I was a little kid when somehow I convinced my parents I had
to go, I was at the Cotton Bowling Palace and had mentioned
that I was going. I had no idea how I was going to get in the "pit".
My buddy Alf Taylor who is a few years older than me got lucky.
he had gone the year before was standing outside in the snow
peeking in when Fats saw him. He told him to come in before
he froze to death. At CBP Jack Terry, a very good player gave
me a note and asked me to give it to Danny Jones. I watched
the tournament, and everyone headed for the action room.
Handsome Danny Jones is walking by and I said him, "i'm
from Dallas, Jack Terry asked me to give you this". We're
walking toward the Pit and he's asking me about whats going
on in Dallas and this and that and we walk right in. Puckett
whom I had seen quite often at the CBP (but I was sure didn't
know me) was standing close to the door when we came in
says " hey Danny, that your caddie" . Danny says he's from
Dallas and the Puckett says oh yeah Alffie's buddy. " I almost
fainted. From then on I would walk right in, If Danny or Puckett
were not there someone would say he's okay he's with Danny
or U.J. I would't have traded places with anyone in the world.
Ronnie Allen, Lassiter,Crane, Eddie Taylor,Weenie Beanie,
Danny D, all of my hero's in that little room, and I never missed
a word or shot. It is still at the top of my list as one of the best
and exciting times of my life.
jack
