Steve "Cookie Monster" Cook
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The funniest story about I've heard Steve happened when he and Danny DiLiberto were traveling. Steve was in a game for some good money. Danny was taking a nap in the car. When Danny woke up, he went to look for Steve. When he found him, he asked how the game went. Steve said he won but his opponent (who was a big bruiser) told him he wasn't going to pay him. Danny says, "Wow, what did you do?". Steve says, "I told him, 'Well, OK... be that way!' "
The story still makes me laugh.
The story still makes me laugh.
Steve Cook vs Richie Richeson
I used to have a accustats tape of Steve Cook vs Richie Richeson, I believe Grady was commentating, Richie tortured Steve, I believe the score was 4-1 Richie, great match to watch, here is the accustats link: http://www.accu-stats.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=000587
Grady had a few stories he shared in the match. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Ian
I used to have a accustats tape of Steve Cook vs Richie Richeson, I believe Grady was commentating, Richie tortured Steve, I believe the score was 4-1 Richie, great match to watch, here is the accustats link: http://www.accu-stats.com/Qstore/Qstore.cgi?CMD=011&PROD=000587
Grady had a few stories he shared in the match. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Ian
I had some great times bar hopping around the Tampa Bay area in the 1990's with Steve. He was one of my favorite people to hang with.
Jerry Kramer (not surre of the last name. He owned a little poolroom for awhile in Tampa,down from the Porthole.) sets up a game for Steve way up in north Florida. They get in the car, drive 300 miles to a little poolroom. The guy Steve is going to play says, "hi my name is Pete." Steve puts out his hand and says "hi, I'm Steve Cook, One Pocket Champion of the world." That was it. The guy just laughed and walked out. Jerry drove 600 mile trip for nothing. Johnnyt
Jerry Kramer (not surre of the last name. He owned a little poolroom for awhile in Tampa,down from the Porthole.) sets up a game for Steve way up in north Florida. They get in the car, drive 300 miles to a little poolroom. The guy Steve is going to play says, "hi my name is Pete." Steve puts out his hand and says "hi, I'm Steve Cook, One Pocket Champion of the world." That was it. The guy just laughed and walked out. Jerry drove 600 mile trip for nothing. Johnnyt
If you want another great tape check out his match vs. Allen Hopkins. About mid to early 90's I think. What a great Accustats match of one hole. Anyway as far as stories go all the funny ones I ever heard are about him not getting paid. I mean of you take a good look at him he likes like he was in the Waltons. LOL. It helped him get action but didn't help him get paid. What a great player though...is he still playing alot??
I thought I was a winner here...
I was hill-hill with Steve and he was in this position...
Steve looked at it for a while...and I'm thinking that he might try to bank the 8-ball...which he really didn't have the angle...and bring the cue ball back for the 9-ball...whatever...I think I'm in pretty good shape...
Steve hits it real soft with inside english to slide the 8-ball to the lower left corner pocket...the cue ball travels to the bottom rail easy as pie...which I thought was impossible and never thought he would try...then back up around the table for a little duck on the 9-ball...
He said...you know I always did like that shot...looked impossible to me...and he made it look so easy...
Steve was a soft spoken and sincere man that I liked very much...
Mike
I was hill-hill with Steve and he was in this position...
Steve looked at it for a while...and I'm thinking that he might try to bank the 8-ball...which he really didn't have the angle...and bring the cue ball back for the 9-ball...whatever...I think I'm in pretty good shape...
Steve hits it real soft with inside english to slide the 8-ball to the lower left corner pocket...the cue ball travels to the bottom rail easy as pie...which I thought was impossible and never thought he would try...then back up around the table for a little duck on the 9-ball...
He said...you know I always did like that shot...looked impossible to me...and he made it look so easy...
Steve was a soft spoken and sincere man that I liked very much...
Mike
Steve Cook was inducted into the One Pocket Hall of Fame a couple of years ago (posthumously). His father, who was in his 80's came to Louisville to accept the honor on Steve's behalf. Steve was certainly a deserving player, and it sure meant a lot to his father...
