Here is the link to the article:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/shark-out-of-water/Content?oid=904307
Tony Chandler??? I havent heard that name in at least 25 years He got around pretty well and dodged tough action as good as any of them. I beat him out of $300 once and i thought he was going to call the cops
I ould not have guessed that to be him in a million years.
I remeber that long stringy hair and that long leather coat he wore the year round.
He does look happy!
Thanks for bringing this back. Didn't realize the posts were years old until after several reads
Didn't know him but all the kind words and deeds of his friends was enlightening
Thinking somehow, someway I can relate
Again, rest in peace sir
I think the Beard said it all a while back when he disclosed That the AWaterdag was born a heroin addict.he was dealt an awful hand and one few would have survived that long.Life just ain't always fair!
I did a search on Waterdog after someone mentioned his name in another thread and found this. I, like everyone else, read about him in the book "Playing off the rail", its funny that he said that the writer loaned him the money and he paid it back and not that it was a jelly roll. I believe Waterdogs version, cant trust writers, lol.
Anyway, from everything i have read so far about this man, considering he had a heavy duty junk habit, he had a strong sense of obligation and honor. Thats a tough thing for most normal people to fade, its 10 times as hard for someone with a habit. I should know, i grew up with junk all over the place where i grew up.
Im sorry i never had the chance to meet the man, from what everyone wrote, he sounded like a one of a kind.
RIP
Anyway, from everything i have read so far about this man, considering he had a heavy duty junk habit, he had a strong sense of obligation and honor. Thats a tough thing for most normal people to fade, its 10 times as hard for someone with a habit. I should know, i grew up with junk all over the place where i grew up.
Im sorry i never had the chance to meet the man, from what everyone wrote, he sounded like a one of a kind.
RIP
I ran into Waterdog at Bob's Billiards in Anaheim, CA. This would've been about 1995. It was early in the afternoon and absolutely nothing was happening in the room. I had time to kill so I grabbed a table. After a few shots, this fella who had been sitting in the corner of the room asks if I'd like to play. I didn't know who he was but I was not going to turn down a game. He later tells me his name is Waterdog.
We agree to play some One-Pocket for $20 a game (IIRC). Well I put this guy in some horrible situations and he finds his way out and puts ME in trouble! I could tell some of his moves were not well known on the west coast, so I figured he was from back east. He didn't lay down the lemon on me - just clobbered me something fierce. I pull up after 5 or 6 games, not winning one.
Afterward I see a familiar face in the room and I asked him who was that guy I was playing. He said no one knows. He started showing up a few days ago and you're the first "player" to test him, he says. He went on to say he didn't think others will be jumping to matchup with him now.
Months later, Waterdog surfaces in the Bay Area. I was asked by a big stakehorse if I'd ever heard of a guy named Waterdog. I cringed when I heard the name and asked, "Uh oh, is that guy in the area?" He told me he was. I said, yes, I was familiar with him and I didn't want to talk about him, other than to say his One-Pocket game can't be beat. Of course the stakehorse wanted to know everything he could before putting his guys on him. I wasn't interested in saying any more.
I guess he heeded my warning because Waterdog was having trouble getting there playing 9-ball, while trying to steer his opponent toward One-pocket. The backer and his main man avoided that game, even though the local shooter was one of the best One-Pocket players in the area.
Without a doubt, Waterdog was a great player. I understand he was an incredible 14.1 player. An acquintance once told me Waterdog was in a straight-pool game with someone who put a 62 and out on him. Waterdog says, lets go again. In amazement his opponent says, "You just saw me run 62 balls, and you want to keep playing?" At that point Waterdog says, "Yeah, I didn't like the way you played it". From there, Waterdog proceeded to mow this guy down.
We agree to play some One-Pocket for $20 a game (IIRC). Well I put this guy in some horrible situations and he finds his way out and puts ME in trouble! I could tell some of his moves were not well known on the west coast, so I figured he was from back east. He didn't lay down the lemon on me - just clobbered me something fierce. I pull up after 5 or 6 games, not winning one.
