Started watching Andy Hudson in the '60s, who was undisputed king in Denver. Unless, I guess, when Bill Stroud shot through town. Andy was a find player and proved the ruination of a few road men who mistakenly tangled with him. But he was a working stiff, not a pool pro, and bowling may have been as important to him as pool. Had he devoted his life to pool, who's to say?
Next came Danny Medina, indisputably the most notable of our recent Denver players. His reputation needs no elaboration here.
Now is seems that top man in town is Mark Haddad, who's made his mark in a few tournaments and, from the little I've watched him, knows his way around the table. Doesn't hurt that he has a gal pal named Melissa Owens, pro at a downtown Denver pool hall.
For those of you who've seen them, how do they stack up?
I have known Danny sine we were both 18 years old. In those day he played the bar table only. It took a monster to come in and beat him. there wa a ring game every Wednesday night at Jays bar lo-do on Larimer. i have seen Danny in the game, Surfer Rod, Craig Stevens Denny Searcy, Joe Salazar, Ronnie Aleen, jimmy Spears, Richie Florence, nd the list goes on and on. It was a tough game, and often went on for 2-3 days. Danny lived for that game.
Around 1980 he made the switch and took to the big table. he never though lost that bar table mentality. If he could see it, it should fall.
i'll never for get the day he made the big jump. he was giving Art clemons the 7 ball for like 2-$300 sets playing races to 15 and he broke and ran 13 racks. he wanted to run the set out,, and badly. Some of he shots made were just incredible.
Right after he went on and incredible run winning most of what he entered. he went to Chicago and won the Willards tournament. That was a defining moment in his life and if asked now one of his favorite wins.
He and Andy had many battles but Andy was smart enough to never play him any 9 ball. he usually kept Danny on the snooker table.
Andy too was a good friend of mine and I loved the guy, but he never played 9 ball Danny's speed. All other games" Well a different story.
Paul is so right too Andy was one of the classiest men to ever don a cue. he was also as smooth as silk.
A couple of others often forgotten about around Denver were, Freddy "the jap" Ioki. He ws another class guy and played monster everything. Russ Trotter was another, but succombed to the bottle.
Al Hogue was another, but gave the game up in his mid 40's and never a real good gambler, but very talented.
WOW i miss all those guys and those days.
oh and Bill Barnes would stab me if I didn't mention his name, so I'll mention it, Bill Barnes.
A couple of other s who came to the area and very tough was Bill meachem,(island Drive) and Jr, Harris.
Like I said, I miss those days!!
