Tom In Cincy said:
Rafael Martinez Passing
- Thread starter Tom In Cincy
- Start date
mjantti said:
There is some, not as much as there should be. IME we had some world and ancient history. Weak on European history. Virtually nothing on China. Took AP European history in high school and it was not taught very well. Americans learn mostly American history, and unfortunately learn precious little of that. I don't think American schools do a very good job overall, so history is no exception. I did have a couple of excellent courses though. Things may vary state to state. A couple of years ago I judged at a high school debate and was very upset that some kids had NO idea of American civics or history. NONE. They were not stupid kids, but some had hit 10th or 11th grade and didn't understand foreign countries had no vote in the US Senate, but Alaska had two. Ouch. These kids have been cheated by the schools that spend too much time teaching self esteem, emotions, or irrelevant soft subjects.
blah blah
Shoebat
Apparently he passed away three days before Christmas. I didn't believe it until I checked with a friend about it today. I can see that there's a huge dispute over the time period, so I don't mean to get into that, really. Whatever the date, now I believe.
Raphael was a good, complex man with an incredibly hard life. He had plenty of friends who will miss him.
Some tribute Raphael stories:
When he was a young child, his father would beat him with a belt when he missed a shot or played stupid position. Even in his last years, Raphael was loyal and wouldn't speak ill of his father- he truly believed his dad wanted him to use pool to make something of himself, internationally.
He had a terrific wife in the South. She was extremely surprised to open her front door one day and meet his other wife from Mexico. He had never divorced the first wife before he took the second...
He didn't believe in magic wands. One of his last cues was a "Martinez Special," something he haphazardly put together himself from several other cues and really looked like sh*t. I mean, really looked like sh*t. But he still played like God with it. : )
He said he wouldn't teach many people anything, and didn't want any of his lessons to be shared. I asked why, and he spanned the poolroom with his arm and said, "Look around. Lots of mean a**holes in pool. Most of them don't know anything. You teach them anything, and you've just given them another way to be mean to other people. You've got to have a good heart to play pool."
Please share some more stories, if you can, about Raphael. Try to stay away from the bad times- this is a tribute, and if we're honest, we've all had our bad times that don't need to be shared.
Raphael was a good, complex man with an incredibly hard life. He had plenty of friends who will miss him.
Some tribute Raphael stories:
When he was a young child, his father would beat him with a belt when he missed a shot or played stupid position. Even in his last years, Raphael was loyal and wouldn't speak ill of his father- he truly believed his dad wanted him to use pool to make something of himself, internationally.
He had a terrific wife in the South. She was extremely surprised to open her front door one day and meet his other wife from Mexico. He had never divorced the first wife before he took the second...
He didn't believe in magic wands. One of his last cues was a "Martinez Special," something he haphazardly put together himself from several other cues and really looked like sh*t. I mean, really looked like sh*t. But he still played like God with it. : )
He said he wouldn't teach many people anything, and didn't want any of his lessons to be shared. I asked why, and he spanned the poolroom with his arm and said, "Look around. Lots of mean a**holes in pool. Most of them don't know anything. You teach them anything, and you've just given them another way to be mean to other people. You've got to have a good heart to play pool."
Please share some more stories, if you can, about Raphael. Try to stay away from the bad times- this is a tribute, and if we're honest, we've all had our bad times that don't need to be shared.
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mjantti said:
Yes, Mikko, but with a bias in favor of how Europe has figured in American history, such as:
Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire
All Europeans that explored the Americas
17th century Dutch history
17th, 18th and 19th century British history
18th and 19th century French history
19th century Mexican history
20th century history of WWI and WWII
The history of Russia, Asia, and South America are more typcially studied by university students, and, of course, only by those opting for such a course of study.
sjm said:
Ok. I was curious about if those areas in history are covered at all or just briefly in one paragraph or a chapter. I haven't studied history after college but I think Finnish school gives a really good perspective of world history with emphasis on Finnish history and Finnish-Russian relationship as it is very essential over the last 200 years. Also, we try to get things into perspective as many world events are linked together across the globe. So, a wider insight of things and realizing the connections between historical events open eyes for a broader view. It's a pity that American history lessons don't support this view and have emphasis only on American perspective.
Somehow I always found domestic history much more boring than events around the world. Now, as an almost graduated Masters degree student in Science, I suddenly find history much more interesting. Mostly due to frequent travelling around the historical sights in Europe. I always find the local historical facts very interesting, especially at the site.
