He was thin until about age 40 when he started taking on weight. By 50 he was obese and grew bigger year by year.
Ray Martin..."The Man"
- Thread starter tonyboy59
- Start date
He was thin until about age 40 when he started taking on weight. By 50 he was obese and grew bigger year by year.
Man, I wish I was there to see all this. Truly, these were pool's golden years, the kind of pool I like sweating. The tournaments of today are fun, now that I know a little bit about the players' personalities.
Keith did beat Larry as a young'n in Sacramento. They played a couple times . Sigel and Hubbart had no fear of young Keith and came gunning for him. Keith was in his early 20s. When they first met, Keith spotted Hubbart two balls on the bar table and barbecued him.
Then there's this I copied from another computer. Man, that National Billiard News was THE best back in the day. You used to write for them, Jay. It is the only archives we have of pool in this era. Solid gold!
Here's a copy-and-paste: Here is a reprint from the National Billiards Newsletter. If this is the same tournament, it was in 1979, June 1979, an article entitled "It's Mcreaty [sic] For The California Cheese." Their spelling and punctuation wasn't as good as it could be back then, but I ain't complaining. There is nowhere else to find this data other than NBN. It is sad that don't exist anymore.
I love the descriptions of the players in this article. Here's a few tidbits:
The beautiful antique $5,000 teakwood pool tables used in the tournament were furnished by Rebco. It was posh and class all the way.
Minnesota Fats performed prior to the day and evening sessions. Mike Massey and George Middleditch were the new attraction this year.
The 64-man field for this tournament included champions Dan Louie, Larry Hubbart, Louie Roberts, Paul Brienza, Rodney Thompson, Dallas West, Ronnie Allen, and Tony Annagoni...Other top players were cuemaker/player Bill Stroud, Tacoma Whitey, Roy Futternick, Lee Boyer, and a great player rarely seen in tournament play, Jay (Swanee) Swanson...Tacoma Whitey, who had gone undefeated, suffered a heart attack. The news cast a pall over the tournament...Jack Madden, a "johnny-come-lately" from Arizona, ignited the crowds with his great all-around playing ability. Ronnie Allen was a more subdued and conscientious player this year. The "gray fox" came to play and play he did. The years seemed to fall away with every shot as the crowds sat mesmerized watching the greatness of Ronnie Allen. He may have come in sixth, but he walked away from this tournament with the homage accorded a winner.
What a player roster! All heavy hitters!
Here's the beginning of a great ending to the story. As usual, Keith had been up all night gambling and dragged himself to the tournament. While everyone else was fresh, Keith was a mess:
As Doug Klish announced the players, all eyes were on Keith. It was common knowledge he had been in a game till early morn, and he looked tired and drawn. Hubbart on the other hand sat in a complete repose, confidence personified. Despite this, the sweaters had Keith up for the win, and you had to admire their optimism.
The match got underway, and Hubbart played as he had throughouth the tournament, cold and in dead stroke. Keith played as if sleepwalking. The outcome was inevitable. Hubbart took it, 11-6.
Now comes the good part of the double-elimination event:
The crowd grumbled at Keith's poor showing, and the sweaters shifted to a lower gear that bordered on masochism.
In the final and crucial match, Hubbart again took the lead 6-2, as the crowd sat in stunned disbelief. Now it was Keith's turn at the table. It must have seemed 20-feet long with pockets the size of walnuts, but tired as he looked, Keith seemed to be more in command.
Playing with heart and sheer determination, he ran out. The crowd came to life, hollering encouragement as the sweaters shifted gears back to optimism, their feet hovering over the clutch.
Keith had gotten his first wind and was playing great safeties and running out racks back to back. The score was now 6-5 with Hubbart in the lead by one game, but he wasn't fazed by Keith's comeback -- ever the Ice Man. But Keith was ready. He hadn't come this far to go down to an ignoble end. Hubbart never won another game, as Keith took it down, 11-6.
The crowd gave the players a rousing ovation as the sweaters sat quietly adjusting their money clips or stretching that rubber band a bit more.
Keith ran a 9-pack on Larry this time. Not to many people can claim that feat.
Then there was the tournament in Iowa where the tournament promoters went south with the funds.
For players like Keith, the tournaments were only a gathering place for pool players. The real action happened after hours, when players could win much more than what the tournament paid out. In this case, there was no tournament payout. Here's another copy-and-paste from my other computer:
Keith said he was undefeated in the tournament, 5 and oh, and didn't show up the last day because he knew the tournament money wasn't going to be there.
Cole Dixon was there, but he wasn't there with Keith. They came separately. Keith says he thinks he was with Tony Banks.
Hearsay, according to Keith, is that Ronnie Allen and the other tournament promoter blew the stew gambling, across the riverbed. The bottom line, whether they lost the money gambling or whatever they did with the money, the money was not going to be paid, so why show up to play in a tournament when you know there's no purse.
