funny guy!!
 

Tramp Steamer

One Pocket enthusiast.
Silver Member
Godzilla was a little known 'monster player' who played mostly in the poolrooms around south Tokyo. Being a very aggressive player he was seldom invited back to a pool hall, but was reputed to have had a phenomenal break. Later in life he abandoned the cue sports and took up acting, where he starred in several low budget films. :wink:
 

punter

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Here are a couple of names from yesteryear that were from/played in Southeast Texas:

Phillip Hyde: played in the 70's, from Port Arthur(The Groves), TX. Played some in Houston, too. I was told he matched up with Buddy Hall and was ahead, until someone told him who he was playing. Bad habits took Phillip early, in his early 40's I think.

Joe Bob Humphrey: He was short stop speed in pool playing, but one of those guys who was a remarkable talker and hustler. He created action from thin air. Also had the not so unusual baggage of 'doing whatever it took' to remain ... unbroke, so to speak. He got into casino dealing, I think. Last I heard he may still be kicking, up in Vegas.
 

A-1 billiards

FELT WRIGHT
Silver Member
How about? James St Jean circa 1940's out of Mass. or Dave "the face" Lippner Queens NY from the seventy's. TJ Laflamme out of Maine. Mike Ufiemia out of Queens NY. Wendell Weir, Norm "farmer" Webber, Roger Boucher out of Mass. All talented players under the radar.
 

cuesmith

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!
Silver Member
Martin Rimlinger is probably the best player around here.

LWW

Really? Marty and I have been friends for over 20 years and I never saw him win a Monday night tourney at Airway. He's a great guy and what a lot of people don't know is he was the first to video pool matches and the first to use video as a training aid, but he's not at the top of the food chain in Dayton. He's certainly a credit to the sport and I really think if he read this he'd be in full agreement with what I wrote.
 

jay helfert

Shoot Pool, not people
Gold Member
Silver Member
God, so many players mentioned on this thread. Many of them weren't truly unknown though. Guys like Greg Stevens, Weldon Rogers, Tommy Sanders, Mark Tadd and Joe Salazar were very well known, although Weldon stayed undercover pretty good.

And then a lot of them are "local" players who rarely strayed out of their area. I still think Toby Sweet and maybe Buster Merchant were the best "unknowns." Jerry Brock was a great player (but not as good as Buddy) until he got sent on "vacation."

Dave Lipner played pretty good Straight Pool but what a character! He was one crazy guy to watch. Did anyone mention Sammy Guzman? Just as fast as Lou Butera and played almost as good. Got shot down on the streets of New York. Norm Webber was still beating people up till a few years ago. Omaha John was one of the best bar table players alive, but also one of the slowest. Keith could run six racks while John was studying a combo! :eek:
 
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genomachino

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Blast from the past for sure...........

Anybody remember--

Jr. Harris
Dick Spitzer
Mike "Chewy" North Dakota
Dennis Favaro
California Vic
Jeff Carter
Ron Dobosinski
Dale Slicenger
Louie Lemke-RIP
Waterdog
Davey "Crocket"-Kunert
Don Gibson-RIP
Gene Albrect
Jimmy Wetch
Greg Fix
Ken Carpenter-RIP

I have stories on top of stories about these guys. No time right now but will share later.
You said a mouthful there.....
 

genomachino

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Jay you never cease to amaze................

Some pretty good players on this list, although not unknown by any means. Jeff Carter and Jimmy Wetch both had successful tournament careers. Greg Fix played regularly on tour in the 80's and 90's. Probably the slowest player out there.

Jr. Harris was a road man of note, moving around the country for decades. He parked one of his Volvo's at my house for months, while he was off traveling. He batted heads with Bill Mielke over and over again, and never could beat him.

