Question for JAM

[Skess]

JAM,

I found some old video tapes of ESPN pool matches the other night. One of them was Keith playing Earl at Caeser's Palace.

It was a semi-final match and both players were in tuxedos. Keith came back from down 8-2 to win 5 in a row before scratching on the break. Earl ran out to win 9-7.

I know this was taped in the late 80's, but I was hoping for a more specific date. Do either you or Keith remember when this tournament took place and what tournament it was?

Scott

 

[Terry Ardeno]

JAM,

I found some old video tapes of ESPN pool matches the other night. One of them was Keith playing Earl at Caeser's Palace.

It was a semi-final match and both players were in tuxedos. Keith came back from down 8-2 to win 5 in a row before scratching on the break. Earl ran out to win 9-7.

I know this was taped in the late 80's, but I was hoping for a more specific date. Do either you or Keith remember when this tournament took place and what tournament it was?

Scott

Skess,
Check your PM's.

 

[Skess]

Thanks Terry!

I actually found some others as well.

Sigel vs Varner (final)- This is the one that Sigel won 11 in a row after losing early.

Grady Mathews vs Nick Varner (final) - Nick wins 9-8 when Grady misses a safe in the last rack.

Mizerak vs Jimmy White - Fiat challenge, I have the 8 ball and snooker matches.

One thing I noticed right away in all these matches was the force they used on some of the shots. They definitely weren't playing on 860 cloth. In the Sigel match, the analyst (Mizerak I believe) actually says that Mike "will hit this shot 100mph". It was a simple 2 rail position shot, but Mike hit the hell out of it to get it back to the other end of the table. It really gave me a good idea of how much different the surfaces are today.

 

[axejunkie]

Sigel vs Varner (final)- This is the one that Sigel won 11 in a row after losing early.

Good stuff...isn't it Varner who wins 11 in a row though or I am thinking of a different match? The one where the corner ball goes every time on the break and Mike gets hooked off Nick's miss and blasts the ball off the table?

 

[Skess]

I thought I heard them say Sigel, but it was late. You could be right.

I didn't watch the whole match last night. Hoping to watch the rest of it tonight.

 

[JAM]

JAM,

I found some old video tapes of ESPN pool matches the other night. One of them was Keith playing Earl at Caeser's Palace.

It was a semi-final match and both players were in tuxedos. Keith came back from down 8-2 to win 5 in a row before scratching on the break. Earl ran out to win 9-7.

I know this was taped in the late 80's, but I was hoping for a more specific date. Do either you or Keith remember when this tournament took place and what tournament it was?

Scott

I'll definitely find out when I talk to Keith.

The only video I have of Earl and Keith is when they were competing at Classic Billiards in Rochester, New York, at a Joss Tour event. They ended dueling for the first-place prize. It was a great match. Keith came one break away from beating Earl, if he hadn't of scratched in the side pocket in the double-hill finals. Earl, with ball in hand, of course, ran out for the almighty win. Keith always claimed to be the bride's maid when it came to playing Earl Strickland. Hey, the next best thing to coming in first is coming in second! LOL The match was quite exciting!

JAM

 

[JG-in-KY]

I'll definitely find out when I talk to Keith.

The only video I have of Earl and Keith is when they were competing at Classic Billiards in Rochester, New York, at a Joss Tour event. They ended dueling for the first-place prize. It was a great match. Keith came one break away from beating Earl, if he hadn't of scratched in the side pocket in the double-hill finals. Earl, with ball in hand, of course, ran out for the almighty win. Keith always claimed to be the bride's maid when it came to playing Earl Strickland. Hey, the next best thing to coming in first is coming in second! LOL The match was quite exciting!

JAM

Hey Jam maybe you forgot or misplaced it, but I am pretty sure I sent you a copy of this match from ESPN back a few years ago along with the magazines.

 

[JAM]

Hey Jam maybe you forgot or misplaced it, but I am pretty sure I sent you a copy of this match from ESPN back a few years ago along with the magazines.

I will look for it. I never throw away anything, and if I have it, then it is in my library. I asked Keith, and he was unsure of the exact year, though he remembered the match. He said Earl was unstoppable during this era and was the toughest player in the universe.

I also have every single National Billiard News from 1975 through 1985, and may find mention of this event.

It is great to have so many pool gems, such as Snap, National Billiard News, Pool and Billiards magazine, National Tavern News, American Cueist, Accu-Stats newsletter (very cool), as well as Billiards Digest magazine. These are the archives of American pool. I cannot tell you how many times I have pored through them, looking up stats, dates, and information. I am truly appreciative of your kind gift. I continue to read them and find they are just about the only record that exists of American pool during this era. Thanks again for your very kind gift. I cannot tell you enough how much they mean to me.

JAM

 

[JimS]

You are a great chronicoler (sp?... one who chroncicles?) of pool for several deades. Someday there will be a lot of people who revere you for this work. Someday like NOW!... for me anyways. Thanks JAM. You are performing us a great sevice. Terry Ardeno appears to be another!