Mike Panozzo - Billiards Digest

You, Stu, are a brave man!

... and one of your biggest fans. Renewed my BD subscription earlier this week and look forward to two more years of reading the premier publication in our sport. You and all at BD should take a bow.
 
Okay, let’s see if I can figure this Forum thing out!
(And bear with me, cuz this is probably gonna take a while!)
I hide from nothing, but I hope you can understand why a magazine publisher would, in general, avoid posting on forums. You guys play for keeps!
That said, I feel like I owe you all a response.
For starters, I really don’t troll. I never write for the sole purpose of getting a rise out of people. Don’t get me wrong, a good editorial should evoke response and encourage thought and discussion. But I don’t purposely say outlandish things just to get people stirred up. I mean what I say, and I say what I mean.
So, yes, I stand by my assertion that Barry Hearn has done more for pool in the past 20 years than any promoter. That’s not to disparage any other promoter, or slight other people in the game who have contributed greatly to the sport…names you all rightly called out.
And I have no problem with people who disagree with me. In a sense, this entire thread is battling editorials. You’re all stating your cases. None of us are absolutely right…or wrong.
But here’s my response…
First, I’m a Barry Hearn fan. Always have been. There is no underlying agenda. He’s not an advertiser. I’ve never received a penny or a favor from Barry.
But I hope you can at least respect that I have been following pool for more than 30 years, and my opinions are not without basis. To me, too much was made of the phrase “American pool.” I know Matchroom isn’t big in the U.S. I’m talking about what he’s done for pool in general, and for American pool players. Let’s face it. Professional pool has been an international game since the demise of the PBT. The impact of players and others will never be about “American pool alone” again. The game has outgrown America.
Facts are facts. Barry Hearn is MUCH more than the Mosconi Cup. Hell, if all he produced was the Mosconi Cup, he’d have never been considered for the Hall of Fame. How about the World Pool Championships, the World Pool Masters and the World Cup of Pool? The name of Matt Braun was brought up. I love Matt, and have known him since before he even put on the first Challenge of Champions. The case was made that he’s put over $1 million in players pockets, always pays, and in many cases pays players’ expenses.
Fair enough. Let’s forget Matchroom’s TV hours, because they’re not in the U.S. Nevertheless, in the same time period, Barry Hearn produced 70 tournaments, paid out over $9 million, and never charged an entry fee. Does Matt Braun belong in the Hall of Fame? Probably. But I wouldn’t vote for him ahead of Barry Hearn. (And Matt’s events are no more “American” than Barry’s.)
That’s all I’ll say about Barry, because I’m already on record with my thoughts.
My main reason for posting is to respond to a few assertions that I think deserve response.
Allen Hopkins. Are there any bigger conspiracy theorists than people in the pool world?
There are few people in pool I respect more than Allen Hopkins. Did politics play a role in his not getting into the HOF sooner? For sure. Politics, favoritism and ignorance. That’s why the billiard media lobbied to get the voting away from the BCA and into the hands of people who knew the players and contributors, and didn’t have axes to grind. Two years later Hopkins was elected. Trust me, if it wasn’t for the USBMA, Allen would still be waiting.
I, personally, nominated Allen for the BBIA (another industry group) Industry Service Award, as much for his contributions as a promoter as for his accomplishments as a player. And I was the one who introduced him at that ceremony. So, please don’t infer that I have it in for Allen. No SBE covers? No Yesteryear mentions? Really? I sell magazines, and expos don’t make good covers…not of the SBE variety, or of the BCA variety.
And statements like “Allen won half the pro tour events,” and didn’t get Player of the Year? You may not like my opinions, but at least I get facts straight before I print them. In 1990 there were nine pro tour events. Allen won two. Kim won two. It was close, but Kim won a few other semi-major events and got the nod. And “Allen got pool on TV, originally.” Where do people get this stuff?
And, while we’re at it, please don’t use my name and the BCA as if we’re one. Hall of Fame voting has nothing to do with the BCA. I have nothing to do with the BCA. Hell, I’m the only person in this business who’s blasted the BCA editorially, and I’ve done it a lot. At the same time, I still believe the BCA serves an important role in this business.
I also believe people like you, who obviously are vested in the game, serve an important role. And what you think does matter, otherwise I, for one, wouldn’t respond.
In the unlikely event any of you are still awake, I appreciate your comments, value your opinions, and will now fade back into the oblivion of magazine publishing. This forum stuff is exhausting!

