Grady update...

Terry Ardeno

Terry Ardeno

I still love my wife
Silver Member
On Grady Mathews' blog, he's posted something he wrote entitled "Why I left AZB" Here's the link....http://gradymathews.com/blog/
With Blackjack and Grady both leaving, this just bums me out. I enjoyed Blackjacks's insights, and I can't express how much I used to like it when Grady posted stories of old gambling matches, tales from Cochrane's and his road stories. His descriptions of other great players gambling and sometimes personal habits and personalities were pretty entertaining as well.
One thing I don't understand is, how can all the input from so many fans not be taken into account? If I were in his shoes, and, on one hand was 50% of the posters getting on me about my perceived "sour grapes", and the other 50% trying to hold me up and encourage me, I'de like to think that I would say to myself listen, I'm going to back off trying to defend myself here and just concentrate on the good things that I can share here with these people.
Leaving like that sort of has a reverse effect. The ones who wanted him to go (or shut up at least) are estatic. His fan base and friends who stuck up for him thru thick and thin, are saddened. No more stories at all, good or bad.
Hmmm.
 
Some people, myself included, were simply tired of the sniffling, whining, and bickering by Mr. Matthews. I applaud him for what he has done in the past, but his actions on this board were often times childish at best and more often ridiculous. Some of us want pool to advance forward.

I believe that it is our right to question these, so called, promoters of billiards when we believe that they are in the wrong. Just because someone is a champion, doesnt mean they are doing the right thing for pool. I honestly believe that a lot of the people who backed up Grady on his posts were either starstruck, in denial, or scared to speak the truth to a legend.

I am not scared to say what I believe is right and I believe that the actions of Grady and many others are doing for the advancement of our game. I also believe that everyone else has their own opinions and that they may differ from mine...I respect that...however, Grady did not and that is the main cause of this situation. He was simply unable to grasp the reality of the situation.

I will miss Grady's stories about the road and all of that...but ask yourself this question...When was the last time Grady told a real good story on here?

Ask yourself these questions as well...Why was Grady using our board (a public message board for fans) to bicker? Was he trying to gain support for his cause? Ask the same question about all of the pros and promoters on here.

I love that they are here and I want them to all stay..but this is a public forum designed for fans of pool. Whenever a big name player or promoter or even cuemaker uses a site like this they must expect a certain amount of critiscm. I will be damned if I am going to sit by and kiss peoples if I disagree with them just because they are a legend. I am not starstruck...I am a just a guy who likes pool and would love to see it advance. If you post something opinionated on this forum..be ready to accept some criticism. I have taken a bunch myself and I will take some more....especially for this post.

Bomber

PS: sorry for the spelling...remember, I teach Social Studies not English.

PSS: Im on my planning period Terry!!!! LOL Are you on lunch break?

PSSS: Good post Terry, I respect your opinion.
 
Why the drama?

Terry Ardeno said:
On Grady Mathews' blog, he's posted something he wrote entitled "Why I left AZB" Here's the link....http://gradymathews.com/blog/
With Blackjack and Grady both leaving, this just bums me out. I enjoyed Blackjacks's insights, and I can't express how much I used to like it when Grady posted stories of old gambling matches, tales from Cochrane's and his road stories. His descriptions of other great players gambling and sometimes personal habits and personalities were pretty entertaining as well.
One thing I don't understand is, how can all the input from so many fans not be taken into account? If I were in his shoes, and, on one hand was 50% of the posters getting on me about my perceived "sour grapes", and the other 50% trying to hold me up and encourage me, I'de like to think that I would say to myself listen, I'm going to back off trying to defend myself here and just concentrate on the good things that I can share here with these people.
Leaving like that sort of has a reverse effect. The ones who wanted him to go (or shut up at least) are estatic. His fan base and friends who stuck up for him thru thick and thin, are saddened. No more stories at all, good or bad.
Hmmm.
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Come on Terry, what is all this drama about Grady leaving?

