Grist for the mill

I'm sure the following comments will NOT sit well with Grady Mathews fans, but let's call a spade a spade...I watched Grady play in the recent Maryland 14.1 straight pool tournament at Big Daddy's Billiards in Glen Burnie, MD a few weeks ago and his matches were actually painful to watch...!!! Although I must admit I didn't watch any of his matches in their entirety, I'm not sure that he strung together a run of more than a handful of balls in two (2) days...???????
I'm not suprised to see, in another post in this thread, that the great "Cowboy" Jimmy Moore was still running "hundreds" in 14.1 continuous in his later years, but I frankly don't think there's a "snowball's chance..." you're going to see that from Grady Mathews at this point in time...!!!
One final observation...I find it extremely curious that the "Legends of Pocket Billiards" that was recorded in the mid-80's featuring such pocket billiards greats as Mosconi, Lassiter, Balsis, Crane, along with such road players as U.J. Puckett, et. al., never mentioned the likes of a Grady Mathews...rather curious, eh...???????
 
Jagr Fan said:
I'm sure the following comments will NOT sit well with Grady Mathews fans, but let's call a spade a spade...I watched Grady play in the recent Maryland 14.1 straight pool tournament at Big Daddy's Billiards in Glen Burnie, MD a few weeks ago and his matches were actually painful to watch...!!! Although I must admit I didn't watch any of his matches in their entirety, I'm not sure that he strung together a run of more than a handful of balls in two (2) days...???????
I'm not suprised to see, in another post in this thread, that the great "Cowboy" Jimmy Moore was still running "hundreds" in 14.1 continuous in his later years, but I frankly don't think there's a "snowball's chance..." you're going to see that from Grady Mathews at this point in time...!!!
One final observation...I find it extremely curious that the "Legends of Pocket Billiards" that was recorded in the mid-80's featuring such pocket billiards greats as Mosconi, Lassiter, Balsis, Crane, along with such road players as U.J. Puckett, et. al., never mentioned the likes of a Grady Mathews...rather curious, eh...???????
Click to expand...

You were quite astute in your observation that your comments would not sit well with fans of Grady.

First of all the "Legends of Pocket Billiards" was recorded around 1981 and was for the older players who were true legends and enjoyable to watch but were no longer cutting the mustard compared to the younger champs. It was an event to honor them and nothing more.

At that time Grady might have been in his late 30's/early 40's and was doing such things like winning WORLD ONE POCKET titles, playing the likes of NICK VARNER on televised ESPN specials in Brunswick World Open 9 ball finals and matching up with champions like Reyes/Parica/etc for large sums of money... amongst many other things.

Show some respect.
 
Jagr Fan said:
I'm sure the following comments will NOT sit well with Grady Mathews fans, but let's call a spade a spade...I watched Grady play in the recent Maryland 14.1 straight pool tournament at Big Daddy's Billiards in Glen Burnie, MD a few weeks ago and his matches were actually painful to watch...!!! Although I must admit I didn't watch any of his matches in their entirety, I'm not sure that he strung together a run of more than a handful of balls in two (2) days...???????
I'm not suprised to see, in another post in this thread, that the great "Cowboy" Jimmy Moore was still running "hundreds" in 14.1 continuous in his later years, but I frankly don't think there's a "snowball's chance..." you're going to see that from Grady Mathews at this point in time...!!!
?
Click to expand...
Grady had an off tournament right? It happens to all of us. It's stupid comments like this that drive away the few pros that still come on AZ and try to promote the game. You should be ashamed of yourself!! :mad:
 
Grady said:
I've always been a golf fan, although not a very good player. I caddied for Ken Venturi, Gary Player, Carol Mann, Patty Berg, Bud Ward and a few other notables.I especially enjoy the British Open as I can begin watching early in the morning.
Guess who was leading this star-studded affair this morning with a stellar first round of 65? Tom Watson, age 59, that's who. Can he win? Probably not but who cares?
This is why I should receive a lifetime invitation to what they refer to as the world straight pool championship.
Click to expand...

For those who are not golf nuts, Tom Watson made golf folklore history with his British Open win at Turnberry in 1977, one of the greatest golf battles of all time against the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus.

Watson is often overlooked when talking about the "greats", but he's won more major championships than Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, and Gene Sarazen. He has won the most British Opens (5) of any modern day golfer. His skills at long lag putts, bump and run, and chipping have really helped him. If it weren't for those 3 foot putts, Tom would have been right up there at the top. In fact, for all he's accomplished, it's hard to believe he's only 59.

I am always impressed that Tom looks sleek and fit on the course. He hasn't changed much in all those years. I remember reading long ago that he had a fitness regimen and a personal trainer.

Nothing will stop aging, but fitness training keeps a man fit!

Chris
 
Jagr Fan said:
I'm sure the following comments will NOT sit well with Grady Mathews fans, but let's call a spade a spade...I watched Grady play in the recent Maryland 14.1 straight pool tournament at Big Daddy's Billiards in Glen Burnie, MD a few weeks ago and his matches were actually painful to watch...!!! Although I must admit I didn't watch any of his matches in their entirety, I'm not sure that he strung together a run of more than a handful of balls in two (2) days...???????
I'm not suprised to see, in another post in this thread, that the great "Cowboy" Jimmy Moore was still running "hundreds" in 14.1 continuous in his later years, but I frankly don't think there's a "snowball's chance..." you're going to see that from Grady Mathews at this point in time...!!!

One final observation...I find it extremely curious that the "Legends of Pocket Billiards" that was recorded in the mid-80's featuring such pocket billiards greats as Mosconi, Lassiter, Balsis, Crane, along with such road players as U.J. Puckett, et. al., never mentioned the likes of a Grady Mathews...rather curious, eh...???????
Click to expand...

The Legends of Pocket Billiards? I think that Grady was like 39 or 40 when that was recorded. At the time, he was also one of the top ranked players on the pro tour - and one of the most respected players in the world.

This doesn't have anything to do with his ability to win a world championship. It has everything to do with showing respect for the legends that made the 14.1 world championship the prominent title that it is today.

Trudeau did a lot of things bassackwards, but he did show respect to the legends of the game and treated them as royalty - as we all should.

Personally, I see no problem having Ray Martin, Grady Mathews, Lou Butera, Pat Fleming, and other legends recognized by receiving lifetime exemptions into the tournament.

The fact of the matter is that the promoter has no control over that. DP only has control over the wildcard invites. The people that can change this rule, are the WPA, and they refuse to listen to any of this - which is what fuels Grady to go in the other direction.

Getting personal and attacking Grady is just a pathetic smokescreen to avoid the real issue. Allowing the legends to have these exemptions, will also generate bigger crowds at these events. Arnie doesn't have a snowball chance in hell to win any golf tournament, but the gallery follows him and Nicklaus just because they are glad that they are hitting the ball.

Grady and others deserve that same respect, and all it takes is for the right people to pull their head out of their asses and change the rule. It could be typed up in a matter of seconds - or we can have JAM type it up at MACH6. It will add history and credibility to our game, something we desperately need at this point in time.
 
Terry Ardeno said:
ftgokie,
THAT was a nice post! First, thanks for serving our great country and also, thank you for the gracious words you gave the Professor. I've praised him so times on these "hallowed forums" and posted so many compliments to him that it's been questioned if he's paying me by the post! :D

While I'm slapping the backs, Manwon's post made lots of sense to me and I concur with him also.

JohnnyOzone also got rep for his great idea of Pat, Grady or someone else who really devoted their life to pool to have a say in how the BCA is ran.
I also like Jerry Forsyth for that capacity. He's a good man who does love our great sport and he's got some good connections as well.
Click to expand...

Well Terry, if your getting paid by the post from Grady ;) I will second your emotion to all your post....:thumbup:

Go Get'em Grady, there are lots more people behind you then you think. Most of us both fans and players are tired of all the b/s going on.

Frankie
 
Let me respond

I'm not offended at critizism but in this instance I think I will defend myself.Firstly, I don't practice 14.1 because I don't get an invitation to the big tournament. Also, straight pool, although I have loved it all my life, is a terrible gambling game. I'd rather practice my 10 Ball and One Pocket.
I really respect opinions better that are backed by cash. So respectfully JAGR, here's my serious offer to you: On easy equipment like "Big Daddy's" had, I'll bet $20,000 I can run 100 within a week.
Let's go to the Legends events you referred to, by Bill Cayton and run mostly by Charlie Ursetti: I not only was friends with all of the players, I told my old friend "Rags Woods" (great old time black player) to call Ursetti and even gave him the number AND I gave him a great recommendation.Sure enough, one of the guys got sick and they called "Rags". He filled in and was very popular.
Next, your logic is flawed, besides your crucifying the facts. If I'm off somewhere playing and I don't mention Eddie Taylor or Buddy Hall, does that mean I don't respect and actually admire them?
 
JB Cases said:
Which is why putting in people who can't SPELL straight pool as was done in previous so called World Championships makes it EVEN HARDER to understand why they keep out someone like Grady Matthews.

Previous recent iterations of this tournament have been somewhat of a joke as to some of the INVITED participants.

But as par for the course in pool EGO trumps REASON and LOGIC.
Click to expand...

It seems to me the problem with men's professional pool is there is no recognized governing body. Anybody who can put together some cash can hold a tournament and call it the 14.1 world championship and people will believe it.

Try putting on a world series at your local ballpark and see how many people believe it's really the world series.

I don't see it changing because there are too many people in the pool world out to make a buck and they tend to snipe at each other. Just my two cents.
 
Jagr Fan said:
I'm sure the following comments will NOT sit well with Grady Mathews fans, but let's call a spade a spade...I watched Grady play in the recent Maryland 14.1 straight pool tournament at Big Daddy's Billiards in Glen Burnie, MD a few weeks ago and his matches were actually painful to watch...!!! Although I must admit I didn't watch any of his matches in their entirety, I'm not sure that he strung together a run of more than a handful of balls in two (2) days...???????
I'm not suprised to see, in another post in this thread, that the great "Cowboy" Jimmy Moore was still running "hundreds" in 14.1 continuous in his later years, but I frankly don't think there's a "snowball's chance..." you're going to see that from Grady Mathews at this point in time...!!!
One final observation...I find it extremely curious that the "Legends of Pocket Billiards" that was recorded in the mid-80's featuring such pocket billiards greats as Mosconi, Lassiter, Balsis, Crane, along with such road players as U.J. Puckett, et. al., never mentioned the likes of a Grady Mathews...rather curious, eh...???????
Click to expand...

