Jimmy was not unknown or underrated back East, and that's primarily where he played. He played the top players even, when he had his chemistry right.
I think he died young, maybe early 40's. He may have OD'd.
most underated pool players
- Thread starter delta boy
- Start date
Jimmy was not unknown or underrated back East, and that's primarily where he played. He played the top players even, when he had his chemistry right.
I think he died young, maybe early 40's. He may have OD'd.
Smokey was a top speed bar table specialist. He would gamble with anyone on a bar box. He became good friends with the actor David Keith, who backed him on several occasions. Last I heard he was working in Jacksonville, FL in construction or something like that. Maybe flooring or roofing. He told me when I talked to him a couple of years ago but I forgot. He had a few bad habits he had to overcome as well. Smokey's in his 50's now.
Sonny Springer was known by all the hustlers. Heck, he was one of them. Came to Johnston City every year too. Still played good when he was older. Last I heard about him was maybe ten years ago. Not sure if he is alive or not. Would be mid to late 70's if he was.
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Sonny Springer is no longer with us. There is some good info about him in the forum over at www.southernbilliards.com
Truelove's circa '67
Would like to know more about Norman Hitchcock.At that time Herman
'the german' was more active but i thought Norman was in another class.
He had the demeanor of a world champion.Rarely missed a bank even on
a trap snooker table.I was told he had a drinking problem(many intelligent
men have.)
Truelove was a classy room owner.I was in action for 3 days,won some $.
owed table time and food /drinks.He refused any payment.Said "people who
gamble with me pay for nothing." Jay?
ps/ sorry,this was in Oklahoma City
Would like to know more about Norman Hitchcock.At that time Herman
'the german' was more active but i thought Norman was in another class.
He had the demeanor of a world champion.Rarely missed a bank even on
a trap snooker table.I was told he had a drinking problem(many intelligent
men have.)
Truelove was a classy room owner.I was in action for 3 days,won some $.
owed table time and food /drinks.He refused any payment.Said "people who
gamble with me pay for nothing." Jay?
ps/ sorry,this was in Oklahoma City
Hitchcock may have been the best player ever to come out of Oklahoma. He ruled in Oklahoma City until Buddy took up residence at Truelove's. Herman was at least the seven ball under him. Kind of a forgotten man when discussing the top players of his generation. Probably because he rarely left town to play, except maybe Johnston City or the Stardust. He won the 9-Ball at the Stardust in 1973, with all the top players present.
Norman was tall and lanky and had a smooth soft stroke, reminded me a little of Portland Don Watson. I often wonder about guys like this and know they must have played somewhere down the line. All the really good players played each other back then, because there was more traveling going on. Hitchcock was somewhere near the top of the food chain. It took a Buddy Hall to get the better of him. And that one had to be a marathon.
In the center of the country, Norman and Greg Stevens had to be the two best 9-Ball players. At that time, Bernie Schwartz and Billy Incardona were the best back East, Wade Crane the best down South and Richie Florence the best out West. And Ed Kelly was the best road man playing 9-Ball (and any other game for that matter). For a local player back then, George Rood was unbeatable in Dayton. But he wasn't going anywhere. You had to come find him. Lassiter was pretty much a tournament player exclusively by the late 60's. No one left to gamble with him.
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How about Neptune Joe Frady from Jersey. When he was right he could be a monster.
Most Underated Players spanning the years
During the mid 1960's I think Jerry Brock would have been much closer to the top of your list. At that time he was playing in northern California while still in the Air Force. His 9 ball play was perfection. Straight pool, the same. He consistently beat another world class player who belongs on your list.....Frank Lively. Frank owned a small family billiard place near Travis AFB's main entrance. Frank was in his 50's at that time and is now deceased. Frank competed at the Star Dust open against Lassiter and other old time greats.
During the mid 1960's I think Jerry Brock would have been much closer to the top of your list. At that time he was playing in northern California while still in the Air Force. His 9 ball play was perfection. Straight pool, the same. He consistently beat another world class player who belongs on your list.....Frank Lively. Frank owned a small family billiard place near Travis AFB's main entrance. Frank was in his 50's at that time and is now deceased. Frank competed at the Star Dust open against Lassiter and other old time greats.
physiology, professor emeritus.
that thang thaat thang thaaat tha aaang...nuf said [if ya dont know ..ask
that thang thaat thang thaaat tha aaang...nuf said [if ya dont know ..ask
I think Vernon was the most underrated player of them all, and he liked it that way.:smile::smile:
I staked Paul Turner giving Tommy Sanders the 8 on a barbox in Jackson, Ms at Buddys and Paul robbed him. When Paul had his mixture right he had a chance to beat anyone on a barbox. I think Paul was underated by many who never played him. I know a local who ran the roads for 30 yrs, made more money than most and still has plenty. He was a hardcore hustler that won a ton of money in Chicago, and that was Junior Sweatmon.
Good to hear Smokey mentioned
I met Smokey around 88 or 89 in Houston , guy was definitely strong to say the very least , I would place him about the 7 ball under Tommy Sanders when Tommy was in his Prime , but Smokey was definitely entertaining and knew a ton of trick shots , I saw him come through Beaumont several times in the late 80s early 90s and always looked forward to seeing him , you just couldn't help but like they guy , hope he doing well
I met Smokey around 88 or 89 in Houston , guy was definitely strong to say the very least , I would place him about the 7 ball under Tommy Sanders when Tommy was in his Prime , but Smokey was definitely entertaining and knew a ton of trick shots , I saw him come through Beaumont several times in the late 80s early 90s and always looked forward to seeing him , you just couldn't help but like they guy , hope he doing well
Leonardo Andam
Bakersfield Bobby
Choo Choo Coltrain
Bakersfield Bobby
Choo Choo Coltrain
Me and MANY of my buddies can attest to that lolol! ( Andam )
Again with Riggie???
Rags Fitzpatrick - Eddie Taylor called him "the best one pocket player I have ever seen." Yes, he died over 50 years ago, but he is rarely mentioned in threads about the greatest.
George Rood - a legend of the Midwest who chose not to go on the road, but those who came to his neck of the woods (Ohio, if I recall correctly) know that George was an all-time great player.
George Rood - a legend of the Midwest who chose not to go on the road, but those who came to his neck of the woods (Ohio, if I recall correctly) know that George was an all-time great player.