There are two pages of old photos and a little bio information on Steve Cook's HOF page:
Steve Cook HOF page
The story someone described below about Steve Cook and Danny Di is told by Danny in his interview, btw:
Danny Diliberto Interview
Steve was one of my favorite players, and not just because we share the same first name
There are two pages of old photos and a little bio information on Steve Cook's HOF page:
Steve Cook HOF page
The story someone described below about Steve Cook and Danny Di is told by Danny in his interview, btw:
Danny Diliberto Interview
Steve was one of my favorite players, and not just because we share the same first name
steve cook
u might like this one! i hope i have the year correct, 1970? anyway he went to vegas and played in the 9 ball, one pocket championship at the stardust or the tropicana? he came back through wichita falls,tx. he came in the pool room i thought i had no chance to win against him because he just won the 9 ball in vegas. so i said lets play 1 pocket? he said ok. we played 6 games for 50 a game he won all 6. so i said lets play 9 ball, i had just broke even with st louis louie in dallas at mickey finns on walnut hill. so we played 5 ahead for $300 and i ran 5 racks on the 4x8 we were on and he quit. walked out the door and i said to dick lane ? who was that" he said that was "steve cook". what a laugh! sparky webb this happened at apool room called " call field cue" in wichita falls, tx. either 1970 or 71? not for sure. sparky
u might like this one! i hope i have the year correct, 1970? anyway he went to vegas and played in the 9 ball, one pocket championship at the stardust or the tropicana? he came back through wichita falls,tx. he came in the pool room i thought i had no chance to win against him because he just won the 9 ball in vegas. so i said lets play 1 pocket? he said ok. we played 6 games for 50 a game he won all 6. so i said lets play 9 ball, i had just broke even with st louis louie in dallas at mickey finns on walnut hill. so we played 5 ahead for $300 and i ran 5 racks on the 4x8 we were on and he quit. walked out the door and i said to dick lane ? who was that" he said that was "steve cook". what a laugh! sparky webb this happened at apool room called " call field cue" in wichita falls, tx. either 1970 or 71? not for sure. sparky
Coro
Registered
I don't know much about him, except a few stories, and that he played awesome. The owner of Airway has a bunch of old monday night 9 ball tourn. brackets that he kept that always had him and Gary Spaeth in the finals every time. I heard he used to get so messed up on pills and almost fall asleep at the table and in between matches.
Back in Lima...
When I was traveling around before joining the military, we stopped in Lima, Ohio which is where Steve Cook was staying at the time. My friend, who was the player of the two of us knew him fairly well. We found a steady game in the local pool hall/bowling alley, every other day being able to pocket a few hundred. Steve would show up every so often to see how we were doing. For every 5 we would win, we would throw 10% his way for the steer. Well, one day Steve comes in and asks to play the guy some. Something wasn't quite right, as he just didn't look too lucid that day. We were already playing the guy, and didn't want to walk out on the action so early. Steve was furious...cussing, swearing, the whole bit, claiming that he was going to knock our action from coast to coast. After he left, we looked at each other and just shook our heads, not worrying about it. The next day, we were back playing, and Steve comes in. We're expecting the same thing to happen, but he walks up to us and the first thing he says is that he's sorry about the outburst the other day, that he hadn't had his medication. LOL. We all had a good laugh about that.
As far as playing goes, he had the smoothest stroke I have ever seen to this day. When he hit the ball, it looked like it couldn't travel more than half the table length, but it would end up gaining 3 rail position precisely. Just a joy to watch play the game.
Dags
When I was traveling around before joining the military, we stopped in Lima, Ohio which is where Steve Cook was staying at the time. My friend, who was the player of the two of us knew him fairly well. We found a steady game in the local pool hall/bowling alley, every other day being able to pocket a few hundred. Steve would show up every so often to see how we were doing. For every 5 we would win, we would throw 10% his way for the steer. Well, one day Steve comes in and asks to play the guy some. Something wasn't quite right, as he just didn't look too lucid that day. We were already playing the guy, and didn't want to walk out on the action so early. Steve was furious...cussing, swearing, the whole bit, claiming that he was going to knock our action from coast to coast. After he left, we looked at each other and just shook our heads, not worrying about it. The next day, we were back playing, and Steve comes in. We're expecting the same thing to happen, but he walks up to us and the first thing he says is that he's sorry about the outburst the other day, that he hadn't had his medication. LOL. We all had a good laugh about that.
As far as playing goes, he had the smoothest stroke I have ever seen to this day. When he hit the ball, it looked like it couldn't travel more than half the table length, but it would end up gaining 3 rail position precisely. Just a joy to watch play the game.
Dags
I'm in Winks (the original Forest Park Billiards) in the early 60's and in walks this baby faced kid, who is obviously to young to be in there (just like me). He walks up to the counter and inquires if there are any pool players in there who want to play. He has an older man with him who I'm sure is the "player".
So Pappy Winkler asks him what they want to play for. The kid responds $10 or $20 dollar 9-Ball is fine. Now that's a big game back then. First off they bring in Tex Shively to play and the kid puts his cue together. Everyone is surprised (the kid is playing?). He beats Shively, who is a good local shortstop) out of eight or nine games in less than an hour and he quits.
Now Frank Reeves (a better player) tries him some, and quickly pulls up. Finally they bring in Dino, a local champion, to bust this kid. These two play the rest of the night and the kid finally wins about ten games for $20 a game, when Dino says he has enough. Dino has to go to work the next day at his jewelry store so he can't play all night.
The kid hasn't said ten words all night, but I had heard he was from nearby Lima, and his name was Steve. So I go up and shake his hand afterwards. I tell him he plays real good and ask him how he learned to play so good. He says he's not really that good yet, but he really likes to play pool. Okay, and I just shake my head. He had just beat the best 9-Ball player in Dayton other than George Rood and he says he isn't that good.
I think Steve was smart enough to avoid George for all those years when he lived back there. I don't even think he would play George after he won the Stardust. And George had no interest in One Pocket games either.
So Pappy Winkler asks him what they want to play for. The kid responds $10 or $20 dollar 9-Ball is fine. Now that's a big game back then. First off they bring in Tex Shively to play and the kid puts his cue together. Everyone is surprised (the kid is playing?). He beats Shively, who is a good local shortstop) out of eight or nine games in less than an hour and he quits.