I personally dont like Grady, he craves for attention, and seems more a drama queen than an alleged respected professional player. Several years ago my opinion was different but know I fully comprehend why Grady is not liked in many places/organizations.

I really don't care what Grady does (leaves AZB or not). I just don't see why all this butt-kissing and drama about him leaving. He will come by opening his mouth again once he feels he is being "victimized" by the "Randy's, Charlie's, Dick and Harry's" of the world.
 
Thecoats said:
Blackjack is still posting as of yesterday.
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Thanks, thecoats. I haven't been on here much over the weekend and I missed Blackjack's posts.


So now, my glass is only half empty. Or half full. :)
 
bomber said:
I will miss Grady's stories about the road and all of that...but ask yourself this question...When was the last time Grady told a real good story on here?
Click to expand...

I liked the story about the loyal knights of the Grady Table, and their adventures to slay Charlie "The Dragon" Williams.
 
Can someone point me to where the thread is about the supposed dump between Abbink and Mataya. This is the reason Grady says he left, but I don't recall anything about this over the last few months and must have missed it when it did actually happen. Why didn't he say anything about this in his "farewell" speech? This makes absolutely no sense.
 
juegabillar said:
Come on Terry, what is all this drama about Grady leaving?

I personally dont like Grady, he craves for attention, and seems more a drama queen than an alleged respected professional player. Several years ago my opinion was different but know I fully comprehend why Grady is not liked in many places/organizations.

I really don't care what Grady does (leaves AZB or not). I just don't see why all this butt-kissing and drama about him leaving. He will come by opening his mouth again once he feels he is being "victimized" by the "Randy's, Charlie's, Dick and Harry's" of the world.
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Harold,

I'm missing something on the "drama" part. Updating our forum with info on something that has generated a lot of responses is now considered "drama"? That part, I don't understand.

You dislike Grady, that's fine. I liked him. I don't agree with his way of going about proving a point, but a friend is a friend. I'm dancing with who brought me. Said another way, I'm not the type to turn on his friends because the "in crowd" does. Even though it's now in vogue here to raise the swords and shields high in the air and clamor loudly as another pro bites the dust here, I'm not joining in on that.

Like him or not, he was a professional who didn't just talk about gambling and playing, he lived it. I would clamour just as hard if Freddy or Billy were run out of here. I know that Grady brought some of the ire on himself by the tone in his posts, but just as guilty were the ones who pounced on him at every chance. Some people have the character that they feel a sense of empowerment or something when they bang out the bashing behind the keyboard SAFE AT HOME. They are something else entirely when they're face to face in public. Or the dark hallway of a poolroom. Then, its Mr Nice Guy. Like Shania Twian once sang..."That don't impress me much."

And, for what it's worth, "butt kissing" is a slur. Whenever I posted in agreement with you in the past on other topics, I hope you took it as I was agreeing with you, not kissing your a$$.
 
I made my decision to try to avoid the flame wars........jsut doesnt amount to anything................

I surely hope Grady does comeback.............
 
corvette1340 said:
Can someone point me to where the thread is about the supposed dump between Abbink and Mataya. This is the reason Grady says he left, but I don't recall anything about this over the last few months and must have missed it when it did actually happen. Why didn't he say anything about this in his "farewell" speech? This makes absolutely no sense.
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Vette,
I think that was on another board (maybe the rsb or something like that. I'm not familiar with it) That thread isn't on AZB.

And bomber, I'm on 3-11 this week. So, actually, I'm home trying to speed type in between doing laundry and running the sweeper before I leave for work. My wife appreciates the help when she gets home form her jiob. She has the only butt I kiss :)
 
juegabillar said:
Come on Terry, what is all this drama about Grady leaving?

I personally dont like Grady, he craves for attention, and seems more a drama queen than an alleged respected professional player. Several years ago my opinion was different but know I fully comprehend why Grady is not liked in many places/organizations.

