Keith McCready and Buddy Hall were close friends. Keith told me last night that Buddy had passed. He had been sick in assisted living for a spell, but they were able to chat on the phone.
Buddy was a huge influence to Keith when he was young. I've got so many Buddy and Keith stories, some funny and some kind of stern when Buddy was mentoring a young Keith on the road. Keith learned a lot of strokes from Buddy. One that I remember him sharing with me is the "hesitation stroke."
First time I went to a so-called "professional pool tournament" was in 2002 at the U.S. Open in Virginia. I was pretty green to professional pool, and when I walked in the Chesapeake Conference Center, I was like a kid in a candy store. Keith knew 'em all, and they all knew Keith. The first pool player Keith introduced me to was Buddy Hall and his wife Sherry, who passed away later in 2014. We became good friends.
As the years passed by, we'd run into Buddy at quite a few major American pool events, e.g., Glass City Open, Carolinas Open, IPT King of the Hill Shootout, several U.S. Open 9-Ball championships. He represented Lucasi at the time and had a vendor booth. I was like a tourist at pool tournaments, asking the players if I could take a photo, and Buddy always gave me a smile.
The first time they ever used the red-dotted cueball on the live stream was at the U.S. Open, and Pat Fleming asked Keith and Buddy if they wouldn't mind shooting with it on the live stream table, and they agreed. It was one of the funniest matches ever. Neither played at the top of their speed, but it was an very entertaining match. When Keith missed a shot, he'd bellow out, "Hey, Buddy, I think I hit the wrong polka dot." The crowd erupted in laughter, as did Buddy, but he couldn't wait to get to the table for his shot. You can see David Howard in the front row. [Photo credit, Diana Hoppe.]
One year at the Carolinas Open in Goldsboro at Gene Hooker's Fast Eddie's, it was action city. It's no secret that Keith enjoyed his brewskies, and right before his match with a handsome British player, Tony Crosby, he was feeling no pain and acting like a goofball. I saw Tony before the match and spoke to him about Keith's jolly mood. Tony was so very polite, and Tony did win the match. Buddy could see how upset I was at Keith's behavior, and he pulled Keith aside and gave him a scolding. Keith didn't pull away or give Buddy any bunk. He listened intently, and his whole demeanor changed after that talk with Buddy. He always respected Buddy.
The late Dave Bollman and Buddy in front of Fast Eddie's at Carolinas Open.
Buddy and me at the Carolinas Open.
At the 2005 IPT King of the Hill shootout in Orlando, all the BCA Hall of Famers were given a "bye" as well as $20,000 for just showing up. Here's a pic of Buddy and Marlon Manalo from Philippines. I think Marlon came in second or third at the IPT KOTH, if memory serves me right.
At the Glass City Open, we ran into Buddy and hung out together. Here's a shot I took of Johnny, Keith, and Buddy. I always thought Keith was tall, well, taller than me. Buddy is really tall, as is Johnny.
Though not in his prime, Buddy still had game at the tournaments. He was also quite a colorful commentator. I can hear his cackle now. Here's a shot of Buddy commentating at the Glass City Open in Toledo. We were both early risers at the hotels, and we'd eat breakfast together. Buddy always let me hang out behind the scenes. Here's a shot of him and Bill Meacham in the commentators booth. Buddy always gave me that smile. I will always miss him.
Before I met Keith, Buddy was a good friend to him. Many times, he'd stake him in a pool tournament but with one condition: Keith could not drink any beer. This is one match against Ismael Paez that Buddy staked Keith with those conditions. Buddy and Kim Davenport were commentating the double-hill frame. You can hear Buddy Hall's famous cackle. It's one of my favorites.
Fly high with the angels, Buddy. You are with Sherry now.
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