Names from the past

[JG-in-KY]

That's him. And you are right, he was from Corbin, not Miami. The guy who used to stake those guys wouldnt happen to be Josh Crabtree would it?
I had an interesting experience with him when I played Clyde in Lexington.

Beard

I played Tony in Oklahoma City just a few weeks before he got killed. Tremendous player.

The stakehorse was Red Eversole from London, Kentucky. Who knows though he was quite a rounder/mechanic, might have went under another name. Was Crabtree the guy who jarred you? I remember reading one of your posts about the incident while playing Clyde.

 

[Alf Taylor]

Arizona Sean was sleeping on the floor with his girl friend, Geri McGee, the gorgeous creature that Sharon Stone played in the movie Casino. I at least had the couch. We were all staying in Augie Catarella's apt.(that was his last name, Jay, not Donatelli) You mentioned Little Frankie Filerino, Jay. He was living there also.

I met Little Frankie in Miami. He was on the road with Augie and was playing a 15 yr old Mike Carella with the 8 ball. Frankie was then 11 years old. I have told this story before, but Augie was once Frankie's truant officer. He used to pull him out of class and take him hustling.

Lying on that couch I often fantasized bopping Sean over the head and running off with Geri. She was that stunning. That was one of my few regrets in life.

Little Frankie lives in NY City and calls me everyday. Augie is back in Jersey City. A rich man now, he owns all the Italian Ice in Jersey City.

Three Fingered Ronnie Sypher is back in South Florida playing poker. Talk to him once in awhile.

Johnny Dollar, aint seen him in at least 30 years. He hustled the bars around south Chicago and Indiana.

Beard

Memories, memories

Good morning, Sir Beard and any others in Jay's most interesting thread.

For old duffers like myself this thread is like a high school reunion. I knew a number of these (or those, depending on whether or not they're still vertical) guys. Does anyone out there know how Ronnie Sypher lost his fingers. He was my good buddy in the sixties and he told me all about it.

Here's a deal. In the next 24 hours, the first person to answer this correctly will win their choice of a copy my book or an Eddie Taylor DVD, (if they interest you). A general correct answer will suffice but if you don't provide the details, I will.

PS Jay. Which of my productions do you not own? I want to remedy that. You can PM me. You're a prince of the industry.
Keep it nice. Alfie

 

[Alf Taylor]

Would that have been, One Eyed Tony Howard from Corbin, Kentucky? Knew a man who used to stake him and Clyde Childress, he had some great storys about the two. Tony is also mentioned in Buddy Hall's book.

Tony was my buddy in the 70s and we made some money together around Arizona. One thing I liked about him was his attitude about the game. Things like table size or condition meant nothing to him. He said "They're all the same, felt and six pockets." Tony's fast and loose style of play could make him get through a rack of nine ball before his opponent set the triangle down. Good guy. Wasn't hung up on money. Just liked action. The pool world could use some players more like Tony. Television viewers, who would typically go fix a drink while one of today's players are figuring what safety to shoot, wouldn't budge. His play was exciting. Not knocking today's champions. Some of them are bordering on perfection.

I was living in Colorado in the 90s when I saw a TV commercial that opened with an obvious pool match. Dark room, player walking slowly around the table while the anncr is saying, softly "Mr. so and so is lining up to decide which ball to go for and blah." All of a sudden a hockey stick comes flying out of nowhere and hits the player across the stomach, which bends him double. It ends with the anncr saying "Billiards. Wouldn't hockey be more exciting?"
Keep it nice. Alfie

 

[bubbles24]

names from the past

jay,

what do you know about dick henry? I understand he feared no one
and had buddy hall stuck for 3 days in colorado springs at grady's pool
hall in the 80's?

 

[3kushn]

My friend said that no one really knew when or where he practiced
and it seemed like he would just show up in a pool room. There was speculation that he had a table in a storefront somewhere that he would get sharp on.[/QUOTE]

OldHasBeen was like that too. Probably a 10 year span I saw him hit maybe 10 balls checking out someone's cue once.

Heard he played everyday in his home.

Anybody hear of Dennis Gieske. Great player. Wish I could find him. Islanddrive knew him but has also lost track.
Last time I saw him was in Carbondale IL mid 80's. Bill told me last he heard he worked for some airline.