1. Please answer Grady's offer to bet you 20G that he can run 100. We're waiting to see if your wallet is as big as your mouth.

2. When "The Legends" invitational tournament was done in 1982 & 1983, please take note of this fact....Grady was busy WINNING the 1983, 1984, 1985 & 1995 World One Pocket Championships! And he finished 2nd behind Varner in the 1989 World 9 ball Championships. So WHY would Big Fight Promotions (ran by the late Bill Cayton) want an active and still future World Champion in the same mix as the senior "legendary" players?

2A.Also, Lassiter was born in 1918, Crane in 1913, Caras in 1910, Mosconi in 1913, Balsis in 1921, Jimmy Moore in 1910, Fats in 1913 and U.J. Pucket in 1911. Grady was born in 1943. Do you get that? He wasn't invited because that wasn't his generation. Ed Kelly (1938), Buddy Hall (1945) Billy Incardona (1943) Larry Lisciotti (1946) Nick Varner (1948) Jim Rempe (1947) , etc, etc also were NOT invited to participate in the aforementioned tournament. So, why don't you tell all of us how THAT group was not invited and how "curious" you are as to why. IF you knew 1% of your pool history, you wouldn't be as red as a "Stop" sign, which you should do when you post goofy stuff like you did.

3. Please respond to Grady's offer to bet you 2G that he can run 100.

4. We don't go onto AZHockey.com and rip into "Jeremy Jagger", because we (I) don't know anything about hockey. Your post on Grady is like me saying "I didn't see Marlio Lemauiuex in this year's all-star game, so he must be a bum." Sounds dum, huh?
 
Wow

Thanks, as usual, Terry. Once I get rollin' I'd love to have you as a guest on my show,
Your friend,
Grady
 
Worlds 14.1 Tournament

alstl said:
It seems to me the problem with men's professional pool is there is no recognized governing body. Anybody who can put together some cash can hold a tournament and call it the 14.1 world championship and people will believe it.

Try putting on a world series at your local ballpark and see how many people believe it's really the world series.

I don't see it changing because there are too many people in the pool world out to make a buck and they tend to snipe at each other. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

I for one feel that Charlie Williams of Dragon Promotions has done a great job of promoting 14.1 and resurecting a Worlds 14.1 tournament after a fifteen year lapse during the 1990's and the early 2000's. Everyone can complain but Charlie put the whole thing back together. My opinion is that he is trying to hold a true World's tournament. Not a US Open. With a 64 player field and all the great players from Germany, Israel, the rest of Europe and Asia there is only room for a handfull of the absolutely top US players and those that earn the right in qualifying tournaments.

Years past the Worlds tournament was not truly an international event as it should be...it was again more of another US Open. The climate has changed. The Europeans are far ahead of us in straight pool. They and other countries deserve to have their top players invited. If we "F" this up I'm sure another country would be happy to push us out of the way and hold a Worlds 14.1 tournament.

If we want to honor our greats we should have a SR's or Legends of the game 14.1 championship.

Sincerely

Wedge
 
Grady,

Without knowing me, I shook your hand once at a tournament as a youngster, you have taught me so much about the game from the time I was a teenager. Your videos and accu-stats commentary have been a necessary part of my pool education. (I'm certain that many others feel the same about you).

Thank You, for sharing your knowledge!

I would love to see you continue to be invited to play in any professional tournament, and I feel that any promoter would be wise to include you as you are absolutely a crowd favorite.

All the Best,
Joe
 
ftgokie said:
Grady...I have admired you since I started playing pool after I got back from Desert Storm. I would watch your instructional videos every night after I practiced all day long at the Rec Center while I was at Ft Benning Ga. I think its ashamed that people dont recognise you like I think they should. You are truely a class act and I respect you very much. No matter what you do for pool, I think it will be a hit! I support you all the way!:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I missed this post b4 I wrote mine. I'm not the only guy that has the same opinion! Nice comment!
 
Grady

You have my support. Honoring past champions and traditions is important to our sport to maintain its' integrity. The current Pool associations seem so egocentric, that there effectiveness is severely limited, and find it extremely difficult to believe they are working for the good of the sport and the players in the USA.
 
Grady said:
I've always been a golf fan, although not a very good player. I caddied for Ken Venturi, Gary Player, Carol Mann, Patty Berg, Bud Ward and a few other notables.I especially enjoy the British Open as I can begin watching early in the morning.
Guess who was leading this star-studded affair this morning with a stellar first round of 65? Tom Watson, age 59, that's who. Can he win? Probably not but who cares?
This is why I should receive a lifetime invitation to what they refer to as the world straight pool championship.
Click to expand...

I don't see the parallel.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top