David Howard

[breakup]

Little David in Tampa 1978, Bill Stigels Southeast Open. The character in the background could play a little too.

 

[vagabond]

The man was a pro, and actually made a living at professional pool for around 20 years. How many players can say that?

David Howard was one of my favorite players, and yes I consider him a GOOD friend.

David`s brother Ricky was a strong player too.Ricky`s ex wife was a good player and a hustler .

 

[mbvl]

No, Jimmy Reid was the hippie.

Marino was another fantastic money player. I remember him giving our local champs big spots and eating them up.

Chris

They were both called Hippie Jimmy. Marino had very long hair at one time, and was once called for a foul because his hair touched an object ball.

Mark

 

[5ballcharlie]

Obviously he must have been a great pool player in his day, I noticed he won the US Open, sometime in the 80's. At that time, Sigel was also playing his best. Was he a cream of the crop player like Sigel, or was he a middle ranked pro who happened to catch a gear and win the tournament? Also, when and why did he quit playing pool? Is he on any accustats tapes?

all I can say he's got the best break I have ever seen.

 

[vader93490]

David Howard won the US Open in 1982 and 1986. Those accomplishments alone speak volumes for David's abilities. I remember in 1988 he won 3 PBA titles in a row. He won the Georgia Open, The Southern California Open, and then went on and won the Joey Speath Memorial. This was done in the era of Hall, Sigel, Strickland, Varner, etc. Pretty strong IMO. David was top shelf as a player for many years and he is also one of the nicest people you'll ever meet.

As I recall he beat Allen in his first US Open victory. For the second title, I believe he beat Mike Zuglan.

In any case, David was a great player. He possessed a very offensive & powerful game that was tough to get past when he was in stroke.

 

[SpiderWeb]

D.h.

When his break was working he was the one to watch. Great player and great guy and the best pimp Meucci ever had. He could have raffled off broom sticks.

 

[mattman]

When his break was working he was the one to watch. Great player and great guy and the best pimp Meucci ever had. He could have raffled off broom sticks.

That reminds me of a David Howard Meucci that was on ebay not long ago...signed by him personally. I have a Jimmy Rempe by Meucci that has been personally signed by him.

 

[hemicudas]

Some very good responses here. David was definitely a top tier pro in his day. He and Jim Rempe were the main reps for Meucci for years. He had one of the strongest breaks ever in 9-Ball and didn't miss too many balls either. "Little" David was known on tour as the Giant Killer, because of all the top players he beat as a youngster in Florida.

Of course, this nickname became somewhat of a joke on tour, because David was one of the Giants in 9-Ball. He was capable of beating anyone out there and was a consistent top ten player thruout his career. He finally retired from the road and opened a billiard supply called Little David's in Jacksonville, FL. After a few years he added a pool room next door.

David was one of the friendliest, most well liked guys out there. As far as the drinking problem alluded to here, I NEVER say him show up for a match drunk, or even tipsy. He was always on time and ready to play. If he drank, it must have been at home between tournaments. The man was a pro, and actually made a living at professional pool for around 20 years. How many players can say that?

David Howard was one of my favorite players, and yes I consider him a GOOD friend.

Great post, Jay and all true. People forget how hard Larry Hubbart pimped those Meucci cues too. David had a ton of heart also. World class guy.

 

[billfishhead]

i met David at in Tallahassee at a tournament where Rick Howard was doing repair work,,,,,,,,,,,Doug James place. Was watching him practice when he walked over to me and asked me if I knew who he was. I said yeah David Howard. Looked back at him and asked him if he knew me. A puzzeled look came over his face and he said no.

Told him I was the guy who printed the t shirts for MIke Johnson,,,,,,,,,,,took some up to him at the tournament. btw the shirts were a hot design and everyone wanted one. David put his cue down, shoke my hand and we started talking business. Next thing I know Im printing all his stuff.

That was back in my t shirt business days.Last tine I saw him he had a place in Jacksonvillle and was doing well. Still only used a Meucci. Wouldnt even hit a ball with my Szamboti. I think it was in his agreement or contract with Meucci........................lol

Always was in a good mood and a great promotional person for the cues he sold.

 

[ibuycues]

Jimmy Marino and Emil Glocar

Speaking of Jimmy Marino, I used to enjoy the fairly regular battles between Marino and Emil Glocar(?) in the 70`s at Starchers in Akron.... I used to play Emil in Canton and later in Mansfield Ohio. Emil later quit pool and became a dealer in Vegas. Does anyone in this thread remember Emil in Akron?

 

[BillPorter]

A photo of David Howard

Obviously he must have been a great pool player in his day, I noticed he won the US Open, sometime in the 80's. At that time, Sigel was also playing his best. Was he a cream of the crop player like Sigel, or was he a middle ranked pro who happened to catch a gear and win the tournament? Also, when and why did he quit playing pool? Is he on any accustats tapes?