We had quite a few lessons about American history, but mostly I've forgotten the most 'cause I loathed history at the time. Not because of Americans though
Rafael did have a good heart, I agree. I didn't know about the childhood stories you mentioned, that's too bad. Rafael, IMO, was the kind of guy that was tough to get close to because he trusted very few people. One thing I did like about him was that when you spoke to him, he listened. He was interested in what you had to say and you could see it in his eyes. When he wanted to share his knowledge of the game with you, he would, but not until he was ready. He was driven by the game and practiced as hard as anyone. There are very few people that had as much success against me as he did, as far as playing tournaments go. When I had to play him next in a tournament at Hard Times, which happened quite often back in the early 90's, I knew I had to play my best AND get lucky to win because he had such good luck against me. His position play wasn't the best at times but he could come with a shot whenever he needed to and it was hard to overcome. Anyway, this is terrible news to know that he's no longer with us. He was a good person, on and off the table. R.I.P. Rafael.blah blah said:
piglit said:
Pigi,
LMAO. Remember though, that tenants of vitreous abodes ought to hurl no lithoidal fragments. Now I'm off to the pool hall, to cleave gramineous matter while the orb of the day is refulgent.
P.S. - Pigi and I went to school together, but I think he hurt his head or something. Is it the school or the student??? The arrow or the Indian???
Rude Dog said:
Rafael played eight ball like a tiger. I saw him play several times in the World 8-ball championships when it was played at the Riviera in LAs Vegas. I remember him as a great finisher. Once he had you down, you were in deep trouble. He'll be missed.
Rafael Martinez
Although I never personally knew Rafael I know about him and especially since he lived here in Soddy Daisy, Tn and married, I am told, a waitress that worked at the local pool room. A neat story about him I think you will enjoy was told to me a while back by the owner of the room. He and Rafael were playing pool and Rafael was giving him the 6 and the break and was ahead about $100. Since the owner was Rafael's friend he suddenly said to him "I think we ought to quit". The owner, a good short stop in his own right, said "Rafael, how can you quit when I'm loser?" Rafael's reply was "I like you and it's going to get a lot worse for you!" After a quick thought the owner said "I think you're right". He thought a lot of Rafael and will surely be sorry to hear of his passing.
Although I never personally knew Rafael I know about him and especially since he lived here in Soddy Daisy, Tn and married, I am told, a waitress that worked at the local pool room. A neat story about him I think you will enjoy was told to me a while back by the owner of the room. He and Rafael were playing pool and Rafael was giving him the 6 and the break and was ahead about $100. Since the owner was Rafael's friend he suddenly said to him "I think we ought to quit". The owner, a good short stop in his own right, said "Rafael, how can you quit when I'm loser?" Rafael's reply was "I like you and it's going to get a lot worse for you!" After a quick thought the owner said "I think you're right". He thought a lot of Rafael and will surely be sorry to hear of his passing.
sjm said:
Thanks for taking it well. I was mired in policy revision/ development yesterday, in addition to a particularly heavy day at work.
I am an ass, but I am still thankful that all my AZB friends know what I say don't mean doo-doo...
Now, back to enjoying the site!
-piga
A slight glimpse of humour will brighten up these serious threads.
This thread should not be used as a conversation forum. If you have something to say to someone that is not on topic, you should use the messaging feature that this site offers. People who cared for this individual will be checking this thread for information and do not need to see useless rambling. Thanks.
Hey everyone, do we know for certain that Raphael in fact died? These later posts seem to indicate that he's dead and buried and then I went back through the posts and on the first page this was still being debated and now it seems like he has. Someone said he heard about his death 3 1/2 weeks ago and another poster said he died 3 days before Xmas. Something is amiss here. I think we should wait and get confirmation before we start writing eulogies, don't ya think?
Been trying to obtain some info on Rafael
Tom, been trying to obtain some info directly from the Mexican Billiard Federation. So far no response.
Try contacting Ernesto Dominguez or Morro Paez. The should know for sure.
Tom In Cincy said:
Tom, been trying to obtain some info directly from the Mexican Billiard Federation. So far no response.
Try contacting Ernesto Dominguez or Morro Paez. The should know for sure.
I am getting very pissed at this subject- Blah Blah, where did you hear this from exactly? If someone knows, then they should also know how, why, and when. None of his regular mexican friends in Cali have heard from him, and I am extremely upset at this second hand information. All this talk of how crazy and goofy he is, is pissing me off too. He HAS one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know. He did some things that were different, because they were his way. He was going back to Colima, and didn't really care if he played pool again at all, just live a regular life. Again, it disgusts me to hear from second hand info, of someone close to you passing . Would someone explain in detail, the way in which this might have happened?