Keith Would have Crushed Them

[dafish1970]

i was the guy standing next to alex downstaires when he bet the bum about singing and that he could vertical over the bar box...downstairs buy the entrence to the main room....50k one match...dude pimping out his g.f.
the old bald dude buying every sw and dpk in the place,shannon and nevel wolfing.....yur right i wasnt there,,,alex driild keith bad wasnt even close the backer kept telling keith how too rack cuz alex kept breaking and running out...yup im a biotch...whatever you need to tell yurself buddy..

 

[JAM]

i was the guy standing next to alex downstaires when he bet the bum about singing and that he could vertical over the bar box...downstairs buy the entrence to the main room....50k one match...dude pimping out his g.f.
the old bald dude buying every sw and dpk in the place,shannon and nevel wolfing.....yur right i wasnt there,,,alex driild keith bad wasnt even close the backer kept telling keith how too rack cuz alex kept breaking and running out...yup im a biotch...whatever you need to tell yurself buddy..

Your avatar speaks for itself. I don't even know why I am wasting my time responding to your posts. You weren't even there. LOL!

That's something to really brag about, 23-year-old Alex defeating 49-year-old Keith. It's funny that Alex hasn't beaten Keith in a tournament yet. One thing for sure, when Keith was 23 years old, 23-year-old Alex wouldn't have a prayer to beat him.

Keith was a package man. Do you know what a "package" is? On a 9-foot table, Keith broke and ran out 22 racks of 9-ball, and yes, there were witnesses. Too bad, it didn't happen in your lifetime because you have no clue how strong Keith McCready's game ever was. Break-and-runs in the 8, 9, and 10 figure with Keith were common.

One match doesn't define a player. When you grow up, you might figure it out. Have a nice day, Pal!

 

[cuetechasaurus]

Arent Keith and Alex good friends now? Either way, saying that Alex made Keith his "biotch" is flat out immature. Big deal that Keith lost a match way past his prime, to a bonafide world-beater at that. When Efren turns 90 and someone beats him at one pocket, did they make him their "biotch"?

 

[JAM]

Arent Keith and Alex good friends now? Either way, saying that Alex made Keith his "biotch" is flat out immature. Big deal that Keith lost a match way past his prime, to a bonafide world-beater at that. When Efren turns 90 and someone beats him at one pocket, did they make him their "biotch"?

Thanks for clarifying my point better than I did.

Yes, Keith and Alex are good friends. :thumbup:

Picture taken at 2003 U.S. Open, the same year Keith defeated Alex on the A side of the charts in 9-ball. It was a nail-biting match that could have gone either way, and it is one I will NEVER forget either! :grin-square:

 

[JAM]

It isn't hard to like Alex Pagulayan. Everywhere he goes, he puts a smile on the faces of all those in attendance.

Here's a cute shot of Alex and North Carolinan Michael Coltrain at the Carolinas Open. Look at the smiling faces of those standing behind them in the picture. :grin-square:

 

[dafish1970]

im very sorry sir...98' was 1st time i meet alex at cornbread reds in columbus oh for the 10 ball. the year was 2002 that alex beat keith on the bar box at the DCC see what getting old does to you...i have no idea if there freinds or not all i said was alex beat him on the bar box with the big rock...if you were there and im sure you were you would remeber that nevels backer dropped the big cue in the table and they had to open it up to get the cue back....i never ment any disrespect to you sir...

 

[JAM]

Here's my fave of Alex, Keith, and Ronnie at the same Carolinas Open. BTW, this was the year that Ronnie won the one-pocket tournament, and Alex won the 9-ball tournament! Ronnie and Alex were traveling together as road partners with Teddy the Greek!

 

[JAM]

im very sorry sir...98' was 1st time i meet alex at cornbread reds in columbus oh for the 10 ball. the year was 2002 that alex beat keith on the bar box at the DCC see what getting old does to you...i have no idea if there freinds or not all i said was alex beat him on the bar box with the big rock...if you were there and im sure you were you would remeber that nevels backer dropped the big cue in the table and they had to open it up to get the cue back....i never ment any disrespect to you sir...

