Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron, passes away
- Thread starter hemicudas
- Start date
I first met Gene "The Glove' about 30 years ago when he was manager of a nightspot in Fat City (a section of New Orleans). It was at that time that he picked up a box of dominos on the counter at a convenience store and started to shoot his domino shot.He went on to add thousands of dominos and extra tables and appeared numerous times on David Letterman's Late Show.He moved here to Tampa around '89-'90 and lived with Steve "Cookie Monster" Cook a few blocks from my home. I saw alot of him here and he performed many exhibitions at Planet 9-Ball.
He was a great guy and a good friend and I will miss him.In 1976 he won the New Orleans 8-Ball Championship in a field that included many great players,including Buddy Hall,Steve Gumphries (sp), Benny "The Goose" Conway and others whose names escape me.He used to play jam up. Rest In Peace, Gene.
He was a great guy and a good friend and I will miss him.In 1976 he won the New Orleans 8-Ball Championship in a field that included many great players,including Buddy Hall,Steve Gumphries (sp), Benny "The Goose" Conway and others whose names escape me.He used to play jam up. Rest In Peace, Gene.
Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron
http://www.bca-pool.com/industry/membership/05updates/update_v2n04.shtml
In Memoriam: Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron ... passed away at the age of 58 in his family home in Savannah, Georgia, on February 13, 2005. A trick shot enthusiast, Catron produced a 38-minute video entitled "The Master Trick Shot Artist" in which he demonstrated a variety of famous shots. He appeared on a March 1989 broadcast of The Tonight Show, guest-hosted (at the time) by Jay Leno. Catron was in good company for the evening's lineup, appearing with Angie Dickinson, Charlton Heston and Penelope Ann Miller.
Online sources cite Catron as being a professional billiard champion for over 35 years and having executed the world's largest trick shot with 132 balls. His trick shots often included dominos and were seen worldwide in exhibitions and in over 20 television commercials. He is also credited as the co-inventor of a 9-Ball Board Game, as well as an early career win over a young Mike Sigel in Tampa, Florida.
-----------------------------------------------
I met "The Glove" many years ago at the BCA Trade Show where he performed trick shots (some featuring dominos set up on several tables) at the Robertson Billiard Supply booth.., he brought a smile to everyones face that day.., especially Charlie Robertson's.., Charlie looked like he was having more fun than anyone.
Check out http://www.tampabilliards.com for more about Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron, including his "The Master Trick Shot Artist" tape and his 9-Ball Board Game.
Dana Bufalo
hemicudas said:
http://www.bca-pool.com/industry/membership/05updates/update_v2n04.shtml
In Memoriam: Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron ... passed away at the age of 58 in his family home in Savannah, Georgia, on February 13, 2005. A trick shot enthusiast, Catron produced a 38-minute video entitled "The Master Trick Shot Artist" in which he demonstrated a variety of famous shots. He appeared on a March 1989 broadcast of The Tonight Show, guest-hosted (at the time) by Jay Leno. Catron was in good company for the evening's lineup, appearing with Angie Dickinson, Charlton Heston and Penelope Ann Miller.
Online sources cite Catron as being a professional billiard champion for over 35 years and having executed the world's largest trick shot with 132 balls. His trick shots often included dominos and were seen worldwide in exhibitions and in over 20 television commercials. He is also credited as the co-inventor of a 9-Ball Board Game, as well as an early career win over a young Mike Sigel in Tampa, Florida.
-----------------------------------------------
I met "The Glove" many years ago at the BCA Trade Show where he performed trick shots (some featuring dominos set up on several tables) at the Robertson Billiard Supply booth.., he brought a smile to everyones face that day.., especially Charlie Robertson's.., Charlie looked like he was having more fun than anyone.
Check out http://www.tampabilliards.com for more about Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron, including his "The Master Trick Shot Artist" tape and his 9-Ball Board Game.
Dana Bufalo
Very sad news indeed. I had met Gene several times at Atlanta pro events that I worked on cues with my pro shop at. In the daytime he would stretch cues from one table to another and set his dominos and balls up everywhere. He would make dozens of balls on like three tables in one shot and the local news would film it and the place would be packed that night during the tournaments. They would set up bleachers to watch from and they would be about full. Pro events might have continued to draw that kind of support if they had used Gene more often. If it weren't for Gene we might not even have a glove being used to shoot pool with today. He will surely be missed.
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
Chris
www.hightowercues.com
www.internationalcuemakers.com
Smorgass Bored said:
Smorgie, I happen to have a bunch of pool mags laid out in my office this fine Sunday morning from that era, working on another project. The ONLY pool periodical I have that goes back that far is The National Billiards News, and every single issue is a jewel.
