Allison Fisher or Jean Balukas?

Ken_4fun said:
I know this sounds wrong, but the problem with just being a gambler is that there isnt any video of them.

My mother played softball for years, and was amazing. Now, I am 43, my daughters are 19 and 17 and there isnt a video of my mother playing softball, just memories. Videos today are so commonplace that we take for granted.

I would love to see videos (if available) of Jean or Lori.

Ken
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I co-produced the television coverage of the 1987 Classic Cup in Chicago. I also did the commentary. Jean played Ewa in the Finals and it was a Race To Nine. Jean was undefeated and Ewa had to beat her twice. It went two full sets and I won't tell you who won. Yes, Ewa won the first set, a rare loss for Jean. If you want to see how Jean came back in the second set, I have copies of the entire match. Both full sets.

If you are interested in seeing Jean in one of her last tournaments, contact me at jayhelfert@yahoo.com
 
Any Jean Videos?

The last Jean video I had (vs. Fran Crimi finals of the Resorts Intl. 9-Ball in Atlantic City) was lost many years ago.

Does anyone have anything they could put on YouTube?

I think that anyone who did not get to see her play is really missing out.
 
hondo said:
I'm old enough to have watched both play. Break nonwithstanding,
to me, Alison is definitely better than Jean ever was.
A little difficult to judge because I never saw Jean have any
competition like Karen Corr back then.
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Assuming that the question refers to 9-ball, you can't discount the break difference.
 
Jean vs. Allison

I have seen both of these women players. Very contrasting styles of play. It would be hard to pick a winner. Yes, Allison competes againist a bigger/stronger field, but with better equipment (Tables/Balls/Cues). I would be a great match to watch if they played.
 
sjm said:
Lori lost her battle with cancer a few years ago. It was a very sad day in women's pool.
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I recently ran across some pictures from the inaugural McDermott Masters tournament (1981, I think) and sent them to the men's winner. In that group was a picture of Lori that I had forgotten about.

I'm very sorry to learn that she passed away.
 
DennyS said:
Here's a great interview with Jean Balukas, Fran Crimi, Steve Mizerak, Mike Sigel on the Charlie Rose show.

http://www.charlierose.com/guests/jean-balukas
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Very Cool! When Jean was shooting, it reminded me very much of Tiffany Nelson.

"The Miz" commented in that video that give Jean a month of practice and she'd whoop some ass.

Also interesting to hear from Steve's mouth that he ran a 420 in straight pool.
 
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PoolSponge said:
I have never seen Jean play. This is the first I have heard the name.
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I've been shaking my head ever since I saw this statement. I spoke to a room owner today who had never heard of Jean, either. The same guy who never heard of Buddy Hall. Ever heard of Geraldine Titcomb, Dorothy Wise, Madelyn Whitlow, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Tom Jennings, Dallas West, Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, I could go on and on. It's sad that so many of today's players know nothing of the game's history and\or great\legendary players. When I started playing, I got into it and find it hard to understand how people today can't be bothered with it. Sorry for the rant.
 
From Seyberts.com

Here's what some of the top players of the game have to say about the inclusion of women in the World 14.1 Championship

Here's what some of the top players of the game have to say about the inclusion of women in the World 14.1 Championship

Seyberts.com: What do you think about women playing in the men's World 14.1 Championship?

Nick Varner:
"Well, I hope I draw one !(with a chuckle) The women play well but I don't see them winning too many matches against top straight pool players. It's a different game than 9-Ball."

Allen Hopkins:
"The women today play very well. Much better than before. They can certainly compete with the men in this format especially the round robin. I respect their game. But winning the tournament....well, I don't think they can win it. "

Mike Sigel:
"With this kind of format of course they can win matches. They've proved that plenty of times in other events that women can win matches against the men. But if the races were like to 50 playing 8-Ball or 9-Ball or a 1000 point straight pool game, well, they honestly wouldn't have a chnace against a top men's pro. Even in this World 14.1 Championship format, they may win matches but I dont think they can win the tournament."

Seyberts.com : Who's the greatest woman's player you've ever seen?

Nick Varner:
"It's got to be Jean Balukas. She was phenomenal. When Jeanie was playing, none of the guys had to like it. Hey, is Jeanie playing in this? If so, I retract my statement about hoping to draw a woman!"