 

[freddy the beard]

The stakehorse was Red Eversole from London, Kentucky. Who knows though he was quite a rounder/mechanic, might have went under another name. Was Crabtree the guy who jarred you? I remember reading one of your posts about the incident while playing Clyde.

That is him, Josh Crabtree. He jarred a whole lot of other people also. To get me tho he had to perform like a Picasso to trick my paranoid ass. He was a master at that jarring profession.

Beard

 

[freddy the beard]

Good morning, Sir Beard and any others in Jay's most interesting thread.

For old duffers like myself this thread is like a high school reunion. I knew a number of these (or those, depending on whether or not they're still vertical) guys. Does anyone out there know how Ronnie Sypher lost his fingers. He was my good buddy in the sixties and he told me all about it.

Here's a deal. In the next 24 hours, the first person to answer this correctly will win their choice of a copy my book or an Eddie Taylor DVD, (if they interest you). A general correct answer will suffice but if you don't provide the details, I will.

PS Jay. Which of my productions do you not own? I want to remedy that. You can PM me. You're a prince of the industry.
Keep it nice. Alfie

This is really brutal. I was on the road with Ronnie for months at a time, for years, all around the country, but I cant remember what happened to his fingers. Firecrackers? I'll know if I hear it I would probably remember.
Ronnie was a monster with the big cue ball on the bar box. We didnt bar anybody back then.

Beard

Ronnie used to talk about his time in Dallas, Tex and the Cotton Palace. That must have been you he was hanging around with along with Titanic Thompson's son.

 

[macguy]

Good morning, Sir Beard and any others in Jay's most interesting thread.

For old duffers like myself this thread is like a high school reunion. I knew a number of these (or those, depending on whether or not they're still vertical) guys. Does anyone out there know how Ronnie Sypher lost his fingers. He was my good buddy in the sixties and he told me all about it.

Here's a deal. In the next 24 hours, the first person to answer this correctly will win their choice of a copy my book or an Eddie Taylor DVD, (if they interest you). A general correct answer will suffice but if you don't provide the details, I will.

PS Jay. Which of my productions do you not own? I want to remedy that. You can PM me. You're a prince of the industry.
Keep it nice. Alfie

His mom told me a firecracker went off in his hand.

 

[jay helfert]

jay,

what do you know about dick henry? I understand he feared no one
and had buddy hall stuck for 3 days in colorado springs at grady's pool
hall in the 80's?

Dick was one of the great undercover players, who didn't really travel around that much. A great low stakes gambler who played 9-Ball as good as anyone. There were always a few local champions around who road players avoided. No one wanted to go to San Diego because they knew Swanee was there. :smile:

 

[bubbles24]

dick henry

Great description of Tony! No one ever gave him a second thought until he showed up in the Finals. He won the Sands tourney one year with a strong field. Jr. got his liver shot out by Bill Mielke and kept coming back for more. He couldn't believe this unimpressive player was beating him. I told him to pull up but he didn't quit for four days when he was finally broke.

jay, what do you know about dick henry? heard he was an awesome player?

 

[richiebalto]

And his brother Bob in Texas was the better player of the two! Tom's a little younger, probably in his late 60's now.

Tom was more of a money player,but he did play a few tournaments,1983 Tom finish 7-8 in new yorks world 14.i championships,his best finish at the us open 9ball was tied for 17th,twice,only 2 time he played,Tom played his brother Bob in the finals in the low 80s in chicago,TOm rans 6 racks of 9ball and out to win the tournament,i was with Tom when he played in his last US OPEN,he drew Buddy HAll,it was a great match with Buddy winning,but after the match Buddy Hall told Tom Vanover if you had the time to play in all these tournaments like we do, you would be just as tough to beat,Tom loved hearing that from Buddy Hall!That was pure respect from 1 of the best of all time!

 

[jay helfert]

jay, what do you know about dick henry? heard he was an awesome player?

Once again Bubbles, he was a head case (why are so many good players looney tunes?), but when he had the right meds, he could beat anyone. He passed away some years back.

 

[OklaPony]

Wow, what a great read... love this thread!

I remember the pool hall in the OU student union... I used to play pinball there when I was about 12, lol! The Golden Cue on Campus Corner was a great spot, also.

REALLY happy to see Don Owen's name pop up, sure hope you're doing well! If you had stayed in the league business around here I may never have quit playing leagues.