Afterward I see a familiar face in the room and I asked him who was that guy I was playing. He said no one knows. He started showing up a few days ago and you're the first "player" to test him, he says. He went on to say he didn't think others will be jumping to matchup with him now.
Months later, Waterdog surfaces in the Bay Area. I was asked by a big stakehorse if I'd ever heard of a guy named Waterdog. I cringed when I heard the name and asked, "Uh oh, is that guy in the area?" He told me he was. I said, yes, I was familiar with him and I didn't want to talk about him, other than to say his One-Pocket game can't be beat. Of course the stakehorse wanted to know everything he could before putting his guys on him. I wasn't interested in saying any more.
I guess he heeded my warning because Waterdog was having trouble getting there playing 9-ball, while trying to steer his opponent toward One-pocket. The backer and his main man avoided that game, even though the local shooter was one of the best One-Pocket players in the area.
Without a doubt, Waterdog was a great player. I understand he was an incredible 14.1 player. An acquintance once told me Waterdog was in a straight-pool game with someone who put a 62 and out on him. Waterdog says, lets go again. In amazement his opponent says, "You just saw me run 62 balls, and you want to keep playing?" At that point Waterdog says, "Yeah, I didn't like the way you played it". From there, Waterdog proceeded to mow this guy down.
Thats fantastic ! I love that one, lol.
Love hearing all these stories about WD. Wish i had a decent Timeline on him. I know he was in NY area in the early 90's disappeared maybe around 93 for a few years, was in Virginia for at least a short time in Sept 94 and then came back to NY for a couple years around 95? Then i believe a one year or so trip to Chicago-back to NY and then finally back to Chicago where he must have been for at least 3-4 years before he passed?
Any help appreciated-
8B- I had no idea he had made it to California in 95 or so-Thanks
Any help appreciated-
8B- I had no idea he had made it to California in 95 or so-Thanks
It could've been '94 or '95. And, he may have been here for just a few months because I didn't hear of anything from him after his matchup in the Bay Area against "Lettuce" Larry.
He made the big score in VA in 94 where he sent me the crummy 60 back, so i'd guess that was his opportunity to get to California-makes sense.
AHAHAHAHAHAHA How awesome is this?? If I was there to hear that I would've lost it :lol::lol::lol:
Now that was a good punch line: "You just saw me run 62 balls and you want to keep playing?"
"Yeah, I didn't like the way you played it". Memorable!
I just read every post in this thread, and am reinforced again with:
The warmth and high level of humanity that AZB holds for its fellow soldiers in our genre.
Great posts, warmth, remembrances, fellowship and respect. Thanks to all, it made my day.
RIP Waterdog.
Will Prout
"Yeah, I didn't like the way you played it". Memorable!
I just read every post in this thread, and am reinforced again with:
The warmth and high level of humanity that AZB holds for its fellow soldiers in our genre.
Great posts, warmth, remembrances, fellowship and respect. Thanks to all, it made my day.
RIP Waterdog.
Will Prout
Last edited:
Same story attributed to Cisero Murphy. After a guy ran 80+ and out against Dallas West while Murphy watched, Murphy told the guy "you ran them wrong."
"I can't give you the eight, I aint never seen you shoot" (after running the set out) attributed to quite a few as well.
I didnt know Cisero and that's a little bit of a different situation anyway but i knew the Dog pretty well from 91 on and i can definitely see him saying that even if it was said before.
How did you like Steinway?>
Last edited:
I remember waterdog coming thru Greenville sc him jimmy reid eddie burton and ny blackie were around here back then he was a great guy he will be miss rip:frown:
I bet there aren't 3 other broke lifetime heroin addicts on earth that have had this much good said about them. You know what those type addicts go through? You don't want to know. Really startling what has been said here.
If i get 1/4 this sentiment when i go, I'll be a happy man- ahahaha. Well perhaps i will RIP a little better anyway..
If i get 1/4 this sentiment when i go, I'll be a happy man- ahahaha. Well perhaps i will RIP a little better anyway..