Keith said he broke two ring games, beat Corella, Hubbart, beat Don McCoy twice. He said he won his own little tournament on the real tight equipment where nobody could make a ball.
That was a Keith McCready I never knew and can only learn from others, Keith himself, and old pool periodicals. But I do know this, the action in this era was strong. Due to unfortunate circumstances in Keith's younger life, he literally grew up in the pool room, sleeping under the pool tables at night. His mentors were older players, action men, like Larry Lisciotti, Jimmy Reid, Cole Dickson, and Ronnie Allen. Action was a way of survival. He was a rolling stone, and wherever he lay his hat was his home.
The best thing that ever happened to Keith was getting picked for "The Color of Money." Nobody can ever take that away from him. Every pool champion has one thing they will always be remembered for. For Keith, it's TCOM and his no-fear style of gambling, "The world's got the 8."
Ray Martin will always be known for his quiet tableside demeanor as he's barbecuing his opponents. He was a good representative for pool industry members. He was a handsome champion and today is a BCA Hall of Famer. I think he's one of the few players from this era who isn't a broke dog, which means he's also a smart cookie in addition to being a champion pool player.
Man, I wish I was there to see all this. Truly, these were pool's golden years, the kind of pool I like sweating. The tournaments of today are fun, now that I know a little bit about the players' personalities.
Keith did beat Larry as a young'n in Sacramento. They played a couple times . Sigel and Hubbart had no fear of young Keith and came gunning for him. Keith was in his early 20s. When they first met, Keith spotted Hubbart two balls on the bar table and barbecued him.
Then there's this I copied from another computer. Man, that National Billiard News was THE best back in the day. You used to write for them, Jay. It is the only archives we have of pool in this era. Solid gold!
Here's a copy-and-paste: Here is a reprint from the National Billiards Newsletter. If this is the same tournament, it was in 1979, June 1979, an article entitled "It's Mcreaty [sic] For The California Cheese." Their spelling and punctuation wasn't as good as it could be back then, but I ain't complaining. There is nowhere else to find this data other than NBN. It is sad that don't exist anymore.
I love the descriptions of the players in this article. Here's a few tidbits:
The beautiful antique $5,000 teakwood pool tables used in the tournament were furnished by Rebco. It was posh and class all the way.
Minnesota Fats performed prior to the day and evening sessions. Mike Massey and George Middleditch were the new attraction this year.
The 64-man field for this tournament included champions Dan Louie, Larry Hubbart, Louie Roberts, Paul Brienza, Rodney Thompson, Dallas West, Ronnie Allen, and Tony Annagoni...Other top players were cuemaker/player Bill Stroud, Tacoma Whitey, Roy Futternick, Lee Boyer, and a great player rarely seen in tournament play, Jay (Swanee) Swanson...Tacoma Whitey, who had gone undefeated, suffered a heart attack. The news cast a pall over the tournament...Jack Madden, a "johnny-come-lately" from Arizona, ignited the crowds with his great all-around playing ability. Ronnie Allen was a more subdued and conscientious player this year. The "gray fox" came to play and play he did. The years seemed to fall away with every shot as the crowds sat mesmerized watching the greatness of Ronnie Allen. He may have come in sixth, but he walked away from this tournament with the homage accorded a winner.
What a player roster! All heavy hitters!
Here's the beginning of a great ending to the story. As usual, Keith had been up all night gambling and dragged himself to the tournament. While everyone else was fresh, Keith was a mess:
As Doug Klish announced the players, all eyes were on Keith. It was common knowledge he had been in a game till early morn, and he looked tired and drawn. Hubbart on the other hand sat in a complete repose, confidence personified. Despite this, the sweaters had Keith up for the win, and you had to admire their optimism.
The match got underway, and Hubbart played as he had throughouth the tournament, cold and in dead stroke. Keith played as if sleepwalking. The outcome was inevitable. Hubbart took it, 11-6.
Now comes the good part of the double-elimination event:
The crowd grumbled at Keith's poor showing, and the sweaters shifted to a lower gear that bordered on masochism.
In the final and crucial match, Hubbart again took the lead 6-2, as the crowd sat in stunned disbelief. Now it was Keith's turn at the table. It must have seemed 20-feet long with pockets the size of walnuts, but tired as he looked, Keith seemed to be more in command.
Playing with heart and sheer determination, he ran out. The crowd came to life, hollering encouragement as the sweaters shifted gears back to optimism, their feet hovering over the clutch.
Keith had gotten his first wind and was playing great safeties and running out racks back to back. The score was now 6-5 with Hubbart in the lead by one game, but he wasn't fazed by Keith's comeback -- ever the Ice Man. But Keith was ready. He hadn't come this far to go down to an ignoble end. Hubbart never won another game, as Keith took it down, 11-6.
