Rafael Martinez

[Snapshot9]

My only time

seeing Rafeal was when he showed up here in Wichita in late 80's, early 90's, for Shooters big Thanksgiving Weekend tournament. He held the Challenge table for some time, displaying his superb ability. That was the first time that I watched someone sidestroke jump shots with precision.

plus he is shorter than me, so I was interested in watching all his techniques ... lol

 

[cuenut]

Isn't it Raphael "Lazarus" Martinez?


Eric

Good one Eric. Maybe not many have read through this post, but it was only about 1.5 years ago when that happened.

I have seen him pull a few "miraculous" shots. If there were a requirement in the pro ranks to shoot with one and only one cue that doesn't break down to a jumper, Rafael would be the world champion 10 years running!! He can jump a ball with a full cue better than anyone IMHO. Masses like a king as well.

 

[LAMas]

20 Years Ago

Raphael came up from Mexico around 20 years ago, spoke no English, and started playing and practicing at the Hard Times in Bellflower CA. I used to go most evenings after work to the HT and watched Raphael in the Wednesday tournament (entry lrvel) and improve his skills at 9 Ball. He soon made his impact in the Sunday tournaments (open) as well.

He perfected the side arm jump shot with his regular playing cue where he would jump the blicking ball, make the object ball and have the cue ball draw back for shape. Whith this shot He after and empty break would play a pushout moving the cue ball behind a blocking ball, his opponent would give him that shot back and he would jump the blocker, make the object and get shape to run out.

After about 6 years he became an infrequent visitor to the HT here for he went on the road up to Northern CA and points East.

Recently the rumers of his death turned out to be premature. He started to enter the IPT qualifiers las year and I saw him shoot at Reno a couple of weeks ago where he finished well but fell short of his best. His English is better now and is a welcome sight.

 

[VARick]

One of the very best 9-ball matches in the Accu-Stats catalog is Rafael versus Nick Varner at the Sands Regency in 1994. In a race to 13, Rafael never misses a ball, except for a tricky combination on the nine towards the end. That and a couple of scratches, as I recall, are his only errors.

 

[TIMBER1]

Rafael showed me this shot at CJ's in Dallas many years ago, He hit three times in a row perfect. This showed me what a safety could be, not locking up just one ball, but locking up both balls. He is an amazing talent.

[url]http://CueTable.com/P/?@4AVSi4BJCu1CMmW4PUJy4UVSi4Ubac4USCk4UJcL4UJLK4kUJy4kTWU3kBll3kbXA1kbJM1kQGl1kNDr1kMum1kMun1kMun@[/URL]

 

[hilla_hilla]

you should see the incredible shots/safes he can make playing one pocket. i've never seen anything like it!!!

 

[ribdoner]

Best "leg in the air" player EVER--bar none!!

 

[cdavis9771]

Rafael showed me this shot at CJ's in Dallas many years ago, He hit three times in a row perfect. This showed me what a safety could be, not locking up just one ball, but locking up both balls. He is an amazing talent.

[url]http://CueTable.com/P/?@4AVSi4BJCu1CMmW4PUJy4UVSi4Ubac4USCk4UJcL4UJLK4kUJy4kTWU3kBll3kbXA1kbJM1kQGl1kNDr1kMum1kMun1kMun@[/URL]

Speaking of c.j.wiley. What has he been up to these days?

 

[ironman]

MR David G.

Okay here's the results, as far as I know:

1st-David G.
2nd-TJ Davis
3rd Robert Clark
4th-?
5/6th-?-?
7/8th-Gordy Vanderveer-?

Please fill in the blanks if you have any of the missing info.

Thanks
Doc

David G is playing pretty sporty these days too. Glad to see him back.

 

[9Ball_JJ]

David G is playing pretty sporty these days too. Glad to see him back.

I heard he's trying to get his game back to where it was a while back. The way he was shooting at CJ's, it's hard to believe that his game was at a higher level before.