This past weekend Fast Eddies 9-Ball Tour held it's May event and there was a good crowd and again a very competitive field. One player stuck out a little more than others,IMO.
His name is Jesse Mata. Jesse has been a far better than average player for many, many years and absolutely loves the game more than anyone I have ever known.
Jesse had some pretty serious surgery last year and was laid up for quite a while. I had forgotten about it and just figured Jesse had healed and was, "back".
Saturday aafternoon he played his first match and came up to me walking rather gingerly. I asked him what was wrong, and with a very sad look he said he may have to forfiet. I knew something was serious for him to even think this way.
The suregery had left Jess near gutted right down the middle and he showed me where the wound had ruptured and he was bleeding.
My response was, Dam Jess, it's only a tournament, go to the hospital!"
Jess responded with, "they paid $160.00 for me in the calcutta and I don't want to sell them out, they are my friends."
Jess was finally convinced to go to the hospital where he wouldn't allow them to give him any anasthesea and recived four staples to close the abdomen area. Jess got back about 20 minutes before his next round match.
He got beat on the hill by a pretty good player and said, " I'm emabarassed."
"Why", I asked, and Jess just said, "I've worked so hard to get ready for this".
Jess won his next match on HEART alone and returned on Sunday only to be eliminated. He never complained or made an excuse, he just smiled and thanked us for holding the event as he packed his cues in his case and then showing me a new cue he had just purchased.
I asked Jess if he were going home and take it easy and he said no, he ws going to another poolroom accross town where he could paratice and get used to his new cue.
As I watched him walk very slowly to his car, I felt very ashamed of every exuse I had ever made about playing poorly and vow to keep my mouth shut from here on out. I will never from this day out feel any pain when playing.
Pool and it's players take a lot of heat for their attitudes and behavior and quite often desrevedly so. I often take a long look at some and wonder how much of life has been wasted in a pool room and have finally decided that one has options and decisions. They have the right to spend life in whatever manner they decide. It is their right. They do what they enjoy and have fun with it. Many go through life chasing the American dream and live an unhappy life. I suppose there are regrets in every decision.
At 60 years old though, Jess has retained his honor and and loyalty. I'll not soon forget it!!!
His name is Jesse Mata. Jesse has been a far better than average player for many, many years and absolutely loves the game more than anyone I have ever known.
Jesse had some pretty serious surgery last year and was laid up for quite a while. I had forgotten about it and just figured Jesse had healed and was, "back".
Saturday aafternoon he played his first match and came up to me walking rather gingerly. I asked him what was wrong, and with a very sad look he said he may have to forfiet. I knew something was serious for him to even think this way.
The suregery had left Jess near gutted right down the middle and he showed me where the wound had ruptured and he was bleeding.
My response was, Dam Jess, it's only a tournament, go to the hospital!"
Jess responded with, "they paid $160.00 for me in the calcutta and I don't want to sell them out, they are my friends."
Jess was finally convinced to go to the hospital where he wouldn't allow them to give him any anasthesea and recived four staples to close the abdomen area. Jess got back about 20 minutes before his next round match.
He got beat on the hill by a pretty good player and said, " I'm emabarassed."
"Why", I asked, and Jess just said, "I've worked so hard to get ready for this".
Jess won his next match on HEART alone and returned on Sunday only to be eliminated. He never complained or made an excuse, he just smiled and thanked us for holding the event as he packed his cues in his case and then showing me a new cue he had just purchased.
I asked Jess if he were going home and take it easy and he said no, he ws going to another poolroom accross town where he could paratice and get used to his new cue.
As I watched him walk very slowly to his car, I felt very ashamed of every exuse I had ever made about playing poorly and vow to keep my mouth shut from here on out. I will never from this day out feel any pain when playing.
Pool and it's players take a lot of heat for their attitudes and behavior and quite often desrevedly so. I often take a long look at some and wonder how much of life has been wasted in a pool room and have finally decided that one has options and decisions. They have the right to spend life in whatever manner they decide. It is their right. They do what they enjoy and have fun with it. Many go through life chasing the American dream and live an unhappy life. I suppose there are regrets in every decision.
At 60 years old though, Jess has retained his honor and and loyalty. I'll not soon forget it!!!
