For years, we've all followed, on AZB, the saga of Grady Matthews and his wish to play in the Dragon Promotions 14.1 event that is now four years old.
Some thought it a good idea, but others felt that, despite Grady's illustrious competitive past, his track record of late made him unworthy. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I was always in the second of these two camps.
Well, you know what? I was wrong. Grady played this year, and though his play was not really reminiscent of the Grady of old, his very presence added to the event.
On Tuesday night, I made a point of saying hello to Grady, whom I've met often but never known very well. First, I offered condolences on the sad passing of his wife. He was cordial and congenial and we had a very brief chat. Moments later, Dan DiLiberto and Pete Margo joined us in a few reminiscences of the good old days of straight pool. Pete Margo's name would come up several times before the week was over, as Ortmann, with 4 different 100+ ball runs entering the quarterfinals, was in position to eclipse Pete's record, accomplished in 1979, of six 100+ ball runs in one event.
To sum, if Grady did not play like a champion, he conducted himself as a champion and living legend of the game. His inclusion in the event definitely added to it, and I wanted to share that with the forum.
Some thought it a good idea, but others felt that, despite Grady's illustrious competitive past, his track record of late made him unworthy. I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I was always in the second of these two camps.
Well, you know what? I was wrong. Grady played this year, and though his play was not really reminiscent of the Grady of old, his very presence added to the event.
On Tuesday night, I made a point of saying hello to Grady, whom I've met often but never known very well. First, I offered condolences on the sad passing of his wife. He was cordial and congenial and we had a very brief chat. Moments later, Dan DiLiberto and Pete Margo joined us in a few reminiscences of the good old days of straight pool. Pete Margo's name would come up several times before the week was over, as Ortmann, with 4 different 100+ ball runs entering the quarterfinals, was in position to eclipse Pete's record, accomplished in 1979, of six 100+ ball runs in one event.
To sum, if Grady did not play like a champion, he conducted himself as a champion and living legend of the game. His inclusion in the event definitely added to it, and I wanted to share that with the forum.
