danny harriman needs an excuse

[junksecret]

Great posts from all, and special thanks to JAM and her insight.

On the "snorting" and other percieved sharking, I find when I am in "dead-punch" I can't hear the roof falling down but when I'm outta stroke I can hear and see everything!. I think when you have the focus you need to play great you can't be sharked and when your head is in the wrong place you see every movement and hear every noise.

In your mind you do blame these external things, but hopefully with hindsight you can realize the problems were internal not external.

One of the things that make a great champion is their ability to get in that "unsharkable" mindset and stay there.

Congrats to JS for doin' the best job of stayin' "in the zone"

Joe

 

[jay helfert]

Pool players do funny things when they put their all into a match. In this instance, you had two fine players giving it their all.

A personal experience for me that was extremely embarassing was when Keith McCready had to come up against Tony Crosby at the Carolinas Open.

Because of the large player roster, the wait for each match seemed to be an unknown entity. I remember getting there at 10:00 a.m. one day, and Keith's match did not take place until 5:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Johnny Archer was told EXACTLY when he could arrive for his match. He and his wife and her parents were able to relax in his hotel room as opposed to standing up all day long in the pool room, like the rest of us had to endure. Chairs in this joint were a luxury, and believe or not, some chairs had "reserved" signs on them. I stood all day long, and my feet were horribly swollen. I got literally sick from this tournament. What can I say, I'm old and can't stand on my feet for 6 or 7 hours.

To pass the time away, Keith enjoyed the amenities of the full bar, especially Budweiser. Evening came and Keith was feeling no pain. He was supposed to be playing Tony Crosby, whenever they called their names. Outside, the locals had a barbecue for the attendees with Georgia delicacies. I happened to see Tony chowing down. He heard me talking to a friend about Keith's state of mind, and he came up and introduced himself to me.

The match finally came to the fore, and Keith acted like a jerk during the match on several instances. Tony, the gentleman that he is, knew Keith was feeling no pain and did not respond to Keith's rudeness. What a gentleman, Tony Crosby is.

After the match, Keith walks over to the chart to collect his winnings, as he made the money rounds for the week-long event. The TD handed him a check for $75, and Keith threw it up in the air, in full view, and said, "Come all the way here, played my heart out, and I get 75 bucks for my efforts."

I was embarassed and picked up the check. I felt like crying and was ashamed. About 10 or 15 minutes later, Tony Crosby came over to me and said he knew from listening to me earlier outside that Keith had too much to drink, and he tried to calm me down. I will never, never, never forget Tony Crosby for that.

Meanwhile, Buddy Hall and I had words with Keith about his behavior. Keith didn't seem to listen to me, but, boy, oh, boy, was he shocked when Buddy Hall spoke to him about his demeanor at that event. But that's the topic for another thread.

I guess the point of my post is to say players do things that later they regret. Nobody likes to lose. Show me a loser who likes to lose, and I'll show you a loser.

JAM

One thing about the Ether, he always speaks his mind, drunk or sober. That's what makes him the character he is. I've seen him "loose" more than a few times, and usually he is quite funny. Some of his best lines have come when he is feeling no pain. And I know he can step over the line as well.

I had to calm him down in Reno at the Sands once, when I was the TD. He was going off on Varner about gambling during Nick's match. He kept calling Nick a nit because he would only bet $1,000 with him. Everybody was laughing but it wasn't the time or the place for that conversation. I could see that Nick was amused at first, but then Keith began to get under his skin.

One other time at the BC Open when Keith was in the finals with Mike Lebron, he also got a little toasty. But we used that to our advantage to win the $25,000 first prize. The whole story will be in my book. Sorry, you'll have to wait on that one.

As far as Tony Crosby goes, I am not surprised one bit. The guy is a total class act. I was quite impressed with him at the Desert Shootout and the way he handled himself.

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Buddy H taught me everything I know about dealing with a shark. JoeyA

Now, THAT'S funny. The Buddy "angry bear glare".
You know what sharks Buddy ?
EVERYTHING !

I've seen Buddy sharked by:
Coughing
Sneezing
Someone shaking their foot.
Talking
Whispering
Someone eating potato chips.
No A/C
Too MUCH A/C
The music
Someone (across the room) using or answering a cellphone.
Breathing

Now that I think about it, I've never seen him sharked by 'snorting'. I'll have to try that and add it to my list. I've also seen him put in his place in front of everyone for sharking 'other' players when HIS match was over.

Doug

Edited to add:
Buddy claimed that Murray Tucker and I were sharking him by eating hot wings during his match. HOT WINGS ?
It's not as if we were SUCKING the meat off the bones.... imo

 

[JAM]

One other time at the BC Open when Keith was in the finals with Mike Lebron, he also got a little toasty. But we used that to our advantage to win the $25,000 first prize. The whole story will be in my book. Sorry, you'll have to wait on that one. ....

That is truly a good story. I won't reveal the details, but I wish I had been there to enjoy the festivities with all those in attendance.

