So, the year is 1990. I'm gonna guess February. I had just graduated from E.Carolina University. I was just really getting my feet wet in the "pool world." My friend and fellow "up and comer" Greg Brooks was so excited about this big tournament in Raleigh. I saved exactly $360 dollars for the event. I wasn't gonna play, but I couldn't wait to see action and great play. I had only thought I'd seen good pool.
So, I take off work on Friday at 4:00. Speeding, and not even afraid of the ticket, I make my way to Brass Tap. Man, I have to tell you, it was a rush. I stopped at the liquor store on the way. Customary for most players on here, I'm sure.
The room was packed. Greg and the locals said hello. I just mainly tried to fit in. This was the big time. Let's see.....Buddy Hall (much bigger than I expected), Earl, George Brundt, the pony tail guy (I can never remember his name. I know he was in the Color of Money), John Bromback, some guy named Bob Osborne (Ogburn I later found out) Grady, Fat Harold Dollar, Brian Ezell, Cliff Joyner, LotsaPoppa, Pete Horne, Canadian Joe Lawrence (who eventually slept under table one after running around it for most of the tournament.), Jose Parica (I am pretty sure he was there, or Efren), Joe Root, Gene Cooper, Brian Atchley, and some young kid named Johnny, who was getting staked by Kojak. Young names, Jimmy Wales, Mike Coltrain, Tony Watson, Richie Rich. But, in the back, with a longneck and loud, was the man. The man. McCready in full form.
Well, what a tournament. Noone went home. You could have swept up a hundred in every bathroom in between matches. It was a long time ago, I'm sure this has changed. All I could say is "wow." What an introduction.
But, at about 12:00 am, McCready was trying to match up with Atchley (who'd just won the bartable open). You shoulda heard it. Kojak screaming, "No, you gotta step up to the Archer!" I guess he was referring to the kid named Johnny. Hell, I didn't know.
Ten ahead on the barbox for $1500. Wow, I pulled up a chair. I was betting with some fella who was with Atchley. $20 a game on the side. I really thought I was doing something. The crowd gathered. Keith didn't let you down with the antics, either. God, I just love that guy, whom later I got to know a little. Atchley was up for about the first hour somewhere around three games. All of a sudden it was last call. McCready buys two (all one person is allowed there). Well, there is a five game swing. McCready up two. He's outta beer. "I'm not hitting another ball until I get the alkeeehoool." Funny as hell. Everyone thought he was kidding. Nope. His stakehorse looked at him like he didn't know what to say. Keith just walked over and sat down for a minute. I made the offer of my liquor to Jess (very tall man with the "in" crowd). All of a sudden, Keith, and two nameless men go outside.
"Rack'em." Keith was back. And back he was. The set was over in about thirty to forty-five minutes. My good Lord, I had made my first score over $200. I doubled up on when Keith was up six. Unreal. You shoulda seen this barbox display. I am pretty sure Brian only kicked twice after the "outside" excursion.
Man, what a field of players. That kid Johnny did pretty well. Wonder where he is now? Any info?
So, I take off work on Friday at 4:00. Speeding, and not even afraid of the ticket, I make my way to Brass Tap. Man, I have to tell you, it was a rush. I stopped at the liquor store on the way. Customary for most players on here, I'm sure.
The room was packed. Greg and the locals said hello. I just mainly tried to fit in. This was the big time. Let's see.....Buddy Hall (much bigger than I expected), Earl, George Brundt, the pony tail guy (I can never remember his name. I know he was in the Color of Money), John Bromback, some guy named Bob Osborne (Ogburn I later found out) Grady, Fat Harold Dollar, Brian Ezell, Cliff Joyner, LotsaPoppa, Pete Horne, Canadian Joe Lawrence (who eventually slept under table one after running around it for most of the tournament.), Jose Parica (I am pretty sure he was there, or Efren), Joe Root, Gene Cooper, Brian Atchley, and some young kid named Johnny, who was getting staked by Kojak. Young names, Jimmy Wales, Mike Coltrain, Tony Watson, Richie Rich. But, in the back, with a longneck and loud, was the man. The man. McCready in full form.
Well, what a tournament. Noone went home. You could have swept up a hundred in every bathroom in between matches. It was a long time ago, I'm sure this has changed. All I could say is "wow." What an introduction.
But, at about 12:00 am, McCready was trying to match up with Atchley (who'd just won the bartable open). You shoulda heard it. Kojak screaming, "No, you gotta step up to the Archer!" I guess he was referring to the kid named Johnny. Hell, I didn't know.
Ten ahead on the barbox for $1500. Wow, I pulled up a chair. I was betting with some fella who was with Atchley. $20 a game on the side. I really thought I was doing something. The crowd gathered. Keith didn't let you down with the antics, either. God, I just love that guy, whom later I got to know a little. Atchley was up for about the first hour somewhere around three games. All of a sudden it was last call. McCready buys two (all one person is allowed there). Well, there is a five game swing. McCready up two. He's outta beer. "I'm not hitting another ball until I get the alkeeehoool." Funny as hell. Everyone thought he was kidding. Nope. His stakehorse looked at him like he didn't know what to say. Keith just walked over and sat down for a minute. I made the offer of my liquor to Jess (very tall man with the "in" crowd). All of a sudden, Keith, and two nameless men go outside.
"Rack'em." Keith was back. And back he was. The set was over in about thirty to forty-five minutes. My good Lord, I had made my first score over $200. I doubled up on when Keith was up six. Unreal. You shoulda seen this barbox display. I am pretty sure Brian only kicked twice after the "outside" excursion.
Man, what a field of players. That kid Johnny did pretty well. Wonder where he is now? Any info?
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