I really don't care what Grady does (leaves AZB or not). I just don't see why all this butt-kissing and drama about him leaving. He will come by opening his mouth again once he feels he is being "victimized" by the "Randy's, Charlie's, Dick and Harry's" of the world.
Click to expand...
Tap Tap Tap
 
Terry Ardeno said:
His fan base and friends who stuck up for him thru thick and thin, are saddened. No more stories at all, good or bad.
Hmmm.
Click to expand...

TA,
I have always wondered why the vocal critics need to be so unpleasant when they disagree with an opinion. If they think it is "whining" to express an opinion about the pool establishment; then perhaps we could correctly say that they are "whining" about his "whining." I see no difference. Respectful disagreement would be well tolerated; but they insist on labeling and denigrating (perhaps the only tools of disagreement with which they are familiar) instead of engaging in rational discourse.

I do know that Grady participated in AZ to a degree not achieved by our other pro's. He contributed lessons and clinics for free in the AZB room, contributed a bunch of stories in the main forum (easy to search if you are interested); even refereed the grudge match. His wife monitored the AZB room for free for a week and a half. All of those who are "glad" to see him go will, I hope, step up to the plate and provide this type of value for our forum - let's see what you've got guys.

P.S. - I would rather see one Grady than a thousand WBM - types. Those who propose that "all posters are created equal" are fooling themselves. It's our loss.
 
The advancement of pool sometimes means controlling the urge to call out the stars and legends of our sport and to allow celebrity to take it's natural course.

Eccentric behavior is most times ignored by those who know better. Celebrity behavior is most times ignored by those that know better. If one feels as though another is an attention hog, why buy into that and give them what they want? Must we always express our opinions, or is it possible to become lurkers at times so as to help preserve the future of our sport by not highlighting the negatives?

Is celebrity a license to do whatever you are inclined to do or say? Of course not. But, I believe we need to support and promote the legends and stars of this sport with equal ferocity as is the case when we attack them.

My comments are directed to no one in particular, and I am not protecting any legend or star of this sport in particular. They can speak for themselves. I speak for the sport.

Gene
 
I speak for the sport as well...just in a different way. His attitude is what keeps our sport in the "gutter" of the sports world. I respect your opinions but completely disagree 100%.

We havent run off any other pros since I have been on here...lurking or posting...but he has been "run off" of numerous boards. Ask yourself why.
 
I never left the forum. I gave myself a time out, a breather, and I am staying away from the threads that turn into trainwrecks. I was out of town at a tournament this weekend, so I didn't post very much. I had a blast.

FWIW, I have read several posts that said that I have left this forum many times only to return. That is complete BS. The truth is that I left this forum only one time - for a 3 month period in 2005 because I was upset about some very disrespectful comments that were directed at Grady Mathews (imagaine that!). I will continue to post here, but as far as giving my opinion on certain subjects that many find informative... sorry, its not going to happen anymore. I don't think I have to explain why. I've got better, more positive things I can do with my time.

This used to be a great place to share ideas and to share our thoughts. Nowadays it is quite common to be attacked for posting your personal point of view. I'm not sure why it is allowed to be that way, it just is. Until that changes, my particpation will be extremely subdued compared to before.
 
bomber said:
I speak for the sport as well...just in a different way. His attitude is what keeps our sport in the "gutter" of the sports world. I respect your opinions but completely disagree 100%.

We havent run off any other pros since I have been on here...lurking or posting...but he has been "run off" of numerous boards. Ask yourself why.
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B-man,
There have been quite a few pro's "run off" - Earl Strickland, Keith McCready, Johnny Archer, Thorsten Hohmann, Danny Harriman have all participated to some extent in the past, and have obviously drawn back to a significant extent. All have been subject to very disagreeable and often poorly reasoned posters. It takes quite a thick skin to be a celebrity or professional on this board. Always has been and I believe always will. The forum is poorer as a result (but I like it anyway). I have no great expectation that pro's will ever be frequent contributor's here; and perhaps that is not really the purpose of the board.
 
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