About 20 years ago a fellow of about 50 years or so that called himself "Cowboy" or "The Cowboy" came through OKC with a younger fellow in his late 20's / early thirties called Andre. Cowboy claimed to be a pool room owner from Colorado Springs (maybe Denver). Who knows how much, if any, of this was true... ring any bells for anyone?

 

[huckster]

About 20 years ago a fellow of about 50 years or so that called himself "Cowboy" or "The Cowboy" came through OKC with a younger fellow in his late 20's / early thirties called Andre. Cowboy claimed to be a pool room owner from Colorado Springs (maybe Denver). Who knows how much, if any, of this was true... ring any bells for anyone?

I ran into "Cowboy" about 10 years ago he was driving/living in an old converted bus played good enough to get the cash from all the shortstops said he traveled and sold things at flea markets. He stayed about 2 weeks and booked zero losers but didn't play Corey, Shawn Putnam or Chris Szuter who were all around at the time

 

[huckster]

Anyone know what happened to Cisco Diaz he set up shop for a few years in Detroit/Toledo played lights out 9ball then disappeared

 

[richiebalto]

I ran into "Cowboy" about 10 years ago he was driving/living in an old converted bus played good enough to get the cash from all the shortstops said he traveled and sold things at flea markets. He stayed about 2 weeks and booked zero losers but didn't play Corey, Shawn Putnam or Chris Szuter who were all around at the time

I think we all know the reason why Cowboy didnt play Corey,Putnam or Szuter and it wasnt because he didnt have no chance of winning!

 

[jay helfert]

Wow, what a great read... love this thread!

I remember the pool hall in the OU student union... I used to play pinball there when I was about 12, lol! The Golden Cue on Campus Corner was a great spot, also.

REALLY happy to see Don Owen's name pop up, sure hope you're doing well! If you had stayed in the league business around here I may never have quit playing leagues.

About 20 years ago a fellow of about 50 years or so that called himself "Cowboy" or "The Cowboy" came through OKC with a younger fellow in his late 20's / early thirties called Andre. Cowboy claimed to be a pool room owner from Colorado Springs (maybe Denver). Who knows how much, if any, of this was true... ring any bells for anyone?

I first got inspired in the Golden Cue my freshmen year. It was right after The Hustler came out and I met Tommy Fisher and a couple of others in there. I played with Don Owen back then a couple of times but I wasn't much of a player yet. Jimmy Caras put on an exhibition there in 1963 and he talked about the old days playing Greenleaf and Mosconi. A few years later he came out of retirement and won the U.S. Open Straight Pool at age 57.

I used to play $1 on the five and $2 on the nine with Jack Garner, James Garner's twin brother. He drove a coca-cola delivery truck. He said his brother was the best pool player in Norman when he was 17. So James Garner could play a little. Do you remember the old pool hall downtown? I'd go in there and practice late at night when everything else was closed down. Sixty cents an hour back then! :smile:

 

[Nostroke]

Anyone know what happened to Cisco Diaz he set up shop for a few years in Detroit/Toledo played lights out 9ball then disappeared

He is in Spain-where he is from

 

[gbru]

I've got a name for you Jay...Put your thinking cap on.

The "Boy Wonder" Bubba Howard from Mobile, Al.
He was 16 years old when a friend of mine brought him to Vegas at the Stardust.....He beat everyone he played according to the story.
He was 6' 3" tall and weighed 220 lbs. with light blonde hair.

I heard he beat Billy Incordona 11 to 0 in a race to 11.
He ran 5 racks and then came up dry on the break....Billy's only shot was to kick at a ball which he missed..
Bubba ran 6 more racks and Billy uncscrewed his stick and said...."Damn....who in the hell are you...?"

He also played and beat Steve Cook and many others at the Stardust....That would have been in 1968 if I'm not mistaken.

My brother took him on the road when he was 16 as well....They came through Georgia where I was stationed in the Air Force just outside of Macon.

I traveled a few days with them and he beat everbody he played. We stayed in Atlanta a few days and he beat everybody there then they headed on to South and North Carolina where they never lost.

All of ther big players came through Mobile at one time or another to play Bubba according to the stories but I was away in the Air Force so I was not in the loop then.

 

[jgpool]

Once again Bubbles, he was a head case (why are so many good players looney tunes?), but when he had the right meds, he could beat anyone. He passed away some years back.

If I recall correctly, Dick Henry took 2nd to Mike Seigal(sp) in the 9-Ball Rocky Mountain Open in 1980-81?