Steve "The Miz" Mizerak Truly Inspired My Life - Who Has Influenced Yours?

[CJ Wiley]

Leonard and Rudalpho Luat at CJ's Billiard Palace in the early 90s.

Leonard's a great man and I spent many hours around him at the Pro events. He gave me the cue that I still use over 20 years ago. It's a one of a kind (3 made I believe) Blud Dot cue that has won over 7 figures in it's lifetime.

I knew Railroad John too......your post brings back memories, Bud, glad you shared.

Leonard and Rudalpho Luat at CJ's Billiard Palace in the early 90s.

As far as my current occupation goes I would have to say, seeing Leonard Bludworth working on cues at those pro tournaments in the 80's and seeing how easy he made repairing cues look really inspired me. I had been replacing tips by hand for years, but when I saw him doing it on a lathe and how nice the job was, the bug bit me. Others had a lot of influence through the years also, but Leonard gets the credit for getting a lot of us interested in repairing cues.

As far as making me understand my childhood aspirations to be a professional pool player were probably not going to happen. I will give Railroad John Williams credit for that. I entered a pro qualifier when I was in my mid 20's and drew Railroad John first round. His stroke was so smooth and he trounced me real good. Once I realized he was a good bit under the top pro's I knew I would probably never have that much game. I later went on and played in many open events and got in the bottom of the money in some, and beat a few pro's along the way. But seeing how smooth his stroke was and how well he moved the cue ball, I just did not have the confidence I would ever be that good. But it was also Railroad John who got me to come set up at my first pro tournament to repair cues. So he unintentionally made me aware that I could not make a living at playing pool and helped open the door for something I could make a living at and still be involved in pool.