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Best Player that Quit Early on
- Thread starter Island Drive
- Start date
How about Billy Aguero
I was thinkin' about em a couple weeks ago, he came thru Colo./Springs in the early eighties with a backer, at that time I couldn't win, BUT I played and busted his stakehorse out of $2,600 give or take, also lost my cue that day. Nice pleasant person. Didn't he have long black hair most of his playing yrs?
Hsia-Hui Kai, best player in Taiwan in the early 2000s.
This thread lists many fine players that quit early, but the original post requests the name of "the best player that quit early on."
In truth, the question could hardly be simpler, as the best male and the best female American players of the last 40 years both quit early.
It's difficult to argue that in men's pool, it was Mike Sigel, who quit competing regularly at about 40.
In women's pool, it is equally clear that it's the legendary Jean Balukas, who gave up competing at about age 30.
In truth, the question could hardly be simpler, as the best male and the best female American players of the last 40 years both quit early.
It's difficult to argue that in men's pool, it was Mike Sigel, who quit competing regularly at about 40.
In women's pool, it is equally clear that it's the legendary Jean Balukas, who gave up competing at about age 30.
Yes thats him. I backed him for a while in the mid-seventies. We both had long hair in those days.
Jimmy Wales was the best young player at 15 i ever saw. He was giving players like Earl Kellum the 8 and beating them. I carried him on the road at 15 and he robbed players like Harold Dollar.
are you thinking of Scotty Nacovski son of Jerry Nacovski ???
RossThompsonJr
"Squirrel Jr"
Ya thats my dad. Its weird seeing him that young cuz i look just like him, except better looking Ha!
Thanks for sharing the story about your dad, I'm sure there are many more, how old would he be now 60 or so?, he's still young enough to have some good years of pool left in him, especially 1 pocket.
David Harcrow
Is there any chance that this Tito character was in Jonesboro, Arkansas around 1993-94? Short, skinny guy with slick, black hair? Would have been in his early 20's (maybe) around that time? Everyone thought he was Hispanic, but the rumor was that Mike Sigel trained him in Hawaii. I could see him being a Hawaiian kid. I got the chance to play him for fun at Ron's Recreation in Jonesboro after watching him play for several months. I was playing the sportiest pool of my life and he beat me 6-4 in 9-ball on the big table. I couldn't help but think he was tryin to hide his speed a bit, as he really wanted some action. I told him that I wasn't a gambler and I just wanted his best game. I asked him about who trained him and he said, "Sigel in Hawaii....". But, I often wondered if he said that just because he knew the rumor.
I had heard later that Tito had moved on and was shot somewhere in the South. It didn't surprise me, simply because everyone hated him at Ron's, or so it seemed, whether it be out of jealousy or the fact that he ran his mouth a lot. Someone even made their feelings known about him on the men's bathroom wall.
I happened to run into Chuck Burns (brother of Vester Burns) and he recounted the same recollection of Tito.
Granted, I've not been around a lot, but Tito is still the best player I ever played. He was extremely quick, graceful and dragged the cueball around on a string. I've honestly still never seen anyone play like that. Ever.
And he LOVED to play the 9-ball Ghost.
Anyone else ever see the guy? Wish I had a pic.
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A few years back at a Tournament in Olathe, KS was a player named Jimmy Wales on the calcutta sheet. I had hear stories about him being a super strong player from the South. I checked with the tournament director and it wasn't the same person. Saved me $$$ on bidding. :smile:
This is a photo of Tito, he won the 9-Ball Arkansas State Championship back in 95, he's the one in the top photo, "Good Time" Charlie Owens from Monroe,LA. is the bottom photo.
I looked up the year he won it on APPA, this is the Tito that Tommy-D was talking about , his name was listed as Tito Keanu
He did play some phenomenal pool that year, he was good!
David Harcrow
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Holy cow, David! That's the Tito I played. I never thought I'd see a pic of him.
Does anyone know the true story of his apparent early demise? I had always assumed that he hustled the wrong guy. Maybe so. Maybe not.
Is he wearing a green kilt in that pic or what?
What speed would you say he was, David? Any comparisons? Was the Sigel bit true?
Does anyone know the true story of his apparent early demise? I had always assumed that he hustled the wrong guy. Maybe so. Maybe not.
Is he wearing a green kilt in that pic or what?
What speed would you say he was, David? Any comparisons? Was the Sigel bit true?
If anyone knows where Jimmy Wales is, I would appreciate any information on how to get in touch with him. He called my local poolroom a few years back and was out west somewhere. Thanks.
In 1970 at Johnston City, your daddy and I played One Pocket almost every day -- I had no chance with him playing 9 Ball. He won the All - Around against Ronnie and Wimpy playing with my Joss cue.
Beard
I tell ya a story about your dad and those hippies from Carbondale Univ. that showed up to cheer him on. Fats was of course in the mix DUH
and a bunch of hippie chicks were surrounding him and talking, one of the gals asked for his autograph, and I'll never forget, ''Fatty Became Speechless''....Fats whipped out his signature stamp....and ink pad, the gal said, "if I wanted a signature like that I would of gone to a bank". Fats needed some weight he was in a tough spot now 
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