Before the match up the other week, I was talking to a couple of pros about it and they all said that Dennis has so much raw talent its unbelievable. I found it a little strange because although I know DH can play I never really thought of him as a great player just average pro player really (no disrespect to him at all). But after listening to how much respect the other pros had for him I have to have a different opinion that he has just slipped under the radar so far.
For the most part if you talk to most pros and ask them about another player they will say something like "He's good BUT......." So to hear nothing but compliments says alot about DH.
I don't now DH personally so I can't even begin to figure out why he has not won more major events but I know now that he has the ability to.
Dennis took a hiatus from pool for a spell, and as was stated earlier in the thread, he was thrust into it as a young boy. In all of the older pool periodicals from the '80s, Dennis Hatch's name was in the headlines for junior champs, along with Michael Coltrain, Shannon Daulton, and Johnny Archer. He was winning tournaments left and right.
During the '80s, when action was prevalent, Dennis' father and uncle did show him the ropes. He also went on the road with several well-known action players. There were some occupational hazards during the '70s and '80s for pool players. It seemed to be a societal norm to alter one's state of conscious at will, and believe you me -- where did that expression come from, "believe you me"? :grin-square: -- pool players were popping white crosses, black beauties, and snorting their cocaine to stay up all night long and play pool. I am not saying that Dennis did this, but this is the era he grew up in during his formative years.
Dennis is an old-school pool player who today is taking a stab at being a tournament soldier, and by all accounts, everything he plays in, he seems to do well. He currently is the pride of New York, with a strong backing of followers. :wink:
His most loyal follower today is his girlfriend, Danielle. He would melt quicker than ice on a hot summer's day without her by his side. The two of them together, though, make a good team. I do think she keeps Dennis flying straight! That is why I asked if she was in Vegas with him when he played Appleton.
This is my "Ain't Love Grand?" photo of Dennis and Danielle! It was taken in 2004, a short time after they first fell in love! :lovies:
