Where to start???
The Mosconi Cup, had become kinda "old-hat" to me after seeing the same faces for Team USA every year, Earl, Archer...etc.
And it began to feel like everyone was going through the motions. The excitment was lost for me, to say the least.
Now...I have been a fan of Dennis Hatch for many years...dating back to the days of the Lexington All-Stars tourneys at the Continental Inn in KY, but had not seen him, other than occassional gambling matches recently, for several years. When i heard he was up for a place on the team, I immediately voted for him, hoping to get to see him play again. what I did not know, was how profound an influence he would make on how I watched this game.
Dennis showed emotion and heart, with an unmatched determination to win... to an extent that had me glued to the monitor for every shot. Every day, no matter what I was doing, I HAD TO BE HOME FOR THE MOSCONI CUP. Earl's antics were always interesting, but wore thin after a while...Dennis is different, he made this thing an obsession again!
For my vote, Dennis has earned a lifetime spot on Team USA. He is, in my opinion, an American Hero in the billiard realm. Here is a guy that had to get on the team by popular vote. There is a huge chance, that it could have been won by Rodney Morris, C. Williams, John Schmidt, Hillbilly, or others. (and ALL very deserving i must add)
But thank goodness it wasn't. Because i doubt anyone could have made it their own like Dennis did.
Congrats to all the guys on Team USA, Johnny, Corey, Oscar, SVB and Nick "Captain America" Varner...
And THANK YOU to Dennis Hatch... from me, and the rest of the country! You brought back the spark, the interest, the emotion, and dazzled with your amazing play. You are the MVP.
The display of emotion from Team USA shows that this sport is NOT only for dark, smokey, back alley rooms full of less-than-desirable characters. This is a real sport, with some very talented and classy individuals!
Thanks Dennis!
Congrats to Team USA!
And I'm counting down til next year!
Brandon Lee Spitler.
USA USA USA!
The Mosconi Cup, had become kinda "old-hat" to me after seeing the same faces for Team USA every year, Earl, Archer...etc.
And it began to feel like everyone was going through the motions. The excitment was lost for me, to say the least.
Now...I have been a fan of Dennis Hatch for many years...dating back to the days of the Lexington All-Stars tourneys at the Continental Inn in KY, but had not seen him, other than occassional gambling matches recently, for several years. When i heard he was up for a place on the team, I immediately voted for him, hoping to get to see him play again. what I did not know, was how profound an influence he would make on how I watched this game.
Dennis showed emotion and heart, with an unmatched determination to win... to an extent that had me glued to the monitor for every shot. Every day, no matter what I was doing, I HAD TO BE HOME FOR THE MOSCONI CUP. Earl's antics were always interesting, but wore thin after a while...Dennis is different, he made this thing an obsession again!
For my vote, Dennis has earned a lifetime spot on Team USA. He is, in my opinion, an American Hero in the billiard realm. Here is a guy that had to get on the team by popular vote. There is a huge chance, that it could have been won by Rodney Morris, C. Williams, John Schmidt, Hillbilly, or others. (and ALL very deserving i must add)
But thank goodness it wasn't. Because i doubt anyone could have made it their own like Dennis did.
Congrats to all the guys on Team USA, Johnny, Corey, Oscar, SVB and Nick "Captain America" Varner...
And THANK YOU to Dennis Hatch... from me, and the rest of the country! You brought back the spark, the interest, the emotion, and dazzled with your amazing play. You are the MVP.
The display of emotion from Team USA shows that this sport is NOT only for dark, smokey, back alley rooms full of less-than-desirable characters. This is a real sport, with some very talented and classy individuals!
Thanks Dennis!
Congrats to Team USA!
And I'm counting down til next year!
Brandon Lee Spitler.
USA USA USA!