How Good "was" JIMMY WETCH?

bignasty

bignasty

"I already did it"
Silver Member
Hi everybody. I know some people like me and some people don't, however, I really wish people would quit comparing me to todays players. These players are very good but are not yet considered "polished" champions. I have won on every level of amateur to professional and I was a top ten player for my last three years on the Men's Pro Tour and ranked #6 my last year. I keep hearing of myself being compared to players such as, Jamie B., Lee H., Jesse B., Shane V., Eric H.. Let me say this, I respect the games of these people, but, until you consistently compete at a higher level and consistently play against pools' elite players, then, these guys should not be compared to me or any of the other seasoned professionals. What you should be doing is comparing these guys to each other, they don't yet belong in the "World Class Player" category. As for me, I have not been playing any pool for awhile, so I would bet now that anyone could beat me. I have responsibilities to take care of, but, hopefully I will return to competitive pool and look forward to playing against any of the above mentioned players. Until then, really, don't compare these guys to me, at least not until they have achieved and accomplished what I have. Thank You, Jimmy Wetch
Replies:
i saw this post on another website for pool, its a response to a question.
WHO YOU GOT JAIME BARIKS OR JIMMY WETCH?
just wondered what you all thought about the names in the thread not being up to jimmys"LEVEL"
 
I'll take the Jimmy Wetch of 1998-99 over the Jamie Barkas of 2005 every time. Wetch is the holder of a major title over a truly elite PBT field. I know, because I was there sweating it in Great Gorge, New York in what I believe to have been the winter of 1996 or 1997. I'll never forget it when, just before Jimmy made the ball to beat Jose Parica in the final, he looked at his very close friend Reed Pierce and shouted "Reed, looks like I'm finally gonna win one of these!" If my memory serves, Wetch also came second in the very next PBT event.

Baraks, though very promising, has not enjoyed any success of note at the game's top level, and cannot logically be considered alongside a player that was once ranked in the top ten on the PBT, the top tour in the world back in the late nineties, that included most of the game's superstars in its fields, including Archer, Morris, Varner, Reyes, Bustamante, Hall, Andam, Luat, and others.

Baraks may prove to be a better player than Wetch one day, but right now, I think the comparison is a little bit ridiculous. No contest, Wetch by a mile.
 
I don't know Jimmy very well, but that original post of his doesn't sound like him that much. He is usually very low key and doesn't talk much trash on the open airwaves. I wonder what brought out that kind of a response from him? For what it is worth, I feel his pattern play and decision making is pretty close to textbook. Anyone who watches tape on him and patterns their play after him, can't go wrong.
 
If we are talking in their prime then I would bet Wetch everyday.
Now of course I would go with Baraks as Jimmy does not play.

JW was a top pro on an established tour.

Baraks in his own words has had a great 8 month run.
 
I would rather watch Jimmy play one pocket than anyone else (except Efren, maybe). He is a great player. He has the style of game (1p and 9ball) that an up and coming player can learn most from. He's methodical, but willing to take a chance when needed.

Jamie is a great player, as well. One of the finer "new breed" of champions out there.

We should respect the champions of the game. Jimmy is one. Jamie will definitely be one in the future.

Mike
 
people will consider the players mentioned in the same class as Jimmy. If Jimmy played more or was seen in the overall pool world more perhaps they wouldn't. Jimmy should get off the bench if he doesn't want to be compared to; otherwise stay on the bench and leave it up to the pool junkies to debate and wonder! :rolleyes:
 
When these Who's the Best topics come up, the demographics of the responders play a key role in the statistical significance of the "ranking," for lack of a better word.

For example, a young player in his early twenties would have no idea how well Jimmy Wetch played unless he/she saw him in person when Jimmy was hitting 'em. To compare an unknown entity to another doesn't provide much merit, IMO.

I never saw Jimmy Wetch at his peak, but I did see him a few times on the tournament trail in the 2002-2003 time frame. Even when he wasn't in the pit competing himself, between matches Jimmy enjoyed sitting on the rail checking out all the action. He's an old-school player who managed to take his passion for the game to another level and do good for himself. I like the way he dresses, very sophisticated, stylish, and professional. It would be nice to see him back in the saddle again, but in these times, being a so-called "professional pool player" is a tough racket, a financial strain on the pocket book, with very little reward.

However, let's do remember that Spanish Mike Lebron won the U.S. Open when he was 54 years old. :cool:

Picture of smiling Jimmy Wetch at the 2003 U.S. Open with Keith McCready.

JAM
 

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Jimmy Wetch over Jamie Baraks. Jimmy has run the roads as much or more than the current crop of road agents, he's played the top players and beaten them. Until Jamie has done that there is no comparison. In any given set Jamie can win. Let them play for a week, all games and you'll see where the money goes.

John
 
Niels vs. Jimmy

Staked Niels against Jimmy in Vegas 2 years ago at the Cue Club. They played 10 ahead 10-ball for 3,500. Niels beat him in 14 games so I never really did get to gage Jimmy's speed.
 
The first time I watched Jimmy play was at the BCA Tournament in Kansas City in 1987. After that, he used to come down to play at Shooters in Olathe quite often. He was staked against top players for big money by the owner and friends. It was some of the best pool that I have ever seen. The sets would be 10 ahead 9-ball on a tight gold crown. He played just about everybody over a period of a few years. Some of the players included Roger Griffus, Efren Reyes, Shannon Daulton, Reed Pierce, Johnny Archer, Keith McCready, CJ Wiley, David Matlock. It was great to watch. It was the first time that I ever seen Efren play, and he was amazing. Jimmy plays very solid gets out when he supposed to and plays very good safeties. He won several of the tough bar table tournaments at Shooters when everyone was coming to town to play. It was a joy to watch him play and his game stayed the same regardless the length of time he was playing. Some of the matches with CJ lasted over 30 hours. Jimmy is still fairly young guessing around 37. If he ever gets back into the game, he will be one of the top 20. He just is so solid, good break, etc. Anyway, just my 2 cents worth.
 
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