We met Steve at a straight pool tourney in New London Ct at Gold Crown Billiards. I can't remember exactly how long ago but I'd guess about 22 yrs. I had my son with me then about 8yrs old. Gold Crown wasn't a big room and it got small even faster when they set up temporary bleachers for games.
My son and I were sitting in a front row bleacher right by the headspot on the table. If a player was shooting off the headrail you'd have to be careful not to hit the butt of his stick.
Steve had won the lag for break and came to the table after his opponent broke ( can't recall who it was, wanna say Boston Shorty) anyway Steve had to shoot his first shot off the end rail after the opening safe. It was dead silent as he got down to shoot. My son had his eyes glued on the table, he couldn't believe he was watching Steve Mizerak up close and personal.
Steve practice stroked a few times and just as it seemed he was going to pull the trigger on a long shot, he stopped, stood up, turned and looked at my son. My son's eyes went wide open as Steve said, "Are you nervious? I sure am!"
The smile that came over my son's face was something I still remember. Steve made the shot and ran quite a few balls. After his inning he sat next to my son, found a blank index card and wrote on it, To little Joe, best wishes Steve Mizerak. We still have that card and the memory of his friendliness.
He will be missed.
My son and I were sitting in a front row bleacher right by the headspot on the table. If a player was shooting off the headrail you'd have to be careful not to hit the butt of his stick.
Steve had won the lag for break and came to the table after his opponent broke ( can't recall who it was, wanna say Boston Shorty) anyway Steve had to shoot his first shot off the end rail after the opening safe. It was dead silent as he got down to shoot. My son had his eyes glued on the table, he couldn't believe he was watching Steve Mizerak up close and personal.
Steve practice stroked a few times and just as it seemed he was going to pull the trigger on a long shot, he stopped, stood up, turned and looked at my son. My son's eyes went wide open as Steve said, "Are you nervious? I sure am!"
The smile that came over my son's face was something I still remember. Steve made the shot and ran quite a few balls. After his inning he sat next to my son, found a blank index card and wrote on it, To little Joe, best wishes Steve Mizerak. We still have that card and the memory of his friendliness.
He will be missed.