The crowd gave the players a rousing ovation as the sweaters sat quietly adjusting their money clips or stretching that rubber band a bit more.
Keith ran a 9-pack on Larry this time. Not to many people can claim that feat.
Then there was the tournament in Iowa where the tournament promoters went south with the funds.
For players like Keith, the tournaments were only a gathering place for pool players. The real action happened after hours, when players could win much more than what the tournament paid out. In this case, there was no tournament payout. Here's another copy-and-paste from my other computer:
Keith said he was undefeated in the tournament, 5 and oh, and didn't show up the last day because he knew the tournament money wasn't going to be there.
Cole Dixon was there, but he wasn't there with Keith. They came separately. Keith says he thinks he was with Tony Banks.
Hearsay, according to Keith, is that Ronnie Allen and the other tournament promoter blew the stew gambling, across the riverbed. The bottom line, whether they lost the money gambling or whatever they did with the money, the money was not going to be paid, so why show up to play in a tournament when you know there's no purse.
Keith said he broke two ring games, beat Corella, Hubbart, beat Don McCoy twice. He said he won his own little tournament on the real tight equipment where nobody could make a ball.
That was a Keith McCready I never knew and can only learn from others, Keith himself, and old pool periodicals. But I do know this, the action in this era was strong. Due to unfortunate circumstances in Keith's younger life, he literally grew up in the pool room, sleeping under the pool tables at night. His mentors were older players, action men, like Larry Lisciotti, Jimmy Reid, Cole Dickson, and Ronnie Allen. Action was a way of survival. He was a rolling stone, and wherever he lay his hat was his home.
The best thing that ever happened to Keith was getting picked for "The Color of Money." Nobody can ever take that away from him. Every pool champion has one thing they will always be remembered for. For Keith, it's TCOM and his no-fear style of gambling, "The world's got the 8."
Ray Martin will always be known for his quiet tableside demeanor as he's barbecuing his opponents. He was a good representative for pool industry members. He was a handsome champion and today is a BCA Hall of Famer. I think he's one of the few players from this era who isn't a broke dog, which means he's also a smart cookie in addition to being a champion pool player.
Keith's prime was age 17-23. He was the best player in the world then IMO. He grew up tangling with Ronnie, Richie Florence, Jimmy Reid, Cole Dickson and Denny Searcy, all great players. In those days Keith was all about pool. In later years he got into other things that detracted from his game. He still played great, but had off days too. When he stayed focused he was a marvel to watch, his free and easy game unlike anyone else. No one ever looked so comfortable at the table. When faced with a difficult shot, he'd get that little smirk on his face and not waste a second firing the ball in and sending the cue ball on some impossible path to the next ball. Everyone watching would be stunned by what they just saw and Keith would have some lively retort like, "See, that wasn't so hard." He was an American original, that's for sure.
Anyone know of any videos of Keith from around this time period?
Oooh, I will. Thanks.
I've seen him in the On Mode when he's on, and it is a delight to watch. He really does put his heart and soul in each game when he's on, and when he wins, he's on Cloud Nine. Keith likes that cash, of course, but the almighty win is just as important to him. I guess most players are like that.
Like you, Jay, remembering things, Keith is the same way. You two remember a lot of things that most others have forgotten.
When it comes to shots in the game, which ball went in, what the score was, money amounts, Keith doesn't forget a thing.
There is a page in Ray's book 99 critical shots where he shows what English to apply to get shape with the cue ball going one rail. It's a simple shot but being able to execute it precisely is a good ability to have.
https://youtu.be/O6A5ELgtdMI?t=4771
https://youtu.be/O6A5ELgtdMI?t=4771
A lesson from Ray, almost 10 years ago:
https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=267014
Lou Figueroa
time flys
https://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=267014
Lou Figueroa
time flys
Funny thing in your old post you said that Ray said go 1 rail instead of 2 or 3.
Mike Siegal said 2 rails are your friend.
I've seen him in the On Mode when he's on, and it is a delight to watch. He really does put his heart and soul in each game when he's on, and when he wins, he's on Cloud Nine. Keith likes that cash, of course, but the almighty win is just as important to him. I guess most players are like that.
Like you, Jay, remembering things, Keith is the same way. You two remember a lot of things that most others have forgotten.
When it comes to shots in the game, which ball went in, what the score was, money amounts, Keith doesn't forget a thing.
Ask him about his "mum" pool match with Louie in Memphis. I think they were playing for four grand (2K each). It went on all night and was funny as Hell, especially when it finally ended.
I also mention how RM approach was different from DW.
So I think every champion has things that work for them while another may like something else. So you’ve got to listen, try it, and use what you yourself feel most comfortable with.
Lou Figueroa