Derby City & 'Tuscaloosa Squirrel'

[Island Drive]

I like the idea of a ring game or challenge table with age requirements....sombody take the reigns...Greg/Diamond....thanks, bjthebandit ..If you're going to be here you can help organize if you want or help find somone, again only if you have time. Just an invitation!.................hmmmm....One pocket challenge table 100 per game,,,put you're quarter, rather token up (Ha), if you're over 65 with proper ID!!!

Greg, we all know the typical ring game format. During the Manila event Jay Helfert and Roadie were talking. Roadie spotted a new style ring game overseas, who ever sells out pays the winner, no one else, plus who ever sold out then follows the breaker/winner. Allot of ducking, kicking and free shot taking going on, may not work in your venue but and interesting concept.

 

[Greg/Diamond]

Greg, we all know the typical ring game format. During the Manila event Jay Helfert and Roadie were talking. Roadie spotted a new style ring game overseas, who ever sells out pays the winner, no one else, plus who ever sold out then follows the breaker/winner. Allot of ducking, kicking and free shot taking going on, may not work in your venue but and interesting concept.

I'm willing to investigate it at the DCC, I know Jay will be there running the nightly ring game..If you're there look me up.......Greg/Diamond

 

[ibuycues]

Glenn in Ohio

Jay, I'm sure he means the Nate from LA. I ran into him in Derby City a few years ago. Were you around when I played him banks in the black all-night pool room in Culver City in the early '70s?
And are you talking about Fat Glenn who spent a lot of time in Detroit at the Rack. He used to go to Johnston City too. He and I played there in '71. He was also from Ohio and would send home every quarter he made. We played often in Detroit, he was a lot of fun, and knew the game of Onepocket very well.
the Beard

Anyone remember Glenn Knowles from Alliance, Ohio (near Canton) that played strong one-pocket in the 60`s and 70`s? He has passed away, but he was a good one......

Will

 

[1 Pocket Ghost]

I like the idea of a ring game or challenge table with age requirements....sombody take the reigns...Greg/Diamond....thanks, bjthebandit ..If you're going to be here you can help organize if you want or help find somone, again only if you have time. Just an invitation!.................hmmmm....One pocket challenge table 100 per game,,,put you're quarter, rather token up (Ha), if you're over 65 with proper ID!!!

Hiya Greg....( you'll know who I am when you see me at the DCC )........Here's another interesting twist to this idea.....Along with the seniors, all females can also challenge the table.....Or do Jeanette L. and Vivian V. play too good for this table ? - I don't think that they do, but I don't know their exact One Pocket speed...................Ghost

 

[freddy the beard]

That's who I was talking about!

Anyone remember Glenn Knowles from Alliance, Ohio (near Canton) that played strong one-pocket in the 60`s and 70`s? He has passed away, but he was a good one......

Will

....Jay are you talking about Fat Glenn who spent a lot of time in Detroit at the Rack. He used to go to Johnston City too. He and I played there in '71. He was also from Ohio and would send home every quarter he made. We played often in Detroit, he was a lot of fun, and knew the game of Onepocket very well.
the Beard


That's who I was talking about, Will, Fat Glenn Knowles. Not the guy Jay was referring to. I had forgotten his last name. He and I played often.
the Beard

 

[BackPocket9Ball]

Is that skinny Nate, who used to live in LA and Detroit? One other player over 70 who can still play good One Pocket is Pete Glenn from Phoenix. One of the great undercover pool hustlers of all time. He raised a big family playing pool. Denny and Steve Glenn (big cue collectors) are his sons. Love to see him in Louisville. He was originally from Cincy I believe.

Jay, I think we are talking about the same Nate. There's a general consensus among older players in the DC area that Nate was the favorite over Strawberry when they were both in their prime. In Grady's interview on Onepocket.org, he admits losing to Nate while trying to give him weight years ago. Anytime Grady admits to a loss, you know that the opponent must have been strong.

 

[jay helfert]

....Jay are you talking about Fat Glenn who spent a lot of time in Detroit at the Rack. He used to go to Johnston City too. He and I played there in '71. He was also from Ohio and would send home every quarter he made. We played often in Detroit, he was a lot of fun, and knew the game of Onepocket very well.
the Beard


That's who I was talking about, Will, Fat Glenn Knowles. Not the guy Jay was referring to. I had forgotten his last name. He and I played often.
the Beard

Yeah Freddie, I knew Fat Glenn, but Pete Glenn played better, believe me. I'm telling you he was a helluva undercover player. Saw him rob Patcheye in his prime and go toe to toe with Joey Spaeth. His kids are well known as big time cue collectors. Everyone knows Denny Glenn from Houston. And his Dad is alive and playing regularly in Phoenix. Well over 70 for sure.

