Grady Mathews Poor Sportsman Award

uwate said:
I think Grady has done ALOT for the sport of pool, especially one pocket and 14.1, games that do not have alot of recognition and support among even regular pool players. Grady's tournaments payout what they say they will, he doesnt do any shenanigans with the cash and while he does have specific rules that sometimes differ from the norm, they are usually spelled right out both on flyers and at the players meeting.

Grady has alot of passion for the sport and it shows. He doesnt sit passively by and let someone move on him. When I hear that he got into it with Sparky, having seen Sparky in action a number of times, I can tell you that there absolutely has to be another side to this story, a side where Sparky was either moving on Grady or being a dick.

Grady is ok in my book and I wish he would come back to AZB and post again. He had a lot to offer AZB and instead he was run out here just like about every pro player has been. Having a no post nobody come on here and talk shit about him just cements this forum as the place to go where people love pool but also love bashing pool champions.

I'm a big fan of AZB but personally were I made king for a day, alot of this pro player bashing would end, even if it meant banning people left and right.
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I keep hearing all this talk about how Grady has done so much for the sport. People speak of him like he brought the game out of the dungeon and into the mainstream. It seems that what Grady has done was promote himself pretty well and has everyone thinking he actually has done something to better us all. So can someone explain what he has done for the game???? It seems to me looking at him today, he is doing nothing but carrying on the bad stereotype that pool has today in alot of peoples minds.
 
Bigkahuna said:
Do we really needs this? Is this helping pool? Is this helping the forum?
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Bigkahuna,
No. No. And No.

Grady didn't bring this on, Obi-One Kanobi-Columbia or somebody brought it up. Giving her a free pass to slam someone who just promoted & sponsored another tournament without those who know Grady being allowed to stand up for him is like allowing someone to sucker punch you and not letting them have a ride in an ambulance.

Someone else asked what Grady does for pool? Well, he produced a series of tapes that has elevated who knows how many people's games. He has promoted something close to 20 or so tournaments that has given hundreds of players a chance to compete in something that otherwise was not there, his commentating on Accu-Stats has been both informative as well as enlightening, which has also tremendously helped elevate people's games (not to mention how funny & comical his one liners can be).
He has toured the country several times, giving exhibitions and doing his road show feature on past legends of the game. He has also contributed here and at OnePocket.org stories that help preserve this sports great players and memorable moments. Plus, he readily engages in action, despite being old enough to have retired long ago. He has authored a book, been accessable to his fans and most importantly of all, the other legends in pooldom hold him in high regard. Grady is not perfect, just like me and you and everyone who breathes is not perfect.
But being perfect was never a requirement that was needed to be a respected and beloved friend of pool.

The better question is, what does he do to HURT pool? I'de say nothing.

Just what is expected of these pros anyway? At what point, or exactly what do they have to do, be or accomplish before some people will even give them a modicum of respect?
 
Grady

Terry Ardeno said:
Bigkahuna,
No. No. And No.

Grady didn't bring this on, Obi-One Kanobi-Columbia or somebody brought it up. Giving her a free pass to slam someone who just promoted & sponsored another tournament without those who know Grady being allowed to stand up for him is like allowing someone to sucker punch you and not letting them have a ride in an ambulance.

Someone else asked what Grady does for pool? Well, he produced a series of tapes that has elevated who knows how many people's games. He has promoted something close to 20 or so tournaments that has given hundreds of players a chance to compete in something that otherwise was not there, his commentating on Accu-Stats has been both informative as well as enlightening, which has also tremendously helped elevate people's games (not to mention how funny & comical his one liners can be).
He has toured the country several times, giving exhibitions and doing his road show feature on past legends of the game. He has also contributed here and at OnePocket.org stories that help preserve this sports great players and memorable moments. Plus, he readily engages in action, despite being old enough to have retired long ago. He has authored a book, been accessable to his fans and most importantly of all, the other legends in pooldom hold him in high regard. Grady is not perfect, just like me and you and everyone who breathes is not perfect.
But being perfect was never a requirement that was needed to be a respected and beloved friend of pool.

The better question is, what does he do to HURT pool? I'de say nothing.

Just what is expected of these pros anyway? At what point, or exactly what do they have to do, be or accomplish before some people will even give them a modicum of respect?
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Terry, I agree these guys that come on here and kick words around like their not getting people upset drives me nuts. Most of these guys are probably the same people who are making gestures, having a fit, giving you the finger etc. from the security of their car. Of course walk up to their window at the next stop light and they are sh*ting their pants.
 
