In Memory of Tony

[Blackjack]

June 14, 2005 will mark the 5th anniversary of the untimely death of my very good friend Tony "The Hurricane" Ellin. I am setting up this thread for those of us that knew Tony to share stories and experiences that we had with this great man, great player, and great friend.

Tony Ellin was a great player that possessed a powerful break and he could run out from anywhere. He won several titles, and played phenomenally well during his professional career. I have an article listed at this site that I wrote a few years ago where I share some of my fondest memories of Tony.

Remembering A Friend

Below is a list of Tony's accomplishments:

Media Coverage
American Cueist...Ellin Captures First Major Title At Sands...August 1994
Pool & Billiard Magazine...Give Me A Break-A Good One!...July 1994
QAction Magazine...Hard Times Pro-Am...July & August 1994
Pool & Billiard Magazine...The Name of the Game...July 1996

Regional Tournaments
Sixth Annual Spring Fling 9-Ball Open...Champion...Brass Tap...Raleigh, NC...1994
Hard Times Pro-Am...Champion...Belleflower, CA...June 1994
Sands Regency XXXVIII...4th place...Reno, NV...December 1998

Camel Pro Billiard Series
Legends of 9-Ball...3rd place...Commerce, CA...January 1996
Sands RegencyXXIII...7th place...Reno, NV...June 1996
Grand Prix De Puerto Rico...7th...San Juan, PR...August 1996
U.S. Open...17th place...Virginia Beach, VA...September 1996
Florida Flare-Up III...5th place...Ft. Lauderdale, FL...September 1996
Southern Champiomships...9th place...New Orleans, LA...October 1996
Players Tradition...7th place...Nashville, TN...October 1996
Western Open...13th place...Denver, CO...November 1996
Darafeev Classic...13th place...Atlanta, GA...November 1996
Northern Pro 9-Ball Open...9th place...Great Gorge, NJ...December 1996
Pro Billiards Tour Championships...5th place...Providence, RI...December 1996
Legends of 9-Ball...25th place...Commerce, CA...January 1997
Sands Regency XXV...3rd place...Reno, NV...June 1997
South Jersey 10-Ball Open...9th place...Pennsauken, NJ...June 1998
Charlotte 10- Ball Open...17th place...Charlotte, NC...July 1998
Nashville Pro 9-Ball Open...17th place...Nashville, TN...September1998

Professional Cuesports Association
Dallas Viking Challenge...5th place...CJ's Billiard Palace...Dallas, TX...July 1997

Pro Billiards Tour
Lexington All-Stars...17th place...Lexington, KY...1993
Glass City Open...13th place...Toledo, OH...1994
Music City 9-Ball Open...7th place...Nashville, TN...February 1994
Players Championships...5th place...King of Prussia, PA...March 1994
Bay State Shootout...Runner Up...Worcester, MA...April 1994
Florida Flare-Up...5th place...Orlando, FL...May 1994
Sands Regency XIX...Champion..Reno, NV...June 1994
Dallas Open...Runner Up...Dallas, TX...July 1994
Bicycle Club VII...17th place...Belle Gardens, CA...1995
Sands Regency XXI...13th place...Reno, NV...June 1995
Chalkers San Francisco 9-Ball Classic...4th place...San Francisco, CA...June 1995
Dallas Open...9th place...Dallas, TX...July 1995
Bicycle Club VII...17th place...Belle Gardens, CA...July 1995
Eastern States Memorial...9th place...New Bedford, CT...1995
Lexington All-Stars...9th place...Lexington, KY...1995
Pro Tour Championships...9th place...Owensboro, KY...1995
Sands Regency XXII...3rd place...Reno, NV...December 1999

I would ask that this thread remain on topic to share memories of Tony Ellin. If you have memories of his playing, funny stories, even stories about Tony "the Bookie" (the man could flat run that book like nobody's business) please share them. Also, be sure to visit Ted Harris' site www.tedharris.com and visit The Tony Ellin Memorial .

Please keep Tony's wife Shelby and daughter Ashley in your prayers.

 

[sjm]

Blackjack, it feels like the news, which I received from Tony Robles, came only yesterday. During the 1996 Florida Flare-up a PBT event in Ft Lauderdale, Johnny Archer, with whom I had golfed that week, introduced me to his very close friendTony Ellin, whom I liked immediately. Tony lived and breathed pool, but he also liked to kid around a lot, and he had a great passion for basketball.

Tony was a champion in the truest sense of the word. I remember his excellence over the green felt well, and yet, I am sad to say that my most vivid memory of Tony in competition is that missed five ball in the playoff rack against Varner at the International Challenge of Champions in the mid-1990's that cost him $50,000. The other thing I remember very clearly about Tony is that huge break he had, one of the biggest breaks I've ever seen.

Great guy and a great player, missed by me and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

 

[gulfportdoc]

I am setting up this thread for those of us that knew Tony to share stories and experiences that we had with this great man, great player, and great friend.

I was playing the Reno Open several years ago ('98 or '99), and I had the misfortune of drawing Tony. He annihilated me 9-3, but he was a real gentleman, and very professional. His break was second only to Danny Medina's; typically making 2-3 balls. He was one of the fiercest players I've ever witnessed. I couldn't help getting the impression though that he wasn't competing for his ego, or just for the win; but for money to feed his family-- for their survival. That's a tough kind of guy to beat. He was very friendly after the match, and I felt that I'd learned something. I was shocked to hear soon after that he was killed.

Doc

 

[vader93490]

June 14, 2005 will mark the 5th anniversary of the untimely death of my very good friend Tony "The Hurricane" Ellin. I am setting up this thread for those of us that knew Tony to share stories and experiences that we had with this great man, great player, and great friend.

Tony Ellin was a great player that possessed a powerful break and he could run out from anywhere. He won several titles, and played phenomenally well during his professional career. I have an article listed at this site that I wrote a few years ago where I share some of my fondest memories of Tony.

Remembering A Friend

Below is a list of Tony's accomplishments:

Media Coverage
American Cueist...Ellin Captures First Major Title At Sands...August 1994
Pool & Billiard Magazine...Give Me A Break-A Good One!...July 1994
QAction Magazine...Hard Times Pro-Am...July & August 1994
Pool & Billiard Magazine...The Name of the Game...July 1996

Regional Tournaments
Sixth Annual Spring Fling 9-Ball Open...Champion...Brass Tap...Raleigh, NC...1994
Hard Times Pro-Am...Champion...Belleflower, CA...June 1994
Sands Regency XXXVIII...4th place...Reno, NV...December 1998

Camel Pro Billiard Series
Legends of 9-Ball...3rd place...Commerce, CA...January 1996
Sands RegencyXXIII...7th place...Reno, NV...June 1996
Grand Prix De Puerto Rico...7th...San Juan, PR...August 1996
U.S. Open...17th place...Virginia Beach, VA...September 1996
Florida Flare-Up III...5th place...Ft. Lauderdale, FL...September 1996
Southern Champiomships...9th place...New Orleans, LA...October 1996
Players Tradition...7th place...Nashville, TN...October 1996
Western Open...13th place...Denver, CO...November 1996
Darafeev Classic...13th place...Atlanta, GA...November 1996
Northern Pro 9-Ball Open...9th place...Great Gorge, NJ...December 1996
Pro Billiards Tour Championships...5th place...Providence, RI...December 1996
Legends of 9-Ball...25th place...Commerce, CA...January 1997
Sands Regency XXV...3rd place...Reno, NV...June 1997
South Jersey 10-Ball Open...9th place...Pennsauken, NJ...June 1998
Charlotte 10- Ball Open...17th place...Charlotte, NC...July 1998
Nashville Pro 9-Ball Open...17th place...Nashville, TN...September1998

Professional Cuesports Association
Dallas Viking Challenge...5th place...CJ's Billiard Palace...Dallas, TX...July 1997

Pro Billiards Tour
Lexington All-Stars...17th place...Lexington, KY...1993
Glass City Open...13th place...Toledo, OH...1994
Music City 9-Ball Open...7th place...Nashville, TN...February 1994
Players Championships...5th place...King of Prussia, PA...March 1994
Bay State Shootout...Runner Up...Worcester, MA...April 1994
Florida Flare-Up...5th place...Orlando, FL...May 1994
Sands Regency XIX...Champion..Reno, NV...June 1994
Dallas Open...Runner Up...Dallas, TX...July 1994
Bicycle Club VII...17th place...Belle Gardens, CA...1995
Sands Regency XXI...13th place...Reno, NV...June 1995
Chalkers San Francisco 9-Ball Classic...4th place...San Francisco, CA...June 1995
Dallas Open...9th place...Dallas, TX...July 1995
Bicycle Club VII...17th place...Belle Gardens, CA...July 1995
Eastern States Memorial...9th place...New Bedford, CT...1995
Lexington All-Stars...9th place...Lexington, KY...1995
Pro Tour Championships...9th place...Owensboro, KY...1995
Sands Regency XXII...3rd place...Reno, NV...December 1999

I would ask that this thread remain on topic to share memories of Tony Ellin. If you have memories of his playing, funny stories, even stories about Tony "the Bookie" (the man could flat run that book like nobody's business) please share them. Also, be sure to visit Ted Harris' site www.tedharris.com and visit The Tony Ellin Memorial .

Please keep Tony's wife Shelby and daughter Ashley in your prayers.

If I remember correctly, in 1993 Tony took 3rd place at the PBT Pro Tour Championships and took 2nd place at the US Open, losing to Earl Strickland both times. ESPN Classic recently re-broadcast some of Tony's ESPN appearances a few weeks ago.

My earliest memory of Tony would have to be when he played at the 1990 Cleveland Classic 10-ball. My memory's a bit fuzzy but I believe he finished in the 5th/6th position, losing to David Howard 11-6.

 

[Banker Burt]

A great American player

I am sure Tony is thanking you Blackjack, as well the rest of those who miss him.

I knew of Tony and his explosive presence at the table. As a late bloomer to the pro and open events, I had the great fortune of playing Tony at the feature table on Friday evening at the Reno Open. If my memory serves me, this was only a week or so before his passing.

Tony of course won easily 9-6, but I will never forget the fear I felt before and during the match. His nickname "The Hurricane" was my only focus, and after hearing the tragic news about Tony I have never forgotten his powerful fearless presence.

I feel extremely privileged, honored but moreso very sad to have played one of his last competitive matches with him. He was a tribute to all professional players and the sport of billiards.

Thank you Blackjack for remembering Tony, and thank you Tony for helping me become a little less afraid. I will never forget...

 

[frankncali]

What I remember about Tony was a little different than most.
He was in Dothan Al with Shelby for a tournament. He came every year there and was always a favorite to watch. Well he, Johnny Archer and
Jimmy Wales get to woofing about basketball and a bet was laid down.

So they ask where a court is and we all head out towards the BB court. Damn near the whole room left to go watch.
I am thinking that Jimmy looks like a basketball player but Archer and especially Tony did not. Turns out Tony was pretty good and could move alot
better than it looked.

I will never forget the look on the people that were at the court when the group of us started arriving. There was young and old and no one was dressed like they should have been at a bb court outside.

A year or so later I was in Atlanta and a friend told me he had just bet $200
for us on Tony. I asked what and who he was playing and he said he was
playing tennis the next day. I could not believe it. Turns out my buddy knew
Tony could play a little tennis. We won and then I found out there is an even better pool player that plays tennis. The guy is a major player today and I wont knock any of his action if he ever decides to play anyone
tennis. He is another one that I thought did not fit the traditional look of
a tennis player.

The sport could use a few more players and people like Tony.

 

[Voodoo Daddy]

Tony and his teachers...

http://www.azbilliards.com/vbulletin/upload/showpost.php?p=136475&postcount=36

We were taught by two different men. One's name was Ronnie Crawford...one the best Race Engine builders on planet earth and at the time a great push out player in Miami, Ronnie didnt gamble at pool but laid a foundation. The second guy was Arturo Coverson, an original Harlem Globetrotter. He was grizzled tough but liked us and showed us the "other" side of pool. A solid one pocket in his own right, Artie taught us how NOT to make bad games. Tony moved away and I took my own paths...I still remember reading about his passing, sad day it was.

 

[vagabond]

Hi
I knew Tony very well and I miss him. In 1994 he appeared on ESPN more number of times than other players.
I still remember the ball he missed in Challenge of Champions.
Once,he asked me to play a road player named `kentucky Jones` for 1000$ a set 9 Ball and Tony wanted to steak me.I turned it down and thanked him for trusting my ability to play 9 ball against `Kentucky Jones`.
May he find a good pool room in Heaven.
Vagabond

 

[Joe T]

Tony taught me two good lessons.

#1 I'm never stealing.
I have him 10-7 going to 11 in a Camel event and have a very difficult cut shot on the 5 ball or a medium safe, could have been an easy safe I really didn't consider the option long enough because I was too caught up in winning the match and being in stroke. So anyways I fired away and miss the 5 at 10-7 he gets out for 10-8 and I never shoot again. Tony being the gentleman he always was around me simply shook my hand and said you should of locked me up like it was 10-10. The loss didn't sting as much as most cuz he played good to win and he was a good person.

The 2nd lesson Tony taught me was, I'm never stealing!

I show up at a U.S. Open, I forget which year but I'm there early with my sponsor Steve Goulding owner of Snookers in Providence and we go to the back room or side room that had the only practice tables available so we ask this young kid if we can practice with him, winner stays on. Well it only took about 15 minutes before Steve and I are looking at each other with eyes that say who the hell is this kid? He didn't speak English but he did speak 9 Ball. I totally felt like I was playing Bustamante while he was free stroking and hitting everything about as hard as he possible could. This was really one of the most amazing things I had ever seen in pool and I've seen a few. The kids father and uncle or somebody comes in and I find out he's from Russia, Evgeny Stalev. I was one of the first Americans to ever see this youngster shoot. So being the pool player that I am, I'm hovering around the book while the tournament starts being as nonchalant as possible but there ain't no line or good ones cuz they don't know him and he's playing Jimmy Wetch in the 1st round. Well Tony and Jimmy were good friends so I asked Tony for a line and he wasn't to sure cuz he didn't know the kid but Tony wasn't afraid to gamble and I got 3 on the wire with a stipulation that I had to also bet even on the match but I got 150-100. Well I'm drooling cuz this kid played the best pool that day that I had ever witnessed and he started out the match just like he was practicing and in no time it was 10-6 MY MANNN! And Tony is just giving me the old head shake with a smirk. Well my MANNN fainted and couldn't get that last game (got a little hot under those lights and finally he showed some signs of humanity) and I ended up giving Tony that head shake with a little smirk as we broke even and he says you almost got me.

Tony is definitely missed and would have definitely been a driving force helping to promote our sport.

 

[Kerry Impson]

I knew Tony pretty well because of my friendship with his wife, Shelby. I'll always remember one of the last times I saw him. He was playing with his daughter, Ashley, then about 2-1/2 years old, in her ball pit (toy). He would lift up the pit and drop it back down to the floor, and Ashley was just WHOOPING with delight - and so was Tony! It was really sweet to watch him play with Ashley; he absolutely ADORED her (and Shelby too). As a player, I never once saw him behave unprofessionally or not give a match everything he had. He did have a very fierce presence at the table but was extremely mild-mannered and soft-spoken off the table. As a person, he was genuinely nice and a true credit to our sport. That tragic day nearly five years ago was a very sad day for pool.

 

[Blackjack]

June 14, 2005 will mark the 5th anniversary of the untimely death of my very good friend Tony "The Hurricane" Ellin. I am setting up this thread for those of us that knew Tony to share stories and experiences that we had with this great man, great player, and great friend.

Tony Ellin was a great player that possessed a powerful break and he could run out from anywhere. He won several titles, and played phenomenally well during his professional career. I have an article listed at this site that I wrote a few years ago where I share some of my fondest memories of Tony.

Remembering A Friend

Below is a list of Tony's accomplishments:

Media Coverage
American Cueist...Ellin Captures First Major Title At Sands...August 1994
Pool & Billiard Magazine...Give Me A Break-A Good One!...July 1994
QAction Magazine...Hard Times Pro-Am...July & August 1994
Pool & Billiard Magazine...The Name of the Game...July 1996

Regional Tournaments
Sixth Annual Spring Fling 9-Ball Open...Champion...Brass Tap...Raleigh, NC...1994
Hard Times Pro-Am...Champion...Belleflower, CA...June 1994
Sands Regency XXXVIII...4th place...Reno, NV...December 1998

Camel Pro Billiard Series
Legends of 9-Ball...3rd place...Commerce, CA...January 1996
Sands RegencyXXIII...7th place...Reno, NV...June 1996
Grand Prix De Puerto Rico...7th...San Juan, PR...August 1996
U.S. Open...17th place...Virginia Beach, VA...September 1996
Florida Flare-Up III...5th place...Ft. Lauderdale, FL...September 1996
Southern Champiomships...9th place...New Orleans, LA...October 1996
Players Tradition...7th place...Nashville, TN...October 1996
Western Open...13th place...Denver, CO...November 1996
Darafeev Classic...13th place...Atlanta, GA...November 1996
Northern Pro 9-Ball Open...9th place...Great Gorge, NJ...December 1996
Pro Billiards Tour Championships...5th place...Providence, RI...December 1996
Legends of 9-Ball...25th place...Commerce, CA...January 1997
Sands Regency XXV...3rd place...Reno, NV...June 1997
South Jersey 10-Ball Open...9th place...Pennsauken, NJ...June 1998
Charlotte 10- Ball Open...17th place...Charlotte, NC...July 1998
Nashville Pro 9-Ball Open...17th place...Nashville, TN...September1998

Professional Cuesports Association
Dallas Viking Challenge...5th place...CJ's Billiard Palace...Dallas, TX...July 1997

Pro Billiards Tour
Lexington All-Stars...17th place...Lexington, KY...1993
Glass City Open...13th place...Toledo, OH...1994
Music City 9-Ball Open...7th place...Nashville, TN...February 1994
Players Championships...5th place...King of Prussia, PA...March 1994
Bay State Shootout...Runner Up...Worcester, MA...April 1994
Florida Flare-Up...5th place...Orlando, FL...May 1994
Sands Regency XIX...Champion..Reno, NV...June 1994
Dallas Open...Runner Up...Dallas, TX...July 1994
Bicycle Club VII...17th place...Belle Gardens, CA...1995
Sands Regency XXI...13th place...Reno, NV...June 1995
Chalkers San Francisco 9-Ball Classic...4th place...San Francisco, CA...June 1995
Dallas Open...9th place...Dallas, TX...July 1995
Bicycle Club VII...17th place...Belle Gardens, CA...July 1995
Eastern States Memorial...9th place...New Bedford, CT...1995
Lexington All-Stars...9th place...Lexington, KY...1995
Pro Tour Championships...9th place...Owensboro, KY...1995
Sands Regency XXII...3rd place...Reno, NV...December 1999

I would ask that this thread remain on topic to share memories of Tony Ellin. If you have memories of his playing, funny stories, even stories about Tony "the Bookie" (the man could flat run that book like nobody's business) please share them. Also, be sure to visit Ted Harris' site www.tedharris.com and visit The Tony Ellin Memorial .

Please keep Tony's wife Shelby and daughter Ashley in your prayers.

*****BUMP*****

 

[Rude Dog]

I was in prison when I heard about his death and although I didn't know him well, I was saddened by the tragic news. I immediately sent Shelby a letter and a card and told her a little story about the time I met Tony at Hard Times in Bellflower. Soon after, I received a card from her and a thank you for sharing that with her. I had told her where I was at the time and that I was in no position to help with the fund that was set up for Ashley and she understood. She said the letter was enough and she wished me well. Tony was a great player but an even greater gentleman. I'm sure he's missed by all that knew him. R.I.P Tony. Peace all.

 

[Koop]

I never had the opportunity to see him play and from the sounds of it I missed out on a very special player and person.
Guess Billy Joel was right, only the good die young.

Dave

Does anyone know how is wife and daughter are doing today? I can only hope they are as comfortable as can be given the circumstances.

 

[Timberly]

I missed out on a very special player and person.

Does anyone know how is wife and daughter are doing today? I can only hope they are as comfortable as can be given the circumstances.

Yes, you did miss out... helluva nice guy, great player, and man whatta a break! I was talking to a dear old friend of his a couple of weeks ago and he said that Shelby and Ashley are doing fine.

 

[Koop]

Yes, you did miss out... helluva nice guy, great player, and man whatta a break! I was talking to a dear old friend of his a couple of weeks ago and he said that Shelby and Ashley are doing fine.

Thank you! It's always sad to hear about someone leaving a young family behind but to know they are doing ok is nice to hear.

Dave

 

[Kerry Impson]

Does anyone know how is wife and daughter are doing today? I can only hope they are as comfortable as can be given the circumstances.

They are doing fantastic!! Ashley completed 2nd grade at a terrific school where she is doing extremely well, and Shelby just graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree in Geology - plus she has been accepted into graduate school and will be starting on her Master's in the fall!!

Rude Dog, I remember Shelby telling me about the letter she received from someone in prison. (I actually was the one who set up the fund for Ashley.) She was quite touched. Shelby was very grateful to everybody who helped out and as Ashley loves school and is in the top percentile in her class, there's no doubt the fund will be for a good cause!!!

 

[Koop]

They are doing fantastic!! Ashley completed 2nd grade at a terrific school where she is doing extremely well, and Shelby just graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree in Geology - plus she has been accepted into graduate school and will be starting on her Master's in the fall!!

Rude Dog, I remember Shelby telling me about the letter she received from someone in prison. (I actually was the one who set up the fund for Ashley.) She was quite touched. Shelby was very grateful to everybody who helped out and as Ashley loves school and is in the top percentile in her class, there's no doubt the fund will be for a good cause!!!

Thanks Kerry! Good things come to good people.