After reading Joey and Smorgie's kind words, I am now learning a little more about the art of hustling. So you mean to tell me that shark snorting is commonplace down South?

A bookmaker named Old Man Mickey once told me that no matter what happens when you're getting ready to pull the trigger, you should never allow yourself to be distracted. If you do, then your concentration is poor. In other words, nobody should be able to shark you if your game is on, and that includes all snorts.

I hold grudges. It is a bad trait of mine, but if you cross me, I have trouble letting go of the bad feelings. Keith, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. He is the most emotionally mature man I have ever met. To know him is to truly love him! I have learned a lot from being in his company, all for the better!

JAM

 

[JoeyInCali]

No excuse for Danny but this thing kinda happens I think b/c money in pool is tough.
I bet golfers wouldn't be so classy either if they had to travel across the country and fight to make SOME money.

 

[Johnnyt]

One of the biggest reasons pool players get sharked so easy is the church-like way the fans are made to sweat/watch the matches in a poolroom or tournament. When everything in quiet a strange sound sounds like a gunshot

A good bar player is hard to shark because he/she is use to the noise.

Like a fighter. Before the round starts you hear the fans yelling "your a bum "go johnny, knock him on his ass " When the bell rings and you get tagged a time or two you don't hear any of that anymore at all. Johnnyt

 

[cubc]

One of the biggest reasons pool players get sharked so easy is the church-like way the fans are made to sweat/watch the matches in a poolroom or tournament. When everything in quiet a strange sound sounds like a gunshot

A good bar player is hard to shark because he/she is use to the noise.

Like a fighter. Before the round starts you hear the fans yelling "your a bum "go johnny, knock him on his ass " When the bell rings and you get tagged a time or two you don't hear any of that anymore at all. Johnnyt

I think it's different. I think if it was always noisy anyone would be used to it. But it's when it's quiet and then right as you go to shoot something loud happens. That's the issue with noise sharks imo. Much like if you were in a bar and everything was noisy and then right as you shot you went deaf.

 

[JoeyA]

Now, THAT'S funny. The Buddy "angry bear glare".
You know what sharks Buddy ?
EVERYTHING !

I've seen Buddy sharked by:
Coughing
Sneezing
Someone shaking their foot.
Talking
Whispering
Someone eating potato chips.
No A/C
Too MUCH A/C
The music
Someone (across the room) using or answering a cellphone.
Breathing

Now that I think about it, I've never seen him sharked by 'snorting'. I'll have to try that and add it to my list. I've also seen him put in his place in front of everyone for sharking 'other' players when HIS match was over.

Doug

Edited to add:
Buddy claimed that Murray Tucker and I were sharking him by eating hot wings during his match. HOT WINGS ?
It's not as if we were SUCKING the meat off the bones.... imo

I've seen you do that. (did I ever say thanks?)

Doug's got big, titanium steel ones and will stand up for a friend.

JoeyA

 

[sixpack]

No excuse for Danny but this thing kinda happens I think b/c money in pool is tough.
I bet golfers wouldn't be so classy either if they had to travel across the country and fight to make SOME money.

Pool players got nothing on golfers on this one. In front of the cameras golfers pretend, but if you during the practice rounds and early rounds and follow the guys who aren't on TV...It's a whole other story.

I was at The International at Castle Pines in Colorado one year and it was early. A few of us (maybe 8) were standing behind the teebox on a par 3.

One of the golfers was warming up and suddenly turns to the gallery demanding to know who 'whispered.' Nobody whispered, we were all quiet.

He took another practice swing and turned around and glared at us, demanding loudly to know who whispered again. He singled out one old guy in the gallery and read him the riot act and had the guy removed.

Then he did another practice swing and exploded. He went on a swearing tirade about sportsmanship and threw his clubs and jumped up and down for a while. Finally hit his shot into the bunker, turned quietly and glared at us before stomping down the fairway.

The whole time I never heard any whisper. I think it was the swooshing of his pants

Needless to say that guy didn't have a very long PGA career.

~rc

 

[Ktown D]

Tony C

I have to concur with what everyone has said so far about Tony Crosby. He is a great guy and a great sportsman. He takes his wins and losses in stride while giving his very best. I was introduced to Tony through a mutual friend and we talked quite a bit at this last DCC. I consider him to be one of the most marketable players we have in the sport today and he deserves everything good that he gets. I will pull for him to do well from now on.

Daniel

 

[Blackjack]

I have to concur with what everyone has said so far about Tony Crosby. He is a great guy and a great sportsman. He takes his wins and losses in stride while giving his very best. I was introduced to Tony through a mutual friend and we talked quite a bit at this last DCC. I consider him to be one of the most marketable players we have in the sport today and he deserves everything good that he gets. I will pull for him to do well from now on.

Daniel

If pool wanted to market one player, Tony Crosby would be the guy.

He has the look, the class, and most importantly he has the game to to back it all up.

