Question for the 'Old Timers'

Okie

Okie

Seeker
Silver Member
I recently read Jay's Pool Wars (and loved it) and came across a name of a player who I have the honor of playing with (Herman the German). That set me to thinking about my uncle. I asked Jay if he knew him but he did not. So to my question... Does anyone remember a man named Rex Cummins. He is in his mid 80's now. He started playing in Anadarko, Ok and eventually ended up in southern California. His stories, as you might imagine, are wonderful to listen to and paint quite the rosy picture. The biggest accomplishment he shared with me was a victory at what he called the California State 9 Ball Championships. He spoke of dining with Minn. Fats and others during this time. I don't really care if his stories were real or imagined but I would like to hear stories about him if there are any to be told.

Anyways, maybe you knew him, maybe ya didn't but if you did please share! He is on my mind a lot right now as he has recently suffered a life threatening stroke. Thanks!
 
Okie said:
I recently read Jay's Pool Wars (and loved it) and came across a name of a player who I have the honor of playing with (Herman the German). That set me to thinking about my uncle. I asked Jay if he knew him but he did not. So to my question... Does anyone remember a man named Rex Cummins. He is in his mid 80's now. He started playing in Anadarko, Ok and eventually ended up in southern California. His stories, as you might imagine, are wonderful to listen to and paint quite the rosy picture. The biggest accomplishment he shared with me was a victory at what he called the California State 9 Ball Championships. He spoke of dining with Minn. Fats and others during this time. I don't really care if his stories were real or imagined but I would like to hear stories about him if there are any to be told.

Anyways, maybe you knew him, maybe ya didn't but if you did please share! He is on my mind a lot right now as he has recently suffered a life threatening stroke. Thanks!
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You might quiz some of our elder statesmen in a PM. Some of the people who might have known your uncle, may not read the forums as thoroughly as others.
 
Herman The German!

Okie said:
I recently read Jay's Pool Wars (and loved it) and came across a name of a player who I have the honor of playing with (Herman the German). That set me to thinking about my uncle. I asked Jay if he knew him but he did not. So to my question... Does anyone remember a man named Rex Cummins. He is in his mid 80's now. He started playing in Anadarko, Ok and eventually ended up in southern California. His stories, as you might imagine, are wonderful to listen to and paint quite the rosy picture. The biggest accomplishment he shared with me was a victory at what he called the California State 9 Ball Championships. He spoke of dining with Minn. Fats and others during this time. I don't really care if his stories were real or imagined but I would like to hear stories about him if there are any to be told.

Anyways, maybe you knew him, maybe ya didn't but if you did please share! He is on my mind a lot right now as he has recently suffered a life threatening stroke. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Nothing about your uncle, but I see Herman at JJ almost every time I go there. I got your friend request but not real sure how to accept you or whatever. Enlighten me on the friend request thing
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
Nothing about your uncle, but I see Herman at JJ almost every time I go there. I got your friend request but not real sure how to accept you or whatever. Enlighten me on the friend request thing
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I received one from Nat but don't remember it being anything other than just accepting....sorry
 
I play once in a while with an older Native American friend named Victor Jefferson. There was a pool hall in southwest OKC called True Loves. When it first opened, Victor and his brother living nearby, young teenagers at the time, helped move in the new tables for the place. The older players at the time took these boys under their wings. Victor has mentioned Herman the German and may even went out on the road with him at some point. A shot out rear car window shut down his road days for some reason. Victor can name several of these old players that hung around there. Each had his own specialty, one pocket, 15.1, etc. Herman the German really sticks out in my mind. Victor is a super player by the way.
 
98falstaff said:
I play once in a while with an older Native American friend named Victor Jefferson. There was a pool hall in southwest OKC called True Loves. When it first opened, Victor and his brother living nearby, young teenagers at the time, helped move in the new tables for the place. The older players at the time took these boys under their wings. Victor has mentioned Herman the German and may even went out on the road with him at some point. A shot out rear car window shut down his road days for some reason. Victor can name several of these old players that hung around there. Each had his own specialty, one pocket, 15.1, etc. Herman the German really sticks out in my mind. Victor is a super player by the way.
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I have been to Truelove's on many occasions. I worked at Willow Creek in the 80's and 90's and it was only about 2 miles from Truelove's. I know a Victor who plays in most tournaments around the city but I am not sure of his last name. I bet it is the same guy. Super nice guy!

