Jim Rempe - One of the Greats?

[Terry Ardeno]

i was just wondering what everyone where thought of Jim Rempe and his place among the the best pool players in the world today. I personally think he's a great player and should be considered among the greatest like efren or earl, but everytime i see a thread about the best of all time, its usually the same people on there and he isn't one of them. I was just wondering what you guys thought..there aren't too many players like him who can play all games as well as he did, plus his list of past accomplishments is as impressive as it gets.

Besides being a world class human being, he's one of the best players from the 1970's and 1980's. He would be competitive in any 14.1 tournament of any era.
Two side tid-bits.....He's had one of the longest marriages for a top player, with his lovely wife Sally always being very supportive of him. And also, Ralf Souquet came to stay with Jim for a week at Rempe's home specifically for lessons in 14.1. We all know the results of "The Kaiser's" pilgrimage.

 

[dmgwalsh]

I had to turn down my invite to the World 14.1 as I had no sponsor for the event and am in kind of a bad mood - did'nt mean to take it out on you. God Bless

Not to hijack this thread or anything because I do love Jim Rempe's game, as much of it as I have seen, but it seems to me that maybe a few people could get together and help Danny get to NJ.

What do you think?

 

[Pushout]

And also, Ralf Souquet came to stay with Jim for a week at Rempe's home specifically for lessons in 14.1. We all know the results of "The Kaiser's" pilgrimage.

Also, for those who don't know, Rempe is the one who got Ralf to come over to the States in the first place, in the late '80s or early '90s, IIRC. He told me this after I watched Ralf's superb performance in one of the B C Opens.

 

[Purdman]

King James

Compliments of my friend Drawman! The cue also belonged to Rempe.
Peace, Purdman

 

[PD0274]

Jim Rempe is surely one of the greatest of all times.

As here in this thread are obviously multiple Rempe experts I have one offer you might be interested in. My playing cue is a JR-5 Jimmy Rempe by Meucci from the 1st Edition with black-black-white coated linen. The original shaft does not roll straight anymore (it's not much) therefor I asked Bob to make me a matching Black dot shaft for it which I got beginning of this year. I might be interested to sell it to one of you Rempe experts if one is interested in it and makes a reasonable offer.
If there is any interested PM me and I can send pictures.

Jim Rempe rocks!

 

[jay helfert]

The following list is just some of the titles that Jim Rempe has won in his illustrious career:

1971
Invitational 9 Ball
Arlington, Virginia

1971
U. S. Masters 14.1
Arlington, Virginia

1971
Hustlers World One Pocket
Johnson City, Illinois

1972
U. S. Masters 14.1
Arlington, Virginia

1972
Maine State 14.1
Scarborough, Maine

1972
Minnesota Fats Classic 14.1 and All Around
Arlington, Virginia

1973
Ohio Open 9 Ball
Cleveland, Ohio

1973
New York State 14.1
Newburgh, New York

1973
World's 9 Ball
Dayton, Ohio

1975
U. S. Masters 14.1
Arlington, Virginia

1975
U. S. Masters One Pocket
Arlington, Virginia

1975
Eastern Open 9 Ball
Elizabeth, New Jersey

1975
Eastern Invitational 9 Ball
Elizabeth, New Jersey

1975
World's 9 Ball
Burlington, Iowa

1976
Masters Invitational All Around
Norfolk, Virginia

1976
Indiana Open 14.1
South Bend, Indiana

1976
International Brunswick Open Rotation
Tokyo, Japan

1976
9th All-Prop Japan International Invitational 14.1 & Grand Champion
Osaka, Japan

