Danny Medina

9BallPaul

9BallPaul

Banned
Spent some time today chatting with Danny Medina, a guy who at one time played some snazzy 9-ball, among other games. We hooked up at a charity event in a Denver pool hall.

Medina says he's been writing a book that will include stories about all the big-time players he crossed swords with -- Efren, Keith, Alex, etc.

He was hitting balls today and moved around the table like a pro, at least by my eye. Claimed he hadn't really hit a ball in 18 months. Writer's cramp, maybe, didn't say.

Anyway, who's got suggestions about the stories we'll read about in
Danny's book?
 
He was a hell of a player. The barbox with the big CB he was among the best, I have seen him play in the 80's and he was a monster, and held up good for the $$$. No doubt he could write a hell of a book, or have a writer tell his stories, there are lots of them. I hope he does write a book, like Cotton did. Perhaps more books will generate more interest in pool.
 
He's beaten everyone and since CO has a pretty small pool population and it's towns aren't that close together he was all over the country.

Unfortunately one of the stories you will read about is the mugging and beating he took in Las Vegas.

The good stories you will read about will be tournaments like this
http://www.azbilliards.com/accustats/V1_N10.pdf

and all the champs he thumped.

QUOTE=9BallPaul;3097051]Spent some time today chatting with Danny Medina, a guy who at one time played some snazzy 9-ball, among other games. We hooked up at a charity event in a Denver pool hall.

Medina says he's been writing a book that will include stories about all the big-time players he crossed swords with -- Efren, Keith, Alex, etc.

He was hitting balls today and moved around the table like a pro, at least by my eye. Claimed he hadn't really hit a ball in 18 months. Writer's cramp, maybe, didn't say.

Anyway, who's got suggestions about the stories we'll read about in
Danny's book?[/QUOTE]
 
won't see my story

9BallPaul said:
Spent some time today chatting with Danny Medina, a guy who at one time played some snazzy 9-ball, among other games. We hooked up at a charity event in a Denver pool hall.

Medina says he's been writing a book that will include stories about all the big-time players he crossed swords with -- Efren, Keith, Alex, etc.

He was hitting balls today and moved around the table like a pro, at least by my eye. Claimed he hadn't really hit a ball in 18 months. Writer's cramp, maybe, didn't say.

Anyway, who's got suggestions about the stories we'll read about in
Danny's book?
Click to expand...


I'm sure you won't see my story since I've been happy to be a no-name in the pool world but playing Danny one night on a barbox in the early eighties still stands out as the most fun I have had on a pool table and the toughest match-up I have been in. Danny was driving and sometimes sleeping in an old car; he was a thousand miles from home and low on funds. He also seemed to be enjoying every minute of it and didn't seem to have a care in the world. He made life on the road seem very very tempting. He had made the offer to ride with him but I had a good deal where I was at and finally threw away his contact number to avoid giving in to temptation. Always been one of my regrets that I didn't travel with him a little ways though.

Hu
 
u12armresl said:
He's beaten everyone and since CO has a pretty small pool population and it's towns aren't that close together he was all over the country.

Unfortunately one of the stories you will read about is the mugging and beating he took in Las Vegas.

The good stories you will read about will be tournaments like this
http://www.azbilliards.com/accustats/V1_N10.pdf

and all the champs he thumped.

QUOTE=9BallPaul;3097051]Spent some time today chatting with Danny Medina, a guy who at one time played some snazzy 9-ball, among other games. We hooked up at a charity event in a Denver pool hall.

Medina says he's been writing a book that will include stories about all the big-time players he crossed swords with -- Efren, Keith, Alex, etc.

He was hitting balls today and moved around the table like a pro, at least by my eye. Claimed he hadn't really hit a ball in 18 months. Writer's cramp, maybe, didn't say.

Anyway, who's got suggestions about the stories we'll read about in
Danny's book?
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]

He ran 10 racks on BI and jumped the table on the 11th game. Got it on accu-stats.
 
I remember watching Danny Medina at Joe Burn's place in Dayton, Ohio on North Main Street, at what was then called the "Dayton Open". You knew it was Danny when he was breaking the balls. ANother guy like that was Richie Ambrose. There was 9-ball, one pocket and banks. Some of the best hustlers and money matches I ever saw took place during those good old days. There was none of the whiny BS there is today. It was hardcore. If you didn't have a pocketful of cash and couldn't back it up on the table, they sent you packing. Great stuff and I remember it well.
 
