I saw what I saw. I saw a guy run ten and out from nowhere so many times he had his opponents head spinning. And five of those ten shots were circus shots! I'm talking three ball combinations, bank combos, billiard combos and vice versa, two and three rail kicks into the pack that made balls, and other extraordinary shots that defy explanation. And this was a routine run out for Ronnie. He wasn't just good at One Pocket. He was electrifying! It's no accident he was the most popular player to watch in his era. He packed 'em in wherever he played.
Plus (and I know I've said this before) Ronnie was really solid for the money. I never saw him dog stroke a ball or get weak on a big shot. On the contrary, the more that was on the line, the better he hit 'em.
Many times, Ronnie gave up the "nuts", or at least everyone thought so. Games like 10-6 to very good players or one handed to their two even up. After the smoke cleared and Ronnie had the money, he never bragged either. He just went about his business and tried to make the next game. I asked him once why he was always giving up the nuts to get games. He looked at me and said, "Jay, it's when you outrun the nuts that you make the biggest scores." And he did it a million times.
Bottom line, Ronnie was a winner and he had no equal at One Pocket. Just like Efren after him, EVERYONE (and there were a lot of damn good players) agreed that Ronnie was the best.
So those people that are so quick to dismiss Ronnie because they never saw him play and only know how great Efren is, just don't have the whole picture. I saw 'em both in their prime. For big money, I'll take Ronnie.
I agree I don't have the whole picture cos I simply never saw Ronnie, but there's plenty of dvd's showing Efren doing what you're describing, and I must shyly add, that what I've read from your texts and listen your commentating, you might have bit of tendency of bringing up those old eras and memories with "Golden Frames" and some polish in it.
I don't mean to insult here, I'm not saying you're lying or anything like that. It's just natural for us that time goldens the memories and our moods might play part in them.
I'm sure we youngsters tell in the future for all the champions, how they wouldn't have lick on the Mighty Efren if he'd still play or be alive
Why I came with my nosy opinion about Efren vs. Ronnie, was because so many of the (other) old skool players and commentators, have told so, and this issue comes up time after time...
Ronnie must definitely have earned his legend, but was his a-game as good as Efren's, I doubt.
If you watch the DCC 1-P dvd (2006?) where Efren beats Alex in the semi and Miller in the finals, you'll hear Billy and Beard go mad in the booth. They don't compare him on Ronnie, but they compare him on Woods and Jordan. (and Efren is superior to them

)
And that's a Major final. I do believe though, that Ronnie had more gamble in him and I do recognize Efrens "quit", but that's just what it comes to gambling and on that particular type of character and situation.
Over all what it comes to character, I'm sure Efren is much higher, and what it comes to NOT quitting, let's all watch Efren vs. Earl Color Of Money race to 120, where Efren is down 92 to 109 and wins 120-117. That's showing heart and competition. And that's not the only case Efren has done it.
I think many gamblers has some sort of stubbornes in them which doesn't allow them to quit (I've experienced that many times myself), but that has nothing to do with wisdom or smart betting. I'd guess Efren is also bit above all these addictions and obsessions, and shouldn't be misinterpreted with "quitter" or "no heart". The guy has won hundreds of times enough money he needs, so maybe he watches the door in wish for sleep if he's having a bad day. Ronnie back in the days probably was quite in need for the score, Efren not so much.