Allen Hopkins:
" It's tough cause a few of today's girls can really play. Fisher, Corr...they definitely would give Jean Balukas a run for the money in 9-Ball. But what they lack that Jean had was power. She was a strong athletic girl and she had a big break and big stroke. In 14.1, I don't think any of the girls today could beat her."

Mike Sigel:
"It's probably a toss up with Fisher and Balukas. But Jeanie had power. She could really muscle the ball around the table like a man. She beat Buddy Hall 11-4, Steve Mizerak 11-2, and allot of other guys when they were playing their best and in their prime. They played perfect and she was beating them. I've seen her hit guys with packages playing 9-Ball...like 5 and 6 racks at a time. I haven't seen any of the girls today do that."
 
CrownCityCorey said:
Very Cool! When Jean was shooting, it reminded me very much of Tiffany Nelson.

"The Miz" commented in that video that give Jean a month of practice and she'd whoop some ass.

Also interesting to hear from Steve's mouth that he ran a 420 in straight pool.
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You know, you are right. Tiffany's style is a lot like Jean.
 
Pushout said:
I've been shaking my head ever since I saw this statement. I spoke to a room owner today who had never heard of Jean, either. The same guy who never heard of Buddy Hall. Ever heard of Geraldine Titcomb, Dorothy Wise, Madelyn Whitlow, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Tom Jennings, Dallas West, Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, I could go on and on. It's sad that so many of today's players know nothing of the game's history and\or great\legendary players. When I started playing, I got into it and find it hard to understand how people today can't be bothered with it. Sorry for the rant.
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Buddy who?
 
I've been shaking my head ever since I saw this statement. I spoke to a room owner today who had never heard of Jean, either. The same guy who never heard of Buddy Hall. Ever heard of Geraldine Titcomb, Dorothy Wise, Madelyn Whitlow, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Tom Jennings, Dallas West, Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, I could go on and on. It's sad that so many of today's players know nothing of the game's history and\or great\legendary players. When I started playing, I got into it and find it hard to understand how people today can't be bothered with it. Sorry for the rant.
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you know i agree with this completely. it amazes me how 99 percent of the players i play with are completely ignorant to so much basic knowledge and history about the game that i take for granted. obviously it's worse here in england. nobody knows what straight pool is, who efren, earl, buddy, sigel anybody is lol. you're last sentence is spot on. when i got into the game i read and researched and watched loads and learned loads. surely it's what you do when you discover a passion?

back on topic, , what i like about the sound of jean is she was a pure pool player. big break, runs racks, spinning the cue ball round for position, etc. pure pool, a man's game if you like.

allison is no doubt a great player, but i wouldnt sit and watch her for hours in the same way that i would a player like jean, or say an earl or a dennis hatch. technically solid converted snooker player with her snooker background showing in her style of play. but i admire allison immensely, the most imporatnt skill in cue sports is the mental game, and she has it great. to keep winning and winning and dominating. and also i've found i'm starting to root for her a lot now all the young guns are challenging her more. same way i did with stephen hendry with the snooker when he started to lose his dominance.

anyway seeing jean balukas make a comeback is something i would love to see. don't see it happening any time soon though, but hope i'm wrong.
 
Pushout said:
I've been shaking my head ever since I saw this statement. I spoke to a room owner today who had never heard of Jean, either. The same guy who never heard of Buddy Hall. Ever heard of Geraldine Titcomb, Dorothy Wise, Madelyn Whitlow, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Tom Jennings, Dallas West, Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, I could go on and on. It's sad that so many of today's players know nothing of the game's history and\or great\legendary players. When I started playing, I got into it and find it hard to understand how people today can't be bothered with it. Sorry for the rant.
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Geraldine Titcomb-No
Dorothy Wise-No
Madelyn Whitlow-no
Joe Balsis-no
Jimmy Caras-no
Tom Jennings-no
Ralph Greenleaf-no
And I could go on and on.
I have been playing pool since I was 14,am now 42.I know alot about pool and its history and players.Maybe living in canada doesnt help much either,BUT just because someone has'nt heard of somene does'nt mean they can't be bothered to ASK about that someone to learn.So get OFF your high horse and enlighten us with your emmense knowledge of the game.:rolleyes:
sorry for the rant.
 