1977
Mako Invitational World's 9 Ball
Irvine, California

1977
Q Master's Invitational All Around
Norfolk, Virginia

1977
Miami Open 9 Ball
Miami, Florida

1977
World International Invitational 9 Ball, 14.1 & Grand Champion
Osaka, Japan

1978
Swedish Invitational
Stockholm, Sweden

1979
Dorf International Challenge Series Tour, Australia vs. U.S.A.
Australia, 22 cities

1979
All-Pro 9 Ball
Tokyo, Japan

1980
PPPA Invitational World 9 Ball Championship at Resorts International
Atlantic City, New Jersey

1980
Hemeling World Poll Masters 8 ball
Manchester, England

1980
King of the Tables Snooker & Pool
Wellington, New Zealand

1981
Tournament Games, Inc. and Atari World Championship 8 Ball
Chicago, Illinois

1981
Swedish Open (Handicap) 8 Ball
Gotenburg, Sweden

1982
Switzerland 9 Ball
Bern, Switzerland

1983
World Straight Pool
Tampa, Florida

1983
All Around Champion of the World
Tampa, Florida

1983
World One Pocket
Tampa, Florida

1983
B & I World Masters English Pool Championship
London, England

1985
Yugo Cars, World English Pool Championship
London, England

1985
Yugo Cars, World Pool Challenge - vs. Snooker World Champion Steve Davis
Essex, England

1986
Resorts International Jack Johnston's - Last Call For 9 Ball Riches Tournament
Atlantic City, New Jersey

1986
New York State 9 Ball Champion
Binghampton, New York

1987
B-C Open 9 Ball
Binghampton, New York

1987
Sands Hotel & Casino Pro-Am 9 Ball
Reno, Nevada

1988
Aspen Invitational 9 Ball & 8 Ball
Aspen, Colorado

1989
National Straight Pool 14.1
Cleveland, Ohio

1990
U. S. Invitational Straight Pool 14.1
Rochester, New York

1991
New York State Straight Pool 14.1
Binghampton, New York

1991
Sands Hotel & Casino 9 Ball
Reno, Nevada

1992
New York State 9 Ball
Binghampton, New York

1993
Rack'm Up Classic 9 Ball
Columbia, South Carolina

1994
New York State 9 Ball
Binghampton, New York

1995
McDermott Tour Eastern States 9 Ball
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1995
Pro Billiards Tour Player's Championship
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

1997
Mizerak Senior Tour
Tulsa, Oklahoma

1997
Camel Pro Billiards - Serious 9 Ball
Tulsa, Oklahoma

1997
Mosconi Cup, USA vs. Europe Team 9 Ball
London, England

1998
Joss Tour 9 Ball
Franklin, Massachusetts

1998
French Open 9 Ball
Paris, France

1998
Mosconi Cup, USA vs. Europe Team 9 Ball
London, England

1998
World Pool League 9 Ball
Warsaw, Poland

1998
Open Senior 9 Ball - Maine Event
Portland, Maine

1998
Ocean State 10th Annual 9 Ball - (Eastern States)
Providence, Rhode Island

1999
Mosconi Cup, USA vs. Europe Team 9 Ball
London, England

1999
World Pool League 9 Ball
Warsaw, Poland

2000
Joss Tour 9 Ball, 1st stop
Glenn Falls, New York

2000
Mizerak Senior Tour
Kansas

2000
4th Annual Nick Vlahos Memorial Open - (The New Englander Championship)
New Bedford, Massachusetts

2000
Joss Northeast 9 Ball
Bristol, Connecticut

2002
9th Annual Mary Cappotto Memorial - (St. Valentine's Day Shoot Out (9 Ball))
Syracuse, New York

2002
Joss 9 Ball Tour
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Yeah, but what has he done lately? :grin:

Not too shabby, he's won titles in four different decades. Goes to show ya, you can have a long career in pool, if you take care of yourself.

 

[Danny Kuykendal]

OK Jay, yeh I'm at least part of what you say, old.

I'ts a shame when the topic of conversation drifts to what kind of bran you're eating in the morning instead of who won the pool match the night before.

Here is a list of what I can remember of the players I've beaten (and my memory is also becoming lame). And remember I was always the underdog and had an advantage over the better players because they usually took me too lightly.

Keith McCready (when he was young and could really play, but a short race in a tournament).

Jose Parica (twice)

Ray Martin

Frank Mcgowan

Jimmy Fusco

Scott Kitto

Dallas West (25 years ago)

Larry Hubbart (1985 Sands Regency)

Kim Davenport

Jim Mataya (20 yrs ago)

Efren Reyes (short race in a tournament)

Tony Annigoni

Morro Paez

Ernesto Dominguez

Mike LeBron (15 years ago)

Mike Massey (15 years ago)

Notice I double spaced the names to make it look like more.