I'm sorry, but you're wrong again. The big cueball came from Keith's backer. I was there when they brought it in.

Let it go, will you?

 

[JAM]

...i never ment any disrespect to you sir...

One more thing, I'm not a sir. I'm the one on the right in the picture below, taken the same year as this match you keep referring to! :thumbup:

 

[dafish1970]

i never said who brougth the cue in...nevels backer was playing with it and dropped into a pocket and they had to open the table to get it out thats all i said i had to look up my stuff to see the right year....been there too many times to much rum brain cells are dead...

 

[jay helfert]

I've resisted this thread for days. Nothing will be proved by anybody or anything on here. Keith was a great player, no doubt. And so were Matlock, Hall and Wade Crane. And there were four or five other GREAT bar table players back then as well. Matlock has probably had the longest, most successful career, as he still plays great today. Buddy was the king for a long long time himself.

How these guys compare with today's top players is hard for me to ascertain. I would call it a draw. Playing 9-Ball on a bar table, there are quite a few players who will run out all day. Move it up to Ten Ball and you begin to narrow the field. Make it Eight Ball and you might find out who the best player is. You will never see an "average" player win the BCA Masters division or the U.S. Bar Table Eight Ball or Ten Ball.

What set Keith apart was two things IMO, his fearlessness and the seeming ease in which he ran out. Keith never met a bet he didn't like, or one that bothered him in any way. He was one of those guys (like Alex) that seemed to play better the higher the bet. And Keith could make the hardest shot appear easy. He ran out rack after rack effortlessly, while his opponent worked hard to get out. That will take a toll on your psyche.

Keith's attitude could have a devastating effect on his opponent also. Keith ALWAYS felt like he was going to win and made it clear to all assembled why he felt that way. He never shied away from a hard shot and laughed in the face of difficult situations. He would often announce before shooting what kind of miracle shot he was going to pull off, and then do it. This was hard for other "normal" players to fade.

The above is why many players did not want to tangle with Keith. He had a little too much firepower for them, and they knew it. Keith could come with a bigger shot in a pressure situation than anyone else. And it looked like he never felt the pressure, in fact he thrived on it. Pressure to Keith was like taking another swig of his ever present beer. It was that easy to handle. No one else that I saw play could handle pressure like Keith. Except maybe Ronnie playing One Pocket.

Suffice to say that Keith was an extraordinary pool player, a once in a lifetime player. How good he could have been remains to be argued. Keith's lack of discipline worked against him throughout his career. All I know is that when he entered a tournament and actually showed up to play his match, he faced a very unhappy opponent. They always hoped he wouldn't show, and often he didn't. Keith could, and did, annihilate many a famous player in tournament matches.

I'll never forget his run through the field at the 1984 B.C. Open. He beat one champion after another, none of them getting within three or four games of him. He "stole" that $25,000 from all the best pool players in the world. I know, because I staked him. He made the rest of the field look like they were playing for second. And they were that week. Every time I staked him in a tournament, I knew he had a chance to win. His problem was that most of them were in casinos, and Keith had casino fever all his life. It was a little hard to play a match after he had stayed up all night. If he went to his room to sleep, he was even money to be a no show, or rush down to play his match totally unprepared.

How often he could have won tourneys with proper discipline, no one knows. Sometimes he went years without playing a major tournament. He had talent he could turn off and on in an instant. The rest of the players had to practice long and hard to play good pool. Keith was unique, I will say that. When he was in a playing mode (and not drinking) no one really wanted to mess with him. Very few players ever played him even. Keith did give weight to the world, quite willingly. He was a good horse, a thoroughbred who could carry the weight and win. The best players of his era left him alone for the most part. Only a Buddy, a Matlock or a Wade Crane might play him even. And why would they want to mess with Keith? He was bad action for them, and they knew it.

