wonpocket101
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Any stories on Gary Spaeth and what ever happened to him? Just watched an old Accu-stats and wow what a banker.
Gary Spaeth
- Thread starter wonpocket101
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Phenom.......
Being from Cincinnati, and being in action there alot...i got to play Gary quite a lot. And always knew him as being a very nice guy.
As for his ability, he was fantastic! He was simply one of the greatest bank pool players to ever play the game. He had a feel for the game that was nearly unmatched. To watch him play, was truly a sight to behold! He also played world-class one-pocket and 9 ball as well.
I do remember him getting either the 8 or the last 2 from Kim Davenport, in Kim's prime, and just destroying him with it. Honestly, the way he played, he probably didn't need it.
I learned to play, by playing with Donnie Anderson all through my teenage years, and it was lessons that i will cherish forever. However, Gary's influence on my game cannot be overlooked either. I played him several times in tourneys, and a lot of cheap action games, and every time we played, i never failed to extract something new, that he did, that i HAD to practice to learn! He was very under-rated as far as i am concerned, and will ALWAYS belong in the conversations about the greatest players of all- time. (his dad, Joey Spaeth was no slouch either! And won a few of the old Johnson City tourneys, lol, but i had to rely on stories about his game, as his time was well before mine. and i have heard alot of folks say, that Gary was possessed of a far greater talent than his father, but for some reason never got the accolades.)
Unfortunately, Gary has left us. He passed away a few years ago...of leukemia, if i'm not mistaken. (it could be more than a mere few years, as my ability to track time has waned with my having 5 kids!) but i certainly miss watching him play. I have seen the vids with He and Cecil Tugwell, and He and Bugs Rucker, that accu-stats has on offer, and they are great, but i really wish everyone could have seen him play in person...he was really amazing.
When Gary had a son...he was asked, "Have you got him a pool cue yet???"
His reply, "Nope, but i got him a set of golfclubs, so he can make some real money!!"
lmao!
He will always be remembered as a great of the game as far as i am concerned.
There are guys that post on here that knew him far better than i....
C'MON SHERM, GIVE US A FEW GOODIES!
Brandon Lee Spitler.
Being from Cincinnati, and being in action there alot...i got to play Gary quite a lot. And always knew him as being a very nice guy.
As for his ability, he was fantastic! He was simply one of the greatest bank pool players to ever play the game. He had a feel for the game that was nearly unmatched. To watch him play, was truly a sight to behold! He also played world-class one-pocket and 9 ball as well.
I do remember him getting either the 8 or the last 2 from Kim Davenport, in Kim's prime, and just destroying him with it. Honestly, the way he played, he probably didn't need it.
I learned to play, by playing with Donnie Anderson all through my teenage years, and it was lessons that i will cherish forever. However, Gary's influence on my game cannot be overlooked either. I played him several times in tourneys, and a lot of cheap action games, and every time we played, i never failed to extract something new, that he did, that i HAD to practice to learn! He was very under-rated as far as i am concerned, and will ALWAYS belong in the conversations about the greatest players of all- time. (his dad, Joey Spaeth was no slouch either! And won a few of the old Johnson City tourneys, lol, but i had to rely on stories about his game, as his time was well before mine. and i have heard alot of folks say, that Gary was possessed of a far greater talent than his father, but for some reason never got the accolades.)
Unfortunately, Gary has left us. He passed away a few years ago...of leukemia, if i'm not mistaken. (it could be more than a mere few years, as my ability to track time has waned with my having 5 kids!) but i certainly miss watching him play. I have seen the vids with He and Cecil Tugwell, and He and Bugs Rucker, that accu-stats has on offer, and they are great, but i really wish everyone could have seen him play in person...he was really amazing.
When Gary had a son...he was asked, "Have you got him a pool cue yet???"
His reply, "Nope, but i got him a set of golfclubs, so he can make some real money!!"
lmao!
He will always be remembered as a great of the game as far as i am concerned.
There are guys that post on here that knew him far better than i....
C'MON SHERM, GIVE US A FEW GOODIES!
Brandon Lee Spitler.
