jay helfert said:
I'm glad someone mentioned Mark Beilfuss. He was absolutely the best player I knew that quit at a very young age, maybe only 18 or 19. I heard it was either girls or drugs that got him. Don't know for sure.
Coltrain quit young as did Kucharo. Both were champions already. Bonnie Hoffman was the best women player I saw quit young. Jean was 29 when she quit and had won everything for years. Margo was in his early 30's and had been a top player for at least ten years. He realized he wasn't going to get rich playing pool, so he got into the Movie Rental business, and did get rich.
Chan Witt was a great young player, who died at age 19 or 20 in a car accident several years ago. And now young Tyler Strawn is killed by a car this year at age 20. Tony Ellin was in his 30's when he died, and had already won major tournaments.
Gene Nagy was one of the greatest players who ever lived! And who has heard of him? He pretty much gave up tournament pool by age 30. He was responsible for making a champion out of Jeanette Lee. Jerry Brock got busted and was put away for a long stretch. Richie Austin was a helluva gambler out of Memphis, who is still serving time for murder. He has done over 25 years already. Joe Balsis quit from age 21 until he was in his 40's. That was when he won all his titles.
I could probably think of others if I tried harder, but these are a few that come to mind.
Wow...Jay, so many names and so many questions!
Why did Bonnie Hoffman leave the game?
Same for Nagy. Why did he hang it up? (BTW, I thought Bobby Hunter get the credit for Jeanette Lee's success)
You say Jerry Brock got busted and was put away. Was this the same Jerry Brock from San Diego and Ventura? What can you tell us about this?
Where is Tyler Strawn from? I may have heard of him.
Wasn't Chan Witt mostly a snooker player?
Anyhow, I remember Petey Margo. He was very talented and wanted to be compensated for his time and efforts. Pete realized pool was not going to pay off and sure enough, he made the right call. Too bad the game can not support it's top players.