Remembering Grady Mathews
- Thread starter JAM
- Start date
A friend and I drove down to Grady's room in Lexington, SC just outside Columbia, in the spring of 2008. Grady signed my copy of Winning One Pocket and chatted with us about the BC Open 9 Ball Championship held in the mid/late '80s. It was, unfortunately, the last time I saw him alive. I'd met him many years previously when he came to Binghamton, NY for an exhibition. Being as he was unfamiliar with the area at the time, he followed me to his model.
He was a great player/person and I miss him very much.
He was a great player/person and I miss him very much.
Grady came to the Ballroom in Toms River NJ around the mid 80's or so to see the owner and his friend Tony Cattucci.
He said he was getting ready for a straight pool tournament and needed someone to practice with.
I was the best straight pool player that was in the room at that time (not the best overall,but the best that was present. Neptune Joe Frady was the best).
Now at that time I was playing real good and was probably a level under Grady in ability.
We had one hell of a battle.Not only did we take turns running a few racks or so each but the real fun was the safety battles.
For those that don't know sometimes in straight pool you can have 10 or so safeties each in a row.
He was a nice man and I enjoyed our game that lasted several hours.We did not keep score but I would say he was a little better then me but I was competitive enough to keep him interested.
After the game he showed me some masse shots that were helpful in 9 ball.
He did offer some advice on my straight pool game.He said if I watched my patterns a little better I might run a 100 now and then.I think he was sincere and I took it as a great compliment.
That was the first and last time i ever saw him.And I treasure the experience.
He said he was getting ready for a straight pool tournament and needed someone to practice with.
I was the best straight pool player that was in the room at that time (not the best overall,but the best that was present. Neptune Joe Frady was the best).
Now at that time I was playing real good and was probably a level under Grady in ability.
We had one hell of a battle.Not only did we take turns running a few racks or so each but the real fun was the safety battles.
For those that don't know sometimes in straight pool you can have 10 or so safeties each in a row.
He was a nice man and I enjoyed our game that lasted several hours.We did not keep score but I would say he was a little better then me but I was competitive enough to keep him interested.
After the game he showed me some masse shots that were helpful in 9 ball.
He did offer some advice on my straight pool game.He said if I watched my patterns a little better I might run a 100 now and then.I think he was sincere and I took it as a great compliment.
That was the first and last time i ever saw him.And I treasure the experience.
Nice thread JAM as usual.
But I have to disagree a little. Grady was a great champion yes, but that paled in comparison to my respect for him as a promoter of the game of one-pocket. He never tired or stopped. He probably inspired more one pocket players than anyone ever.
Secondly, I have the upmost respect for Billy Incardona, but IMO, the magic is gone. Together Billy and Grady were like "peas and carrots" (in my Forest Gump voice). Easily the best commentators TOGETHER. Their "fussing" on the right shots helped me.
Finally I will conclude with a question, Did Keith and Grady ever gamble seriously playing one pocket? I know that Grady said for a period of time Keith was unbeatable. Pretty strong words from another pool player.
Best of rolls to you and yours JAM.
Ken
But I have to disagree a little. Grady was a great champion yes, but that paled in comparison to my respect for him as a promoter of the game of one-pocket. He never tired or stopped. He probably inspired more one pocket players than anyone ever.
Secondly, I have the upmost respect for Billy Incardona, but IMO, the magic is gone. Together Billy and Grady were like "peas and carrots" (in my Forest Gump voice). Easily the best commentators TOGETHER. Their "fussing" on the right shots helped me.
Finally I will conclude with a question, Did Keith and Grady ever gamble seriously playing one pocket? I know that Grady said for a period of time Keith was unbeatable. Pretty strong words from another pool player.
Best of rolls to you and yours JAM.
Ken
You know how much heart Grady Mathews had? He even bet on ME against a very good one pocket player - I was playing for $5 a game and COULD NOT SPELL ONE POCKET. Not that I can spell it now but anyway, Grady is over there betting $50 a game on me on the side and berating me when I shoot the wrong shots. I said Grady, don't bet on me because I don't know what the right shots are.
I was fortunate enough to be able to get him passes to the 2008 BCA Expo in Charlotte and even though he was in no way obligated he came to the booth a few times and spent time entertaining fans.
Grady will forever be a legend in our sport. Outspoken and his own man he lived a life full of adventure for sure.
I was fortunate enough to be able to get him passes to the 2008 BCA Expo in Charlotte and even though he was in no way obligated he came to the booth a few times and spent time entertaining fans.
Grady will forever be a legend in our sport. Outspoken and his own man he lived a life full of adventure for sure.
I saw them play in the practice room of the BC Open, I think the first year. I don't know what they were playing for but was impressed with Keith the way he played One Pocket. I had only heard of his 9 ball game at the time. I think Grady had all he could handle
JAM....as always....Thanks for remembering Grady and starting this thread. It was awesome to see some of the old pics of him. That's the way I remember him...dressed in a suit, wild hair, big glasses, and always something nice or funny to say. I am proud to have known him during the 80's. He said something once to me, when we were playing, and it was the funniest thing to me. He said "I normally excel at anything that doesn't make money!" That was back in 85. I had forgotten that little tid-bit until I was watching the end of the clip you provided and he said it again. RIP Sir! You are greatly missed.