 

[jay helfert]

Jay, I'm sure he means the Nate from LA. I ran into him in Derby City a few years ago. Were you around when I played him banks in the black all-night pool room in Culver City in the early '70s?
And are you talking about Fat Glenn who spent a lot of time in Detroit at the Rack. He used to go to Johnston City too. He and I played there in '71. He was also from Ohio and would send home every quarter he made. We played often in Detroit, he was a lot of fun, and knew the game of Onepocket very well.
the Beard

Shit Freddie, you played banks with ALL the black champions in LA. And there were a bunch of them. Skinny/Black Nate and Rags were probably the two best, with California Shorty and the Iceman not far behind. Cecil could not beat any of these guys at One Hole.

I saw Nate play a few times and he was pretty awesome. I didn't know what happened to him, except once in a while I would hear about a big score he made. Oh, and by the way, NONE of the above would mess with Marvin at One Pocket, and I mean NONE! Not Nate, not Rags, no one!

 

[Island Drive]

Shit Freddie, you played banks with ALL the black champions in LA. And there were a bunch of them. Skinny/Black Nate and Rags were probably the two best, with California Shorty and the Iceman not far behind. Cecil could not beat any of these guys at One Hole.

I saw Nate play a few times and he was pretty awesome. I didn't know what happened to him, except once in a while I would hear about a big score he made. Oh, and by the way, NONE of the above would mess with Marvin at One Pocket, and I mean NONE! Not Nate, not Rags, no one!

Even Artie? On a different note, what ever happened to James Brown the pool player? He played pretty good but was tough doing business with him, he obviously grew up in some tough pool rooms.

 

[smackmac]

Challenge table at Derby

I think it would be awsome having a challenge table 65 years and up. I would not care about watching them bang rails in 9 ball. I would rather see a $100/game, winner keeps the table with all of the old school moving and such. Where the powershots are the offensive game of the old timers. If the table run in the day time like starting at 10am, I think it would run all day and night.

What about Strawberry Brooks from DC, is he still playing? I know Marshall said back in the 60s he used to spot Strawberry the break, which he said it was a tough game with both players in there prime. I think I seen him at the One pocket US Open but I dont think he played. Another name that I heard used to play pretty good was Junior Golf from Dothan, Al. He has got to be in his 80s.

We really need someone to put this One Pocket Challenge Table in the agenda for the 2007 Derby City Classic, and what could be a money maker for accu stats is to have this on the tv table with commentary. If you had this as a 5 dvd collection with 2 hours on each with all the older players. I would almost promise you it would make money without a doubt. I bet there wouldnt be a seat available around the tv table.

 

[Bamacues]

Junior Goff

It would be great to see Squirrel play Junior Goff at DCC. Junior is 82-83 years old right now, and, last time I saw him, he still played pretty good one-hole. Here is a photo of Junior from a couple of years back which was taken at the K.O. Corral in Enterprise, Alabama with the pool room owners, Phyllis Owens Krebs and Larry Krebs. It is extremely unfortunate that we lost Larry Krebs last Monday night to a heart attack.

[/IMG]

 

[nyjoe14.1]

not to sure

I may be out of line with this one, but what about Bucky Bell?

 

[jay helfert]

Even Artie? On a different note, what ever happened to James Brown the pool player? He played pretty good but was tough doing business with him, he obviously grew up in some tough pool rooms.

I was referring to the top black players in L.A. I don't know if Artie ever played Marvin. Maybe Fred can answer that. Trust me when I tell you that Marvin was the equal of ANYONE playing One Hole, probably around Bugs speed in his prime. That's where I would rate him. I saw him beat Ervolino and Kelly refused to play him.

He beat Ronnie too, a week after Ronnie won the Stardust title. To his credit, Ronnie lobbied for a rematch but Marvin was too busy partying. Freddie must have some idea about Marvin's relative speed to Artie. He saw them both play. In my mind, Marvin was in the top five in the country, along with Ronnie, Eddie Taylor, Bugs and a tie between Kelly and Jersey Red.

By the way, Marvin had the most beautiful sweet stroke I ever saw, with Kelly second. I wish I had a tape of this man playing. It was pure pool poetry. Marvin was another one of those guys that had to just sit around the poolroom for months on end. NO ONE wanted anything to do with him, except to talk. I saw him every day for years, and he might get played two or three times a year.

Black James Brown IS Youngblood. He has been staying around the Bay Area for decades. Every once in a while, he would pop up and beat someone. I remember him coming down to L.A. about 15 years ago, and running into King Kong in a bar somewhere. He sent the big ape back to the jungle broke. I ran into him at a cardroom and he told me about it, but refused to pay me the money he owed me. What a guy!

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Greg, we all know the typical ring game format. During the Manila event Jay Helfert and Roadie were talking. Roadie spotted a new style ring game overseas, who ever sells out pays the winner, no one else, plus who ever sold out then follows the breaker/winner. Allot of ducking, kicking and free shot taking going on, may not work in your venue but and interesting concept.

Thats kind of like liability. That would be a fun format to watch.

Again, does anyone know how old Danny DiLiberto is, and is he still playing pool?

 

[ribdoner]

Thats kind of like liability. That would be a fun format to watch.

Again, does anyone know how old Danny DiLiberto is, and is he still playing pool?

Your posting after JAY got me in the CHRISTMAS spirit. That was the most RED and GREEN I've SEEN.

