To Jean Balukas, a lady that exemplified what a pool champion really is, happy 50th brithday.
I first watched Jean play in 1971 when she was 12, and the signs of greatness were already apparent. Oddly enough, I didn't see her play again until 1976, when she was seventeen, at which time I learned she had already a) knocked Dorothy Wise from the top spot in women's pro pool, and b) accumulated world 14.1 championships. It was my privilege to see her entire career up close. I'm pleased to count her as a good friend, with whom I have played both pool and golf on numerous occasions.
Here's to a living legend that set the standard for all women pool players that followed in her footsteps.
I first watched Jean play in 1971 when she was 12, and the signs of greatness were already apparent. Oddly enough, I didn't see her play again until 1976, when she was seventeen, at which time I learned she had already a) knocked Dorothy Wise from the top spot in women's pro pool, and b) accumulated world 14.1 championships. It was my privilege to see her entire career up close. I'm pleased to count her as a good friend, with whom I have played both pool and golf on numerous occasions.
Here's to a living legend that set the standard for all women pool players that followed in her footsteps.