I've also beaten Massey, Paul Breinza, Wayne Norcross, Calvin Coker to name a few in straight pool.

Not bad for a guy who could never play for his rent, like a lot of pros did back then and nowadays. I always worked and went to school but played my heart out in tournaments.

I think my best finish was ninth in the 1985 Reno Open.

I was a real wuss when it came to playing for the cash,though. Nothing bothered me more than imagining not having a secure place to sleep and live.

There you have it, Jay.

Danny

 

[jay helfert]

OK Jay, yeh I'm at least part of what you say, old.

I'ts a shame when the topic of conversation drifts to what kind of bran you're eating in the morning instead of who won the pool match the night before.

Here is a list of what I can remember of the players I've beaten (and my memory is also becoming lame). And remember I was always the underdog and had an advantage over the better players because they usually took me too lightly.

Keith McCready (when he was young and could really play, but a short race in a tournament).

Jose Parica (twice)

Ray Martin

Frank Mcgowan

Jimmy Fusco

Scott Kitto

Dallas West (25 years ago)

Larry Hubbart (1985 Sands Regency)

Kim Davenport

Jim Mataya (20 yrs ago)

Efren Reyes (short race in a tournament)

Tony Annigoni

Morro Paez

Ernesto Dominguez

Mike LeBron (15 years ago)

Mike Massey (15 years ago)

Notice I double spaced the names to make it look like more.

I've also beaten Massey, Paul Breinza, Wayne Norcross, Calvin Coker to name a few in straight pool.

Not bad for a guy who could never play for his rent, like a lot of pros did back then and nowadays. I always worked and went to school but played my heart out in tournaments.

I think my best finish was ninth in the 1985 Reno Open.

I was a real wuss when it came to playing for the cash,though. Nothing bothered me more than imagining not having a secure place to sleep and live.

There you have it, Jay.

Danny

Some pretty fair talent on this list. Why am I not surprised? He played these guys when they were in their prime. That much I know. I was there for many of these matches. When Danny beat Dallas, he asked me afterwards, "Who is this guy?" I had to laugh.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

You had right priorities

Nothing bothered me more than imagining not having a secure place to sleep and live.

Danny,
Not only can you shoot, but that sentence proves you're smart. And if you were married, double smart. If there were kids involved, maximum smart!

No matter how much we love pool, if it takes precedent over our responsibilities to those who we love and those who love us back and depend on us for their well being, then something bad is wrong.

 

[Johnnyt]

Danny,
Not only can you shoot, but that sentence proves you're smart. And if you were married, double smart. If there were kids involved, maximum smart!

No matter how much we love pool, if it takes precedent over our responsibilities to those who we love and those who love us back and depend on us for their well being, then something bad is wrong.

Very true. I always had a job or was planing a job. Johnnyt

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Very true. I always had a job or was planing a job. Johnnyt

Johnny,
You're incredible. I read very accurately between the lines.:grin: :grin:
Thanks for the laugh buddy.
Also, your family is still in our thoughts and prayers. I hope your daughter's recovery is fast and total.

I won't mention the other moron involved, since it may interfere with your "planning a job."

 

[Johnnyt]

Johnny,
You're incredible. I read very accurately between the lines.:grin: :grin:
Thanks for the laugh buddy.
Also, your family is still in our thoughts and prayers. I hope your daughter's recovery is fast and total.

I won't mention the other moron involved, since it may interfere with your "planning a job."

Thanks Terry. She's home and doing very well. She told me today on the phone that it took her an hour to do the dishes this morning, but they didn't beat her. She was always a fighter. There are two kinds of surgery patients. The one that won't do anything for them selves, and the one that tries to do much too soon. Need to stay somewhere in the middle. Johnnyt

 

[Danny Kuykendal]

Oh, I just remembered playing UJ Puckett at Moyers in about 1980. He had just been on 60 minutes and had the interview with Harry Reasoner.

I just noticed the other thread about him.

I talked to him ahead of time about his interview, genuinely interested and paying close attention to every word that Utely spoke.

By the time the match began, he was saynig "nice shot, Danny" and "way to go, boy".

