Allison Fisher or Jean Balukas?

This has been a glorious thread, ultimately a tribute to two great players and also to some of their worthiest adversaries.

I'd like to add that for those of you that have never had the pleasure, you must visit Jean Balukas' room, Hall of Fame Billiards in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn at 70th Street & Ovington Avenue. As you enter, to your left are many bulletin boards containing amazing Jean Balukas photos and memorabilia --- most, but not all of it, pool related.

Just to see all of it is worth a trip there for those who live in or visit New York.
 
sjm said:
This has been a glorious thread, ultimately a tribute to two great players and also to some of their worthiest adversaries.

I'd like to add that for those of you that have never had the pleasure, you must visit Jean Balukas' room, Hall of Fame Billiards in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn at 70th Street & Ovington Avenue. As you enter, to your left are many bulletin boards containing amazing Jean Balukas photos and memorabilia --- most, but not all of it, pool related.

Just to see all of it is worth a trip there for those who live in or visit New York.
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Kind of like visiting the Elvis Musuem for pool fanatics. :)
 
One of the greatest reads I have ever had on AzBilliards.

Thank you for starting it Corey.

Koop
 
jay helfert said:
Kind of like visiting the Elvis Musuem for pool fanatics. :)
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You betcha. There 's a classic photograph of Jean from when she competed in the Superstars competition in the early 1970's, a TV series in which pro athletes competed in an all-around sports competition that ended with an obstacle course. I wonder how many posters remember it. The fact that a pool player was invited to participate was a very big deal at the time, and Jean, who was always a great all-around athlete, did well.
 
sjm said:
You betcha. There 's a classic photograph of Jean from when she competed in the Superstars competition in the early 1970's, a TV series in which pro athletes competed in an all-around sports competition that ended with an obstacle course. I wonder how many posters remember it. The fact that a pool player was invited to participate was a very big deal at the time, and Jean, who was always a great all-around athlete, did well.
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Well? She finished a very close second! I'm trying to remember who beat her out. I seem to recall it was a famous track star. You can probably find out, easier than me.
 
sjm said:
You betcha. There 's a classic photograph of Jean from when she competed in the Superstars competition in the early 1970's, a TV series in which pro athletes competed in an all-around sports competition that ended with an obstacle course. I wonder how many posters remember it. The fact that a pool player was invited to participate was a very big deal at the time, and Jean, who was always a great all-around athlete, did well.
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Yes I remember it. That was a great show. And yes she did very well on it. You never knew who was going to win that thing each week...with so many different events...and none of them were pool. Johnnyt
 
more weight

cuechick said:
From post #49:

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."
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I give more weight to this quote from Mike Sigel than most any other I have read about Jean's ability.....THIS IS IMPRESSIVE....beating two of the greatest in history.......
 
Jean was only 16 when she was in her first of three Superstars in 1976. She won money and lost her amature status. She couldn't even play sports in JR. High after that. Lost her free ticket to college too. Johnnyt
 
wahcheck said:
I give more weight to this quote from Mike Sigel than most any other I have read about Jean's ability.....THIS IS IMPRESSIVE....beating two of the greatest in history.......
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Add Keith and reigning U.S. Open champ Mike Lebron to her list of victims. Jean was beating top players in their prime in major events. And they didn't like it either!
 
jay helfert said:
Add Keith and reigning U.S. Open champ Mike Lebron to her list of victims. Jean was beating top players in their prime in major events. And they didn't like it either!
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Lebron...that's the one she beat that I always forget. Johnnyt
 
I would love to hear from some of the men she beat on here. What did they thought of her game back in 1970-1980. Johnnyt
 
jay helfert said:
And they didn't like it either!
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That is an understatement, they actually tried to keep her from playing at all. I believe they took a vote on it.

Did Jean have a nickname? Just wondering....
 
The difference, here, is stringing racks. Put Jean on the big pocket (or tight pocket for that matter), simonis 660-860, nice epuipment and she is gonna put a few together. Allison is a precision player. Jean played like a top man, crashing the break. Love to see it go down. That is why Johnny will beat Allison. He will string'em. I hope this thought is clear.
 
You would actually think that if the money was RIGHT someone could convince Jean to play Allison in a legends event.Alot of people would pay to watch and buy d.v.d.'s.of this match.
I'm sure Jean or Allison would'nt pass this up, if the money was right.
 
It has been mentioned that both would consider playing the match if the proceeds were to go to charity.

However, it can be assumed that whoever bankrolls such a match would have a huge say in when, where, and how the match would be played.
 
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jimmy-leggs said:
You would actually think that if the money was RIGHT someone could convince Jean to play Allison in a legends event.Alot of people would pay to watch and buy d.v.d.'s.of this match.
I'm sure Jean or Allison would'nt pass this up, if the money was right.
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It would be nice Jimmy, however, what chance would Jean really have at this stage of her career to come back after 20 years against the very formidable champion who's at the apex of her careeer? Jean would need to go into training for months, not weeks. I don't think her competitive fires burn that brightly at this stage of her life to entice her to go thru all she would have to for this dream match to be competitive.

The other thing is after this long a period of time, she must have been asked a gazillion times to come back. I'm sure she's mused this over in her head many times over the years. If she's not made a comeback when she was still in her "prime' years, I think there's little hope she would at this later stage.

I think she's satisfied with her status and the great way she is remembered. If she came back and lost (as the odds would be) wouldn't that somewhat tarnish her legacy, at least a little in the eyes of some fans. The way it is now, she's in a no lose sitituation. Her legacy is secure.
All that being said, wouldn't it be great if she did!
 
Terry Ardeno said:
It would be nice Jimmy, however, what chance would Jean really have at this stage of her career to come back after 20 years against the very formidable champion who's at the apex of her careeer? Jean would need to go into training for months, not weeks. I don't think her competitive fires burn that brightly at this stage of her life to entice her to go thru all she would have to for this dream match to be competitive.

The other thing is after this long a period of time, she must have been asked a gazillion times to come back. I'm sure she's mused this over in her head many times over the years. If she's not made a comeback when she was still in her "prime' years, I think there's little hope she would at this later stage.

I think she's satisfied with her status and the great way she is remembered. If she came back and lost (as the odds would be) wouldn't that somewhat tarnish her legacy, at least a little in the eyes of some fans. The way it is now, she's in a no lose sitituation. Her legacy is secure.
All that being said, wouldn't it be great if she did!
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Money talks......and a couple months practice........someone should ask her.You just never know.;)
 
Believe it or not money isn't everything to some people. I believe Jean is one that it don't mean much. Johnnyt
 
jimmy-leggs said:
Money talks......and a couple months practice........someone should ask her.You just never know.;)
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The IPT did ask her! Remember, Jean is in the "Hall of Fame". The kinda money they were promising brought many, many players back!!!

Jean declined.

Though that was not specifically to play Allison, it would have inevitably happened if Jean were competing again.
 
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