Jean Balukas at age 6
- Thread starter PoolBum
- Start date
Loved the clip!!! Rep for a stellar find!!!
Thanks buddy,
Joe
Thanks buddy,
Joe
metallicane said:
I kind of think a prodigy shows it immediately by definition. Doesn't mean they won't be great, just means they'll have to work for it like the rest of us mortals. :smile:
I would have loved it if she had stayed around long enough to have played Alison and Karen. It would have settled all the controversy, but I don't blame her for not wanting to play now. From the article it seemed like by the end it was only causing her grief. Why should she bother? When you think about it she played a career that was as long as most people's careers, she just started it a lot earlier.
I for one wouldn't want Jean to come back now. If she lost a match or two to Allison or any of the top five female players. Not all, but a lot would see that as she wasn't the best of all time. I'd love her to comeback for some exibitions against the top women...but not too compete on tour or a challenge match to see who's best at this time.
Just like I hated to see boxers like the Brown Bomber, Floyd Patterson, and some others in boxing and other sports comeback for the money or stardom. In most cases it wound up very sad. JMI. Johnnyt
Just like I hated to see boxers like the Brown Bomber, Floyd Patterson, and some others in boxing and other sports comeback for the money or stardom. In most cases it wound up very sad. JMI. Johnnyt
Johnnyt said:
She was the best of her time, "of all time" will always be an unanswered question, since the chance for her to play in her prime against todays best, is an impossibility.
Sure, there were not as many strong women on the tour in her day but Jean did not just compete against women. She played in mens events too and was equally impressive. She had to petition to even be allowed entry into some of those events and many of the top male players at the time, were against her playing. I think it is fair to say, many were just plain scared to get beat by a woman.
cuechick said:
That brings to mind one of my pet peeves, comparing atheletes across eras. You just can't, so many things change. Equipment changes, venues change, social conditions change, even nutrition changes, and unfortunately we have the ugly issue of chemical enhancements.
Each great of his/her era stands on his/her own merit. It is doing a disservice to the atheletes to compare across eras.
That said Mohamed Ali, Bill Russell, Babe Ruth were the greatest of all time. :smile:
Johnnyt said:
Now that's an IPT idea! Only thing is, exhibitions are just that, exhibitions. IMO, the appeal is simply not there since there is not much incentive at stake. Participants are guaranteed to make the promised amount, win or lose, and no title on the line, not even legit bragging rights. A ho-hummer. Exhibitions are practice games with salaries, sorta like the All-star games of football, baseball, basketball and hockey.
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cuechick said:And I am guessing, that is without much practice?
cuechick,
Last I heard she owns a pool room and plays in the tourneys there. But that may have changed in the last 3 years. I have been out of the loop.