vagabond said:
Joe's booth is where you can see, and buy what I call functional art.
Joe Salazar stories?
- Thread starter ugotactionTX
- Start date
Joe's booth is where you can see, and buy what I call functional art.
Here's something I wrote about 5 years ago! 
Originally posted 09/11/2003
Probably about 4-5 months ago, I met Joe for the first time. He gave
me this nice gold-colored business card...
Anyhow, on with the story...
It's Friday and I have most of the day off, so I head up to Click's
Billiards in Arlington, TX.
Practicing on the first 9 foot table near where the railbirds usually
sit is an older (well, older than me... and I'm 27) hispanic gentleman
wearing huge glasses, I assume for for playing pool. These are big
yellow glasses...
I grab a rack of balls and start practicing on the table next to him.
He says, to me "do you want to play some cheap one-pocket?" I say,
"what's cheap?" He says, "$10 a rack."
Well, I think to myself, "here's a guy who has never met me and wants
to play $10 a rack (I usually don't play more than $5 a rack)." You
have to understand that I'm not a very good player at any pocket
billiard game, especially one-pocket.
I say, "no thanks" and continue about my business.
I'm pocketing balls like a usually do, and eventually I get bored and
get a drink and sit down and watch Joe. He's hitting some 9-ball
practice and does pretty well.
I mention something to the affect that if he offered to play me
one-pocket that he must be decent. He kind of laughs it off.
I break down and agree to play him a few games of one-pocket for $5 a
rack. He proceeds to obliterate me, but not by running out a bunch of
balls, but mainly by keeping good safety plays.
I mention that I play a local guy named Amos. He knows Amos and asks
me, "what kind of spot does Amos give you?" I say, "10-5" (that's how
much I suck). So, Joe says, "okay, I'll give you the same spot Amos
gives you."
He gives me 10-5 and still kicks my ass.
During this entire time, his cellphone rings like every 5 minutes or
so and he has to talk on his phone. Finally after about $40 lost, he
says he has to go, and apologizes for not being able to play more.
Seems like a nice guy.
Later on I ask some regulars about Joe. They all laugh at me. They
say "don't you know Joe was one of the best 8-ball bar box players out
there?" Someone said that Buddy Hall said "Joe is the only guy that I
can never beat on a bar box." Another story someone told me is the
following:
Joe played a guy 9-ball for $1000 a game (Joe is being staked
by someone). The guy Joe plays against runs 7 racks in a row. Joe
convinces his staker (is that the right word?) to continue to back him
for now $2000 a game. Joe runs 13 racks in a row and gets a heck of a
lot of $$$...
Also, I asked Amos (the best one-pocket player I know personally) who
was better, him or Joe? Amos said, Joe, but his vision has declined
over the years. He then recounted a story about an 8-ball tournament
where he played Joe.
It was Joe's turn and the layout was something like this...
All Joe had to do was make the 8-ball, but all his pockets were
blocked.
Joe calls pocket A (lower right on the diagram).
The game-winning shot...
Joe banked the ball a rail, and played the kiss off the cueball into Pocket A (lower right on the diagram).
Amos said he lost that game...
Those are the only stories I know... and I've only met Joe once...
Fast forward to today...
I've known Joe for a few years now and we recognize each other, but Joe's on the road a lot. I've seen him at the DCC selling cues and such and I've bought an OB-1 shaft from him before.
He still plays better than I do (best I've ever done is come out even getting spotted 9-7 in one-pocket I believe) and is a gentlemen and a great person to know. He can be found at most major tournament I believe if you want to meet him.
Originally posted 09/11/2003
Probably about 4-5 months ago, I met Joe for the first time. He gave
me this nice gold-colored business card...
Anyhow, on with the story...
It's Friday and I have most of the day off, so I head up to Click's
Billiards in Arlington, TX.
Practicing on the first 9 foot table near where the railbirds usually
sit is an older (well, older than me... and I'm 27) hispanic gentleman
wearing huge glasses, I assume for for playing pool. These are big
yellow glasses...
I grab a rack of balls and start practicing on the table next to him.
He says, to me "do you want to play some cheap one-pocket?" I say,
"what's cheap?" He says, "$10 a rack."
Well, I think to myself, "here's a guy who has never met me and wants
to play $10 a rack (I usually don't play more than $5 a rack)." You
have to understand that I'm not a very good player at any pocket
billiard game, especially one-pocket.
I say, "no thanks" and continue about my business.
I'm pocketing balls like a usually do, and eventually I get bored and
get a drink and sit down and watch Joe. He's hitting some 9-ball
practice and does pretty well.
I mention something to the affect that if he offered to play me
one-pocket that he must be decent. He kind of laughs it off.
I break down and agree to play him a few games of one-pocket for $5 a
rack. He proceeds to obliterate me, but not by running out a bunch of
balls, but mainly by keeping good safety plays.
I mention that I play a local guy named Amos. He knows Amos and asks
me, "what kind of spot does Amos give you?" I say, "10-5" (that's how
much I suck). So, Joe says, "okay, I'll give you the same spot Amos
gives you."