It appears as if Eugene Catron was the FIRST champ of this event held at the Mardi Gras Ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Interestingly, over 4,000 pool players competed in qualifying rounds, with 382 winning cash, prizes, and a trophy worth a total value exceeding $10,000.
Check out this photo of three winners of the New Orleans 8-Ball Championship: 1976 champion EUGENE CATRON, the 1977 champion AL BONIFE, and the 1975 champion WARDELL RAYMOND!
You do have a GREAT memory, Smorg!
JAM
Attachments
JAM said:Smorgie, I happen to have a bunch of pool mags laid out in my office this fine Sunday morning from that era, working on another project. The ONLY pool periodical I have that goes back that far is The National Billiards News, and every single issue is a jewel.
It appears as if Eugene Catron was the FIRST champ of this event held at the Mardi Gras Ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott Hotel. Interestingly, over 4,000 pool players competed in qualifying rounds, with 382 winning cash, prizes, and a trophy worth a total value exceeding $10,000.
Check out this photo of three winners of the New Orleans 8-Ball Championship: 1976 champion EUGENE CATRON, the 1977 champion AL BONIFE, and the 1975 champion WARDELL RAYMOND!
You do have a GREAT memory, Smorg!
JAM
In 1975 I was in Phoenix and ran into a guy they called, $Jack. He played with a dollar bill wrapped around his cue. He told me he didn't like using powder and that the dollar made the cue slide through his fingers much better. I ask him why he didn't just try using some kind of glove and he said that all the gloves he found were too thick and didn't feel comfortable.
Returning home to Jackson, Miss. I go to the pool room I hung out where there was always a 4 to 6 handed golf game on the 5X10 snooker table. The average bet was $5 per game and $1 per hickey. I join the game and a new guy, wearing a black glove, wins the first game. I play a few more games and this gloved guy wins all but one game. He says he has to go back to work and leaves. The next day, same gloved wonder wins most of the games, then says he has to go back to work. This goes on for about 10 days. Every day one or two players are dropping out of the game. The last day he was there he is matched up with the best golf player in Jackson, not me, playing for $100 a game and $10 per hickey. Some of the players are in with our local champion, trying to get some of their money back. Not only do they not get their money back, they end up tossing in another $800-$900.
This was my first intro to Gene Catron. Ran into him again at the Pumping Station in Fat City.
What place was he running in Fat City, Smorg?
$Bill, the Pumping Station was big Bill Perrin's place and I don't think that was where Gene was the manager.I just can't remember in which spot Gene was the manager... Charlie Chan's ?
JAM, Gene beat a great field in 1976 to win that 8-Ball tournament.I played in '75,but didn't cash that year.I cashed in 1976 and still have a trophy from that event.They had A,B and C divisions. Al "New York Blackie" Bonife lives here in Tampa now and hangs out at Fatso's Billiards. That's a GREAT picture..
Thanks
JAM, Gene beat a great field in 1976 to win that 8-Ball tournament.I played in '75,but didn't cash that year.I cashed in 1976 and still have a trophy from that event.They had A,B and C divisions. Al "New York Blackie" Bonife lives here in Tampa now and hangs out at Fatso's Billiards. That's a GREAT picture..
Thanks
Last edited:
Smorgass Bored said:
Charlie Chan's, was the place that was all red inside, Smorg. Even the tables were covered in red cloth. It's been 30 years this summer and the memory isn't what it use to be. That could be the place I ran into Gene. It was a one story place and the Pumping Station was up stairs. I remember that for sure.
Smorgass Bored said:
I am certain I met "New York Blackie" at the 2004 Carolinas Open, and I could kick myself for not snapping his picture with Buddy Hall. Buddy, "New York Blackie," and Keith were chatting it up, having a good old time!
Gotta give Diana Hoppe the gold star for getting "New York Blackie's" snapshot. She was right on cue (pun intended). I am pretty sure this is the guy shown in the picture with Buddy last year at Fast Eddie's in Goldsboro, North Carolina: http://azbilliards.com/gallery/showpicture.cfm?eventnum=68&photographernum=1&picnum=3952
JAM
JAM said:I am certain I met "New York Blackie" at the 2004 Carolinas Open, and I could kick myself for not snapping his picture with Buddy Hall. Buddy, "New York Blackie," and Keith were chatting it up, having a good old time!
Gotta give Diana Hoppe the gold star for getting "New York Blackie's" snapshot. She was right on cue (pun intended). I am pretty sure this is the guy shown in the picture with Buddy last year at Fast Eddie's in Goldsboro, North Carolina: http://azbilliards.com/gallery/showpicture.cfm?eventnum=68&photographernum=1&picnum=3952
JAM
Blackie was there. I happened to sit next to him between matches and he complimented me on the match I had just won a couple of tables away. Cool thing was, David G was playing Brian J on the table in front of us and Blackie was commenting on shots and the logic leading to their decisions ,both before and after the fact. I had no idea I was beside greatness, but I will remember that fondly for many years to come.
