I’m Al’s nephew and I find this thread pretty humorous. I’m 58 year old and I’m youngster compared to my uncle but I’m old enough to know anyone that knows Al doesn’t question his integrity. In fact I’ve run into numerous people in pool rooms across the country that go out of their way for me when they find out through conversations that I’m Al’s nephew. I’ve been told many days gone by stories of who Al beat and almost universally they’ll follow their story up with something along the lines of as great of a pool player your uncle was and he was great he is even a better man. I know that there are plenty of “youngsters” out there that are around my age and younger that don’t really know who Al Romero is. I can guarantee you Al doesn't have a cues in the corner of his shop already made that he‘s looking to unload. Cues he makes are already sold. In the pool world you’ll run into your fair share of characters that you might question their character or integrity… Al Romero is not one of them. Al has more pool knowledge about the game and cues in his little finger than most will ever gain in their lifetime. And if you are lucky enough to really know him and he shares his wisdom beyond pool you’ll be the wiser. The conversation that was had with Stew boo I’ve heard numerous times through out the years when visiting Al’s shop since I’ve been 14 years old, but what’s lost in the translation is that Al’s making recommendations many times it’s to someone that’s not at all near a professional level player so take that any way you feel. I read the first post and can clearly see that Stew boo meant nothing derogatory but clearly some people that don’t know Al felt compelled. If I told my uncle about this thread and told him what I posted I know he would laugh and tell me not to waste my time.
I’ve been busy this year and haven’t been here on AZB lately - but today I logged in and notice this thread. I want to clarify what I was saying in my earlier post, because this thread has moved a long way from it.
I wasn’t trying to argue that every recommendation Al made was universally right, or that people have to like his cues. I was pointing out that the phone conversation was being judged without the context Al brought to it: a lifetime around the game not to mention the level that he played the game, including years at Hard Times in Bellflower since it was opened, where he knew the players and had a feel for their abilities.
Al doesn’t need me or anyone on a forum to stand up for him, and I know he would care less about this argument. Unless you are familiar with Marcus Aurelius - Al Romero is stoic to the level that most would never understand - which to me is part of the reason he was such a great player, gambler, gentleman. He - to this very day, would rather have most doubt his abilities and would rather say he broke even when he actually beat all of his well known contemporaries more than he got ever got beat by them… if they played more than a few times. And I welcome Jay Helfert, who most here respect his historical knowledge, to correct me if I’m going off the rails.
His life in pool speaks for itself. People who knew him all around the country respected him because of his character and integrity and feared his game. Growing up I witnessed first hand acclaimed players wanting no part of his action because he already beat them. He’s 90 now and most people here are too young to have seen that firsthand. Some of the certainty in this thread no doubt might sound different if 5hey knew the history. A history that probably will go down just the way that he’d want it… largely unnoticed.
5he revived discussion is now mostly about cue weight, draw, and what a customer should be able to specify. That’s a separate conversation from the point I was making: a few lines retelling one conversation don’t capture the knowledge, experience, or context behind Al’s advice - Al made hundreds of cues to players exact requested specs.
I’ve noticed the comments and reactions from people who actually know Al, knew his shop, or actual pool scene beyond league play. They understand the context I was referring to. I wanted to make sure it wasn’t lost.