He gives me 10-5 and still kicks my ass.
During this entire time, his cellphone rings like every 5 minutes or
so and he has to talk on his phone. Finally after about $40 lost, he
says he has to go, and apologizes for not being able to play more.
Seems like a nice guy.
Later on I ask some regulars about Joe. They all laugh at me. They
say "don't you know Joe was one of the best 8-ball bar box players out
there?" Someone said that Buddy Hall said "Joe is the only guy that I
can never beat on a bar box." Another story someone told me is the
following:
Joe played a guy 9-ball for $1000 a game (Joe is being staked
by someone). The guy Joe plays against runs 7 racks in a row. Joe
convinces his staker (is that the right word?) to continue to back him
for now $2000 a game. Joe runs 13 racks in a row and gets a heck of a
lot of $$$...
Also, I asked Amos (the best one-pocket player I know personally) who
was better, him or Joe? Amos said, Joe, but his vision has declined
over the years. He then recounted a story about an 8-ball tournament
where he played Joe.
It was Joe's turn and the layout was something like this...
All Joe had to do was make the 8-ball, but all his pockets were
blocked.
Joe calls pocket A (lower right on the diagram).
The game-winning shot...
Joe banked the ball a rail, and played the kiss off the cueball into Pocket A (lower right on the diagram).
Amos said he lost that game...
Those are the only stories I know... and I've only met Joe once...
Fast forward to today...
I've known Joe for a few years now and we recognize each other, but Joe's on the road a lot. I've seen him at the DCC selling cues and such and I've bought an OB-1 shaft from him before.
He still plays better than I do (best I've ever done is come out even getting spotted 9-7 in one-pocket I believe) and is a gentlemen and a great person to know. He can be found at most major tournament I believe if you want to meet him.
dabarbr said:
For a 10 year period, from 1991 until ~2001, I either watched or went in with Joe on numerous matches on 8 and 9 foot tables at Clicks and Rusty's in Arlington, TX. No matter what the game was, or who he was playing, Joe always seemed to keep digging deeper & deeper until he found the speed that was needed to win. A lot of those matches was for serious money against top notch players (Lizard, Buddy Dennis, John Hager, Ronnie Allen, Tony Watson, Wade Crane, Jimmy Reid, to name a few). One of the times I remember him booking a loser during this period was when he ventured off to Alabama and tried to give Marshall Carpenter (Squirrel) 10 to 7 on Squirrels Kim Steel table.
I played Joe in a bar table tournament in Norman, OK once. I had him 8-0 in a race to nine and lost 9-8.
I also met, and donated, to Joe's retirement fund during his "SEATTLE JOE" days.
If I'm not mistaken (I partied, a LOT) he also did me as "BOSTON JOE(Y?)"
Anyway, fast forward apprx. 30 yrs. At this time I'm a full blown cue pimp buying, selling and trading everything in sight. When Joe was in the area he'd stop in and we'd do some cue bis. On this particular occasion Joe came through and we negotiated a significant deal. He also had an "ADAMS" blank TASC. that I was going to buy. Instead of just buying it I offered to play Joe a game of 1P. If he wins I buy (which I was going to do regardless if he accepted my offer or not) it for 8 hun (apprx 96-97) and if I win it's a free-bee. Joe knew I'd had a few heart attacks, but, he didn't know that I'd been playing some for a year or two. While not a good 1P player I had a "punchers" chance. I can't recall the sequence of events but I played well and had him 7 to 2. He then proceeded to get out from where only EFREN treads.
Good time and it was enjoyable watching my ol buddy squirm...
If I'm not mistaken (I partied, a LOT) he also did me as "BOSTON JOE(Y?)"
Anyway, fast forward apprx. 30 yrs. At this time I'm a full blown cue pimp buying, selling and trading everything in sight. When Joe was in the area he'd stop in and we'd do some cue bis. On this particular occasion Joe came through and we negotiated a significant deal. He also had an "ADAMS" blank TASC. that I was going to buy. Instead of just buying it I offered to play Joe a game of 1P. If he wins I buy (which I was going to do regardless if he accepted my offer or not) it for 8 hun (apprx 96-97) and if I win it's a free-bee. Joe knew I'd had a few heart attacks, but, he didn't know that I'd been playing some for a year or two. While not a good 1P player I had a "punchers" chance. I can't recall the sequence of events but I played well and had him 7 to 2. He then proceeded to get out from where only EFREN treads.
Good time and it was enjoyable watching my ol buddy squirm...
"Tracy" Joe is from Tracy Ca 95376, I'm from Tracy as well. He is the best player to ever come out of Tracy, i'm the 2nd best player LOL 
.