On the other hand, Keith went looking for good players to gamble with. If he heard about a guy who was playing good and betting high, he wanted to go find him and bust him. And if he found him, that was the usual outcome. Of course, half the time the so called "world beater" would end up getting weight from Keith.

 

[Perk]

......................

Please get a book out very soon. Would read chapters of thoughts that are well written like this!

 

[frankwhite]

might have been 98' i got a pix with alex just after the match...there was a bum hanging around and alex bet him 100.00 he coulnt sign sum song...the bum busted it out and alex gave him 100 pacos...and i remember sitting in the bar with shannon dalton after he was wolfing at larry nevel...dalton was all "your a "B" player stack it up".and i thought nevles backer was going to kill him..i know the 300 was sweeeeet!but yur right i wasnt there......all i know is it wasnt even close alex made keith his biotch.....

Hey "FISHY" now that was not to smart to say that Alex made anyone look like a $itch(biotch-they still use that slang down in Fl. LOL). Matter-of-fact Alex and Kieth are very, very good friends. Both Alex and Kieth would not appreciate you saying this bout both entities(sp). Anyway unless you can make McCready look like a $itch(biotch) I think that lil post was really not to mature. I could be wrong though, Im always wrong!! :grin:

Frankie

 

[real bartram]

Your avatar speaks for itself. I don't even know why I am wasting my time responding to your posts. You weren't even there. LOL!

That's something to really brag about, 23-year-old Alex defeating 49-year-old Keith. It's funny that Alex hasn't beaten Keith in a tournament yet. One thing for sure, when Keith was 23 years old, 23-year-old Alex wouldn't have a prayer to beat him.

Keith was a package man. Do you know what a "package" is? On a 9-foot table, Keith broke and ran out 22 racks of 9-ball, and yes, there were witnesses. Too bad, it didn't happen in your lifetime because you have no clue how strong Keith McCready's game ever was. Break-and-runs in the 8, 9, and 10 figure with Keith were common.

One match doesn't define a player. When you grow up, you might figure it out. Have a nice day, Pal!

on a 9 ft alex would rob a 23 year old keith.
wow not even close.

 

[frankwhite]

I've resisted this thread for days. Nothing will be proved by anybody or anything on here. Keith was a great player, no doubt. And so were Matlock, Hall and Wade Crane. And there were four or five other GREAT bar table players back then as well. Matlock has probably had the longest, most successful career, as he still plays great today. Buddy was the king for a long long time himself.

How these guys compare with today's top players is hard for me to ascertain. I would call it a draw. Playing 9-Ball on a bar table, there are quite a few players who will run out all day. Move it up to Ten Ball and you begin to narrow the field. Make it Eight Ball and you might find out who the best player is. You will never see an "average" player win the BCA Masters division or the U.S. Bar Table Eight Ball or Ten Ball.

What set Keith apart was two things IMO, his fearlessness and the seeming ease in which he ran out. Keith never met a bet he didn't like, or one that bothered him in any way. He was one of those guys (like Alex) that seemed to play better the higher the bet. And Keith could make the hardest shot appear easy. He ran out rack after rack effortlessly, while his opponent worked hard to get out. That will take a toll on your psyche.

Keith's attitude could have a devastating effect on his opponent also. Keith ALWAYS felt like he was going to win and made it clear to all assembled why he felt that way. He never shied away from a hard shot and laughed in the face of difficult situations. He would often announce before shooting what kind of miracle shot he was going to pull off, and then do it. This was hard for other "normal" players to fade.

The above is why many players did not want to tangle with Keith. He had a little too much firepower for them, and they knew it. Keith could come with a bigger shot in a pressure situation than anyone else. And it looked like he never felt the pressure, in fact he thrived on it. Pressure to Keith was like taking another swig of his ever present beer. It was that easy to handle. No one else that I saw play could handle pressure like Keith. Except maybe Ronnie playing One Pocket.

