Can't resist posting this old pic - how many do you know?

Gary wins the banks!

jay helfert said:
I refereed the final match between Jose and Nick Varner. I called a foul on Nick (this is in KY.) and the crowd started screaming. Nick just scratched his head and said "well, maybe that was a foul". Saved my butt.

I beat Lebron, Greg and Freddie in the Banks (sorry Freddie) after losing to Earl in the first round. Then went hill-hill with Bollman and ran four balls in the case game and scratched on my out ball. He came back to beat me. I finished 9-12 out of 32. Think I got $200 back, big score. The match with Dave was worth like one bean more.

I didn't win to many matches. That's why I can remember the few I did. lol
Jay, does this picture ring any bells?
 

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Great memories. Glad to see others here, who appreciate the "stories". First time I ever saw the pros - The Clyde tournament, march 1982. It was something to see Grady, Buddy, Louie, Reid, McCready, Allen and others shuffling in and out of a ring game (82 or 83). Even saw Earl in 83 giving up the 8 to Edgar "shake and bake" White and bbq em two sets. Never saw anyone cut a ball like Louie Roberts! Seeing all those players for the first time was like magic.

** I was in the Air Force stationed in Homestead, Florida and used to plan my leave every year for march to come "home" to Kentucky for that tournament. Everyone wondered why I would leave sunny Florida for ky in the winter. Guess you would just have to know about this addiction.

**I remember the first year they switched the tourney to Lexington and Parica and Spaeth were the winners. Truman Hogue hit a cross corner bank at about 110 miles an hour to win a match and said "I believe that ball rolled off a little". Cracked everyone in the place up. Truman had a sign on his room door that said do not bother unless you wanted to play for $500 or more. He matched up with Parica giving him a spot playing full rack banks. Parica was winning early and stated "itss like robbery". When it was all said and done he found out how good Truman could dab it.
Two friends from my local room, John DiToro and Tommy Brown flew up for the tourney. I believe this is where Tommy met his wife.
 

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Matt_24 said:
What kind of cue is Grady holding in that picture? He used that cue in the 89 (or was it 90?) 9 ball championship where he placed second to Nick Varner (it went hill/hill and Nick won....Grady was deadly in that tournament). I really like that cue.

I'm pretty sure that is the Shoen cue Grady used for many years. It featured ivory points and pretty birdseye maple. I know he really loved that one. But I think something happened to it--stolen, sold or something ... I don't remember--but the next time I saw him (and the last time, now that I think of it) he was playing with a Samsara that was also a beauty.
 
Johnny Brumback

bb81 said:
Is that guy to the left of Efren, John Brumback?
No, but coincidentally, Johnny was in the room at the time the picture was taken. I have a couple with him in them, one in which he is slumped up against the wall sleeping.
 
Great pics so far. Efren looks very young there. Was Spanish Mike backing him then or was the sleezeballs that he came to the US backing him then? One guy in the pic looks like John Brumback but shorter and too old at that time frame. When Efren first began to play one pocket who was his main mentor? I know he learned by watching but who played wiyh him the most?

Freddy or Grady how did you guys used to play Efren when he first came to the US?

Grady also since you have been contributing to the main forum a lot more lately would you be interested in a section on ask the pros? I think you should be the next HOF for the BCA. I never knew you are such a well rounded player Onepocket, small track champion, 9ball stud in the 70's, straight pool 300+ runner, etc.


Keep the pics coming and you may want to sell some to decorate rec rooms. I would be intersted.

Grady when do you think you were playing the best pool of your life?
 
BillPorter said:
Jay, does this picture ring any bells?

They look so young. Of course, Gary died young. Who did he beat in the finals? Was it Wade Crane? I know he was up there. I staked Medina and he was 5-6. Danny finished high in the 9-Ball too, like 4th. Am I right Bill? My memory ain't so bad after all.
 
Lebron

I will triple guarantee you that's Mike Lebron standing against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

He was a world beater for the cash back then. Mike played good, real good!
Hell, he won the U.S. Open back about that time, with Earl, Buddy, Efren and the whole crew involved.
 
airport steve is behind efren, to the right of efren is kentucky jim and to the right of him with his hands in is pockets is mike lebron. By the way if you look real close airport is trying to pick pocket efren. LOL
 
Yes, I believe Gary played Wade in the finals

jay helfert said:
They look so young. Of course, Gary died young. Who did he beat in the finals? Was it Wade Crane? I know he was up there. I staked Medina and he was 5-6. Danny finished high in the 9-Ball too, like 4th. Am I right Bill? My memory ain't so bad after all.
Shoot, I can't even remember taking these photos!!! But since I found them in my room, I guess I did! :>)

I would post a picture of Gary and Wade splitting up the cash, but the attachment icon doesn't seem to be functioning at the moment. I'll try to post it later along with one of Johnny Brumback catching 40 winks. (I also have a scan of Gary's obit if anyone is interested. You can PM me.)
 
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Yes, I believe Gary played Wade in the finals

jay helfert said:
They look so young. Of course, Gary died young. Who did he beat in the finals? Was it Wade Crane? I know he was up there. I staked Medina and he was 5-6. Danny finished high in the 9-Ball too, like 4th. Am I right Bill? My memory ain't so bad after all.
Jay, here's a pic that shows Wade & Gary splitting the cash. And another showing Johnny Brumback taking a nap!
gary_johnny.jpg
 
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