COLE DICKSON and KEITH McCREADY

[3kushn]

Jay...Keith was already a world beater at 17. I played him in '75 (he was 17, and I was 'older and wiser'...LOL...at 21), at the World 9ball tourney in Burlington IA, that was run by Cardone. EVERYBODY was there, including Ritchie & Ronnie, and every hustler in the country (Buddy was tall and SKINNY, and called by the name "Rags"...he wasn't even The Rifleman yet!). I don't know if Keith lost out early in the tournament (which was in the 'convention center' on the river) on purpose or not, but he was holding court on the green room tables at the hotel, and KILLING every player who stepped up (this included all the top guys). These were all 9' tables too! I got very lucky, with a huge spot, and beat Keith for almost two dimes in a few minutes, before he quit. He had a bankroll that would choke an elephant, so he didn't miss it (I think I might have been the only person to beat him).

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Scott,

I was there then too. What a tournament. Great side action. What was that room down the street where the floor looked like an earthquake hit. Maybe 6" difference in floor height from one end of the table to the other. Could hardly see over the table at one end and tripping on the rail at the other.

Sad, I'm in Burlington right now and last night I looked for places to play. Only Whitey's in the whole town. Only one "sports bar" that I could find and it only has 1 coin op.

 

[Scott Lee]

Tom...I don't remember the name of the room. All I remember is that you had to walk down stairs from the sidewalk...it was a old school 'basement' pool room, and yeah the floor was pretty weird! LOL

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Scott,

I was there then too. What a tournament. Great side action. What was that room down the street where the floor looked like an earthquake hit. Maybe 6" difference in floor height from one end of the table to the other. Could hardly see over the table at one end and tripping on the rail at the other.

Sad, I'm in Burlington right now and last night I looked for places to play. Only Whitey's in the whole town. Only one "sports bar" that I could find and it only has 1 coin op.

 

[Tahoedirt]

About 1966, I was about 17 and Cole Dickson was 15 when I met him at the Golden Q in Hayward- We used to play some P pool and then go to the city for all nighters at the Palace and Cochrans- He wasn't even old enough to drive. Bucktooth and Fremont Whitey were hanging around also. I remember watching Cole play Boston Shorty one pocket all night up the stairs at Cochrans- Great times.

 

[SJDinPHX]

I've known both since they were kids. The first time I met Cole he came into a poolroom in San Leandro Ca. and made a game with me playing nine ball with shootout rules. He was about 16 year old and I remember people telling me that he was real good. I did win but I was highly impressed with his skills and brazenness. We played again a few time later when he got older and more seasoned. He became one of the most feared played both in nine ball and in one pocket.

The first time I saw Keith he was also very young maybe 15 years old. I had just finished beating a guy called Waterdog and thats when I saw this young kid being held back by his friends and they were telling him that he wasn't ready for me yet. That's one of the things that makes a champion, the idea that you can beat anyone. There was no doubt that both of these guys were headed for something special. I will say that Keith did have an extra gear or two above Cole. I remember many payball games that Keith frequently broke up even at a very young age. He got so scary to play with that he was given the name "El Diablo" meaning the devil.

Anytime either of these two were in action or in tournament play that's where the crowd went watch. Ahh, to be born with the skills and the attitude, we should all be so lucky.

Frank,

Cole was raised in Fremont,(a few miles up the road toward Oakland, from SJ) When he was in his teens, he hardly ever missed a tough shot...He came to San Jose often, and usually left broke (or at least his backers were)...Lucky for me, I left SJ before he became almost unbeatable at 9 ball...

PS..He was always a crowd pleaser, and a lot of fun to gamble with. Like Richie Florence, I could never out-shoot either one of them, but experience, and the "old 9 ball rules", were surely in my favor...One pocket was another story, neither one could even spell it then, I just barely could myself...

 

[cyrex]

Golden Q

About 1966, I was about 17 and Cole Dickson was 15 when I met him at the Golden Q in Hayward-

Wow, I had no idea Golden Q had been around that long. I work right across the street from it. Or, where it was I should say. They tore it down a little while back. Oakland Herb was running the place then sold it off to some guy who only kept it a short time. I believe Bucktooth owned (or owns) the property.

Oakland Herb would run this crazy Friday night tournament that started at 1am. I played in it and about 6am was falling asleep in the bleachers waiting for the next round. I looked around and realized everyone in the place was bouncing off the walls! Crazy crack heads. Fun but weird.

Thanks for all the great stories you guys are posting. I grew up in San Francisco but live in the east bay now. Sure wish I had gotten to see Cole play around here. Sounds like some great times. Now post more stories you guys!!

 

[Ken_4fun]

Going to bump this up and ask for input.

Wouldnt a Keith McCready vs. Cole Dickson match on TAR be fun to watch...

hint, hint, hint.

ken

 

[cmbwsu]

Going to bump this up and ask for input.

Wouldnt a Keith McCready vs. Cole Dickson match on TAR be fun to watch...

hint, hint, hint.

ken

Indeed. Love the TAR Studio concept as so many ideas can/could turn into reality -- "Like this for instance"