One final effort

G

Grady

Pro Player
My favorite quote from a famous person is from the great Joe Louis, "If you has to tell em' who you is, you aint," this in response to a friend who said to Joe after they were refused admittance to a restaurant because of their color, "Tell em' who you is, Joe." I kinda feel that way now as I make one last attempt to explain how I feel about invitationals and Randy types.
In 1983 at the Roosevelt hotel, upstairs, at the World Straight Pool Championship I drew Mr Crane, Irving, although I always called him mister out of sheer deference and awe. To add to the delight Cueball Kelly was assigned to ref our match. Mike Sigel apologized to me for sitting there and rooting for Mr. Crane but I quickly said I understood, I mean they were both from Rochester and Mike had learned much from Crane.
I played a nearly flawless match, maybe three innings and won but felt awful in doing so. But Mr. Crane said to Mike, "This young man knows the game and I was especially impressed with his defense." Naturally, the praise coming such a master was wonderful.
This tournament Miz and Hopkins did well betting on me with Rusty Miller, who didn't know me. They got odds and ball spots. Later Rusty and I became really good friends.
What's the point of this history lesson? Mr. Crane was born in 1913, which made him 70 years old at the time, I repeat 70, 6 years older than I am. If I had been a young talented player who didn't get to play because Mr. Crane did, well, all of you who know me , know that I would have been honored to let him have my spot. I'd have plenty of time later.
If posters light into me again after I've done this message, I'll leave this forum forever. You should be ashamed of yourselves for making me defend and justify my getting an invitation.
 
cubc said:
oh you sob. fine second :(
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what the heck is this all about?

and Grady i understand why your upset about this but all thats going to happen here is 80% of the "bangers" on here are going to rip you to shreads... for that i am sorry, but there is a small portion of "bangers" (myself included) that appreciate everything you have done and continue to do for our sport... hopefully everything will work out for you.
 
I got first in the last repost of grady posting a thread about the same thing hes posted about before and corvette got second. Well grady makes yet another thread about the repost of the repost of the thread he posted about the same subject and Corvette said first this time before me and now I get second.

sheeesh get w/ the program :D
 
cubc said:
I got first in the last repost of grady posting a thread about the same thing hes posted about before and corvette got second. Well grady makes yet another thread about the repost of the repost of the thread he posted about the same subject and Corvette said first this time before me and now I get second.

sheeesh get w/ the program :D
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im sorry... i cant hear you... all i can do is stare at your Avatar... :eek: :D
 
Grady, I had the pleasure of having lunch with you in a 70's Cleveland tournament. I found you not only to be articulate, knowledgeable and extremely competitive but also a true supporter of the game. Your pool educational materials are the best on the market.

Your strongly voiced opinions are perceived negatively only by people who have not achieved your success as a player, tournament organizer, gambler, etc.
 
grady,,,my wife hates getting older. she says she is becoming "invisible".

with those used to a public profile, like sports figures or actresses who bemoan the lack of roles for older women, it's even more acute. that is life, so get used to it.
 
Meanwhile, back at rebel headquarters.....
 

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Grady said:
My favorite quote from a famous person is from the great Joe Louis, "If you has to tell em' who you is, you aint," this in response to a friend who said to Joe after they were refused admittance to a restaurant because of their color, "Tell em' who you is, Joe." I kinda feel that way now as I make one last attempt to explain how I feel about invitationals and Randy types.
In 1983 at the Roosevelt hotel, upstairs, at the World Straight Pool Championship I drew Mr Crane, Irving, although I always called him mister out of sheer deference and awe. To add to the delight Cueball Kelly was assigned to ref our match. Mike Sigel apologized to me for sitting there and rooting for Mr. Crane but I quickly said I understood, I mean they were both from Rochester and Mike had learned much from Crane.
I played a nearly flawless match, maybe three innings and won but felt awful in doing so. But Mr. Crane said to Mike, "This young man knows the game and I was especially impressed with his defense." Naturally, the praise coming such a master was wonderful.
This tournament Miz and Hopkins did well betting on me with Rusty Miller, who didn't know me. They got odds and ball spots. Later Rusty and I became really good friends.
What's the point of this history lesson? Mr. Crane was born in 1913, which made him 70 years old at the time, I repeat 70, 6 years older than I am. If I had been a young talented player who didn't get to play because Mr. Crane did, well, all of you who know me , know that I would have been honored to let him have my spot. I'd have plenty of time later.
If posters light into me again after I've done this message, I'll leave this forum forever. You should be ashamed of yourselves for making me defend and justify my getting an invitation.
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Grady,

Great story and I think you presented your position admirably, but I don't think it will matter.