Now Frank Reeves (a better player) tries him some, and quickly pulls up. Finally they bring in Dino, a local champion, to bust this kid. These two play the rest of the night and the kid finally wins about ten games for $20 a game, when Dino says he has enough. Dino has to go to work the next day at his jewelry store so he can't play all night.
The kid hasn't said ten words all night, but I had heard he was from nearby Lima, and his name was Steve. So I go up and shake his hand afterwards. I tell him he plays real good and ask him how he learned to play so good. He says he's not really that good yet, but he really likes to play pool. Okay, and I just shake my head. He had just beat the best 9-Ball player in Dayton other than George Rood and he says he isn't that good.
I think Steve was smart enough to avoid George for all those years when he lived back there. I don't even think he would play George after he won the Stardust. And George had no interest in One Pocket games either.
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CaptainHook said:
That's Louie on the left watching and Larry Hubbart to the right of Steve's elbow. Wonder who Steve was dismantling there?
Steve was a realy nice guy. We played each other back in the md 1980's and became friends after he bruised my ego. lol
One thing that stands out in my mind was a one pocket match between Steve and Gary Spaeth that seemed to go on forever. On just about every shot, Steve was positioning the cue ball deep into Gary's pocket. He did it like 20 times in a row. It was funniest thing I had ever seen, not counting the look on Gary's face everytime he went back to his chair. lol
For those that have been on the internet for a while, Steve Cook was a regular forum particpant. He had moved back to Illinois (IIRC) to take care of his mom, and he would send out a newsletter every month via e-mail for a tour he was associated with (I think). When he passed away, we were all shocked. He was one of the nicest guys to ever play the game and he is definitely missed.
One thing that stands out in my mind was a one pocket match between Steve and Gary Spaeth that seemed to go on forever. On just about every shot, Steve was positioning the cue ball deep into Gary's pocket. He did it like 20 times in a row. It was funniest thing I had ever seen, not counting the look on Gary's face everytime he went back to his chair. lol
For those that have been on the internet for a while, Steve Cook was a regular forum particpant. He had moved back to Illinois (IIRC) to take care of his mom, and he would send out a newsletter every month via e-mail for a tour he was associated with (I think). When he passed away, we were all shocked. He was one of the nicest guys to ever play the game and he is definitely missed.
R.I.P. Guys
I knew Steve about as well as anyone. I've been to his trailer a number of times, when his father and Gene "The Glove" were there. We hung out and drank beer at The Journey's End 100 times.
I used to play poker and Euchre with him. I've squired him around town, staked him, bet on him and gambled against him at the little room on Hillsborough Ave. and Han's on Waters Ave.
Onetime we went to The Green Parrot and I put my coins up and challenged a table. When it was my time to go play, I found a wallet with all the personal I.D. of the owner, but NO money in it. I walked up to the bar and held out the wallet and opened it to show Steve that there was no money in it. Steve looked at the wallet, looked at me, back at the wallet and back at me and with a sad, painful, worried look, said, "Doug, I like you and all, but I can't give you any money to challenge that table. You know how you play." I laughed until my sides hurt and turned the wallet in to the barmaid. At $5 a game, I won about $100 while we were there.
When we got back into the car, I held out all the money and with a sad look on my face, I said, "Steve, I like you AND ALL, but I just can't bring myself to give you any of this money."
Steve mostly liked to talk about movies, particularly, HIS favorite movies. He loved the old time movies, but his favorite 'modern' movie was The Mosquito Coast...... until Rainman came out. Rainman became his alltime favorite movie and he could go on and on and ON about it...
Doug
( I miss Steve Cook and while I'm at it, I miss Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron too )
I knew Steve about as well as anyone. I've been to his trailer a number of times, when his father and Gene "The Glove" were there. We hung out and drank beer at The Journey's End 100 times.
I used to play poker and Euchre with him. I've squired him around town, staked him, bet on him and gambled against him at the little room on Hillsborough Ave. and Han's on Waters Ave.
Onetime we went to The Green Parrot and I put my coins up and challenged a table. When it was my time to go play, I found a wallet with all the personal I.D. of the owner, but NO money in it. I walked up to the bar and held out the wallet and opened it to show Steve that there was no money in it. Steve looked at the wallet, looked at me, back at the wallet and back at me and with a sad, painful, worried look, said, "Doug, I like you and all, but I can't give you any money to challenge that table. You know how you play." I laughed until my sides hurt and turned the wallet in to the barmaid. At $5 a game, I won about $100 while we were there.
When we got back into the car, I held out all the money and with a sad look on my face, I said, "Steve, I like you AND ALL, but I just can't bring myself to give you any of this money."
Steve mostly liked to talk about movies, particularly, HIS favorite movies. He loved the old time movies, but his favorite 'modern' movie was The Mosquito Coast...... until Rainman came out. Rainman became his alltime favorite movie and he could go on and on and ON about it...
Doug
( I miss Steve Cook and while I'm at it, I miss Gene "The Mighty Glove" Catron too )