Rip Danny Diliberto
- Thread starter trob
- Start date
Ouch. I saw Danny in his prime and he was something special. I was there at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City when he reached the final of the PPPA World Straight Pool Championships (1981?) only to lose to Mizerak. Danny and I only became friends after his competitive days were behind him. He was always fun to be with and he'll be missed.
Danny, who was to turn 90 next week, was a shining presence in the professional pool scene as a player and later as a commentator. Gone but not forgotten. RIP.
Danny, who was to turn 90 next week, was a shining presence in the professional pool scene as a player and later as a commentator. Gone but not forgotten. RIP.
Godspeed Danny
Rest in peace.
Always enjoyed listening to his commentary on matches. RIP. Condolences to his family especially his daughter for taking care of him.
Another legendary pool player and human being gone. Danny fought every day from his teen years until his elder days. He wouldn't ever let anything stop him! The absolute toughest man I ever knew. And one of the best as well. Thank you my friend for giving me so much of your time. Whatever I am or became has a lot to do with your influence. When I think of you I always feel good inside. You brought cheer and happiness to my life. There is a void
When I got back into pool four years ago, I started watching a lot of old matches on Youtube. Naturally I had no idea who Diliberto was and I initially wasn't impressed with his commentary. Seemed slow to the take. He engaged in what I thought of as silly banter. And it didn't seem like he had kept up with the modern game.
Turns out I was the one who was slow to the take!
The more I listened to him, the more I recognized his keen and timeless insight into the game. His warm but dry wit grew on me. And his self-deprecation I came to realize was a result of his humbleness about himself and about the game. Pool can humble anyone.
Later I sought out the few matches on Youtube in which he played. I especially enjoyed watching his seniors match from the 1990s against Grady Mathews, another commentator who did not impress me at first.
I still think Mathews talked too much about his ex-wives - !!! - but he and Diliberto were incomparable when calling a game together. Later on I hunted down one of Mathews' old CDs on banking and kicking. I just rewatched it last week. Decades of experience went into it.
Time and life moves on, but they left an indelible mark on billiards.
Turns out I was the one who was slow to the take!
The more I listened to him, the more I recognized his keen and timeless insight into the game. His warm but dry wit grew on me. And his self-deprecation I came to realize was a result of his humbleness about himself and about the game. Pool can humble anyone.
Later I sought out the few matches on Youtube in which he played. I especially enjoyed watching his seniors match from the 1990s against Grady Mathews, another commentator who did not impress me at first.
I still think Mathews talked too much about his ex-wives - !!! - but he and Diliberto were incomparable when calling a game together. Later on I hunted down one of Mathews' old CDs on banking and kicking. I just rewatched it last week. Decades of experience went into it.
Time and life moves on, but they left an indelible mark on billiards.
Iwishiwasrich
Active member
RIP Danny
RIP to a true legend of the sport.
Saddens me to wake up to this very bad news. Even though we knew it was time it's hard to process for me. We had some great/funny times together, Danny, Freddy and I. R.I.P. Pal!
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RIP