Back when I was a kid long before Joe had moved out of town the population was 14,000 for many years, I was told by him and others that it was a good pool town back in the 40-60's as I remember-along time ago. Joe was the best ever from Tracy and I'm sure there were better players who came from Tracy back in the day. However I came up in the 80's and was the best player from Tracy there in that era-there wernt many of us perhaps 10 guys. there were 2 other guys who moved to town after I could play a little, one played my speed the other the 6 ball better, perhaps the 5 ball better, Hey its my only claim to fame in pool other than a big mouth
But Joe is "The" man from Tracy Ca. And yes the BIG ball barbox I was told by many is his best game, I have spoke to him a few times and he is a great guy, has a great inventory of cues. People would often ask me about him around pool rooms in N. Ca but back then I didnt know him only what I was told, but man when you tell someone your from Tracy in a poolroom, Joe is awalys the topic. It was an honor for me to finally meet him, I had a million questions for him-all the qustions people asked me. Its kinda cool to come from a town a ledgend is from-especially when he is called "Tracy Joe".
. Back when I was a kid long before Joe had moved out of town the population was 14,000 for many years, I was told by him and others that it was a good pool town back in the 40-60's as I remember-along time ago. Joe was the best ever from Tracy and I'm sure there were better players who came from Tracy back in the day. However I came up in the 80's and was the best player from Tracy there in that era-there wernt many of us perhaps 10 guys. there were 2 other guys who moved to town after I could play a little, one played my speed the other the 6 ball better, perhaps the 5 ball better, Hey its my only claim to fame in pool other than a big mouth
But Joe is "The" man from Tracy Ca. And yes the BIG ball barbox I was told by many is his best game, I have spoke to him a few times and he is a great guy, has a great inventory of cues. People would often ask me about him around pool rooms in N. Ca but back then I didnt know him only what I was told, but man when you tell someone your from Tracy in a poolroom, Joe is awalys the topic. It was an honor for me to finally meet him, I had a million questions for him-all the qustions people asked me. Its kinda cool to come from a town a ledgend is from-especially when he is called "Tracy Joe".
great stories guys... You're right he is a really nice guy(especially if your looking to buy). He had a booth last weekend at a tournament I played in and was messing around on an open table. I watched him fire balls up the rail from an extreme angle at mach 12! Super smooth stroke He moved like a predator and you could tell there was a monster lurking underneath. I remember several years ago at the same tournament my team was playing on a table that was easy viewing from his booth. I won an exceptionally tough rack for the match and was feeling pretty good about my choice of shots. After the match he said I played good but asked why I did what I did and why didn't I do something different. I remember thinking "who is this guy that sells cues telling me how to play"? haha Later on I found out who I was talking to, and felt like a complete choad. I'm glad I didn't say anything stupid or smart ass when I was standing there.
Joe told me a story when he was on the road with Don Wirtaman and they were in a poolhall with some hippie in their was wanting to play some strait pool. Joe and Don went all in. Everybody in the poolhall wanted to sidebet on the hippie against Don but they were all in and had no money left. Don procedes to rob that hippie and gets the cash. Meanwhile that hippie just won the world strait pool championships. AKA Mr. Rempe. True story!!!
I have purchased many cues from Joe over the years as he came through Oklahoma City on his way to other cities. Here is my favorite Joe Salazar story.
He told me that when he was about 16 he was living in the pool room and running around with a couple of buddies and they booked a pretty good winner and wanted to get a hooker. They negotiated a deal with a guy they knew had connections and he took them to around the corner and took their 60 or so dollars and said he would be right back with the girl. Joe said it took about forty minutes before they realized they had been had and the guy was not coming back period, much less with the girl.
-don
He told me that when he was about 16 he was living in the pool room and running around with a couple of buddies and they booked a pretty good winner and wanted to get a hooker. They negotiated a deal with a guy they knew had connections and he took them to around the corner and took their 60 or so dollars and said he would be right back with the girl. Joe said it took about forty minutes before they realized they had been had and the guy was not coming back period, much less with the girl.
-don
Years ago I met Butter Milk who used to play out of 5 points in El Monte. We would go to the Hardtimes to sweat the tournaments there and bet a little.
The first time I watched Tracy Joe, Butter' called him the Blimp for he was short and rotund - he said.
Tracy Joe was running out, but then had to stretch over the table to shoot a far shot and missed - Butter said "he got belly hooked". LOL
The first time I watched Tracy Joe, Butter' called him the Blimp for he was short and rotund - he said.
Tracy Joe was running out, but then had to stretch over the table to shoot a far shot and missed - Butter said "he got belly hooked". LOL
Keith McCready
Pro Player
LAMas said:Years ago I met Butter Milk who used to play out of 5 points in El Monte. We would go to the Hardtimes to sweat the tournaments there and bet a little.
The first time I watched Tracy Joe, Butter' called him the Blimp for he was short and rotund - he said.
Tracy Joe was running out, but then had to stretch over the table to shoot a far shot and missed - Butter said "he got belly hooked". LOL
Buttermilk was the nuts. When I was going into Bellflower, I was like 15 or 16. Buttermilk would be sitting there right on the bench with his legs folded, waiting to see which victim was going to come in.
And don't think Buttermilk couldn't play some one-pocket because he could, especially for his age. I used to see him every single day growing up, and he did play out of 5 points the bowling alley with Richie Florence and a couple other guys.
We played a couple times some partner games in one-pocket, like 30 a man. I miss Butter and Bellflower. He sure was a fixture over there when Vern Peterson had the place, and then came Butch and his dad. Small world.