John Grissim's book Billiards

poolnut7879 said:
In his book he mentions that he plays a good looking kid by the name of Efren Reyes while in Manila. Mind you this book was published in 1979. There also appears to be a picture of Efren.

One question I have is if there is a picture of Efren in a book published in 1979 how did he sneek up on players at the Red's tournament when he first came over in 1985?
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Efren was not totally unknown by everyone when he showed up at Red’s. “Little Al” Romero already knew Efren. I don’t know who it was that had something to do with bringing Efren to the United States but as I understand the story that person knew Al Romero and he introduced Efren to Al when he brought him State Side. This is before Al had his shop up stairs at Hard Times Bellflower. Al told Efren that he makes sneakys and that he should stop by. At the time Al had his cue making equipment in the back enclosed porch of my Uncle Arquin’s house in Norwalk. They have a Gold Crown in the garage (still there, nice set up with deep shelf tight pockets.) so my uncle Al said that he planned on showing him his “shop” after hitting some balls. As my uncle Al laughingly told me the story he said “boy he sure did like playing… he came over to see my shop and we never even made it out of the garage so I could show it to him.” As I said in an earlier thread this week that as a youngster it seemed like every other time I saw my uncle Al, he had a different haircut... everything from bald headed, hair down to his neck and everything in between. He’d have leather belts with names other than his imprinted on the back. So to my uncle, Efren calling himself Cesar Morales when he showed up in Houston is just the way it’s done. Al Romero went to Reds in Houston with his brother Fidel (my dad). My dad had already heard about Efren from his brother Al but had yet to see him play. When they returned as usual they came back with a good score. As my dad was counting his Texas money up on the coffee table he was telling me about Efren. I asked him if he was as good as uncle because at the time there wasn’t very many people that could match up with Al for the money… my father didn’t think anyone could. My dad just looked up at me and said “he can play.” Ever since that day in our house as in everyone else’s, Efren was a household name. Most of the old schoolers have seen this cartoon caricature by artist John Coito, of the champions and hustlers who came and competed at Red’s. For you new Schoolers Mexican Al Romero (as he was known in parts of Texas & in the south) is pictured in the center.

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straightline said:
Was Mr. Spock really there?
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I don’t know. My father wouldn’t have known who Leonard Nimoy was if he was standing next to him unless he had his Spock ears on. Lol my dad has never payed attention to Hollywood stuff. Pool, sports, and his job… that’s it. I’ve researched John Coito before and it seems as though he was a Leonard Nimoy fan and has done at least one other Spock drawing. I don’t know if he put him there for fun or if Leonard Nimoy was there as a fan? My dad did tell me once that George Brett of the Kansas City Royals and his brother were at a pool tournament in Las Vegas in the early 80’s.
 
T411 said:
I don’t know. My father wouldn’t have known who Leonard Nimoy was if he was standing next to him unless he had his Spock ears on. Lol my dad has never payed attention to Hollywood stuff. Pool, sports, and his job… that’s it. I’ve researched John Coito before and it seems as though he was a Leonard Nimoy fan and has done at least one other Spock drawing. I don’t know if he put him there for fun or if Leonard Nimoy was there as a fan? My dad did tell me once that George Brett of the Kansas City Royals and his brother were at a pool tournament in Las Vegas in the early 80’s.
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Spock and Brian just jump out at you.:ROFLMAO:

Little Al - if you hadn't pointed it out I mighta missed. Cool drawing.
 
straightline said:
Spock and Brian just jump out at you.:ROFLMAO:

Little Al - if you hadn't pointed it out I mighta missed. Cool drawing.
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Just the way Al always likes it! 😉

I’m going to have to look for a copy of this book! If any one out there has one that they are willing to part with let me know.
 
I have several extra copies in good to very good condition, including two autographed copies. PM me for details. All of them have the dust jacket with John Grissim and Bob Byrne playing pool.

Here is a very interesting thread about the cover photo:

Chicagoplayer

Thread 'Cool Book Cool Photographer'

I reached for my copy of “Billiards” by John Grissim to look up something, and I started reading the cover jacket, and found something I missed!
Check out who the photographer is!!😃🤩😍
D81136AD-D905-4FEB-A72E-7E2544B1391C.jpeg
43726F75-9DE8-4103-B0AE-733307A3E5CE.jpeg
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Bob Jewett said:
I have several extra copies in good to very good condition, including two autographed copies. PM me for details. All of them have the dust jacket with John Grissim and Bob Byrne playing pool.

Here is a very interesting thread about the cover photo:

Chicagoplayer

Thread 'Cool Book Cool Photographer'

I reached for my copy of “Billiards” by John Grissim to look up something, and I started reading the cover jacket, and found something I missed!
Check out who the photographer is!!😃🤩😍
D81136AD-D905-4FEB-A72E-7E2544B1391C.jpeg
43726F75-9DE8-4103-B0AE-733307A3E5CE.jpeg
  • Like
  • Love
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Yes that’s very interesting! I wonder if there was connection was or maybe he was just doing a professional job and wanted a professional photographers. Two great photographers!

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