FargoRate: youngest players with highest ratings

I watched a match with him at Mad Apple a few weeks back. You should be really proud of him. Seems like a great kid.
 
camaro69926 said:
He messed around on a pool table when he was 7, but started playing competitive at 8.
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A related question for the forum, and maybe a topic for another thread: I was wondering recently how many elite players did NOT start really young? It seems like the best usually grew up in a family-run pool room or had similar exposure at a very young age (Mosconi knocking potatoes around the table in his father’s room after hours, for example). One notable exception I seem to recall is John Schmidt, who if I’m not mistaken started at 18 or later — a relatively late start. Would love to hear others’ thoughts on this topic, examples, counter-examples etc.
 
madmartigan said:
A related question for the forum, and maybe a topic for another thread: I was wondering recently how many elite players did NOT start really young? It seems like the best usually grew up in a family-run pool room or had similar exposure at a very young age (Mosconi knocking potatoes around the table in his father’s room after hours, for example). One notable exception I seem to recall is John Schmidt, who if I’m not mistaken started at 18 or later — a relatively late start. Would love to hear others’ thoughts on this topic, examples, counter-examples etc.
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I can't think of even one truly elite player that started late. The was an elite junior in the late 1930s who opted not to turn pro until the 1960s when he was about 42. All the significant titles he won came at the age of 42 or later, but he won enough titles to earn BCA Hall of Fame induction. His name was Joe Balsis.
 
Taxi said:
That kind of reminds me of a classic challenge to a road player that was made by a local cushion beater at the Brass Rail in Durham, NC, many years ago. It was enhanced by the fact that the local cushion beater was sitting on a shoeshine chair that was elevated above everyone below, making him look like he was the King of the Brass Rail.

Anyhoo, this road player comes sauntering in the front door, cue case in hand (a rarity back then) and starts eyeing the room, when our cushion beater shouts to him....

---"HEY, BUDDY, DO YOU WANT TO GAMBLE?"

Road player looks up, says "MAYBE. HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO PLAY FOR?"

Cushion beater says "WHAT ABOUT A HUNDRED?"

Road player says "MIGHT WORK. WHAT'S THE GAME?"

Cushion beater says "I'LL BET YOU A HUNDRED DOLLARS MY DI*K IS LITTLER THAN YOURS!"
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A road player was hanging out in Tony Cattuci's(RIP) Ball Room in Toms River N.J. many years ago.
He was on the main table and says"I can do anything on a pool table that anyone else can do for $100"
Tony says post the $100.
Roadie throws a c note on the table.
Tony goes to the table and un hooks his artificial leg and puts it on the table.
"Do that!"
Rail birds laugh like hell,roadie has that deer in the headlights look.
 
madmartigan said:
A related question for the forum, and maybe a topic for another thread: I was wondering recently how many elite players did NOT start really young? It seems like the best usually grew up in a family-run pool room or had similar exposure at a very young age (Mosconi knocking potatoes around the table in his father’s room after hours, for example). One notable exception I seem to recall is John Schmidt, who if I’m not mistaken started at 18 or later — a relatively late start. Would love to hear others’ thoughts on this topic, examples, counter-examples etc.
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I think Jeremy Jones has said he didn't start until age 17.
 
AtLarge said:
I think Jeremy Jones has said he didn't start until age 17.
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I first saw him not long after he turned 18. I think it was $50 sets or per game at Cue & Cushion around 1990 give or take a couple years. Lots of railbirds as the word quickly spread you need to see this guy from Baytown. Fuzzy memory on my part, but I don’t remember him missing very much at all.
 
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