Mike Panozzo
Billiards Digest

Read the first few lines of the above post and I did not care to read the rest of it because of the writing style of the poster. Scrolled it down to see the name of the poster. I was not in a shock to see the poster`s name but I was disappointed by the writing style of this poster. welcome to the club. you will fit in here with that writing style. No disrespect.

PS: I am not proud of my wrting style either.
 
"How extraordinary it is that the person who has done most for American pool in the last two decades doesn't even live in America. Then again, Barry Hearn is anything but ordinary."

G'day Dave :)

I would read this statement to mean 'The Game' of American Pool, not Pool in America.

As a foreigner, we refer to the game as American pool.

In that sense, what Barry Hearn has done for the game of American Pool around the world, stands out. Outside of the Philippines, the game was almost unknown around the world before Baz came along. I still remember watching the snooker players trying to work out how to break in the earliest Mosconi Cups, and the first US table I ever saw in Australia, not long after that.
 
G'day Dave :)

I would read this statement to mean 'The Game' of American Pool, not Pool in America.

As a foreigner, we refer to the game as American pool.

In that sense, what Barry Hearn has done for the game of American Pool around the world, stands out. Outside of the Philippines, the game was almost unknown around the world before Baz came along. I still remember watching the snooker players trying to work out how to break in the earliest Mosconi Cups, and the first US table I ever saw in Australia, not long after that.

If that's what Mike Panozzo meant, then I offer him this apology. I've never heard pool referred to as "American pool" in the US. The only other type of pool I can think of is bumper pool, which is of European origin.

Anyway, I would not take exception to the suggestion that Barry Hearn has done more for "American pool" than anybody in the last twenty years.

Strange thing here on the forum is that when we speak of American pool, we are, without exception, speaking of pool that is contested in America, not of the game of pool as it is played in America. I'm going to be more sensitive to this distinction going forward.

So, once again, I'm sorry Mike.
 
Mike Panozzo is another pool man who I greatly admire. Thirty years of publishing the premier mag in the business! He has never been afraid to take on controversial issues and the politics that permeate our sport. For that alone I give him huge acknowledgment. The overall level of writing is not found in any other publication, beginning with the brilliant George Fels, to Mike Geffner, Mike Panozzo and now Ted Lerner doing such entertaining pieces. So many more terrific writers have also graced his covers!

It's a wonder to me that Billiards Digest even survives in this difficult economy, especially so being a magazine in the internet age. This is also a testament to the dedication of Mike. A big plus for me is his friendship down through the years. He still greets me with "Hello Pockets," one of my long ago pool nicknames. I am truly happy when I see his long frame and broad smile coming my way. Mike is another example of what is good and right in this business. If I ever get my vote back :wink:, his name will be on my HOF ballot.
 
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Glad to see you post Mike.

For anyone railing on Mike one thing they may consider is that without him I suspect the 2013 HOF ceremony would of been held in Room 204 at the Motel 6 in Virginia somewhere. Or quite possibly not at all.

Everyone has an opinion. I value a guy like Mike's even when I don't agree with it because unlike many he has been knee deep in this game longer than most.

I saw Barry Hearn in person for the first time at the HOF dinner and the whole time he was speaking all I could think was "God I wish we had a guy like this here." I think a case can be made for him being the most important in pool worldwide.

If you want to narrow it down to America I personally I think the most important person to American pool in the last twenty years is Pat Fleming. If something happens and no one sees it does it matter? Pat recorded some of the most amazing moments in pool history over the last two decades.

I know many players who talk of wearing out tapes of watching their favorites play and learning from them. Generations from now people will be able to watch Efrens Z shot on Earl and Corey winning the US Open with the soft break that changed the game along with many other iconic moments. He was on the cutting edge of streaming in the industry and continues to produce the best quality in the industry.

Its a great topic for debate though.
 
Read the first few lines of the above post and I did not care to read the rest of it because of the writing style of the poster. Scrolled it down to see the name of the poster. I was not in a shock to see the poster`s name but I was disappointed by the writing style of this poster. welcome to the club. you will fit in here with that writing style. No disrespect.

