Danny Basavich

[JAM]

At the 2004 Glass City Open, Danny kept Corey benched and ran a six-pack, if memory serves me right. Corey could only sit back and enjoy the Kid Delicious show. He was helpless.

Check it out: 2004 Glass City Open Corey vs. Danny

Buddy Hall commentating with his infectious laughter. :grin-square:

BTW, they had a shot-clock on this match. :wink:

Danny ended up runner-up in the tournament, losing to Hillbilly.

 

[The Saw]

I've only been around Danny a handful of times and it always made me wonder how people fell for his hustle. I always thought he was a nice guy and fun to be around but he's a terrible actor.

Danny got people with his personality, you could go in a bust a place, get all of the money and its time to go, and they're begging Danny to stay.... Never seen anything like it.... I've never seen anyone that could make friends faster than Danny, period. Dude is gifted that way.

Funny thing about someone mentioning Bristol/Danny laying it down as Bob was the player and Danny was the money man, Bart and Danny played it the opposite way acting like Danny was the player and Chris was the money man.... That didn't work out real well for people who went for it......

 

[The Saw]

First time I met him was in a parking lot. [Don't Ask, Don't Tell.]

After about 10 minutes into our conversation, I immediately knew he was special. Danny gives you his undivided attention one-on-one, which is a trait that not many pool professionals have. Most of the pros have such big egos, they don't know how to listen anymore. Danny is genuinely nice.

I had the opportunity to meet his mom and dad, who adore him. They were both a little skeptical of this pool lifestyle, but they wanted to give Danny their full support because they love him. Not many pool pros have as good a family support system as Danny Basavich. He's lucky in this regard.

I think when Danny threw in the towel might have been when his sponsor pulled up. It was a shame. That year, Danny was on fire, winning just about everying he stepped foot in. If he didn't win, he was runner up.

Reality of the pool lifestyle with all of its worts proved to be too much for him, and I'm kind of glad to see he's doing what works out best to him to survive. If he's driving a cab, I'll guarantee you not only is he the best, but he's probably the most charismatic cab driver in his area. I wouldn't mind hitching a taxi ride with somebody like that! :grin-square:

I've told you this before Jennie but Danny was a huge fan of you.......

 

[JAM]

I've told you this before Jennie but Danny was a huge fan of you.......

I've always enjoyed seeing him on the tournament trail. He was like poetry in motion on a field of green. He's a great player and a good man!

I just watched that 2004 Glass City Open match against him and Corey, and I was wrong about the six-pack. Danny actually ran an eight-pack on Corey.

I had forgotten how cool Buddy Hall is as a commentator. Great match!

 

[m79a]

Says on his Facebook page he is no longer driving a cab.

 

[Nine ... corner]

Says on his Facebook page he is no longer driving a cab.

Apparently his father maintains the page. It appears that he isn't working now as after the "He is no longer driving the cab ... there is a request of does anyone have a job he can do."

 

[JAM]

He's 34 years old, in the prime of his life. I hope he does *not* come back to pool because it's a lose-lose situation for pro players in the States unless you have a fat stakehorse/sponsor with deep pockets who can go the long haul.

Let's face it. Pool today is a rich man's high. You must win, place, or show to break even at most pool happenings.

Pool politics also raises its ugly head to prevent players like Danny from advancing their pool careers. I recall when Danny, who was HIGH on the UPA ranking chart (top 5 to be exact) did not get the opportunity to compete in the then-BCA Open, which was really an invitational based on UPA ranking points for 50 percent of the field, the other 50 percent reserved for non-American players. The UPA claims they could not get a hold of Danny to inform him he had a spot. Meanwhile, at that time, they were e-mailing him with UPA updates, to which Danny responded. As well, Danny had a cell phone number, which was live and in use at the time. The UPA's administrative staff, as well as the BCA organization, ripped Danny off to allow some of the UPA's minions to compete in the BCA Open. It was a disgrace to Danny and a slap in the face.

My opinion, Danny has one of those voices, if you know him, that is captivating when he speaks. He's also funny as can be. I think he should work on an act and do stand-up comedy. I think he's got what it takes to go far. He certainly has a wealth of material to work with as an American pool player. In fact, with a little bit of polish, Danny might be the change agent to put pool on the American map by just being himself. I'd love to see him do that.

Last but not least, he really is extremely intelligent. He's young enough to go back to school and earn a degree, get a Pell grant. My daughter did it in her thirties and is now going for her master's while working full-time. Danny could do it too. It takes a special person to succeed in pool. Danny needs to take those qualities and excel in school or another profession. I know a few cab drivers who play pool, and that daily rent nut is a hard to meet today with the price of gas, much less turn a profit.

