Recent content by sjm

Yes, but he played, more or less, world class speed until his late 60s before it slowed him down. Agreed.

Yup, I'd watch that.

What's the appeal of watching players that are well past their playing primes? Especially because Team USA stubbornly refuses to go young at the Mosconi, I'd be far more interested in an under-25 event where the players would all still be displaying world class pool. Still, Europe might look...

In the post-Incardona era of commentating, I think Karl Boyes is the best in the business. My favorite ever American football commentator was John Madden. He was capable as an analyst of the play, but so were others in his day. What set Madden apart was his incredible enthusiasm for the game...

This overlaps the Derby City Classic, which runs from 1/23-2/1, so I'll likely miss it. The argument for watching this is, for those who've never watched Efren, it might be your last chance. Efren Reyes is 71. I recall watching the 72-year-old Irving Crane play in Philadelphia 1986, and it...

Vernon was chiefly an action player.

Oh yeah, that was after he lost a heartbreaking final to Alcaide in the same event, with David converting a long bank of the nine at double hill. Thanks for the correction. Still, awfully few can say they medaled in each of the World 8ball, World 9ball and World 10ball. I would love to see...

I'm heading over on Saturday. My seats at Alexandra Palace are in Block B for all four sessions.

Would you say that Biado's greatness in 2025 has exceeded that of Yapp? Biado won one major and leads the AZB money list, but only the delusional would suggest that he has been a better player in 2025 than Yapp, who seems to be winning everything in sight. Player of the year might be unanimous...

Agreed 100%. We know greatness when we see it, and money won is not always the best measure of that greatness.

Definitely arguable. I consider it a major, and, as it attracts every elite player in the discipline year after year, some have tabbed it to be the de facto world championship of one pocket, even over the Derby city one pocket.

Alex Kazakis is an example of a player that often knocked on the door at the majors but never broke through. He has won a silver medal at the World 8ball, a silver medal at the World 10ball, a bronze medal at the World 9ball and a silver at the World Pool Masters.

Most would call the Buffalo Billiards One Pocket event in New Orleans, which has huge prize money and an even bigger Calcutta, to be a major. Gomez won it in 2024.

Thanks. I attended the 1978 event in New York City and thought I remembered seeing him play.

That was 17-year old Lazaro Martinez of Texas.