Melvin 'Strawberry' Brooks died today

1pocket

1pocket

Steve Booth
Silver Member
I just heard from a friend of Strawberry's that he died this afternoon from complications of cancer. Strawberry leaves his wife and several children and a legacy as one of the great characters of the game.

Of course he was just elected into the One Pocket Hall of Fame, which he was very excited about. I spoke to him just last week, and although he was in the hospital at the time, he sounded good, and he was looking forward to coming to Louisville for his induction. Well this is darn shame. My condolences go out to his wife, his family, and his many friends.
 
1pocket said:
I just heard from a friend of Strawberry's that he died this afternoon from complications of cancer. Strawberry leaves his wife and several children and a legacy as one of the great characters of the game.

Of course he was just elected into the One Pocket Hall of Fame, which he was very excited about. I spoke to him just last week, and although he was in the hospital at the time, he sounded good, and he was looking forward to coming to Louisville for his induction. Well this is darn shame. My condolences go out to his wife, his family, and his many friends.
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Sad to hear this. we are losing way to many good people lately. His family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace "Strawberry" and get a good game up there............................mike
 
My condolences to his family and friends.

I'm glad to hear that he knew of his induction. I'm sure it was a major highlight in an otherwise difficult time for him. Steve, I hope you can find some solace in this fact.

I've no doubt he'll be watching the awards ceremony with a big smile on his face. I'm looking forward to being at the dinner and witnessing his induction.
 
1pocket said:
I just heard from a friend of Strawberry's that he died this afternoon from complications of cancer. Strawberry leaves his wife and several children and a legacy as one of the great characters of the game.

Of course he was just elected into the One Pocket Hall of Fame, which he was very excited about. I spoke to him just last week, and although he was in the hospital at the time, he sounded good, and he was looking forward to coming to Louisville for his induction. Well this is darn shame. My condolences go out to his wife, his family, and his many friends.
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It truly is sad, sad, timing, Steve. He got my vote. My condolences to his family also.
 
That's so sad. I was just talking about him today with Larry "Ross" "Novitzky" whatever. Larry said the DCC would have an age 70+ one pocket competition this year and I was hoping Strawberry would be in it.

My condolences.
 
Timberly said:
My condolences to his family and friends.

I'm glad to hear that he knew of his induction. I'm sure it was a major highlight in an otherwise difficult time for him. Steve, I hope you can find some solace in this fact.

I've no doubt he'll be watching the awards ceremony with a big smile on his face. I'm looking forward to being at the dinner and witnessing his induction.
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I feel exactly the same way. Strawberry knew he got in, and that meant a lot to him.
 
Strawberry will be sorely missed in the D.C. pool scene. I had heard he was sick, but I also was told that he was planning on attending the DCC if he was well enough to go.

The pool world has lost a legend. My condolences go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace, and God bless him.

JAM
 
Brutal

This is really hard. I was so happy for him to get in the HOF. I was one of his biggest supporters, and was looking forward to teasing him at the HOF dinner. I already had my "roast" to him written out. When I last seen him at Derby City last Sept. he was still all piss and vinegar. Strawberry was a "straight-ticket," and I say this with admiration. The only way a session would end with The Straw was, you either quit winner or loser, or he was broke. There was no lose two games and quit, wanting a better game, with him. When he got down, it was a wrassle to the death.

the Beard
 
freddy the beard said:
This is really hard. I was so happy for him to get in the HOF. I was one of his biggest supporters, and was looking forward to teasing him at the HOF dinner. I already had my "roast" to him written out. When I last seen him at Derby City last Sept. he was still all piss and vinegar. Strawberry was a "straight-ticket," and I say this with admiration. The only way a session would end with The Straw was, you either quit winner or loser, or he was broke. There was no lose two games and quit, wanting a better game, with him. When he got down, it was a wrassle to the death.

the Beard
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I can only imagine how tough this one is for ya.

I'm surely glad he knew of his induction. The timing is tough, as you said, brutal, but I'm really gald he is not suffering.
 
freddy the beard said:
This is really hard. I was so happy for him to get in the HOF. I was one of his biggest supporters, and was looking forward to teasing him at the HOF dinner. I already had my "roast" to him written out. When I last seen him at Derby City last Sept. he was still all piss and vinegar. Strawberry was a "straight-ticket," and I say this with admiration. The only way a session would end with The Straw was, you either quit winner or loser, or he was broke. There was no lose two games and quit, wanting a better game, with him. When he got down, it was a wrassle to the death.

the Beard
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Strawberry was one of the first high stakes one pocket players I got the chance to see play when I was in High School a few years ago. I didn't have much money and seeing pool played for the kind of money they were playing for was a very special treat for me and it really got me interested in pool. Strawberry had come to my home town to play one of the local top players who was always ready to play a good player for big bucks. Now, they are both gone since the player Strawberry played passed away a couple of years ago. I've got an accu-stats tape with Strawberry playing one pocket and it's more special now that he's gone. He'll be missed!
 
I only had the priviledge of seeing Strawberry play one time. It was at the Capital City Classic in 2002. The man had "class" writen all over him.

RIP Strawberry.
 
I got to meet Strawberry this year -- it was a real pleasure to meet and learn about a 1 pocket legend like him. After meeting him, I asked a few people about Strawberry and they all said the same thing: fearless and no quit in him.

It was May or June last time I saw him and, while he didn't seem to be in the best of shape, he didn't let on that he was in a bad way. And he could still stroke the ball. He didn't really play games, but he watched a lot, joked, and, when we were lucky, he would teach the kids a few shots.

RIP

Cory

P.S. See also, this thread.
 
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