I love sitting and listening to Herman. Good times!

My uncle has lived in Chickasha for about 15 years now but his playing days were primarily in southern California in the 60's. I will ask Victor if he has heard of him though.

Thanks for the info!
 
The Victor I know now lives down here by Lake Texoma. The next time I talk to him I'll get more names and stories.
 
Victor

Okie said:
I have been to Truelove's on many occasions. I worked at Willow Creek in the 80's and 90's and it was only about 2 miles from Truelove's. I know a Victor who plays in most tournaments around the city but I am not sure of his last name. I bet it is the same guy. Super nice guy!

I love sitting and listening to Herman. Good times!

My uncle has lived in Chickasha for about 15 years now but his playing days were primarily in southern California in the 60's. I will ask Victor if he has heard of him though.

Thanks for the info!
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Don't know Victors last name but am sure we are talking about the one I know. He gets to all the tourneys and always buys great players in the calcuttas. Yes, he knows everybody. Never thought of him as a great player but he plays okay. He has a very interesting life story. Even though I've known him for thirty years I only recently heard his whole life story. Very conversational guy. Herman was a fixture of Okla. pool for the last 300 years. Many of the greatest locals went thru Herman at some point. My personal favorite was Norman Hitchcock. Normans stroke was a thing of beauty.
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
Don't know Victors last name but am sure we are talking about the one I know. He gets to all the tourneys and always buys great players in the calcuttas. Yes, he knows everybody. Never thought of him as a great player but he plays okay. He has a very interesting life story. Even though I've known him for thirty years I only recently heard his whole life story. Very conversational guy. Herman was a fixture of Okla. pool for the last 300 years. Many of the greatest locals went thru Herman at some point. My personal favorite was Norman Hitchcock. Normans stroke was a thing of beauty.
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Agreed! I could watch Mr. Hitchcock for hours! I think the Victor we are talking about and the one 98falstaff is referring to might be different guys. I know the one you're talking about but somehow doubt he lives at Texoma. He shows up too regularly at tournaments for that kind of drive. Who knows :)
 
Mr. Wiggles said:
Don't know Victors last name but am sure we are talking about the one I know. He gets to all the tourneys and always buys great players in the calcuttas. Yes, he knows everybody. Never thought of him as a great player but he plays okay. He has a very interesting life story. Even though I've known him for thirty years I only recently heard his whole life story. Very conversational guy. Herman was a fixture of Okla. pool for the last 300 years. Many of the greatest locals went thru Herman at some point. My personal favorite was Norman Hitchcock. Normans stroke was a thing of beauty.
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I am always pleased to see Norman Hitchcock's mentioned.
Herman was a fine player....
..but Norman was a master.

And Truelove is in my top 1% of pool room owners.
 
Hitchcock was The Man until Buddy showed up at Trueloves. Ask Herman about playing Little Hand from Muskogee. He was a helluva player! Only guy he couldn't beat was Norman and Eufala at One Pocket. I go back a long ways in Oklahoma.
 
pt109 said:
I am always pleased to see Norman Hitchcock's mentioned.
Herman was a fine player....
..but Norman was a master.

And Truelove is in my top 1% of pool room owners.
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Agreed 100%

Unfortunately, Truelove's has gone down hill a bit. But great memories remain!
 
jay helfert said:
Hitchcock was The Man until Buddy showed up at Trueloves. Ask Herman about playing Little Hand from Muskogee. He was a helluva player! Only guy he couldn't beat was Norman and Eufala at One Pocket. I go back a long ways in Oklahoma.
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Herman remembers playing Little Hand. I spoke with him last week about it. I read the part of your book to him which mentioned the match. He seemed to enjoy it.

Now if I could get him off his chair to play me some more. He got me stuck $40 and now that I am playing better all he tells me is that he thinks he spent that $40! Love chatting with him...good man! :thumbup:
 
Holy cow, how in the world did I miss this thread? I'm definitely going to have to check in here more often...


Let's see if anyone has any stories about Tommy "Tucker" Schultz (RIP).
 
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