PS: I am not proud of my wrting style either.

My guess is that format is caused by a cut and paste from a word processing program. The guy has seven posts since 2008. Not surprising he isn't familiar with the UI.

I would rather see a poorly formatted message from someone with his experience than a beautiful diatribe by someone who doesnt know their ass from a hole in the ground.
 
Okay, let’s see if I can figure this Forum thing out!
(And bear with me, cuz this is probably gonna take a while!)...

...In the unlikely event any of you are still awake, I appreciate your comments, value your opinions, and will now fade back into the oblivion of magazine publishing. This forum stuff is exhausting!

Mike Panozzo
Billiards Digest

I think you accidentally PM'd (private message on this forum) me last night. :grin-square:

Must give credit where credit is due. :)

Back in 2004 -- seems so long ago :o -- Mason King, writing for Billiards Digest, published an article entitled By the Skins of His Teeth: Feijen Wins $42,500 at Skins Event Debut.

At this time, I was swatting insults, lies, and mean-spirited comments hurled at Keith McCready left and right -- in person and on the Internet. At times, it seemed like a never-ending process, and I was a brand-new newbie posting on the Internet social media sites. Though I realize Keith was the Stu Ungar of the pool world before we met, I was not about to stand by and read the rubbish written about him when he was attempting to straighten his life out and do everything right -- at least on my watch. I was like a mother lioness protecting her cub in this regard, and anybody who took a jab at Keith, well, they were taking a jab at me and would most likely feel the wrath of my words come down upon them with all my might. :grin-square:

Mason King wrote the following in that article: In a bit of a coup for the promoters, loose cannons Keith McCready and Earl Strickland both made it into the televised semis, and their lips were flapping.

In my lioness mother mode, I did not care for Billiards Digest labeling Keith as a "loose cannon" with Earl. Well, I didn't care what they wrote about Earl. My concern was Keith, and I wrote a letter to the editor. Much to my chagrin, Billiards Digest published it. :eek:

Just like this thread, I must say that I appreciate that Billiards Digest, and Mike Panozzo, have taken the time in their busy schedule to address concerns raised by the pool public. The BCA should take notice on how this type of communication and attention can affect the American pool world in a good way. :)

Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the betterment of American pool and in particular the concern of this forum's members. I like your style! :yes:

Keith and Canadian Luc Salvas, two of the fastest guns on the pool circuit, at the 2004 Skins Billiards Championship.
 

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Hey, Jeff, hope you're well.

Let me add that Mike is a fantastic Master of Ceremonies. He did a wonderful job running the show at the recent Hall of Fame Dinner.

Thanks, Stu.

Peace and happiness be to you and yours. Maybe we'll run into each other again....Peoria could come into play again someday? :cool:

Jeff Livingston
 
You and I don't always agree, Dave (as a matter of fact, we seldom do), but I couldn't agree with you more on this one. To say that Barry Hearn has done more for American pool than the people you listed is, well, more than a little far-fetched.

I also agree with Jennie; the BCA doesn't care what we think.

Roger

Is it true the Executive Director of the BCA took a pay cut and also works a second job?
 
Nailed it, Justin! Cut and pasted from a Word doc! Too funny.

'Pockets,' thanks for the kind words. Always a pleasure seeing you as well.

And JAM, sorry about the errant PM. I think it was a 2-year-old message that was still sitting there waiting to be sent!

Point of clarification on the Hall of Fame…the Hall of Fame voting is done by USBMA members (approx 30), a half dozen "Friends of the Game" (promoters, historians and the like who don't qualify as media, like Jerry Briesath, Mike Shamos, Mark Griffin, etc., appointed by the USBMA) and the living Hall of Famers.
 
Players like Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, and Ralf Souquet may not be American but they spent much of their playing careers competing in America, had great success playing in America, and added a lot to American pool.

Would you exclude non-Americans form the baseball hall of fame? Some of the greatest ever were foreign born and, just to name a few, Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal and Tony Perez. Japan's Ichiro Suzuki will surely be inducted soon. Guys like these added so much to American baseball.

I can see an argument for restricting player inductions to those who competed significantly in America, but omitting foreigners would be inappropriate.

Baseball Hall of Fame doesn't have USA, America or any other state or country name in title.
 
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