Just a note on my recent trip to visit Frank "Sailor" Stellman in Racine, Wisconsin. Noted cuemaker, player, and instructor. I spent a day with him; not sure I will ever view pool the same way again. Even at age 84, he has a love for the game, so all-consuming that I question whether anyone on this forum has even half of his enthusiasm. He is the epitome of the "pool fanatic" that many on here consider themselves.
I travelled there with Mark Wilson (pro player, instructor, commentator); who, along with many great players like Jeff Carter, Dallas West, and George Pawelski; credits Sailor with helping them achieve proficiency. Sailor was a HUGELY influential figure in the straight pool community, but is so modest and unassuming that he will take no credit for it. He is ALL about love of the game, doing what is best for the game, and PROMOTING EXCELLENCE. In his view there is a progression among players from PARTICIPATOR to POOL BUFF to PURIST. While he wants to promote the game at all of those levels, unless you are a "PURIST", I'm doubtful Sailor will have a very high estimation of you.
His old pool hall (now closed) was a mecca for the serious players. A place where excellence was valued and promoted. Two special tables reserved, one for "50 ball runners", and one for "100 ball runners." Plaques with the prominently named players who belonged to the "50 Ball Runners Club" and the "100 Ball Runners Club." Even one for the "25 Ball Runners Club." Local players would spare no expense or effort to belong to one of those elite "clubs."
Once his pool hall closed, Sailor had only his cuemaking shop. If he liked you, he would build you a cue that he thought you needed (rather than what you ordered:smile
. If he REALLY liked you, he would try to give it to you with no payment. If he didn't like you, your money would just be returned or refused.
A host of great local players would play on his shop table every day, while Sailor labored over his cues and kept an eye on their play. If you were not a 100 ball runner, you would most likely feel WAY too embarrassed to ever play on that shop table under the watchful eye of all the great players hanging around. After he finished the cuemaking work; Sailor would manicure the table and balls lovingly and painstakingly so that conditions were perfect for the night's play - then he would play or watch the feature matches in the shop. In the early morning, all the players would head to the local all night restaurant where EVERYONE waited eagerly for Sailor to break out the napkins and begin diagramming the shots and situations he had observed during the day - giving the players the benefit of his incredible straight pool knowledge.
When Sailor was a young man, fresh out of the Navy; he dedicated himself to improving his pool game - he was obsessed by the game. He played at least 600 points of straight pool EVERY SINGLE DAY for 8-10 years (he can't remember exactly). He initially carved a little notch (like a gunfighter) on his cue every time he ran 100 balls. He stopped after EIGHT HUNDRED NOTCHES because he was running 100 every day - training himself to do it in 3 tries or less.
Sailor will not tell anyone his high run (he says only 3 people saw it, 2 are in the grave, and one has a foot in it....says high runs are not important). He has many witnessed 300 ball runs - Mark saw him run 100 and out in 3 consecutive games...his opponent quit before Sailor could try for 4:smile:.
Fortunately, I did receive the opportunity to play some 14.1 on Sailor's table against Mark, with Sailor watching (he has a walking cast on one foot and can't play). There was no mistaking the enthusiasm and love he still has for the game - any great shot was rewarded with his effusive praise.
You could tell from the day long reminiscences that Mark Wilson was incredibly grateful for the chance to have been included in the clique of great players around Sailor. He has forgotten more about straight pool than I will probably ever know. While his surroundings are modest, cluttered, and chaotic; there is NO mistaking true pool greatness when you see it. Sailor is truly one of a kind; one of the few old school masters left.
I am truly grateful for the chance to spend some time with him; it has opened my eyes to the extreme amount of dedication and sacrifice necessary if you wish to master this very demanding game. It is more than most of us realize; and it is more than almost all of us are willing to give. It just happens to be necessary though if we wish to achieve greatness.
