Steve Carter

[flyvirginiaguy]

Didn't Silas have a strong US Open finish one year?

I heard this from Silas, but no one else to confirm, and I have not asked anyone else about it, maybe so. I know he had the knowledge to do so, but his top game, I don't think I ever saw, as I met him a bit later in his life. He had to have been atleast in his late 50s. I will have to check his obituary I saved to see when he was born, as that will give me an accurate age during this period of time.

Silas, as Chip said, was a strong player on days, and some not. I started practicing with him everyday when I was around 12 or so. The first year, I racked all the time, second year we shared the duty, and by the 3rd he said I have given you to much knowledge lol... After that, he began to put a lot more effort to help me in my game. However, later on I decided on a different path in life involving college, so lost touch with Silas etc... I have heard from some here, and some local that he was a little out there. But I must say he never presented that side of him to me. Certainly not to say it was not true. Just to me, he was as normal as they come I guess... And he did like the Salem smokes lol...

 

[flyvirginiaguy]

I remember the cue to be very plain with no inlays. It had a Burton Spain forearm. The cue was in good shape. I thought I owned another Balabushka for a minute. I was only 22 at the time. When I get a chance I will write about Day 2 Playing Steve Carter. It was an adventure.

It is two different cues we speak of apparently. And it could have been a much earlier time. I have seen him with many different cues.

During the time I practiced with him daily though, his daily players was a brownish colored (no points) Gus Szamboti cue with a brown leather wrap. It had the G.S. stamp in the butt. Played with that one many times, and it hit great. I wished I had taken photos of all these cues, but in the late 80s we did not have the ease of digital cameras, or at least I didn't. The one who owns them now, I will see if I can get in touch with him, as I would like to have photos of them myself. BTW, looking forward to day 2.

 

[Chip Roberson]

Yep--looking forward to day 2 myself---The story of watching Billy J running a race out against Brock--Steve was setting next to me, and turned and whispered--watch whats gonna happen HERE--then turned and grinned from ear to ear...

 

[Paul Schofield]

Day 2 playing Steve Carter. So we make arrangements to meet back at Beanie's "Jack n' Jill's" and play at noon. It gave him a chance to reload, get some backing, and get some sleep. We agreed on an 8 ahead for a price. Well, it was just one of those days and the session did not last 45 minutes.

Steve was angry. He began talking crazy. He was working himself right into a rage. The counterman had a look of real concern on his face and he discreetly motioned me and my wife toward the door. He said just loud enough for me to hear. "Hurry up and get out of here. We will deal with him. Somehow we have got to get him settled down." We left.

Months later, I heard what transpired after I left. He whacked out and flipped the Gold Crown right on it's side, and was busting up anything he could. It took many police officers to contain Steve and remove him from the pool room. He was so far gone and out of it, they took him straight to a hospital. Keep in mind, I was out of there before all this went on. I was not a witness to any of it.

This was mid to late 70s.

 

[frankncali]

Sounding like a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde kind of guy

 

[Chip Roberson]

Sooo, it was you he was a playing that day....Billy J and others had told me that story about flipping the G.C.--Hard too know what will set some off. Steve was easy to get along with in the few years I knew and ran with him--that was the late 70's and early 80's.
He traveled with some great players in his time and won some big matches as well. The was one story where he won all the money in this room in Chicago and then the owner decided to go off--won all his money and then won the room--If I remember , He was with Ogbern when that happened--after they had won the room ,,,they decided not to go back the next day and just left things alone---

 

[Paul Schofield]

He traveled with some great players in his time and won some big matches as well.

There is no doubt that Steve was very good player.

 

[flyvirginiaguy]

There is no doubt that Steve was very good player.

Kinda makes ya wonder, as to how one can seem so normal and then snap. Luckily I never seen that side of him. Just a normal ole pool player around myself. Thanks for finishing up the story.