Suffice to say that Keith was an extraordinary pool player, a once in a lifetime player. How good he could have been remains to be argued. Keith's lack of discipline worked against him throughout his career. All I know is that when he entered a tournament and actually showed up to play his match, he faced a very unhappy opponent. They always hoped he wouldn't show, and often he didn't. Keith could, and did, annihilate many a famous player in tournament matches.

I'll never forget his run through the field at the 1984 B.C. Open. He beat one champion after another, none of them getting within three or four games of him. He "stole" that $25,000 from all the best pool players in the world. I know, because I staked him. He made the rest of the field look like they were playing for second. And they were that week. Every time I staked him in a tournament, I knew he had a chance to win. His problem was that most of them were in casinos, and Keith had casino fever all his life. It was a little hard to play a match after he had stayed up all night. If he went to his room to sleep, he was even money to be a no show, or rush down to play his match totally unprepared.

How often he could have won tourneys with proper discipline, no one knows. Sometimes he went years without playing a major tournament. He had talent he could turn off and on in an instant. The rest of the players had to practice long and hard to play good pool. Keith was unique, I will say that. When he was in a playing mode (and not drinking) no one really wanted to mess with him. Very few players ever played him even. Keith did give weight to the world, quite willingly. He was a good horse, a thoroughbred who could carry the weight and win. The best players of his era left him alone for the most part. Only a Buddy, a Matlock or a Wade Crane might play him even. And why would they want to mess with Keith? He was bad action for them, and they knew it.

On the other hand, Keith went looking for good players to gamble with. If he heard about a guy who was playing good and betting high, he wanted to go find him and bust him. And if he found him, that was the usual outcome. Of course, half the time the so called "world beater" would end up getting weight from Keith.

Nice enjoyable post w/ facts I might add, thank you Jay.....Maybe one day I could have the pleasure of meeting you w/ Kieth.
Thanx, Jay
Frankie

 

[JAM]

on a 9 ft alex would rob a 23 year old keith.
wow not even close.

I give up.

Were you able to see Keith play pool in his prime on a 9-foot table ever, Chris? How on earth could you make this statement without ever having seen Keith play. How old are you, BTW, Chris?

 

[DrawtheRock]

Thanks Jay

I've resisted this thread for days. Nothing will be proved by anybody or anything on here. Keith was a great player, no doubt. And so were Matlock, Hall and Wade Crane. And there were four or five other GREAT bar table players back then as well. Matlock has probably had the longest, most successful career, as he still plays great today. Buddy was the king for a long long time himself.

How these guys compare with today's top players is hard for me to ascertain. I would call it a draw. Playing 9-Ball on a bar table, there are quite a few players who will run out all day. Move it up to Ten Ball and you begin to narrow the field. Make it Eight Ball and you might find out who the best player is. You will never see an "average" player win the BCA Masters division or the U.S. Bar Table Eight Ball or Ten Ball.

What set Keith apart was two things IMO, his fearlessness and the seeming ease in which he ran out. Keith never met a bet he didn't like, or one that bothered him in any way. He was one of those guys (like Alex) that seemed to play better the higher the bet. And Keith could make the hardest shot appear easy. He ran out rack after rack effortlessly, while his opponent worked hard to get out. That will take a toll on your psyche.

Keith's attitude could have a devastating effect on his opponent also. Keith ALWAYS felt like he was going to win and made it clear to all assembled why he felt that way. He never shied away from a hard shot and laughed in the face of difficult situations. He would often announce before shooting what kind of miracle shot he was going to pull off, and then do it. This was hard for other "normal" players to fade.

The above is why many players did not want to tangle with Keith. He had a little too much firepower for them, and they knew it. Keith could come with a bigger shot in a pressure situation than anyone else. And it looked like he never felt the pressure, in fact he thrived on it. Pressure to Keith was like taking another swig of his ever present beer. It was that easy to handle. No one else that I saw play could handle pressure like Keith. Except maybe Ronnie playing One Pocket.

Suffice to say that Keith was an extraordinary pool player, a once in a lifetime player. How good he could have been remains to be argued. Keith's lack of discipline worked against him throughout his career. All I know is that when he entered a tournament and actually showed up to play his match, he faced a very unhappy opponent. They always hoped he wouldn't show, and often he didn't. Keith could, and did, annihilate many a famous player in tournament matches.