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Bigkahuna said:
Terry, I agree these guys that come on here and kick words around like their not getting people upset drives me nuts. Most of these guys are probably the same people who are making gestures, having a fit, giving you the finger etc. from the security of their car. Of course walk up to their window at the next stop light and they are sh*ting their pants.
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I just do not understand why everyone stands up for Grady. Every story is about him losing his temper or hearing him have a pity party. His time is over in pool and he needs to be man enough to step up and bow out.

I have no problem confronting Grady if I had a personal problem with him. You guys take up for him like he is something special for pool. Well, he is nothing special and has done nothing to stand out above anyone else.

He just is a poor sport and not a good role model for today's game.

JMO
 
yeah Grady has done all of those things Terry mentioned above....

He has done all of those things the other folks brought up also.

Just saying...
 
UGA330 said:
I just do not understand why everyone stands up for Grady. Every story is about him losing his temper or hearing him have a pity party. His time is over in pool and he needs to be man enough to step up and bow out.

I have no problem confronting Grady if I had a personal problem with him. You guys take up for him like he is something special for pool. Well, he is nothing special and has done nothing to stand out above anyone else.

He just is a poor sport and not a good role model for today's game.

JMO
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You would understand if you knew him better. I am fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time with him. I could tell you several stories about him that don't involve him losing his temper.

He needs to "be man enough to bow out"???? If he bows out, we would be losing another great pool room, several great tournaments, and a valuable instructor......sounds bad to me. Ask many road players if they think he should quit pool, I bet you get several "no's". They all know that they can get action with Grady because he will play.

What do you mean he is just a poor sport? He lost twice as much to Tony Watson as he did to Andy and there were no arguments between those two.

Am I biased towards Grady? You betcha. Every weekend I get to go into his clean pool hall, play on his quality equipment, hear his great stories, and learn from him for hours.........just for the cost of some table time. I hope he never bows out of pool.
 
easy-e said:
You would understand if you knew him better. I am fortunate enough to be able to spend a lot of time with him. I could tell you several stories about him that don't involve him losing his temper.

He needs to "be man enough to bow out"???? If he bows out, we would be losing another great pool room, several great tournaments, and a valuable instructor......sounds bad to me. Ask many road players if they think he should quit pool, I bet you get several "no's". They all know that they can get action with Grady because he will play.

What do you mean he is just a poor sport? He lost twice as much to Tony Watson as he did to Andy and there were no arguments between those two.

Am I biased towards Grady? You betcha. Every weekend I get to go into his clean pool hall, play on his quality equipment, hear his great stories, and learn from him for hours.........just for the cost of some table time. I hope he never bows out of pool.
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TAP, TAP, TAP!
JoeyA
 
UGA330 said:
You guys take up for him like he is something special for pool.
JMO
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UG,
Well, I think that is because he IS something very special for pool.

His contributions to the game in terms of promoting events (often at huge personal expense) are BEYOND question.

His contributions to the game in terms of teaching are unimpeachable.

He has never been anything other than a gentleman to most of us on a myriad of occasions.

His credentials as a knowledgeable and elite player are unquestioned.

His commitment to and love of the game are worn on his shirstsleeve for all to see (ask anyone who has seen his "History of Pool" presentation....or better yet, read about it here on AZB).

If you are unaware of these things (or just ignoring them for your own purposes), then it is YOU that deserves the "Poor Sportsmanship Award" (or perhaps a special "Clueless Poster Award").

P.S. - Here is a link for fan's of Grady describing a typical session with the Professor. Yes, professional players paid good money to study with him.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=59123&highlight=Grady
 
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Final Note

Thanks for all of the responses, by the sound of all of the feedback it sounds like some agree and some disagree. If Grady would calm down and just do commentary for TAR, he could be a great asset to pool. But his days are over as a player. I wish Grady all the luck in the world with his health and life but please give up the gambling, you just don't have it anymore.
 
I do not know Grady personally but I posted a thread a couple years ago about a guy in St Louis named Harold Johnson who was getting grief from a city about opening a pool hall and Grady offered to go to St Louis to testify to the city council for the guy. That's pretty strong stuff.
 
alstl said:
I do not know Grady personally but I posted a thread a couple years ago about a guy in St Louis named Harold Johnson who was getting grief from a city about opening a pool hall and Grady offered to go to St Louis to testify to the city council for the guy. That's pretty strong stuff.
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thumbsup.gif
for Grady.
 
