Lost another player

How sad.

My first knowledge of / contact with George was at a little $10 handicap 9-ball tournament in Bristol, CT in January, 1993. He was there with Robb Saez, among others. I remember Robb saying that he was Ginky's cousin; I still don't know whether that was true. Anyway, I got to play both Robb and George that night, and have never forgotten.

What I admired so much about George -- beyond his great skill -- was his behavior at the table. He was a model of decorum. Miss, make, lose, win -- he behaved like a gentleman.

Condolences to all who are affected by his death.
 
AtLarge said:
How sad.

My first knowledge of / contact with George was at a little $10 handicap 9-ball tournament in Bristol, CT in January, 1993. He was there with Robb Saez, among others. I remember Robb saying that he was Ginky's cousin; I still don't know whether that was true. Anyway, I got to play both Robb and George that night, and have never forgotten.

What I admired so much about George -- beyond his great skill -- was his behavior at the table. He was a model of decorum. Miss, make, lose, win -- he behaved like a gentleman.

Condolences to all who are affected by his death.
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That is so true, Ginky acted like a professional in every aspect of the game !
 
paulempor said:
For those looking here is the interview with Jim Murnak

http://go4pool.net/

Great interview. May he rest in peace.
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Thank you so much for this. I didn't know too much about Ginky...this video interview really shows him in a great light. Sounds like the type of guy that will really be missed by those close to him. His passing is a real shame. May he know the peace of His rest.

KMRUNOUT
 
jrackman said:
Wow I'm in shock and having flashback to 1991. The first time I saw Ginky was after another player asked me to take a ride to NYC to see this kid play and offer my thoughts after watching him. Well here comes this Ginky kid into Chelsea's and he started throwing 9 balls up on the table and where ever they landed, he'd shoot from there and ran 8 racks without a miss. But the thing I noticed was this smooth stroke and demenor at the table. When we left to go back to CT. the other guy asked what I thought and without hesitation said, "you just watched a future world champion". AT 19 he was that good. Condolences to family and many friends, RIP Ginky.
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Here's the scary part; Ginky was only playing Pool for about 2 years, at that point.

He said that he first started shooting(seriously) at 18 and got obsessed. I think he was saying that he shot 7-8 hours a day, or more, every day, for the first 2-3 years.

To this day, I've never seen a player get to world class, so quickly. Around here, the only other guy that got that good, almost that quick, was Danny Basavich. Fat Danny took 1-2 more years.

Godspeed, Gink.



Eric
 
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That is awful news. I'm absolutely in shock. Ginky was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet on or off the table. His rhythm and cue ball control are exemplary even at the pro level. Without exaggeration I can say he has the prettiest game of any player I've ever seen.

I'd like to share one story that's always stuck with me:

Among his many talents is an uncanny ability to jump with his playing cue. About 10 years ago, in a set of 9-ball against a local player, his opponent played safe on the 1-ball, leaving a full-ball hook and sending the 1 ball about six feet downtable, perhaps eighteen inches away from the 9-ball, which was another foot away from the pocket. With barely a hesitation and with his playing cue, Ginky lines up the full-ball jump shot into the 1-9 combo and splits the pocket. Since it was a gambling set, one of the railbirds says a respectful "nice shot." Full of energy as always, Ginky turns and replies, "Don't say 'nice shot.' Say 'take it to the skies, Gink-ster!!'"

That's how I'd like to remember Ginky. Enthusiastic, optimistic, and phenomenally talented. Take it to the skies, Gink-ster.
 
i got close to george the last couple of months and he was a real champion and a real gentlemen win,lose, or draw! i'm sad and 'm gonna miss his jokes some were funny and some corny and his stories which george had a way of captivating you as he told them all! i'm gonna miss all the late night phone convo's and just him as a person!!! i lost a friend,pool champion and even worse a super human being!! like everone else i was hoping to see george get back to greatness and he was looking good just hookd up with kamui tip's and was ready to go and then this! u never realize how bright a candle is untill the light is out! gonna miss u buddy!!!!!
 