He didn't realize I could play some until I was ahead 6 to 1 in a match to 11.

All of a sudden he was really upset.

"Who the hell is this little sob! Goddammed, he's playing like Buddy Hall!"

I won 11-6 or so and he claimed I was the luckiest sob in the world, until my cousin offered to back me against him, and then he relented and said I was a pretty good player.

After that match we were at least friendly with each other.

I think his mantra was "conversation and concentration". In other words, you distract your opponent and then really focus when it's your shot.

I agree he was very likable.

Danny

 

[Danny Kuykendal]

Terry, just wanted to comment about how right you are in your about taking care of our responsibilities first.
I don't regret playing all the pool I played in the 70s, 80s and 90s but I know I would have regretted not getting my degree, having a family and opening my business.
I doubt I could have done any of these things if I had focused on pool only.

 

[bchilton]

New Orleans

I watched Jim play in an exhibition at the Rivergate in New Orleans about 1973. He got up and ran 100 without breaking a sweat right out of the gate.

I bought a cue case from a booth right by the table where he was playing the exhibition. By the time that I got to the car and unwrapped it, I realized that they had given me Jim's cue which was sitting behind the counter. I brought it back in to the booth and they almost had a heart attack. lol
I think I was 15 or 16 years old at the time.

 

[grindz]

To all the promoters......

I think we would all like to hear more commentating, see exhibitions, etc. with past greats like KJ. At least I would!!!!!!!!!

Exemplary players such as Rempe should always be considered first for any of those opportunities and whatever rewards that may come with them. Part of the system that needs to come. JMHO

Pass along the history.


td

 

[chilli66]

Back in 1988 our pool league in England had King James do an exhibition match for our end of season night. I was (un)lucky enough to be the first player on the list. JR broke, made two stripes & sent the cueball off the table. I chose solids as all the stripes were on the rails or close to them. I think I made 3 balls before I missed & then watched the best clearance I've ever seen! It really was a lesson in how to cut a ball along the rail!

Jim was an absolute gentleman throughout the night, very entertaining & happy to talk to everyone while doing photos & autographs. I still have the little trophy I got for playing him, out of all the trophies I had it's the only one I kept when I moved to the USA. Brings back memories of a great night & a great man.

 

[Newton]

I have to say that the initial thought behind the thread has struck my as well. I was watching Jim's 14.1 video and I was just amazed by his play and his nice attitude and guidance. I was really eager to watch more of him and I also looked at his web page.

The thought behind the threat struck me as well, why he's not mentioned to much here so it was nice to read all of this.

I remember him from my start in the 80s but I never managed to see any matches in those day's (any one remember those BETA video players. We had one of those ) so I guess I have to search for some DVDs.

Recommendations of DVD of the King is welcome.

N

 

[macneilb]

all in all i just wish he got more credit. as much as i respect a guy like earl's game, i just bugs me a little bit that he gets more attention than a guy like jim rempe, who is/was IMO just as if not more solid, but more importantly a classy guy who always represented pool the way it should be represented.

 

[wincardona]

Excellent

Some of the best pool I've ever seen has been Rempe either live or on tape.

Fantastic straight pool and nine ball player. Jimmy Fusco absolutely tortures Rempe on a classic Accu-Stats match (Freddie B on commentary, BTW) at one pocket and it didn't seem like Rempe knows the game all that well, but he even won the one pocket at Johnson City one year by shooting crazy shots and making most of them.

His player review match of 14.1 against Ginky is a must for any 14.1 fan. His knowledge of 14.1 is as deep as anyone alive I'd guess.

The nine ball finals against Archer at the Sands in the early nineties was also an incredible match, both shot well over .900 but Jim prevailed by playing dead solid, run out pool.

I think I've heard Jim say that he should have another world 14.1 title but it wasn't recognized by the BCA or something. A ball skidded on him and cost him another championship or his record might be even greater.

That pretty much summed it up,great read and report. Rempe clearly is one of the greats in 14.1 and 9 ball,playing only a hair under Sigel,Hall,and Strickland in 9 ball and only a hair under Miz,Sigel,and Hopkins playing 14.1. I would say that Grady and Rempe were very close playing 14.1,both great players. IMO.