Williebetmore said:
UG,
Well, I think that is because he IS something very special for pool.

His contributions to the game in terms of promoting events (often at huge personal expense) are BEYOND question.

His contributions to the game in terms of teaching are unimpeachable.

He has never been anything other than a gentleman to most of us on a myriad of occasions.

His credentials as a knowledgeable and elite player are unquestioned.

His commitment to and love of the game are worn on his shirstsleeve for all to see (ask anyone who has seen his "History of Pool" presentation....or better yet, read about it here on AZB).

If you are unaware of these things (or just ignoring them for your own purposes), then it is YOU that deserves the "Poor Sportsmanship Award" (or perhaps a special "Clueless Poster Award").

P.S. - Here is a link for fan's of Grady describing a typical session with the Professor. Yes, professional players paid good money to study with him.

http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=59123&highlight=Grady
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I can appreciate that some of you like him and think the world of him. In my opinion, in the past couple of years, he has done nothing to better pool. There are tons of teachers of the game that dont seem to get the spotlight for their actions. It just is frustrating that everyone think because he had some tournaments and did some commentating that he is a bright star for pool. I can think of numerous personal experiences with Grady (in the Atlanta and Athens areas), none of which are positive. One of his biggest faults is he think he is better, smarter and just simply above everyone else. For example, He was at the Pool Room in Atlanta and was losing and got really mad. He turns to this guy sitting next to me and tells him he will challenge him to a crossword puzzle, "If you think you are so smart," said Grady. I later found out the guy I was sitting next to was a chemist. WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!

I think running a pool room is a great thing for Grady. He is perfectly suited for that type of business. I just think it is time he hangs up the pool cue. I wish him all the best.

JMO
 
Bigkahuna said:
Terry, I agree these guys that come on here and kick words around like their not getting people upset drives me nuts. Most of these guys are probably the same people who are making gestures, having a fit, giving you the finger etc. from the security of their car. Of course walk up to their window at the next stop light and they are sh*ting their pants.
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and just maybe one of us will be pointing a gun at your head and you will be sh*ting your pants. :D JK, Road Rage isn't where it's at!
I can accept Grady as he is. It is obvious that a clown has joined us just to slam Grady. What else is new? I wish Grady was still with us here on Az. Good stories from the past and quite a character. He is a gambler and always will be. Whether that takes stones or ignorance, I haven't decided. I guess it all depends on how well you are able to support yourself.
Peace, Purdman
 
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i've known grady for a while and seen him in action plenty and played in his tournaments he has always been great, and unless his room is open 50+ hours a day you couldn't possibly put $300 into a pinball let alone $400 get your facts straight before you slam a pool icon and all around good guy.
 
Thank you... Thank you very much.

Purdman said:
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and just maybe one of us will be pointing a gun at your head and you will be sh*ting your pants. :D JK, Road Rage isn't where it's at!
I can accept Brady as he is. It is obvious that a clown has joined us just to slam Grady. What else is new? I wish Grady was still with us here on Az. Good stories from the past and quite a character. He is a gambler and always will be. Whether that takes stones or ignorance, I haven't decided. I guess it all depends on how well you are able to support yourself.
Peace, Purdman
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I am sooooo happy to finally be accepted by THE Purdman!

BVal
 
UGA330 said:
For example, He was at the Pool Room in Atlanta and was losing and got really mad. He turns to this guy sitting next to me and tells him he will challenge him to a crossword puzzle, "If you think you are so smart," said Grady. I later found out the guy I was sitting next to was a chemist. WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!
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I will stake Grady against your chemist doing a New York Times crossword puzzle. Score first by who gets the most correct, and if both complete the entire puzzle, then go by who finishes first.

You must have not heard about Grady and the crossword thing.

I'd be stealing.

Russ
 
Dont forget Scrabble

Russ Chewning said:
I will stake Grady against your chemist doing a New York Times crossword puzzle. Score first by who gets the most correct, and if both complete the entire puzzle, then go by who finishes first.

You must have not heard about Grady and the crossword thing.

I'd be stealing.

Russ
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Grady plays the crossword thing pretty good. When he hung in my joint in Chicago (The 4'B's Club... he speaks well of it in his book), he and I gambled on everything, including crosswords and Scrabble. He's pretty crispy with the Scrabble game too. Extremely competitive man. I think he's nuts too, and yes he is dangerous, but you gotta love him.

the Beard
 
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