Danny D. would be right about 70.

 

[huckster]

If I was forced to bet, I think John Henry, although older than Squirrel, is probably the favorite now playing 1pkt.

the Beard

ten years ago I backed a strong nineball player against John Henry in Akron Ohio. I pulled after 3 games John broke made a ball ran out. Next rack he banked a ball into the stack made a dead one and ran out. The last game he broke and ran out. Not bad for a guy who was around seventy at the time. Left me wondering who the hell is that guy. He was honest with us he told us he was from Chicago and wanted to play 1pkt bet by the game. He didn't say much and traveled alone. How old is Strawberry? and could he hang with the Squirral?

 

[huckster]

Jay, I'm sure he means the Nate from LA. I ran into him in Derby City a few years ago. Were you around when I played him banks in the black all-night pool room in Culver City in the early '70s?
And are you talking about Fat Glenn who spent a lot of time in Detroit at the Rack. He used to go to Johnston City too. He and I played there in '71. He was also from Ohio and would send home every quarter he made. We played often in Detroit, he was a lot of fun, and knew the game of Onepocket very well.
the Beard

Glen Knowles taught me how to play 1pkt the right way. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. I respected him more that any other player ever. He would tell me Chicago stories late at night he mentioned "the beard" a few times along with many stories about Bugs. I got to see him and bugs match up in the late 80's or early 90's when Bugs came through town with an entoruge. Geln was sick with the cancer and Bugs obliged to spot Glen a couple of balls at banks. I didn't think anyone could spot Glen at banks. I seen him dismantle world class players like Mark Jarvis, and Geese or Goose? in Maryland. Bugs finished two games up that night and I never seen a player in such control of the table playing banks as Bugs was. I came up watching Gary Spaeth play. That night Bugs was running four's and fives like I never seen. The were playing full rack and it was the only time to this day I seen someone run 8 and out on a cluttered table. Freddy Bugs had a tall black guy in his mid or late 20's with him around 6'4 and thin around 90 or 91? who played lights out nineball. He beat Charlie Brinson on the back table at Baldy's for two 500 dollar sets. first set was 13-11 and when he realized he was only getting 1k worth of action he turned on the next gear and won like 13-5 against a solid road player.

 

[bjthebandit]

Glenn Knowles was a good friend of mine,he helped me out of a bad spot once. He knew my dad {Brier Spivey]back in the day, I was in a tight spot & needed money for a lawyer,he went out of his way to help me. We hit a lot of local bars & pool halls in KILGORE TX. He was running the last stop pool hall there.I remember when I pulled up at the placeTHERE WERE TWO OF THOES BIG BLACK BIRDS THAT EAT ROAD KILL sitting on TOP of the door!!!I remember thinking This is where i"ve come for HELP!! LOl

 

[JAM]

...I didn't think anyone could spot Glen at banks. I seen him dismantle world class players like Mark Jarvis, and Geese or Goose? in Maryland....

The Maryland "Geese" is the late Michael Gerace, who passed away 2 years ago. He is depicted in picture below on the upper right-hand side with a younger JAM.

There is a "Goose" in Florida named Benny Conway, Jr.

Geese emigrated to Florida from Maryland before he passed with his mom. He was, without a doubt, an American road warrior. Though he did not compete in tournaments very often, he did take pride in the fact that he came in third place at Johnson City when he was 19 years old, which was a great honor for him.

Geese also won the Maryland State Championship many times, seesawing back and forth with Cigar Tom Vanover of Dundalk, MD, also shown in the picture below. One day in 1986, the same year "The Color of Money" came out, Mike Sigel came to Maryland and competed in the State championship. Sigel took the honors in '86, Cigar Tom came in second, and Teddy Bear Wilson came in third. This was the last Maryland State Championship.

Geese was a man of all games, but one-hole was his fave. He could match up with anyone, but his best hustle was playing anyone in the world one-handed. Geese could draw his rock one-handed, up in the air and not resting on the rail, the entire length of the table, and to this day, I have not seen a better one-handed player. He was, IMHO, the best.

May he rest in peace.

JAM

 

[JAM]

What about Strawberry Brooks from DC, is he still playing? I know Marshall said back in the 60s he used to spot Strawberry the break, which he said it was a tough game with both players in there prime....

Strawberry doesn't play too much anymore, but he still comes out and sweats the action on occasion. However, knowing Strawberry, I don't think it would take too much to get him to step up to the plate. He loves to play, especially one-pocket.

Today he is man of faith and is devoted to his family. Strawberry initiated the Capital City Classic which had two events, 9-ball and, of course, one-pocket. Later the Capital City Classic continued under the direction of the Wilson Family.

Strawberry's famous line is still remembered today: "One Pocket, it's an epidemic and there ain't no cure." Hopefully, someday he will be inducted into the OnePocket.org Hall of Fame.

IMHO, Strawberry was, and still is, D.C.'s most well-known player. There he is on the left in my one and only Strawberry picture. Next time I run into him, I am going to snap me a few more. He is, without a doubt, another American road warrior.

JAM