Pushout said:
I've been shaking my head ever since I saw this statement. I spoke to a room owner today who had never heard of Jean, either. The same guy who never heard of Buddy Hall. Ever heard of Geraldine Titcomb, Dorothy Wise, Madelyn Whitlow, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Tom Jennings, Dallas West, Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, I could go on and on. It's sad that so many of today's players know nothing of the game's history and\or great\legendary players. When I started playing, I got into it and find it hard to understand how people today can't be bothered with it. Sorry for the rant.
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Yes, I know all of these names and have met all of these players but Greenleaf.

I don't reckon many will recognize the name Madeline Whitlow, but aspiring women pros are in her debt. Madeline Whitlow was one of the original WPBA members in 1976 and figured prominently in the organization's earliest days. Madeline was honored at the 2001 WPBA Nationals at a celebration of the organization's twenty fifth anniversary, and that's when I had the pleasure of meeting her.

Tom Jennings may qualify as the best player ever that almost nobody's heard of.
 
I'm very impressed by the quality of posts in this thread. I'll concur with the gang that Jean had a more powerful stroke and break than that of Allison, but I reckon Allison is the more complete player, having greater aptitude in ball pocketing, defense, and kicking. I'll add that Allison and Jean probably had the two strongest mental games in the history of women's pro pool, but I truly believe that Allison's was the better of the two.

One thing I'll never forget is how at both the 2001 and 2002 Women's Challenge of Champions at Mohegan Sun, it came down to a single playoff rack between Allison and Karen for the $25,000 winner take all prize. Each year, Allison had the first shot at the one ball but faced a very diffcult layout, and each time she ran out for the $25,000 prize. I've never seen greater composure under pressure than that of Allison in the toughest pressure situations. The bigger the moment, the better Allison performs, and it has also shown up in her brilliant showings at the Amway Cup and the World Championships.

Because the competiton is so tough these days, Allison has faced far more of these maximum pressure situations than Jean had to, but Allison has used these moments to define herself as a champion of incomparable pedigree.

Yup, I've definitely decided that the better of the two is ............ neither one of them. Too close to call!
 
I've seen both Jean and Allison numerous times and I have to conclude that neither gal has the nuts over the other. After Jean left the game I didn't think I'd ever see another woman shoot with as much precision and skill. But then Allison came along and brought a totally diffferent style to the game, with dominance over much tougher competition. So who is better? My vote goes to Allison, but barely.

Pushout said:
I've been shaking my head ever since I saw this statement. I spoke to a room owner today who had never heard of Jean, either. The same guy who never heard of Buddy Hall. Ever heard of Geraldine Titcomb, Dorothy Wise, Madelyn Whitlow, Joe Balsis, Irving Crane, Jimmy Caras, Tom Jennings, Dallas West, Ralph Greenleaf, Willie Mosconi, I could go on and on. It's sad that so many of today's players know nothing of the game's history and\or great\legendary players. When I started playing, I got into it and find it hard to understand how people today can't be bothered with it. Sorry for the rant.
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I'm reminded of Albert Belle several years ago when he was asked how he felt being on track to beat Roger Maris' single season home run record. He said, "Who's Roger Maris?"

It is very comman in pool for many of the players to not know the legends of the game. Afterall, you don't need to know these folks in order to run out the rack, right? Some of us just are more curious than others.
 
sjm said:
Yes, I know all of these names and have met all of these players but Greenleaf.

I don't reckon many will recognize the name Madeline Whitlow, but aspiring women pros are in her debt. Madeline Whitlow was one of the original WPBA members in 1976 and figured prominently in the organization's earliest days. Madeline was honored at the 2001 WPBA Nationals at a celebration of the organization's twenty fifth anniversary, and that's when I had the pleasure of meeting her.

Tom Jennings may qualify as the best player ever that almost nobody's heard of.
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What about Pat Fleming? ha ha ha ha ha ha

I have to laugh at my own joke.
 
sjm said:
Yes, I know all of these names and have met all of these players but Greenleaf.

I don't reckon many will recognize the name Madeline Whitlow, but aspiring women pros are in her debt. Madeline Whitlow was one of the original WPBA members in 1976 and figured prominently in the organization's earliest days. Madeline was honored at the 2001 WPBA Nationals at a celebration of the organization's twenty fifth anniversary, and that's when I had the pleasure of meeting her.

Tom Jennings may qualify as the best player ever that almost nobody's heard of.
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I thought you used to practice with Greenleaf. :)
 
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