Jimmy Marino was one more of the great players of the 70's and 80's. He could play all games and was not afraid to bet it up. I remember the first time he came to California around 1969 or '70. He would lay at the beach all day, having fun with the girls, get high at night and party on Sunset to the wee hours. I knew he was in town but he rarely came to the poolroom. He was having way too much fun, a long haired hippy with an eye for the girls, and he had some beauties.
But if someone made a score at one of the big rooms, Jimmy would get down there quick to play the guy. More than once I saw him take all the money some shortstop had just won a day or two before. They had no idea what they were dealing with until it was all over. He could come in cold, not having played in weeks and just run over good players. Jimmy played all the best players around L.A. at one time or another and I never saw anyone beat him. The only guy he left alone was Richie Florence. They had a mutual respect for each other.
Jimmy was a smart guy and moved back to Pittsburgh and opened a very successful poolroom (what was the name of that place?) that he ran for over twenty years. If you read this Jimmy, I'm wishing you the best buddy. I valued your friendship and the good times we shared.