Burns tournaments were exactly that. I saw Louie Roberts lose his clothes, cue & car & was up early next morning playin 10 dollar nine ball. That's hardcore. LOL
 
For those who haven't seen it, here's a cute little diddy of a very young and handsome Danny Medina being hustled by very young and handsome Jimmy Mataya: The Hustle. :cool:

I haven't seen Danny Medina in a long while, but last time I did see him at competing in a tournament, he had this bizarre tongue movement when he was playing, almost a lizard-like movement with his tongue sliding in and out of his mouth in a quick stacatto beat. He was getting ready to play a friend of ours in the tournament, and I warned my friend to not be shocked when Danny's tongue started twitching. Whatever it takes to win, every player has their own personal traits when in their individual zones, I realize. :p

The first time I met Keith was the first time I had ever seen Danny Medina. They were both competing in the Capital City Classic in Maryland. Danny invited us to his hotel room to sit back and relax between matches. He asked us if we wanted to hear a couple of his favorite Mexican songs and then played the songs on his boom box. Danny knew all the words and began to sing. He was so emotional about these love ballads that as he was singing, the tears welled up in his eyes. I thought it was kind of cute. :smile:

We also ran into Danny at the Trump 10-Ball Championship in Atlantic City, put on by Gene Hooker, et al. At that time, Danny was working on his health and had quit all bad habits. He was taking vitamins and really gung-ho on being healthy as he could be. He is kind of a quiet guy until you get to know him. I've heard some interesting pool tales about Danny, which I'll let Danny tell when he writes his book! :D

Picture courtesy of Accu-Stats.
 

Attachments

  • 1p98-11l[1].gif
    1p98-11l[1].gif
    56.4 KB · Views: 1,132
Last edited:
I love books like this. These road stories are so much to read/hear about. I've tried to collect all of the books like this I can, so I can't wait for this one to come out!
 
Dino (as I've named him from our many yrs of CO play) was a born/raised bar table player that crossed over to big tables because of the money/action. He saw many players that could beat him on a nine footer yrs ago, he didn't accept that and he knew he was a better player. He was one few players that shot with a huge bridge distance, I'd say 14-16'' was his norm. Because of this style, he broke the balls as well as anyone, but what stood out was he could "come up with a shot'' when needed and steal the match at any time. He was a great shotmaker and a true born/raised ''Road Player''. The only thing wrong with Dannys game, he played shape too far away on the nine footer and that got him into trouble. He should of beaten Sigel in the finals in Nevada, he had to double dip em, which he got the first set, but he chose to play a long cut, much like a spot shot in the final set and missed, costing him the win, he did beat Efren in the World 8 ball final in Vegas, he just broke so dam good. Not many players could break open a 15 ball rack on a big table like Danny, it was like he was chopping wood. He/Earl/Tadamy all had that ''straight swinging'' cue that few ever will possess. Danny could make ANY shot on a bar table, the only player that Dino didn't like tangling with on a box was Matlock, but in their prime, it would of been a hell of a match. I remember Danny making an offer to any pro yrs ago, $1,000 sets on the triple shimmed GC at Table Steaks.
 
JAM said:
For those who haven't seen it, here's a cute little diddy of a very young and handsome Danny Medina being hustled by very young and handsome Jimmy Mataya: The Hustle. :cool:

I haven't seen Danny Medina in a long while, but last time I did see him at competing in a tournament, he had this bizarre tongue movement when he was playing, almost a lizard-like movement with his tongue sliding in and out of his mouth in a quick stacatto beat. He was getting ready to play a friend of ours in the tournament, and I warned my friend to not be shocked when Danny's tongue started twitching. Whatever it takes to win, every player has their own personal traits when in their individual zones, I realize. :p

The first time I met Keith was the first time I had ever seen Danny Medina. They were both competing in the Capital City Classic in Maryland. Danny invited us to his hotel room to sit back and relax between matches. He asked us if we wanted to hear a couple of his favorite Mexican songs and then played the songs on his boom box. Danny knew all the words and began to sing. He was so emotional about these love ballads that as he was singing, the tears welled up in his eyes. I thought it was kind of cute. :smile:

We also ran into Danny at the Trump 10-Ball Championship in Atlantic City, put on by Gene Hooker, et al. At that time, Danny was working on his health and had quit all bad habits. He was taking vitamins and really gung-ho on being healthy as he could be. He is kind of a quiet guy until you get to know him. I've heard some interesting pool tales about Danny, which I'll let Danny tell when he writes his book! :D

Picture courtesy of Accu-Stats.
Click to expand...

Never saw it before, JAM. Mataya is such a ham, no wonder he married well. Thanks for posting.
 
Danny Played the 6-12 tables too-

Danny used to play Golf at Cofax Billiards West Denver,late70's to early 80's. I got some lessons playing 2$ 9 ball then- always paid 50.$ For big games Danny would make a ph.call and the money came by Taxi. I saw Danny win a golf Tournament and give away the Tahoe Trip-1st prize. It was the days of Jimmy Reid and Louie Roberts. West Denver was no place to mess around then! It would be like taking a walk in NYC ,or the River walk in San Antonio Texas. Murder Capitols in the US then. mark- I know the bk will be a great read!!
 
9BallPaul said:
Never saw it before, JAM. Mataya is such a ham, no wonder he married well. Thanks for posting.
Click to expand...

I enjoyed that video. It's even funnier when you know the players who are acting in it. LOL :D

Keith talked to Danny on the phone yesterday from the event. He said he sounded really good. Danny said he is living a clean lifestyle and staying healthy. It seems like we all have to do that when we age. :p
 
JAM said:
I enjoyed that video. It's even funnier when you know the players who are acting in it. LOL :D

Keith talked to Danny on the phone yesterday from the event. He said he sounded really good. Danny said he is living a clean lifestyle and staying healthy. It seems like we all have to do that when we age. :p
Click to expand...

