Buddy Hall - RIP

Taxi said:
I first heard of Buddy when he came through Weenie Beanie's in the early 70's, and beat Jimmy Rempe in a 10 ahead freezeout for $25,000. The table time was 45 cents. Rempe never missed a shot, but after he ran out following Buddy's only dry break, he broke dry himself and Buddy finished off the match. Buddy in his prime was the best 9 ball player I ever saw. In retrospect the funniest thing about that match was that back then Buddy was as thin as a rail and had hollowed out cheeks. Not the Buddy of later years!

I was sitting in the front row when Buddy beat Tang Hoa in the winners' bracket final and then again for all the cheese in the 1998 U. S. Open. He gave me his BreathRight nose bandage as a souvenir that I gave to a woman who played in our local tournaments. The winners' bracket final was one of the best matches I've ever seen in my life, and it's a shame that the Accu-Stats crew was taking a dinner break and didn't record it for posterity. After that match, the final was almost an anticlimax, as Buddy won easily.

But the most impressive memory I have of Buddy was at Joe Burns' Dayton tournament in 1974. Buddy won the 9 ball and the all-around title, but what I remember most was a side action match he had against Sigel, where both of them were playing opposite handed. I watched that match for a solid hour, and if I hadn't known better I would've sworn that they were playing with their "normal" hand.
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I staked Tang in that tourney. In the Winner's bracket final they were both at their best. Buddy won the match 11-9 but I was so proud of Tang for how he played. When they played the final Buddy suggested a "saver" with Tang, telling me afterwards he knew Tang was capable of beating him.
 
westcoast said:
Just saw on FB post from UpState Al that Buddy passed away. RIP to a legend
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Buddy and I go back, way way back, to Johnston City and beyond. Sixty years as friends and pool compatriots. I saw so many highs and lows in our times together around the green fields of glory. Buddy was the ultimate pool warrior, fearless in battle and a head above everywhere else. In a field full of Sigels, Mizeraks, Reyes, and more, Buddy was always the #1 pick, like Gorst today. In reality Buddy was a one big lovable teddy bear, but he kept that side closely guarded. I'm gonna miss you buddy, shedding a tear or two now.
 
Going to miss you my friend 😞💔say hi to Sherry and Blackie for me
 

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ImaPoolnut said:
But now that I think about it, Buddy was playing an Johnson City and I need to correct myself. I previously posted that Danny Diliberto was the last living player from the legendary Johnson City era. Danny Died in February which made Buddy the oldest living player. Now with buddy gone I'll have to do some reserach to see who is the oldest living player from that era.
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Dallas West?
 
pt109 said:
Keith Thompson, the 18 year old who won the all-round…..posts on AZ
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Ray does too, never often though. Always funny to watch youngsters that don't know shit from Shinola arguing with legends sometimes. You would never guess what a giant Ray is by his modest posts and screen name. I didn't know the youngster posted, didn't remember his name either to be honest. Had a health issue a couple years ago myself and memory took a hit.

I never saw Buddy except when he came down to Baton Rouge mostly when Lambert was holding tournaments. I didn't care much for Shreveport and Monroe was the trip from hell through endless piney woods before the interstate system. I think 165 was the twisty two lane through the piney woods late night. Always had to be alert for deer and no places I recall to stop after Alexandria. Serious boondocks! I remember Buddy and Jose Parica around Baton Rouge at the same time. If they hooked up it was in the back room and I didn't hear about it. I think the long and short of it(couldn't resist!) was that it was a tough battle to an uncertain finish. Either could win, either could lose.

Hu
 
ShootingArts said:
I didn't know the youngster posted, didn't remember his name either to be honest. Had a health issue a couple years ago myself and memory took a hit.
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You can catch up starting here:

K

Post in thread 'New Here? - Introduce Yourself'

RMS said:
New here?
Introduce yourself, tell us where you hail from and a bit about yourself.
Click to expand...
Keith Thompson here!

Just turned 70 this past weekend. Left home before my fifteenth birthday and raised myself in pools rooms until 18.5 yrs old.

Played a lot of the great players from the late sixties.
Greg Stevens
Luther Lassiter
Ronnie Allen
Buddy Hall
John “Duke” Dowell
Freddy the Beard
Boston Shorty
Cole Dickson
Tall Jeff Sparks
Erving Crane
Grady Mathews
Hawaiian Brian
Jimmy Marino
Jimmy Fusco
Blackie Leseur
Bill “Weenie Bernie” Stanton
Joey Speith
Larry Liscotti
Many more


Won the 9...
  • Like

and here:

K

Thread 'Walking with giants, Lassiter'

I’m one of the few people left on the planet today that has played Luther “wimpy “ Lassiter back in the day, it was a privilege! He was and is the best player I’ve ever played!

We played in the all around 1970 Johnston city. There was a youth wave in the pool world that would flood the poolrooms across the world with talent that laid the foundation of the game for years to come by Tall Jeff, Incardona, Rempe, Hippy Jimmy, Cole Dickson, Mataya, Buddy Hall, Steve Cook, The Mighty Squirrel lol, had to throw me in there bahaha and many more.

Myself and Lassiter kicked off what...
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Read 'em all!
 
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Korsakoff said:
Thanks for the pictures and memories of Buddy Hall.

I did visit the Wiki page, and I saw the photo above with Keith cut out.

I took your original photo and removed Keith and attempted to recreate Buddy's right arm. I am posting it below in case you ever need a more balanced isolated picture of Buddy from your original picture. It's not perfect, but it's not bad, either.

I tried to send you a DM, but I see that your account does not allow for that.

View attachment 826871
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That looks great! Well done! The wonderful world of AI is really cool when we can make things better. Thank you!
 