This is a shot of David from the 1985 Clyde Childress tournament. Others in that tournament included Hall, Strickland, Hopkins, Sweet, Swanson, Crane, McCready, Reid, and Speath. Here's the link to that gallery: http://billporter.smugmug.com/gallery/1665625

 

[freddy the beard]

Hippie Jimmy Marino

They were both called Hippie Jimmy. Marino had very long hair at one time, and was once called for a foul because his hair touched an object ball.

Mark

That happened in one of Fred Whalen's tournaments in LA. in the early 70s. I may be mistaken but I think the referee was Arnie Satin and he called the foul. I also think Jimmy was winning the game (straight pool) and was in the process of a good run. I do recall that it cost him the game. Our other Archivist, Jay Helfert should remember more details. Wait a minute... it may have been Jay himself who called the foul. Under hypnosis I could probably remember.

the Beard

 

[Tommy-D]

> Emil was strong. Tommy D.

 

[Hal]

He possessed the best break of all the pro players I saw in the 80s. Monster break does not do it justice, it was truly scary to sit near the end of his table when he was breaking.

This is what I remember about him also.

 

[jay helfert]

That happened in one of Fred Whalen's tournaments in LA. in the early 70s. I may be mistaken but I think the referee was Arnie Satin and he called the foul. I also think Jimmy was winning the game (straight pool) and was in the process of a good run. I do recall that it cost him the game. Our other Archivist, Jay Helfert should remember more details. Wait a minute... it may have been Jay himself who called the foul. Under hypnosis I could probably remember.

the Beard

Yes Freddie, it was Arnie who called it on Jimmy Marino. Jimmy was so pissed after that, he lost the match and wanted to kill Arnie. Of course he wasn't the first one Arnie pissed off. Arnie was the guy Mosconi went after in Burbank in 1966, when he finished second to Balsis in his return to tournament pool. Cisero beat Mosconi to put his second loss on him. This was Willie's swan song to tournament pool, his last go round.

 

[PoolBum]

Yes Freddie, it was Arnie who called it on Jimmy Marino. Jimmy was so pissed after that, he lost the match and wanted to kill Arnie. Of course he wasn't the first one Arnie pissed off. Arnie was the guy Mosconi went after in Burbank in 1966, when he finished second to Balsis in his return to tournament pool. Cisero beat Mosconi to put his second loss on him. This was Willie's swan song to tournament pool, his last go round.

Out of curiosity, what happened with Arnie and Mosconi in '66?

 

[freddy the beard]

Mosconi and Arnie Satin

Out of curiosity, what happened with Arnie and Mosconi in '66?

Mosconi was so upset with the tournament director, Arnie Satin, that at the awards ceremony Arnie presented Willie with a check for second place; Mosconi first accepted the check and then punched Arnie in front of all the fans.

the Beard

 

[curly]

Emil Glocar

Speaking of Jimmy Marino, I used to enjoy the fairly regular battles between Marino and Emil Glocar(?) in the 70`s at Starchers in Akron.... I used to play Emil in Canton and later in Mansfield Ohio. Emil later quit pool and became a dealer in Vegas. Does anyone in this thread remember Emil in Akron?

Emil was a very consistant, strong money player if I recall. He did alot of road playing with Fat Timmy who has died many years ago. I think he once matched up with Larry Schwartz from Chicago and gave Larry the 8 ball..not real sure who won but at that time, Schwartz was a terrific game maker and money player.

Curly

 

[huckster]

Emil was a very consistant, strong money player if I recall. He did alot of road playing with Fat Timmy who has died many years ago. I think he once matched up with Larry Schwartz from Chicago and gave Larry the 8 ball..not real sure who won but at that time, Schwartz was a terrific game maker and money player.

Curly

This isn't Curly Moon from Akron is it?

 

[Tommy Joe]

Mosconi was so upset with the tournament director, Arnie Satin, that at the awards ceremony Arnie presented Willie with a check for second place; Mosconi first accepted the check and then punched Arnie in front of all the fans.

the Beard

Just a quick comment on Arne Satin. He owned or co-owned Hollywood Billiards in Hollywood Cal and he ran the place with an iron fist. I saw him pull a gun on a guy once to get him out, and I believe he would have used it. A number of times I came in and played until most of my cash was gone. When it came time to pay I'd fish into my pockets and come up short. Arne warned me several times not to let it happen again or he'd bar me.

"What's the difference?", I'd say, "I always pay." And it was true, I always did come back the very next day and pay, sometimes even the same night. But he was adamant. And he wasn't lying. I did it again and he barred for 3 months. At first I couldn't believe it. But it was his place, so deep-down I didn't blame him. He did warn me. And I wasn't alone. He barred quite a few 'regulars', yet nobody ever seemed seriously or violently disturbed by it, as if they too knew they had broken the rules of the house. It's amazing how history plays out. Had the tournament been held in Arne's place instead of the other joint, we might have read in the papers about Mosconi getting shot to death instead of quiety passing away years later.

Tommy Joe