A real shame to hear about the passing of Mr Catron.
About 13 or 14 years ago, I was sitting watching "The Paul Daniels Magic Show" on BBC-TV (Daniels was, for some 15 years, THE television magician here in the UK with a series - not a special as you guys tend to get - on every year for those 15 years). Daniels' show always had a number of guests on, either other magicians or speciality acts.
Well, this one night he mentions about the UK's love of snooker and America's love for pool and introduces a guy called "The Mighty Glove", Gene Catron. He proceeds to play some great shots on a British pool table - our tables are only 7' x 4' with really tight snooker-style pockets, 2" object balls and a one-and-seven-eighths inch cueball (for the mechanism). Still, he performed admirably and every shot went very, very well - including Mosconi's "Butterfly Shot" and his own Domino Shot.
Suppose I'd better dig out that tape and have a wee watch at it.
About 13 or 14 years ago, I was sitting watching "The Paul Daniels Magic Show" on BBC-TV (Daniels was, for some 15 years, THE television magician here in the UK with a series - not a special as you guys tend to get - on every year for those 15 years). Daniels' show always had a number of guests on, either other magicians or speciality acts.
Well, this one night he mentions about the UK's love of snooker and America's love for pool and introduces a guy called "The Mighty Glove", Gene Catron. He proceeds to play some great shots on a British pool table - our tables are only 7' x 4' with really tight snooker-style pockets, 2" object balls and a one-and-seven-eighths inch cueball (for the mechanism). Still, he performed admirably and every shot went very, very well - including Mosconi's "Butterfly Shot" and his own Domino Shot.
Suppose I'd better dig out that tape and have a wee watch at it.
In 1993, I remember getting a call one night about 10:30 and the voice on the other end said "This is Gene Catron, but just call me 'Glove." " I was wondering if you could make me a case with my name and a glove tooled in."He proceeded to tell me all about himself and how famous he was and all the stuff he had accomplished and that he had been on the Letterman show doing his domino trick. I though to myself, this guy is full of it. Well, about 3 days later I received this big envelope containing newspaper write ups telling about all of Gene Catron's accomplishment. Needless to say, I was quite impressed and really took a liking to Gene. We meant on several occasions and became good friends. We always seemed to hit it off and he enjoyed telling me about the road trips and things that happened along the way. Needless to say I made him a case and delivered it to him in May 1993 at a BCA show. Great guy
Attachments
The Glove
Gene was very popular with all the players in the south. Many of the top players of the day made it to the Steve Gumphry memorial tournament in Jackson, Miss. in 1987. Gene was one of them. This is my desk top photo of that tournament field. Gene is circled.
Gene was very popular with all the players in the south. Many of the top players of the day made it to the Steve Gumphry memorial tournament in Jackson, Miss. in 1987. Gene was one of them. This is my desk top photo of that tournament field. Gene is circled.
Last edited:
OldHasBeen
Tom Ferry
Fond memories of Gene in Detroit.
I remember Gene being in Detroit for at least one season. Buddy, Gene & I were pretty close in age and I remember Buddy thinking a lot of Gene. The three of us had quite a few dinners together and I kind of remember one big score Gene made, with Buddy & I getting a nice side bet. I remember him as being very funny and entertaining.
I have some fond memories of Gene and I guess that is all any of us can hope for.
TY & GL
I remember Gene being in Detroit for at least one season. Buddy, Gene & I were pretty close in age and I remember Buddy thinking a lot of Gene. The three of us had quite a few dinners together and I kind of remember one big score Gene made, with Buddy & I getting a nice side bet. I remember him as being very funny and entertaining.
I have some fond memories of Gene and I guess that is all any of us can hope for.
TY & GL
That's quite a picture from the 1987 tournament. I think I see Earl, Johnny A., David Howard, Buddy H., Wade Crane and Jerry Bento (in the orange).Is the fellow on the right end of the second row,Cotton ?
I thought that the fellow on the top row with the wild hair and beard was Flapper,but I guess that he was still up in Alaska at the time.I recognize some more of the faces, but I'm unable to put names to the faces... thanks for posting the photo.
I thought that the fellow on the top row with the wild hair and beard was Flapper,but I guess that he was still up in Alaska at the time.I recognize some more of the faces, but I'm unable to put names to the faces... thanks for posting the photo.
Also there is Danny Jones, Gene Cooper, Floyd Baxter, Jim Brock and several other I have met but can't remember their names. Is that Louie Roberts on bottom right? That picture was taken a year before I started working the Atlanta Pro events with my pro shop. Brings back a lot of memories.Smorgass Bored said:
