JAM's View

[JAM]

Bruce Venzke was a writer for The National Billiard News many years. He had several feature columns, and one of my favorites was Venzke's Pot Shots. He would provide pool tidbits about players and happenings in this column of what occurred one year ago, 5 years ago, 10 years ago.

This morning, I pored through my issue of The National Billiard News from September 1977, 30 years ago from today. So I thought share with you what was front-page pool news 30 years ago and call it "JAM's View"; thus, the title of this thread.

WPBA inducted its first Hall of Famer, Ruth McGuinnis. Gloria Walker, who presented the WPBA Hall of Fame placque to the McGuinnis family, said in September 1977: Women players generally are definitely getting better. When the first women's division of the National Open was held in Michigan several years ago, the high run was 17. At this same event last year, I ran 35 twice and was surpassed by a 42 by champion Jean Balukas. You've come a long way, Ladies, and when it comes to recognition, I think you've surpssed the men by a landslide in 2007.

Here's a cute McGuinnis story: Ruth started shooting pool at the age of 7 in her father's establishment in Honesdale. She had to do so furtively because both father and mother objected. During her 10th year, Ralph Greenleaf came to Honesdale, and after watching Ruth play, he invited her to appear with him the next day at a men's club in Scranton. This was her first exhibition. She started off by running 14 balls, and Ralph hung up his cue in mock despair. The audience loved it...This led her parents to realize their daughter was going to become a pool player. She was soon in demand for weekend exhibitions...In 1950, she gave up touring, and for the next 7 years managed her father's pool room, barber shop, and news stand in Honesdale. She died in 1974.

Allen Hopkins (Cranford, New Jersey) and Jean "The Queen" Balukas (Brooklyn, New York) were the WORLD OPEN winners of the second annual Professional Pool Players Association (PPPA), held on "the Boardwalk at Asbury Park, New Jersey." Man, those must have been some wet tables is all I can say.

Danny DiLiberto was in the pool headlines when the story of his life appeared in Sports Illustrated. It was entitled "Easy Times the Hard Way." Pool writer Bob Mullen described the SI article as: Loaded with truisms that have dogged the pool player for years and shows the seamy side of civilization for its recognition of chiselers from all other walks of life and its lack of respect for the man who uses a pool cue to earn his living. Wow, what a mouthful that was, and I'm not sure if I like his opinion or object to it vehmently!

Mullen continues: Sports Illustrated surprises us every once in a while with a shot on the pool scene...Within the script is a sentence of anonymity for Denny Searcy whose success in Dayton at the pay ball table is chronicled. Mention is made of Detroit Whitey having a throat problem, Mike Sigel doing his thing in a small pool room in Florida, and other colorful anecdotes.

Danny D's creed: It's impossible to figure. You have to figure out suckers, then you have to worry about what will make them quit. You have to worry about the knockers, the eyeballers, and the sweaters. Those are the guys that just watch. They sit there and whisper to a guy that he can't beat you and the guy quits. Some things never change.

And that's the way it was, 30 years ago from today!

JAM

 

[JimS]

I enjoyed that.

 

[JAM]

The way they were 25 years ago...

Wade Crane is the only man to score a perfect .1000 in a tournament match, according to Accu-stats.

Ronnie Allen once ran 8 and out, 17 games in a row in a celebrated high-stakes one-pocket match.

Allen Hopkins ran 15 and out at one-pocket three times in a row.

Cornbread Red once won $75,000 from an out-of-towner. As the man prepared to leave, Red told him, "Next time, don't come here broke."

George Chenier, at many exhibitions, would admit everyone free if he failed to run the table (15 red balls on a 6X12 snooker table).

One-eyed Tony once pocketed eight balls on the break, none of which was the nine-ball, and he was corner-hooked.



JAM

 

[Jack Madden]

Jennie
Women have quietly been playing good pool for lots of years. I visited a custom knife maker (and that is a story in itself) about 7-8 years ago out in the country in a little place in Idaho. We talked about woods, techniques etc common in both knife making and pool building. And as things went, he pulled out of the attic his wife's pool cue that she used in college - she played on a team in college - she is in her 60's now so it was 40 years ago. It was an old cue that an old player gave her 'cause he liked her style ---- I cleaned it up for her, built another shaft and she and husband are playing on the weekends.

 

[Neil]

...............

 

[curly]

Jen

One-eyed Tony once pocketed eight balls on the break, none of which was the nine-ball, and he was corner-hooked.



JAM

Thanks for the memories. I recall back in 1974 (I think) at Dayton when One-eyed Tony was there and so was Larry Hubbard. I was hoping to see them match up but I don't think they did. If I recall, Tony was from Miami and he died a year or so later. Hubbard was an awesome player then and Tony was also. Thats when Rempe, St. Louie Louie, Hall, Strickland, Mataya, Cole Dixon, Diliberto, Dickerson and Tom Brown and many others were there. That was the action tournament for sure in those times. Forest Park Billiards. I think that was the first tournament Hall won and Hubbard came in 6th. Strickland and Mataya were gambling all nite and Earl beat Jimmy. Earl was so confident and didn't miss a ball. That was the first time I ever saw Earl and he was amazing!
Curly

 

[Mark Griffin]

Which 1-eyed Tony?

In Aolaska, around early 1970's, a short Italian looking guy (REAL short - about 5'2") cam ethrough Anchorage, Alaska. He played in the bars and played pretty good. I was thinking he was from San Diego area.

He was called one eyed Tony. He got killed in Fairbanks in early 1970's. I am thinking this must be different fellow than Jam is talking about. But this guy played good. He ran with a bar owner from Fairbanks. He also played straight pool and ran a 70 or so for the cash.

So - is this the same guy and someone's time frame is off? or what

Mark Griffin

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

More Info

Wade Crane is the only man to score a perfect .1000 in a tournament match, according to Accu-stats.

JAM

I asked Wade about this around two years ago during the monthly tournament at Planet 9-Ball and he said that his record stood for about 20 years. He also said that when he scored the perfect .1000, that he was playing against 'somebody' (possible the later stages of a tournament?) and that when someone else did it, that he was playing soft competition.

Does anyone know the particulars about who Wade Crane was playing and which other player also shot a .1000 (and who his opponent was) ?

Doug
( I am curious )

 

[ribdoner]

Ah-Ha! I have repeated that one many times over the years, but I couldn't ever find out who it was! I've always referred to him as the un-luckiest guy around! Thanks, and rep to you for clearing that up!

NAH, he still had one eye

 

[ribdoner]

In Aolaska, around early 1970's, a short Italian looking guy (REAL short - about 5'2") cam ethrough Anchorage, Alaska. He played in the bars and played pretty good. I was thinking he was from San Diego area.

He was called one eyed Tony. He got killed in Fairbanks in early 1970's. I am thinking this must be different fellow than Jam is talking about. But this guy played good. He ran with a bar owner from Fairbanks. He also played straight pool and ran a 70 or so for the cash.

So - is this the same guy and someone's time frame is off? or what

Mark Griffin

The one eyed TONY that plundered these parts was apprx 6' w/brn hair.

IIRC he was from KY

 

[JAM]

I asked Wade about this around two years ago during the monthly tournament at Planet 9-Ball and he said that his record stood for about 20 years. He also said that when he scored the perfect .1000, that he was playing against 'somebody' (possible the later stages of a tournament?) and that when someone else did it, that he was playing soft competition.

Does anyone know the particulars about who Wade Crane was playing and which other player also shot a .1000 (and who his opponent was) ?

Doug
( I am curious )

Interestingly, I also thought the same thing as you, Smorgie.

Next time I see Wade, I am definitely going to ask him about this. Pat Fleming would know, too, I would think.

One thing for sure, Wade was the FIRST perfect score-maker, according to Accu-Stats, which is still pretty strong.

JAM

 

[JAM]

In Aolaska, around early 1970's, a short Italian looking guy (REAL short - about 5'2") cam ethrough Anchorage, Alaska. He played in the bars and played pretty good. I was thinking he was from San Diego area.

He was called one eyed Tony. He got killed in Fairbanks in early 1970's. I am thinking this must be different fellow than Jam is talking about. But this guy played good. He ran with a bar owner from Fairbanks. He also played straight pool and ran a 70 or so for the cash.

So - is this the same guy and someone's time frame is off? or what

Mark Griffin

I am not sure, but if the One-Eyed Tony you are referencing was killed in the '70s, I think this One-Eyed Tony must be a different guy.

Lots of action up there in Alaska, Mark. I am just begnning to learn more about it. I am very interested in the history of AMERICAN pool and want to create a record of it for future generations. There is some info available within the pool media of earlier eras, but it is still sorely lacking. Most of the good stuff comes by way of word of mouth, like from you!

JAM

 

[JAM]

25 years ago from today...

Chris Lansford (juniors division), Steve Mizerak (men's division), and Jean Balukas (women's division) are on the cover page of The National Billiard News, September 1982. They were the 1982 World Open Winners.

Designated as the oldest player present at the World Open was Carl "Cue Ball Kelly" Zingale, 1982 Hall of Famer, doing what he does best, which was refereeing the championship matches at 88 years of age. Chan Witt, 8 years old, was the youngest player at the 1982 World Open, and he performed trick shots at the event, along with, of course, Mike Massey and Lou Butera.

The governing body of professional pool at this time was the PPPA (Professional Pool Players Association), and this was the 7th Annual World Open Pocket Billiard Championship, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Interestingly, Cueball Kelly, Joe Balsis ("The Meatman"), and Onofrio Lauri (posthumously) were admitted into the PPPA Hall of Fame.

What happened to that Hall of Fame? Is that a different one than the BCA Hall of Fame?

In an interview with Steve Mizerak after the event, he held a cold glass of beer in his left hand, which he nursed from time to time. When asked what he had done this year to win the tournament, he said: I got away from all my troubles and learned to relax more than in the past. I lost about 20 pounds using my "zip up your mouth diet." I played lots of golf and started preparing for the tournament last June at The Cue Room in Lake Worth, Florida.

As for what the future held for Mizerak, he replies: I'm going to take some time off now and go down to a new bowling alley and poolroom that Don Carter is opening. After that, I plan to play in the Roy Clark Celebrity Golf Tournament. At the present time, I and Lou Butera are working on the negotiations for doing another Miller Lite commercial. Miller Lite is a great company to work for, and if I ever retire, all I ever want to do is sell beer."

Asked if there was any resentment toward him among the other players in the tournament, Mizerak replied: Yes. And it made winning it even sweeter.

Runner up was Danny DiLiberto, who at that time preferred to be called "Danny D." He discussed his loss as follows: I wanted to win because of the prestige. I don't want to any longer be excluded from any more major money tournaments just because I don't have a lot of points scored on the PPPA's roster...I didn't like being referred to as "the dark horse who might clinch this year's title." I resented that term because I have been playing and winning lots of tournaments for many years. There's still not enough money to make at the tournaments. I'd rather set up games for the bucks and play them. My games are usually prearranged. Tell 'em like it is, Danny D!

Danny D was asked to list his three favorite games, to which he replied: Boxing is my favorite game. Sex is my second, while pool is my third.

Here's an interesting urban legend. I wonder if it is really true: A "fly ball" may be a routine play in baseball, but it could be fatal to a billiard player. Confused? Consider the case of Louis Fox.

He met John Deery in Washington Hall, Rochester, New York, the evening of September 7, 1865, to decide the world championship.

Fox outplayed Deery in the early stages of the game and continued to increase his lead until it seemed his victory was assured. A few more points, and it was his.

As he stepped to the table to make the few final shots, a common house fly landed, of all places, on the cue ball. Fox flicked his fingers at the creature, and it flew off. Back he went into his shooting position, but once more, the fly came to rest on the cue ball. He again waved his hand at the fly, but the beast returned.

This time, Fox lost control. He got rid of the fly, and in anticipation that it would come back again, he miscued and left Deery a "set-up." Deery soon had narrowed Fox's lead, and while Fox stood by, Deery won the match and the championship.

Fox ran to a nearby river and, without hesitation, plunged in and drowned himself.

And on an ending note, Mike Sigel and Nick Varner are on the back cover of this newspaper in a full-page advertisement, both promoting Joss Cues as the cue of their choice.

And that's the way it was, 25 years ago from today!

JAM

 

[JAM]

Thanks for the memories. I recall back in 1974 (I think) at Dayton when One-eyed Tony was there and so was Larry Hubbard. I was hoping to see them match up but I don't think they did. If I recall, Tony was from Miami and he died a year or so later. Hubbard was an awesome player then and Tony was also. Thats when Rempe, St. Louie Louie, Hall, Strickland, Mataya, Cole Dixon, Diliberto, Dickerson and Tom Brown and many others were there. That was the action tournament for sure in those times. Forest Park Billiards. I think that was the first tournament Hall won and Hubbard came in 6th. Strickland and Mataya were gambling all nite and Earl beat Jimmy. Earl was so confident and didn't miss a ball. That was the first time I ever saw Earl and he was amazing!
Curly

I've got several articles about this event. It sure did sound like a wonderful tournament.

Interestingly, there is a full-page ad in the September 1982 issue of The National Billiard News entitled: "OHIO POOL IS BACK!"

Two great events are advertised by Joe Burns and Joe Kerr, with total prize money of $20,000, $10,000 for each event. Joe Burns presents the Dayton 9-Ball Tournament, and Golden Billiards presents the Third Annual Akron Open. The payouts of these events are about the same as what regional pool events pay today, 25 years later.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Jennie
Women have quietly been playing good pool for lots of years. I visited a custom knife maker (and that is a story in itself) about 7-8 years ago out in the country in a little place in Idaho. We talked about woods, techniques etc common in both knife making and pool building. And as things went, he pulled out of the attic his wife's pool cue that she used in college - she played on a team in college - she is in her 60's now so it was 40 years ago. It was an old cue that an old player gave her 'cause he liked her style ---- I cleaned it up for her, built another shaft and she and husband are playing on the weekends.

WOW, that's neat. Were you able to ascertain what kind of cue stick it was?

In my neighborhood in the hills of Chevy Chase, there are quite a few stately and historical mansions. From spring to autumn, there are signs everywhere in my area which advertise estate sales. Sometimes I go to them in hopes of finding some pool paraphernalia, but to date, I haven't discovered any cool finds. I keep hoping to come upon a Balabushka that may have been collecting dust in somebody's attic!

JAM

 

[tedkaufman]

I was there at that tournament Wade shot the .1000. It was about 1985, held in Atlantic City, NJ. I remember it was the biggest 9-ball tournament going at that time. I don't recall which casino it was played at, but it might have been The Regency or Trump's. I recall the posters promoting the tournament said something like, "Call for Entries!"

As I recall, Buddy beat Earl to reach the undefeated Wade Crane in the finals(Wade was using an alias--I think he was calling himself Billy Johnson, or something like that.) For sure, though, Wade shot this .1000 in the finals of the biggest tournament of the day. I'm not 100% sure it was Buddy in the finals; it could have been Earl. I do know the final three were Buddy, Earl and Wade. Whoever it was in the final only got to the table once in a race to 11.

Anyway, Wade had his break going and he had the cueball on a string. I believe he ran the first 9 racks from the start of the match. Then he came up dry on the break, but Buddy was hooked. Wade got back to the table and put the final two games away. I'd never seen the guy shoot before, but I was blown away. Incredible display.

I asked Wade about this around two years ago during the monthly tournament at Planet 9-Ball and he said that his record stood for about 20 years. He also said that when he scored the perfect .1000, that he was playing against 'somebody' (possible the later stages of a tournament?) and that when someone else did it, that he was playing soft competition.

Does anyone know the particulars about who Wade Crane was playing and which other player also shot a .1000 (and who his opponent was) ?

Doug
( I am curious )

 

[JAM]

I was there at that tournament Wade shot the .1000. It was about 1985, held in Atlantic City, NJ. I remember it was the biggest 9-ball tournament going at that time. I don't recall which casino it was played at, but it might have been The Regency or Trump's. I recall the posters promoting the tournament said something like, "Call for Entries!"

I found an article about it. It happened at the Cotillion Ballroom in Atlantic City, described as: With its majestic ceiling lights and 12 Gandy "G" tables, the venue handled the 172 players with ease. Rarely were the matches behind, as they were basically using nine tables, leaving three for spares. The Green Room, which was the site of last fall's tournament here, was the practice area with the six Big G's. The practice room was open 24 hours a day for practice. In the main ballroom, the Central Center was well elevated and had a three-tiered setup, the top holding the overhead projectors. The screens could be easily seen from any spot in the room. The tournament officials were dressed in tuxedos.

As I recall, Buddy beat Earl to reach the undefeated Wade Crane in the finals(Wade was using an alias--I think he was calling himself Billy Johnson, or something like that.) For sure, though, Wade shot this .1000 in the finals of the biggest tournament of the day. I'm not 100% sure it was Buddy in the finals; it could have been Earl. I do know the final three were Buddy, Earl and Wade. Whoever it was in the final only got to the table once in a race to 11.

Anyway, Wade had his break going and he had the cueball on a string. I believe he ran the first 9 racks from the start of the match. Then he came up dry on the break, but Buddy was hooked. Wade got back to the table and put the final two games away. I'd never seen the guy shoot before, but I was blown away. Incredible display.

And Wade Crane gets a $30,000 payday: There was no easy way to the finals in this tournament. Wade Crane had wins over David Howard, Grady Mathews, Danny DiLiberto, Robert Vanover, and then Joe Frady to win the bracket finals.

In the B bracket, you had to like Strickland and Buddy Hall. Earl had a tough third-round match with Efren Reyes. Everyone was buzzing about how well this young fellow plays, and all eyes were on this match. Earl made short work of it, 7-1, 7-6. Reyes showed he had a lot of fight. After dropping the first set, Earl streamrolled to a 6-0 lead in the second set. Efren came back with six straight to really make a game of it. Earl went on to defeat Dick Lane and Bob Williams to get to the bracket finals.

Meanwhile, Buddy Hall is moving through the lower part of the bracket beating Toby Sweet in the semis to get into the bracket finals against Earl Strickland. Buddy Hall had come to play and easily disposed of Earl to get into the finals with Wade Crane.

Crane also really came to play, and the match was a classic. Crane won the first set, 7-3, playing just great 9-ball. He won the lag for the second set and ran the first five racks before having to play safe after the sixth break. Buddy Hall got up, played out of the safety, and Wade ran out six and seven for the match and title win. For Buddy, it was just like straight pool. If you can't get to the table to shoot, you can't win.

Wade Crane (Billy Johnson) for years has been highly rated as a money player, but here, he proved to be equal to the task as a tournament player. They say you have to pocket balls on the break to win, and Crane never missed making a ball on the break. Needless to say, he has an awesome break shot.

The Resorts put up $50,000 added for the prize fund. The men's division had Wade Crane winning, Buddy Hall pocketing $15,000 for second place, Joe Frady and Early Strickland winning $5,000 each for third and fourth.

The seniors event had Larry Johnson pocketing $10,000 for first place, Bob Vanover winning $5,000 as runner-up, Edgar White in third place with $2,387, and fourth through eighth place won $1,432 each, Ray Trivett, Danny DiLiberto, Luther Lassiter, Mike LeBron, and Jack Colavita.

The women's division had Robin Bell winning $10,000 for first place, Billy Billing winning $3,750 for second, Loree Jon Ogonowski and Peg Ledman winning $1,250 for third and fourth. Jean Balukas, unbelievably, according to the news report, failed to make the cut. The women's field, although seven short of full, was strong. Peg Ledman disposed of Jean Balukas, 7 to 3 in the first set. Balukas not making the cut, according to the news article, was considered the upset of the tournament!

JAM

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

JAM,
While you're reading your National Billiards News, could you look up the 1976 New Orleans 8 Ball Championship and tell me the names of the players in the A Division and who won ?
Was Earl there ? I think Buddy won, but I may be wrong. Was Steve Gumphrey there and St Louis Louie, N.Y.Blackie, Earl Heisler, Flyboy (Jimmy Spears), Scotty, Bill Stack, Benny Conway, etc.
I think Gene "The Glove" Catron won in 1977, but who were the other finalists ?
Doug








.

 

[JAM]

JAM,
While you're reading your National Billiards News, could you look up the 1976 New Orleans 8 Championship and tell me the names of the players in the A Division and who won ?
Was Earl there ? I think Buddy won, but I may be wrong. Was Steve Gumphrey there and St Louis Louie, N.Y.Blackie, Earl Heisler, Flyboy (Jimmy Spears), Scotty, Bill Stack, Benny Conway, etc.
I think Gene "The Glove" Catron won in 1977, but who were the other finalists ?

Can't find a thing. Are you sure of those dates?

I did find this little jewel in the July 1977 issue, entitled "Girl Beats Mom": Women in the pool halls? Years ago, it wasn't fashionable to step into one of those smoke-filled halls. Today, much of the smoke has cleared...Men and women now both try their hand at shooting opol. It has become a family recreation.

If any particular group in South Dakota has been instrumental in changing the women's image in pool, it is the Bloomberg family of Rapid City, South Dakota, and they are doing it more by action than words.

Timi Bloomberg recently won the State women's pool championship. At age 13, that achievement is enough to generate interest by itself.

There is more human interest to the story. Timi defeated her mother, Jeanne Bloomberg...Jeanne had won the State title in 1975. The rarity of a mother-daughter championship match only goes to stir more interest in the sport among the women.

Talk about family competition. Timi's 7-year-old sister, Gari Jo, already has tournament experience. This could mean the Bloombergs will dominate women's pool shooting in South Dakota for a long time. The only suspense may be in predicting the champion -- Jeanne, Timi, or Gari Jo.

Timi Bloomberg, 13 years of age and an 8th grader, dazzled the gallery, and particularly her opponents with a display of skill and coolness when she went on to win the Women's South Dakota State Pool Tournament. Probably the most ironic part of the tourney was that she met her mother, Jeanne Bloomberg (the 1975 State Champion) in the finals for the coveted title.

And we today know all about the Bloomberg family. The most recent pool star to arise is none other than Shane Van Boening.

Shane's bio: When Shane Van Boening was a mere year and a half old, he watched his grandfather play pool and took a liking to the multi-colored balls on the emerald green felt. His family has a strong pocket billiards background. His grandfather, Gary Bloomberg, was a trick-shot artist; his grandmother, Jeanne Bloomberg, a BCA national champion; his mother, Timi Bloomberg, a BCA national champion; and his aunt, Gari Jo Bloomberg, a three-time BCA national champion.

All in the family, I guess!

JAM

 

[!Smorgass Bored]

Thanks Anyway

Originally Posted by Smorgass Bored
JAM,
While you're reading your National Billiards News, could you look up the 1976 New Orleans 8 Championship and tell me the names of the players in the A Division and who won ?
Was Earl there ? I think Buddy won, but I may be wrong. Was Steve Gumphrey there and St Louis Louie, N.Y.Blackie, Earl Heisler, Flyboy (Jimmy Spears), Scotty, Bill Stack, Benny Conway, etc.
I think Gene "The Glove" Catron won in 1977, but who were the other finalists ?


Can't find a thing. Are you sure of those dates?


Yes, it was '76 & '77 and called the Greater New Orleans 8 Ball Championship..... I remember you saying that you had found that tournament one time while reading older pool publications, but you didn't list any of the players.
Doug