 

[Toncam]

My opinion, Danny has one of those voices, if you know him, that is captivating when he speaks. He's also funny as can be. I think he should work on an act and do stand-up comedy. I think he's got what it takes to go far. He certainly has a wealth of material to work with as an American pool player. In fact, with a little bit of polish, Danny might be the change agent to put pool on the American map by just being himself. I'd love to see him do that.

He just might have what it takes to be a comic; but thats another brutal profession. You think Pools tough and pays nothing ? This gig youre working almost all the time just for the exposure and it takes years and a lot of luck also to get off the ground. A buddy of mine tried his hand at it and told me a little and i believe him.
Then again, you never know till you try.

 

[JAM]

He just might have what it takes to be a comic; but thats another brutal profession. You think Pools tough and pays nothing ? This gig youre working almost all the time just for the exposure and it takes years and a lot of luck also to get off the ground. A buddy of mine tried his hand at it and told me a little and i believe him.
Then again, you never know till you try.

Thje thing is that Danny has a lot of material to work with, stemming from his pool career: stakehorse from U.S. Steel that pulled up, ESPN writer tagging him at events and writing good articles, a book written about him, and the movie that was and never came to fruition. Those things can be turned into comedy if Danny does it right. Then there's the road trips. Danny has some funny adventures. His brilliance on a pool table will shine if he can transform that talent to comedy.

 

[Playin4Dinner]

I've always enjoyed seeing him on the tournament trail. He was like poetry in motion on a field of green. He's a great player and a good man!

I just watched that 2004 Glass City Open match against him and Corey, and I was wrong about the six-pack. Danny actually ran an eight-pack on Corey.

I had forgotten how cool Buddy Hall is as a commentator. Great match!

Danny actually put 4 together in the set... Regardless, it was a very gritty performance by him... Crowd was def pro corey over there in his neck of the woods... Not sure what I enjoyed more... Danny's play, seeing corey squirm and whimper in his chair, or having buddy in the booth...

Btw, check out this power stroke by corey around 9 min.... Classic Deuel shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=uHBUODnjBOY#t=545s

Thank you Jam for sharing link for match... :thumbup:


I had forgotten how unique Danny's style of play was.... Did you notice he looked like he was playing with a shot clock throughout the match??? Buddy said his previous match had been put on the clock... I think it actually helped his game...

 

[JAM]

Danny actually put 4 together in the set... Regardless, it was a very gritty performance by him... Crowd was def pro corey over there in his neck of the woods... Not sure what I enjoyed more... Danny's play, seeing corey squirm and whimper in his chair, or having buddy in the booth...

Btw, check out this power stroke by corey around 9 min.... Classic Deuel shot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=uHBUODnjBOY#t=545s

Thank you Jam for sharing link for match... :thumbup:


I had forgotten how unique Danny's style of play was.... Did you notice he looked like he was playing with a shot clock throughout the match??? Buddy said his previous match had been put on the clock... I think it actually helped his game...

I know. Isn't that funny? I was there at this tournament. Danny played his usual slow-play at the pro tournament before the semi-finals, but in the finals, they did utilize a shot-clock for some matches.

Not sure why it wasn't for this match, considering Danny's track record for slow-play. I didn't mind watching Danny's slow-play. He reminds me so much of Geese, that stroke. Looking at his concentration as he stroked the ball over and over and over again. Then he'd stop, walk around the table, and start stroking the ball again. All that work when he could play just as good, if not better, at a faster pace.

Are you sure it was only a four-pack? Now I'm going to have to watch it again. You're right about Buddy. Isn't he the best!? That other guy's name was Bob, not Bristol Bob, but some guy from Califronia, like "Long Beach Bob," or something like that. Gosh, my memory is not good. I even took his picture with Buddy in the booth. I'll see if I can find it.

 

[JAM]

...Are you sure it was only a four-pack? Now I'm going to have to watch it again. You're right about Buddy. Isn't he the best!? That other guy's name was Bob, not Bristol Bob, but some guy from Califronia, like "Long Beach Bob," or something like that. Gosh, my memory is not good. I even took his picture with Buddy in the booth. I'll see if I can find it.

I found it. It is Newport Beach Bob and Buddy Hall in the Booth at 2004 Glass City Open in Toledo. Here's my picture!

 

[Tobermory]

Danny mowed 'em down with lots of "packs" at the Reno Nine-Ball about ten years ago, but--Oh my gosh!--was he slow. He took forever once he was down on the ball.