I have the utmost respect for you and what you've done for pool. I was a big fan of yours when I was a kid and you were on the network on Sunday's Wide World of Sports in a tourney. Watching those tourneys probably is what got me into pool in the first place...but I don't hold that against you :D

I think it's a travesty that you were not invited to the tournament. I think it was a stupid decision devoid of any economic analysis. Having you there IMO would have increased ticket sales and added legitimacy to the event. But it was their event and they have the right to be pig-headed and stupid if they want to. I don't mind your bringing it up here, in fact I like it because it gives me insights into the workings of tournaments and people that I don't know personally.

The problem with bringing it on the forum reminds me of a couple of old adages:

"Never try to teach a pig to whistle. Why? Because first of all it's impossible and secondly, it annoys the pig." The people you're trying to convince will never be convinced because they don't want to be. The people who support you don't need to be convinced because they support you already. Furthermore, the people who don't support you will get increasingly hostile and bold in their taunts and mudslinging. EDIT - Need look no further than the previous post for proof of this.

The second adage:
"Never wrestle with a pig. Why? Because you will both get so muddy that onlookers won't be able to tell you apart...AND...the pig will enjoy it."

Arguing on the internet reminds me of wrestling with pigs, there are so many people here that specialize in arguing, enjoy it, thrive on it, and are better than at it than you are. That's because they don't care how stupid they look so long as they can make you look stupid with them. The fact that you are a known celeb only makes the thrill more pronounced for them. When the dust settles, nobody will remember their names, if they ever knew them, but everybody will remember yours, because they know who you are.

I'll continue to support you, but probably won't be vocal about it again.

Cheers,
RC
 
Grady, please don'

Grady said:
My favorite quote from a famous person is from the great Joe Louis, "If you has to tell em' who you is, you aint," this in response to a friend who said to Joe after they were refused admittance to a restaurant because of their color, "Tell em' who you is, Joe." I kinda feel that way now as I make one last attempt to explain how I feel about invitationals and Randy types.
If posters light into me again after I've done this message, I'll leave this forum forever. You should be ashamed of yourselves for making me defend and justify my getting an invitation.
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Why the "drama queen" stuff, Grady? Just as an FYI, you is. Not one person on this NG doesn't know who you are. We don't even have to use your last name. Whenever you hear the name "Grady", we all know who you are. What I don't get is why you got all bent out of shape because you didn't get invited to someone's private party. There were a few ways to get an invite - be on the list, or qualify. I know that there is something between you and Randy. Seems like Randy tried to get you in. If you don't like the guy, that's your business. Want to really stick it to him? Win one of his qualifiers, and then win his event. Don't whine because a red carpet wasn't rolled out to you. It's beneath you, Grady. You're better than this. If you don't like your boss, find a new job. Randy put up the money for the tourney, so he's your boss. I'd hate to lose you as a poster on this group because a couple guys don't like what you've posted. It's not worth it, and it would be a loss for everyone - you AND the group.
 
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Grady,
I enjoy reading your posts, keep them coming.
I also check out your blog every now & then to keep up with what is really going on.

Thank you,
CH:D
 
Grady: You've done so much for the sport and you continue to do so. You are willing to "fight the good fight" and as such you are a valuable member of this forum and the sport in general. Others are not. Thank you for taking the time to expose those people on this forum.

It's dispicable how some have treated you.
 
Mr. Grady,

Is there really no way to patch up the "bad" blood between you and the Randy's out there? Is it really that bad that it's no longer possible to make amends?

Honestly, the only way these Randy's of the world will invite you back is if there is no longer animosity between you and them.
 
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Grady said:
If I had been a young talented player who didn't get to play because Mr. Crane did, well, all of you who know me , know that I would have been honored to let him have my spot. I'd have plenty of time later.
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Maybe someone will give up their spot so you can play? But, after all the hullaballoo, would you really want in now?

I say take the high road on this one.

-td
 
Grady?

Grady are you coming to the "$7000 added, $1,000 buy in w/buy back options" one pocket tournament in Dallas? If so, I would like to come up and watch.

Ray
 
Neil said:
Grady: This has been hashed up and down, forward and backward. Your reasoning is now very clear. (And, I happen to agree with you). But why quit the forums just because there are a few not in 'your camp'? Surely you know that you can't please everyone all the time!

I'm sure you wouldn't know me from Adam, but we have met. (like you and probably 50,000 others!LOL) The ONLY beef I have with you is your 'lack' of participation on this forum. You have TONS of info. I don't think it would hurt your booksales or exhibitions to let out a few nuggets on playing the game now and then. I'm sure you have to have read posts that you felt nobody REALLY had the right answer, but you did. THEN PLEASE SPEAK UP MAN! Your input is sorely needed and wanted.
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Once again, you hit the nail on the head Neil.

My only "beef" with Grady is that, like you, I wish he would post MORE. The stories and tidbits wouldn't HURT the sales of his products or name, they would ENHANCE it because his name is out there. And people would be talking about him and his stories.

BTW-You catch more flies with honey
 
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