Saddened by this news. I knew Ginky very well.

I recall the day I met him in 1993. I was watching a young man of about 20 practicing and some of the things he was working on seemed rather difficult by my standards, and I wondered whether he was misguided as to what he needed to be working on to improve. I soon learned that the player I was watching was none other than Ginky, and that his skill level was already high enough for him to be working on these difficult things. I got to know him that day, and was his friend for the last eighteen years.

Here in the New York City area, the period from 1994-2001, from a spectator's perspective, was truly electrifying, and was defined by a local rivalry that hasn't even nearly been matched since. The rivals were none other than Ginky and Tony Robles (both of whom would one day win the BCA pro event at the Riviera), and between them, they won most of the tournaments in the local area, very often meetng each other in the finals. The fanfare was always considerable when they played each other, as everyone in attendance knew they were in for a treat. I extend my condolences to Tony Robles today, whose rivalry and friendship with Ginky was one of the main things that pushed Ginky to the awesome heights he reached as a player.

Another memory I have of Ginky was the nine ball handicap tournaments every Tuesday at Chelsea Billiards for a couple of years in the late 1990's. Ginky's success was staggering, and his handicap rose so high that he had to spot the likes of Joe Frady, Robb Saez, Billy Lanna, Tedy Garrahan and Frankie Hernandez the seven ball when he drew them. I also played in the event every Tuesday, and though I thought myself a fairly accomplished player, I rarely felt so after a match with Ginky, who had to give me the wild five and two on the wire going to eight back then.

Yet another memory I have of Ginky is his challenge match against Mika played at Corner Billiards in New York City. On the occasion, Ginky's excellence cost me $1,000. Let me explain. I had played Mika many times and felt his game was equal to that of Ginky. A good friend of mine offered me 3/2 odds on the money that Ginky would prevail over Mika in a race to twenty, and I bet $1,000. I believe the match occurred in 2000, while Ginky was at his very best, and just one year before Mika would become WPA World nine ball champion. The level of play was absolutely incredible and Ginky eked out a double hill 20-19 victory. To be honest, it was worth $1,000 to bear witness to such a great match between two superstars of the game.

Ginky was a friend away from pool, too, and he and I attended several New York Mets baseball games together. He was one of those rare Yankee fans who also rooted for the Mets.

His was a life cut short, but the world of pool was lucky to have him while he was here, and his stellar play and his accomplishments will be remembered for a long time to come, especially here in New York City where he inspired so many to pursue excellence over the glorious green felt.

Rest in peace, Ginkster. You'll be missed.
 
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sjm said:
Saddened by this news. I knew Ginky very well.

I recall the day I met him in 1993. I was watching a young man of about 20 practicing and some of the things he was working on seemed rather difficult by my standards, and I wondered whether he was misguided as to what he needed to be working on to improve. I soon learned that the player I was watching was none other than Ginky, and that his skill level was already high enough for him to be working on these difficult things. I got to know him that day, and was his friend for the last eighteen years.

Here in the New York City area, the period from 1994-2001, from a spectator's perspective, was truly electrifying, and was defined by a local rivalry that hasn't even nearly been matched since. The rivals were none other than Ginky and Tony Robles (both of whom would one day win the BCA pro event at the Riviera), and between them, they won most of the tournaments in the local area, very often meetng each other in the finals. The fanfare was always considerable when they played each other, as everyone in attendance knew they were in for a treat. I extend my condolences to Tony Robles today, whose rivalry and friendship with Ginky was one of the main things that pushed Ginky to the awesome heights he reached as a player.

Another memory I have of Ginky was the nine ball handicap tournaments every Tuesday at Chelsea Billiards for a couple of years in the late 1990's. Ginky's success was staggering, and his handicap rose so high that he had to spot the likes of Joe Frady, Robb Saez, Billy Lanna, Tedy Garrahan and Frankie Hernandez the seven ball when he drew them. I also played in the event every Tuesday, and though I thought myself a fairly accomplished player, I rarely felt so after a match with Ginky, who had to give me the wild five and two on the wire going to eight back then.