ShootingArts said:
Ray does too, never often though. Always funny to watch youngsters that don't know shit from Shinola arguing with legends sometimes. You would never guess what a giant Ray is by his modest posts and screen name. I didn't know the youngster posted, didn't remember his name either to be honest. Had a health issue a couple years ago myself and memory took a hit.

I never saw Buddy except when he came down to Baton Rouge mostly when Lambert was holding tournaments. I didn't care much for Shreveport and Monroe was the trip from hell through endless piney woods before the interstate system. I think 165 was the twisty two lane through the piney woods late night. Always had to be alert for deer and no places I recall to stop after Alexandria. Serious boondocks! I remember Buddy and Jose Parica around Baton Rouge at the same time. If they hooked up it was in the back room and I didn't hear about it. I think the long and short of it(couldn't resist!) was that it was a tough battle to an uncertain finish. Either could win, either could lose.

Hu
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Memories…..playing Ray in a tournament….he fired a long shot…it rattled and hung….I said “Not even close!” A few games later I played a long bank and drew the length of the table….the ball did everything but drop…Ray said “Not even close!” Everybody laughed.
I got him that time but he got me next one…😩
That was on the Miz tour….I beat him 11-9…..next tournament he beat me 11-7….he made it to the finals against Vickery….but his break was weak by then….we were all cheering for him…but he got beat pretty good…in retrospect, we would’ve cheered even more.
 
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This from three years ago
Player
Buddy Hall, "The Rifleman" has distinctly earned the recognition as being one of the greatest players of all time. His feats of cueing greatness echo yet in the hearts and lions dens of cueing legends. In over 30 years, his applied God-given talent and wisdom has earned him many of the richest 9-ball titles in the sport's history. He was honorably inducted into the Billiard Hall of Fame in the year 2000. His total fundamental solid consistent style has been a contributional learning tool to players and teachers world wide. Mr. Hall's instructional books/videos/products and personal instruction is available now to all "sincere-seekers" of truth and understanding.

IMG_3596.jpeg
 
ShootingArts said:
Ray does too, never often though. Always funny to watch youngsters that don't know shit from Shinola arguing with legends sometimes. You would never guess what a giant Ray is by his modest posts and screen name. I didn't know the youngster posted, didn't remember his name either to be honest. Had a health issue a couple years ago myself and memory took a hit.

I never saw Buddy except when he came down to Baton Rouge mostly when Lambert was holding tournaments. I didn't care much for Shreveport and Monroe was the trip from hell through endless piney woods before the interstate system. I think 165 was the twisty two lane through the piney woods late night. Always had to be alert for deer and no places I recall to stop after Alexandria. Serious boondocks! I remember Buddy and Jose Parica around Baton Rouge at the same time. If they hooked up it was in the back room and I didn't hear about it. I think the long and short of it(couldn't resist!) was that it was a tough battle to an uncertain finish. Either could win, either could lose.

Hu
Click to expand...
Buddy tagged Louie there once.
 
7stud said:
You can catch up starting here:

K

Post in thread 'New Here? - Introduce Yourself'

RMS said:
New here?
Introduce yourself, tell us where you hail from and a bit about yourself.
Click to expand...
Keith Thompson here!

Just turned 70 this past weekend. Left home before my fifteenth birthday and raised myself in pools rooms until 18.5 yrs old.

Played a lot of the great players from the late sixties.
Greg Stevens
Luther Lassiter
Ronnie Allen
Buddy Hall
John “Duke” Dowell
Freddy the Beard
Boston Shorty
Cole Dickson
Tall Jeff Sparks
Erving Crane
Grady Mathews
Hawaiian Brian
Jimmy Marino
Jimmy Fusco
Blackie Leseur
Bill “Weenie Bernie” Stanton
Joey Speith
Larry Liscotti
Many more


Won the 9...
  • Like

and here:

K

Thread 'Walking with giants, Lassiter'

I’m one of the few people left on the planet today that has played Luther “wimpy “ Lassiter back in the day, it was a privilege! He was and is the best player I’ve ever played!

We played in the all around 1970 Johnston city. There was a youth wave in the pool world that would flood the poolrooms across the world with talent that laid the foundation of the game for years to come by Tall Jeff, Incardona, Rempe, Hippy Jimmy, Cole Dickson, Mataya, Buddy Hall, Steve Cook, The Mighty Squirrel lol, had to throw me in there bahaha and many more.

Myself and Lassiter kicked off what...
  • Like
  • Love
  • Wow

Read 'em all!
Click to expand...
We all stand on the shoulders of those giants.
 
Nice tribute on the az front page:

www.azbilliards.com

Remembering Our Buddy - News - AZBILLIARDS.COM

I am certain that the greatest honor I ever received in pool was when Buddy Hall asked me to introduce him at his Hall of Fame induction. We had long been friends, a friendship inaugurated when I interviewed him at the US Open for a magazine story. He did not know at the time that I was one of his b
www.azbilliards.com www.azbilliards.com
 
Buddy Hall's granddaughter, Lucy, is reaching out to the pool community through a GoFundMe campaign to cover Buddy’s final expenses and give him the dignified farewell he so richly deserves. I hope those who can afford a small donation will reach out to this GoFundMe and help Buddy Hall's family.

gofund.me

Donate to Celebrate Buddy Hall's Legacy and Life, organized by Lucy Hall

Help Honor a Pool Legend: Cecil P. "Buddy" Hall Cecil P. "Buddy" Hall, a true… Lucy Hall needs your support for Celebrate Buddy Hall's Legacy and Life
gofund.me gofund.me
 
Great Great Man. Rags to Rifleman is the best book I ever read. His videos are really really good.
Sorry to hear this.


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