I'll never forget his run through the field at the 1984 B.C. Open. He beat one champion after another, none of them getting within three or four games of him. He "stole" that $25,000 from all the best pool players in the world. I know, because I staked him. He made the rest of the field look like they were playing for second. And they were that week. Every time I staked him in a tournament, I knew he had a chance to win. His problem was that most of them were in casinos, and Keith had casino fever all his life. It was a little hard to play a match after he had stayed up all night. If he went to his room to sleep, he was even money to be a no show, or rush down to play his match totally unprepared.

How often he could have won tourneys with proper discipline, no one knows. Sometimes he went years without playing a major tournament. He had talent he could turn off and on in an instant. The rest of the players had to practice long and hard to play good pool. Keith was unique, I will say that. When he was in a playing mode (and not drinking) no one really wanted to mess with him. Very few players ever played him even. Keith did give weight to the world, quite willingly. He was a good horse, a thoroughbred who could carry the weight and win. The best players of his era left him alone for the most part. Only a Buddy, a Matlock or a Wade Crane might play him even. And why would they want to mess with Keith? He was bad action for them, and they knew it.

On the other hand, Keith went looking for good players to gamble with. If he heard about a guy who was playing good and betting high, he wanted to go find him and bust him. And if he found him, that was the usual outcome. Of course, half the time the so called "world beater" would end up getting weight from Keith.

Thanks Jay for the great post and I appreciate your insight as always. I know its very hard to match up players from different eras but I really like watching the bar box matches with big rock and was lucky enough to see Keith play in late 80's but not at is his very best. There are good players these days but never hear how good they really play on the bar box and that is why I wondered what people thought about todays best bar box player vs a Keith in his prime. Jay, do you see anybody today playing 9ball on the bar box with the big cue ball spotting Morro, Ernesto, King Kong the 7 or the 6 ball. I mean do you think there is any top player on the bar box that would play those three guys (they still play some)today and offer them the same spot that Keith played those guys with (and beat them). I know that Morro, Ernesto and King Kong dont probably play as good as they did in years past but they still play pretty sporty and I cant imagine somebody giving them that much weight today with how they currently play and taking the cheese. That is why is was hard for me to fathom Keith giving King Kong the 6 ball then 5 ball and busting him. I asked Ernesto (who is a great guy and good player) about when he used to play Keith and he said "Keith didnt miss".

When is that book coming out...cant wait to read it

 

[JAM]

I hate threads like this. You got the young pup gamblers who have no clue what players were like 20 and 30 years ago before they were born.

In fact, the damn rules were even different.

I am sick and tired of these who's-the-best threads.

You got a little miles under you today, Chris Bartrum, but you couldn't even come close to Keith's speed on your best day. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

 

[real bartram]

I hate threads like this. You got the young pup gamblers who have no clue what players were like 20 and 30 years ago before they were born.

In fact, the damn rules were even different.

I am sick and tired of these who's-the-best threads.

You got a little miles under you today, Chris Bartrum, but you couldn't even come close to Keith's speed on your best day. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

i dont have an ego problem.
i know im not the best.
i also know i could not beat keith in his prime.
i dont know you but put this in your pipe ill beat you.
and yes play 10 ball alex would rob him.

 

[JAM]

i dont have an ego problem.
i know im not the best.
i also know i could not beat keith in his prime.
i dont know you but put this in your pipe ill beat you.
and yes play 10 ball alex would rob him.

I quit smoking, so I don't have a pipe, number one.

Number two, you're a baby pup gambler. You got no bark in person. The most bark I've seen you have is on this forum.

I'll talk to you in 20 years, if I'm still around, and see how you're hitting 'em then. I hope I can talk smack with you then and see how you like it.

Last time McCready played bar table pool was at Valley Forge on the action table. He held it for two 10s in a row and one 11. What's your record?