I saw him play some serious jam up bank pool a few times in Indianapolis at Bruce's back in the 80's. He got down with Mark Jarvis and that was something to behold. I think he played all pocket games well (he was generally there to play in the excellent 9B tourneys George and Denny put on at the time), and his banking was definitely top tier. He just looked like a force of nature when he got in punch, I doubt video could do it justice. I wish had some real details for you but I am glad to say I got to see him play.
Did you ever know a guy named Chris Redding?
Gary
Yes, Gary was one of the best Bank players I have ever watched. The first time I remember him speaking to me was at Bruces in Indy. George Breedlove was running the tourney. I was playing someone in a match, and had missed an out, and Gary seen the look on my face as I walked away from the table. He could tell I was kickin myself, and told me, " It ain't over, keep your head in the game, and finish it." That always stayed with me, because, he didn't know me from Adam.
I watched him and Jarvis play several times. What a great match they were. I was reading in a pool Magazine that Gary won a big Bank tourney in Chicago. The cover read: Gary Spaeth, a run on the banks.
I had heard he was running 5 and out pretty regular. I was around him at quite a few tournies, and He was a hell of a nice guy, from everything I remember about him. To me, he will always be one of the best I ever seen play.
Yes, Gary was one of the best Bank players I have ever watched. The first time I remember him speaking to me was at Bruces in Indy. George Breedlove was running the tourney. I was playing someone in a match, and had missed an out, and Gary seen the look on my face as I walked away from the table. He could tell I was kickin myself, and told me, " It ain't over, keep your head in the game, and finish it." That always stayed with me, because, he didn't know me from Adam.
I watched him and Jarvis play several times. What a great match they were. I was reading in a pool Magazine that Gary won a big Bank tourney in Chicago. The cover read: Gary Spaeth, a run on the banks.
I had heard he was running 5 and out pretty regular. I was around him at quite a few tournies, and He was a hell of a nice guy, from everything I remember about him. To me, he will always be one of the best I ever seen play.
Did you mean "y-y-y-y-you wanna s-s-s-hoot s-s-some p-p-pool" Chris Redding?. He still owes me money on a motorcycle, the punk. At 15 and 16 hed a had a ton of potential hope he keep his head on straight. He could play real well when he wanted too, but he was just a kid when I knew him. As far a Gary I met him several times at the old Airway room and watched him play, INCREDIBLE! He was was a nice guy as well.
An article on Gary:
http://onepocket.org/SpaethHOF.htm
Saw him play at one of the last US Open 1P events in Kalamazoo the year or so before he died. Played tough, but it looked like all that smoking had caught up to him. Been gone almost 9 years now.
That is the one. He brought Spaeth down to Houston about 10 or 12 years ago. Then he got a job here, broke his back, and has lived here ever since. He is married with a family and does not play pool anymore. He told me he was dumb when he was a kid. He is doing well and got out of all the trouble he used to be in. He looks like the incredible hulk now started lifting weights after he broke his back to get back in shape. What is your name and will tell him that you are looking for him as a joke or not whatever you wish.
By the way he does not studder in spanish and is the craziest thing speaks it fluent.
Funny thing is after being around him for a day or two I'd want to stutter...lmao. Anyway, yeah tell him Larry wants the rest of the money he owes on that Yamaha. Hope he continues to get better. The little stuttering pr!ck......just kidding.
Yah I know he gets me sometimes after hanging out with him. I will let him know.
In the mid to late 1970's I played 9 ball with Gary Spaeth at the Royal Family Billiards on Madison Road in Cincinnati. The pool hall no longer exists but back then it was an action room.
When I knew Gary he was humble about his talent and a good guy.
Never had the ability to try him in Banks.
Recently I learned "Sherm"(who I don't know) owned or was connected to the Pool room.He or Dick Neighbors would be able to answer questions about Gary Spaeth.
Brian
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Here's a link that has some stories about Gary......
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=126658
Also, there's plenty more info on him in the threads right here on AZB. Under search, type in his name. Lots of threads pop up.
And here's some more links with info from outside AZB....
http://www.shermcue.com/poolstory1.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UARNoccs5-0