You're right. Danny was well dressed, groomed and looking healthy. I never saw him take a drink, not that there's anything wrong with that....

Glad to hear he and Keith are still in touch. Hope Danny's book project is successful, but I don't think he's tried to shop it with publishers. Maybe he'll go the self-publish route as Jay did.
 
email on Danny M.??

I sure would like to get an email address on Danny Madina. I have a few old photos he might like to use in his book. Can anyone help?
 
The Night the Thunder Clapped

The Sports Palace of New Orleans was a pretty famous place, at least as far as gambling pool halls are concerned.

Players traveled from all over to gamble at "The Palace" in New Orleans. Actually it was in the suburbs of New Orleans.

There was a "private" card room in the back, where you had to be a "member" to be able to play. They even had a "legal" charter for the card room, announcing its "legitimacy". Primarily, the card room was a carry-over of segregation days and somehow it survived decades after integration.

Out front in the pool room, everything was different. It didn't matter if you were white, black, brown or some other color. The only thing that mattered is if you could play pool and how much "green" you were carrying. Many times it didn't matter if you were carrying money or not especially if you could swing it.

New York Blackie, (Al Bonife) lived there for probably 15 years or so and even bartended at the Sport Palace, when he wasn't "teaching" some young gun the art of the spinning sphere. Blackie was one of our more colorful and older but highly skilled pool players that called The Palace, home.

One day, there was a young tiger from another state, visiting The Palace and after having beaten anyone who would play him, he was still growling at anyone and everyone, so full of himself that you wouldn't have bet against him if Willie Mosconi was playing him straight pool. The guy oozed of confidence and no one else would play him. He barked and growled at the same time, trying to make someone angry enough to play him some more.

I was standing next to Blackie at that moment in time when a "stranger" walked up to Blackie and asked "Can I beat this guy?" Blackie gave his signature, all-knowing nod to the "stranger" while simultaneously kind of making a chewing motion with his mouth as he looked out of the corner of his eye at me, trying to make some sense of what was happening. Blackie didn't speak very much that night at least not while the match was being discussed.

The young tiger was still full of himself when the "stranger" walked up to him and asked to play. It was too long ago for me to remember how much the stakes were but it was plenty enough to excite the sweaters and gamblers at The Palace that night.

The game negotiated was NINE BALL, the young tiger's best game. The stranger won the flip and I believe the race was to nine. When the "stranger" broke, it sounded like a lightning strike. While the "stranger" made one or more balls on virtually every break, it was the noise of his break that impressed me the most. Each break sounded like the last one, all of them louder than any nine ball break I had every heard. I would add a "KA-POW" here and there to signify how loud his break was but it would be merely an understatement. After a very short time, the "stranger" collected his winnings and the young tiger, put his tail between his legs and went back the direction he had come from. The match wasn't even close and was the first time that I had seen Danny Medina in person. I had heard of his prowess at the table and finally had a chance to witness it, up close and personal.

Blackie was the celebrated "glue man" that saved "The Palace's) dignity that day, along with his good friend Danny Medina.

JoeyA
 
9BallPaul said:
Spent some time today chatting with Danny Medina, a guy who at one time played some snazzy 9-ball, among other games. We hooked up at a charity event in a Denver pool hall.

Medina says he's been writing a book that will include stories about all the big-time players he crossed swords with -- Efren, Keith, Alex, etc.

He was hitting balls today and moved around the table like a pro, at least by my eye. Claimed he hadn't really hit a ball in 18 months. Writer's cramp, maybe, didn't say.

Anyway, who's got suggestions about the stories we'll read about in
Danny's book?
Click to expand...

Danny will reveal this one I am sure. But we were in Colfax Billiard and got a call fro the Springs. Buddy was at Grady's. We talked on the phone and Buddy was to give up the call 8.
On the way down Danny was very quiet and seemed disturbed. Finally I got him to talk. He had never been spotted anything or by anyone. It really bothered him that anyone, even Buddy could or would even suggest him getting the call 8.
Long story short, they played 10 ahead for I think $3000 and Danny won in 1 hour and 15 minutes.
On the way hjome back in Denver,,,He wept!!
 
JAM said:
I haven't seen Danny Medina in a long while, but last time I did see him at competing in a tournament, he had this bizarre tongue movement when he was playing, almost a lizard-like movement with his tongue sliding in and out of his mouth in a quick stacatto beat.

Here's my take, and I've played him MANY times. He actually tastes the action and it gets him excited about chewing up his next victim on the table. I'll never forget, finals, McDermott tour/McChesney/Denver/Table Steaks triple shimmed GC, the first and I think the last time I saw Chesneys Motorhome for the tour.
Danny's tounge is workin' overtime and he's cued up'' for the win. Score is close, I'm at the foot of the table lookin' at the shot line with Danny in direct line....''standing up'' and leaning on another table directily behind the head of the table. I look up and say in a fun tone ''Danny can you please sit down while I shoot'', his response/and boy did me and Chesney and others have a good laugh, Danny said...."""I CAN'T''''.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top