Louie Lemke was a solid shortstop, who played in many tourneys as well. He could win on the local level. Also a very talented musician and all around great guy. Gone to soon to cancer. Waterdog (Don Edwards) was a sometimes great player who succumbed to drug addiction. I played him once when he was high on acid (he told me). He went broke to me having the time of his life. :rolleyes:

Spitzer and Chewakin were two of the best from Big Sky country. Last I heard Chewy was driving a bus up there. Spitzer kept winning bar table tourneys until recently. He also did well at the BCA many years.

Dobosenski was a super straight shooter from Wisconsin I believe. Played right there with Carter, Willie Munson and George Pawelski. I think his temper was his undoing more than once. He could get down on himself for missing a ball.

Gene Albrecht won in tournaments and gambling for a long time. Hope this helps.

Hi there Jay,

I don't know how you do it but everytime you you post a line on someone your dead on. Many years of knowledge and a great memory.
And alot of these players here and there you were directly involved with.

What great memories. Keep it up. Thanks geno..........
 

JoeyA

Efren's Mini-Tourn BACKER
Silver Member
But Reed was only about 10 years old in the early 70's! How old was Alfie?

I Lived in Jackson, MS in 1974 and Reed Pierce was already playing at a top speed then. Just guessing that he must have been around 18 at the time. Now Reed spends his time grilling steaks.

JoeyA
 

mutchnick

Registered
Stevie "wonder" Dombrowski

I backed Stevie for about four years from 2000 to 2004. When focused he was a world beater. My record backing him was over 90% and that included tournaments. In 2000 I backed Stevie against Cliff Joyner, we got 9-7 and robbed Cliff. Two four a head sets. Our largest score was 10k when I entered him in the world fastest three ball league. Steve Mizerak was a guest referee and when he saw Stevie he was running up to everyone to get a bet down.

I know Stevie can be tough to deal with at times but he is the most honorable pool player I know of. I used to send him on the road to a tournament with the cash and there was never a problem.

Anyone have any stories of Stevie Wonder?

Corvette Scott
www.AtlantiCityPokerMan.com
 

catpool9

"Rack Um"/ Rusty Lock
Silver Member
Reed Pierce

I was curious, so I googled Reed Pierce, I thought he was 3 or 4 years younger than me, as I remember being in a tournament in Tupelo,Miss. back in 1981 and Reed was 18yrs. then.

Reed was born April 24, 1963.....

so in the 70's Reed would have been very young....


David Harcrow
 

scratchs

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I believe I am a fair to middlin pool handcapper. If I ever bet with my head and not my heart. I have never lost money betting on pool. Well, hardley ever.

Jim Lebold
Tommy Rossi - (saw him play when he was 15 - he entertained me)
Buddy from sacremento then Bakersfield--then LA
Tony Banks
King David Rhodes - I am taking up a fund to put on his books. He is right where he needs to be right now if he is to live. He is in Multnomah county awaiting trial and sentencing.

At first I told people it was for bail....but the tickets a little high. We probably won't see him for a whil.

The other day there was a 14 year old with his Dad. They said they were from Seattle and his name was Chuckie. Well, who knows if that is true but he beat Carlos Santibanez. Bad action when you beat the best in town.

Don Percy
Billy Vernon
Charlie "the ape" Romanis

Oops I forgot Pug Wilson on the Bar Box. Look out.
David dunham on the big Table

Always thought Tommy could give a couple balls to Carlos..Tommys yo..yo speed is coming along..not kidding he's getting pretty good..
 

AtLarge

AzB Gold Member
Gold Member
Silver Member
... Reed was born April 24, 1963.....

so in the 70's Reed would have been very young....


David Harcrow

Yes, that's consistent with my thinking that he was in his early 30's when he won the U.S. Open 9-Ball in 1995. So I backed that up and concluded that he was "about 10" in the early 1970's.
 
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original palmer

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I couldn't tell you I have seen my father play, but from what I hear, he was the best within south seattle. They called him "grip" . He doesnt play anymore so he decided to give me his palmer. Who knows maybe ill be the next monster :)
 
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