Great guy, good friend, and one hell of a player.

 

[corvette1340]

I have to concur with what everyone has said so far about Tony Crosby. He is a great guy and a great sportsman. He takes his wins and losses in stride while giving his very best. I was introduced to Tony through a mutual friend and we talked quite a bit at this last DCC. I consider him to be one of the most marketable players we have in the sport today and he deserves everything good that he gets. I will pull for him to do well from now on.

Daniel

We went out in Athens one night and it was me, Big Nasty(from athens), Jackson, Southpaw, B Whizzle, Bruce B, Corey Deuel, Gabe Owen, Shannon, Ron Wiseman, and Tony Crosby. At the Country Rock (local country bar that is always packed) some people were line dancing. It was a couple of goofy looking guys in cowboy hats, tassels, the whole western attire. Tony starts running from one end of the dance floor and slides on his knees for about 10 feet right in the middle of those cowboy line dancers. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

 

[PoolBum]

Given a little time, or sometimes having accepted the loss in the closing games, most will make the proper gracious noises about losing. However most warriors are lying through their teeth when they say them, they are thinking something far different!

Hu

It's not a matter of lying. A person can detest losing and still be gracious in defeat.

Having said that, as long as a person does not cross the line I can excuse a little disgruntled behavior over losing at this maddening game from time to time. I cannot comment on Danny's behavior as I did not witness it.

 

[ribdoner]

Given a little time, or sometimes having accepted the loss in the closing games, most will make the proper gracious noises about losing. However most warriors are lying through their teeth when they say them, they are thinking something far different!

Hu

That's what "professionals" do.

 

[Ktown D]

We went out in Athens one night and it was me, Big Nasty(from athens), Jackson, Southpaw, B Whizzle, Bruce B, Corey Deuel, Gabe Owen, Shannon, Ron Wiseman, and Tony Crosby. At the Country Rock (local country bar that is always packed) some people were line dancing. It was a couple of goofy looking guys in cowboy hats, tassels, the whole western attire. Tony starts running from one end of the dance floor and slides on his knees for about 10 feet right in the middle of those cowboy line dancers. It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

What is so funny is that he can be talking and ragging on you and he says it so nice you just want to say thanks.

He is a funny guy.

 

[Island Drive]

Now, THAT'S funny. The Buddy "angry bear glare".
You know what sharks Buddy ?
EVERYTHING !

I've seen Buddy sharked by:
Coughing
Sneezing
Someone shaking their foot.
Talking
Whispering
Someone eating potato chips.
No A/C
Too MUCH A/C
The music
Someone (across the room) using or answering a cellphone.
Breathing

Now that I think about it, I've never seen him sharked by 'snorting'. I'll have to try that and add it to my list. I've also seen him put in his place in front of everyone for sharking 'other' players when HIS match was over.

Doug

Edited to add:
Buddy claimed that Murray Tucker and I were sharking him by eating hot wings during his match. HOT WINGS ?
It's not as if we were SUCKING the meat off the bones.... imo

Doug, nice post, enjoy below:

Here's a good "everythin" bugs Bunny...
OoPs everythin' that Bugs Buddy situation, I'm playing in bar table event in Ohio 1989-90 and I'm on my game, its a bar table event, Buddy and Archer & Boom Boom were there along with another 10 gooood players. Calcutta etc. I'm deep into event and playin' Buddy this particular rack...turned out to be a short rack win for Buddy...so I used the remaining balls so as too NOT to put additional coinage into the slot. The balls at this event (1-9) were so worn out it IMPOSSIBLE to get a tight rack and the house plastic racks were bowed out. I always carried my own rack to bar events for this and many other reasons. My point, Buddy complained that I was using the remaining balls, I looked at him, laughed, shook my head, I knew I would get a much tighter rack with the stripes, HE TOO. Too hear a man of his caliber of play COMPLAIN about how I should of put money into the slot when NOT needed I found interesting and telling about him as a person.

 

[watchez]

Where is John Barton to state in this post that he will stake Danny against anyone who posted in this thread that Danny was unprofessional & comments unwarranted - okay, I won't wait for JB, - I'll say it myself. And you can all use a jump cue if you like.

 

[corvette1340]

Where is John Barton to state in this post that he will stake Danny against anyone who posted in this thread that Danny was unprofessional & comments unwarranted - okay, I won't wait for JB, - I'll say it myself. And you can all use a jump cue if you like.

Danny is not a minor or a woman, therefore Mr. Barton will not be staking him. imo.

 

[champ2107]

dont think anyone here thinks they can beat him or thinks he dont have a monster game. I said this in a post a while back "heat of the moment thing"

 

[deadwhak]

great post JAM!

I for one will take this opportunity to say.....I hate jump cues!

jump with your full cue?....no problem, short cues.....= lame crutch!

i agree with u here!! jump cues should have never been invented!! jump with your playin cue or just kick at the ball!!..(well, im a little biased since a cant jump worth a crap, but still!!!)