Yet another memory I have of Ginky is his challenge match against Mika played at Corner Billiards in New York City. On the occasion, Ginky's excellence cost me $1,000. Let me explain. I had played Mika many times and felt his game was equal to that of Ginky. A good friend of mine offered me 3/2 odds on the money that Ginky would prevail over Mika in a race to twenty, and I bet $1,000. I believe the match occurred in 2000, while Ginky was at his very best, and just one year before Mika would become WPA World nine ball champion. The level of play was absolutely incredible and Ginky eked out a double hill 20-19 victory. To be honest, it was worth $1,000 to bear witness to such a great match between two superstars of the game.

Ginky was a friend away from pool, too, and he and I attended several New York Mets baseball games together. He was one of those rare Yankee fans who also rooted for the Mets.

His was a life cut short, but the world of pool was lucky to have him while he was here, and his stellar play and his accomplishments will be remembered for a long time to come, especially here in New York City where he inspired so many to pursue excellence over the glorious green felt.

Rest in peace, Ginkster. You'll be missed.
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what a great story. thanks stu
 
I never knew George, he was a East Coast player and when he blew up big I had just retired from the pool scene. So I never really heard of him until aruond 2000, (Kinda lame but I was out of the pool scene-I just played at home). When I did hear of him It was made clear to me that he was a elite champion. I thought that was really cool to see a guy younger than me out beating the world-I thought pool was back!!, new young champions, Camel Tour Etc.

I never met him, I dont think I ever saw him, did he ever come to the Derby in the past few years?(please answere this question if anyone would thanks):)

I heard he was sick and had some pain issue that really knocked his game down a bit, which I was sad for, because I love to see the Champions have long careers like Buddy has had.

Its tragic when a life is cut short, like my friend 2 weeks ago. Life aint fair and it sure as hell aint easy. Thats why we all need to be nice to each other and enjoy what we have and the time we have.
 
I remember the first time I met Ginky. It was in Salisbury, Maryland at one of the coolest (now unfortunately not the same) pool rooms in the mid-Atlantic. It was during I believe was an old Texas Express Tour stop. There were separate men's and women's divisions and drew the top players from the Carolinas to New England. In walked Ginky with Frankie Hernandez, looking like the young 21-22 year old dapper NYC boys they were. Needless to say the room quieted when the two walked in, not just because they were so stylish...although that was also the case, but because of the confidence he exuded through his pores.

Such a smooth stroke - loved to watch him play. RIP
 
Wow, this is sad news. I had the pleasure of playing george around 8 or 9 yrs ago. I did not know him at all. He showed up in our local poolroom with a friend of his think he said his friend was from canada? Anyway george was there to play a local guy who bets big and will lose big.

Well i did'nt know who george was or his intentions lol, there was a street fair in town on the same street as the poolroom, and well we never got many road players come though. So the girl that worked the room called me and said there was a guy there wanting to play. Well as usual i was broke but came over anyway to see who it was. I did'nt know him so i said are you guys with the carnival? George Without hesitation says "yeah were part of the show".


So the owner agreed to back me against him for 10 a game 9ball and i beat him out of a hundy and he ask for the 7 lol, i said there is no way i can do that. So we quit and he walks up to the counter and i happily tell my buddies "i finally beat a road player"! lol!! Then the guy george was there to play says no you did'nt he's here to play me lol, he was layin down you nut. lol!

Then another friend had a billiards digest and said look he's a pro here's his pic lol!! So to this day i have never really beat a road player i guess lol! But he was so damn nice and unassuming nicest guy you could ever meet. Bless his family, may he rest in peace, im so sorry to hear this news. Oh and george never got to play the guy he came to play somebody knocked georges action before he got there so the guy knew he could'nt beat george.
 
When we read something that is such a surprise, we go back & read what we just read again. It's that kind of a shock. That's what happened this morning. Just hard to beleive.
Prayers for his family & friends to be comforted.
 
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