 

[cueaddicts]

......

Pool politics also raises its ugly head to prevent players like Danny from advancing their pool careers. I recall when Danny, who was HIGH on the UPA ranking chart (top 5 to be exact) did not get the opportunity to compete in the then-BCA Open, which was really an invitational based on UPA ranking points for 50 percent of the field, the other 50 percent reserved for non-American players. The UPA claims they could not get a hold of Danny to inform him he had a spot. Meanwhile, at that time, they were e-mailing him with UPA updates, to which Danny responded. As well, Danny had a cell phone number, which was live and in use at the time. The UPA's administrative staff, as well as the BCA organization, ripped Danny off to allow some of the UPA's minions to compete in the BCA Open. It was a disgrace to Danny and a slap in the face.

......

JAM, that's one of the most pathetic things I've ever read. If true, that certainly illustrates one ugly side of what's wrong with pro pool in America. Geez...

I wish Danny the best in whatever profession he winds up in. He's certainly a true character and it's a shame that pool here in the US is in such a state that he feels he can't be a part of it.

 

[cleary]

He's 34 years old, in the prime of his life. I hope he does *not* come back to pool because it's a lose-lose situation for pro players in the States unless you have a fat stakehorse/sponsor with deep pockets who can go the long haul.

While I agree with you, I just hope he's able to do better away from pool. With a degree in billiards, you're limited to real world jobs. Salesman comes to mind as something a hustler would excel at. In our area though, I think he would get by just as well swinging a cue, at least part time, then anything else.

 

[Nostroke]

While I agree with you, I just hope he's able to do better away from pool. With a degree in billiards, you're limited to real world jobs. Salesman comes to mind as something a hustler would excel at. In our area though, I think he would get by just as well swinging a cue, at least part time, then anything else.

I kinda agree.

Im pretty sure he has been a car salesman already. He is running through all the 'jobs of last resort' He probably cant even land a telemarketing gig with that voice. Very sad. Always liked Danny.

 

[hang-the-9]

One of the comments in the YouTube video which really points out his style, was "How can he be so fat, he burns 800 calories each shot".

There are not many players like him in the pre shot routine game.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

While I agree with you, I just hope he's able to do better away from pool. With a degree in billiards, you're limited to real world jobs. Salesman comes to mind as something a hustler would excel at. In our area though, I think he would get by just as well swinging a cue, at least part time, then anything else.

I think what makes it difficult as far as relying heavily (or solely) on pool as your income is that even if you do okay, there are no health benefits, no ongoing security, no ability to establish credit, no retirement plans, or pensions, etc.

And using Danny as a specific example, we are all aware of the health problems he's had in the past. Most everyone should have health insurance as well as some form of financial protection against disability, and guys like Danny, it's an absolute must, imo.

Generally speaking, pool players live in the moment with little regard for tomorrow.

I applaude Danny for trying to be responsible in looking out for his fanmily and himself. :thumbup:

best,
brian kc

 

[cleary]

I think what makes it difficult as far as relying heavily (or solely) on pool as your income is that even if you do okay, there are no health benefits, no ongoing security, no ability to establish credit, no retirement plans, or pensions, etc.

And using Danny as a specific example, we are all aware of the health problems he's had in the past. Most everyone should have health insurance as well as some form of financial protection against disability, and guys like Danny, it's an absolute must, imo.

Generally speaking, pool players live in the moment with little regard for tomorrow.

I applaude Danny for trying to be responsible in looking out for his fanmily and himself. :thumbup:

best,
brian kc

Well, I hope he finds a job with health benefits & 401k but I'm simply say it's not that easy without a college education. And if I remember correctly from his book, I don't think he even finished high school. Options become limited.

 

[JAM]

I tend to believe that Danny can do anything he puts his heart in. Mind you, I know Danny, and I think his charismatic personality and intelligence is strong.

Once again, he has an extremely good family structure. His mom and dad are proud of him and will support any endeavor Danny puts his mind to.

Going to college today with no high school diploma is not as difficult as it once was. The community colleges offer prerequisites to take. Danny can qualify for a Pell grant and find a career, if he can choose one that he is as passionate about as pool.

I'm not worried about Danny one iota. The kid can get there, whatever he wants to do. I think finding the right carreer path can sometimes be difficult, but if he wants it bad enough, he will follow through and be the best at it, whatever that is. I'm confident he can make it in anything he wants if he tries. He ain't over the hill quite yet. :wink: