Stories of meeting the Pros

[StevenPWaldon]

Met a bunch of pros, but the most at one time was at the 14.1 World Championships last year.

I stuck around to buy Max Eberle a drink; he flew from my hometown of LA to play in it and after placing 3rd place I had to see what was new with him after I relocated to NYC.

We end up in the bar with all the players, having a few drinks. After conversation with a few, I also noted that most pool players have a big thing for Asian women. It's so true!!!

Got a chance to talk with Harriman, Hohmann, Ortmann, etc etc. All great guys. Interseting was that while were at the bar, a BCN match from the last year's US Open was on. It was Paez vs. Immonen, and most people were looking at it here and there... except Ortmann. He said he's got no interest in watching other people play, be it in person or on TV. His interests are on the pool table itself, not looking at it.

...and in the meantime I miss my last bus to NYC from New Jersey (d'oh!).

I'd met Tony Robles once before, but this time was the one I'll remember because of how incredibly nice he was. He offered to drive my back all the way to NYC without a problem. His son wanted a quick nap, so we ordered a few pizzas and headed downstairs and hang out with Bobby Hunter, Charlie Williams and a few others.

Hunter was just an incredible guy. Easy to talk to, easy to joke with, and man can he down a pizza! He was talking a lot of pool, 14.1, etc etc and never came off as anything but knowledgable, respectful and a lot of fun.

But the icing on the cake was Robles actually not batting an eye to drive my back to NYC; I don't even want to think what a cab fare would cost at that hour for... 60+ miles. He dropped me off right in front of my apartment in Little Italy and was just wicked cool the entire time.

Gotta say that one of the reasons I love the pro pool scene is how easily accessible they are. Few have god complexes. For the most part, they're happy to chum it up and relax over a beer or two.

 

[justnum]

About the asian women its a common problem. I saw Sakai once and I couldn't stop smiling. Its a shame some have the same unresolved issues as many other girls.

 

[Danktrees]

haven't met any pros before but i'm going to start going to shooters in toronto and i hope to meet some there. heard catherine garon used to play there, maybe she still doesnt i dunno.

 

[sjm]

I reckon I have spent some time socially with over 100 male pros and perhaps 40 lady pros, but I won't bore you with more than the most memorable first meetings.

I got to know Johnny Archer and Jeremy Jones when we all went golfing together on consecutive days during the 1996 PBT Florida Flareup in Fort Lauderdale. They are just as competitive on the golf course as they are on the green felt.

I got to know Rodney Morris when Tony Robles, Rodney and I went to see Siegfried and Roy during the 1996 World Eight Ball Chanmpionships in Las Vegas. Rodney's memorable remark after the show ended was "you seen one white lion, you seen 'em all."

I got to know Karen Corr and Julie Kelly over a lunch we shared during the 1999 WPBA event in Prescott, Arizona. I'm pretty sure it was one of Karen's first three career WPBA events, and Julie was still a WPBA aspirant. These ladies are much funnier than meets the eye. When we finished lunch, knowing I had a rent-a-car, they aksed me if I'd take them to the supermarket nearby. Grocery shopping with them was a unique experience.

I had watched Irving Crane a few times at the Golden Q in Queens, NY, as a child, but never met him until the ACUI collegiate straight pool championship event in 1978. When I mentioned I'd been the kid in his gallery a few times at the Golden Q a few times, he remembered me, and we became close friends. Like me, Irving loved to diagram shots on a napkin over dinner.

I got to know Jeanette Lee in the mid 1990's when she, shockingly, asked me for a game of straight pool one night at the Amsterdam Billiard Club at 11:45 PM on a work night. Turns out a mutual friend had, unbeknownst to me, recommended me as a practice partner. I didn't even have my stick with me, but the offer was too good to turn down, so we played until 3:00 AM. The next day at work was a very long one. Despite a pretty close match, Jeanette's incredibly competitive nature on that occasion shocked the hell out of me.

I could go on and on, but it occurs to me that I have already done so.

 

[justnum]

sjm, there is no spice in those stories. That junk that happens on an everyday basis.

The good stories always start rumor has it ... stories about playing tennis or being a fitness competitor have the same elements that my 10 year old tells me on a daily basis.

About the Robles story running a crew out of the Bx. I heard once he was left dry after the IPT job got his crew to go to work on some fine automobiles in the part of town on the other side of the railroad tracks. And then for no reason the IPT starts dropping checks and making excuses about the delay.

Im not one to assume about Tony's ethnic background but I have seen on the news what goes on in the Bronx and how people from those locations turn out. From eyewitness accounts people have seen Tony, including myself, with the ability to play pool and take his kid around town. Now Im not saying he got absolute passage throughout the town but it does seem like he invites an awful amount of risk in his life willingly.

I've known a few kids from the Bronx and how they turned out. Im not saying they are bad apples but they do keep to themselves and live a contained life thereafter. But Tony seems to have managed through all that. I can't be sure whether his past is catching up to him or hangs around him. I hope the best for the guy.

 

[sjm]

sjm, there is no spice in those stories. That junk that happens on an everyday basis.

Please accept my apology.

 

[Nostroke]

sjm, there is no spice in those stories. That junk that happens on an everyday basis.

The good stories always start rumor has it ... stories about playing tennis or being a fitness competitor have the same elements that my 10 year old tells me on a daily basis.

About the Robles story running a crew out of the Bx. I heard once he was left dry after the IPT job got his crew to go to work on some fine automobiles in the part of town on the other side of the railroad tracks. And then for no reason the IPT starts dropping checks and making excuses about the delay.

Im not one to assume about Tony's ethnic background but I have seen on the news what goes on in the Bronx and how people from those locations turn out. From eyewitness accounts people have seen Tony, including myself, with the ability to play pool and take his kid around town. Now Im not saying he got absolute passage throughout the town but it does seem like he invites an awful amount of risk in his life willingly.

I've known a few kids from the Bronx and how they turned out. Im not saying they are bad apples but they do keep to themselves and live a contained life thereafter. But Tony seems to have managed through all that. I can't be sure whether his past is catching up to him or hangs around him. I hope the best for the guy.

IM not sure what you are saying but i think maybe it's better that way.

 

[justnum]

I am not implying anything its his story I just passed it along.

I could tell you about this other guy called Ravena. Now this guy has done stuff that when compared to the Robles story might make you want to stay out of New York City for awhile. All I can say is it involves a 18 wheeler, a few scattered drops and a handful of gear.

The results of which many players are benefitting from. I can't say how or what type of benefit it is. I can just say things are looking on the up and up. But if a certain thong wearing blond hadn't done a certain photoshoot things would have gone a lot quicker.

But its ok because nothing ever goes to plan.

These are the words that were passed to me, I pass them to you in hopes that something is to be learned.

 

[vagabond]

I've met many of the pro's


Jay Calhoun is still a Christian even though he hangs out in Casinos with pool players (Jay will get it).


TheQUOTE]

He is a still a Christian even though he wears shorts.BTW Jay is NOT a pro and can`t beat his wife.

 

[arsenius]

I have no idea what he's saying in either of his posts!

 

[Blackjack]

He is a still a Christian even though he wears shorts.BTW Jay is NOT a pro.

I've never seen Jay pick up a cue either - no comment on the shorts.

 

[vagabond]

I've never seen Jay pick up a cue either - no comment on the shorts.

Jay can`t beat his wife in a game of 9 ball.I bet one dollar with you.
I understand that Kennedy made a comment on his shorts and it appears that kennedy did not approve off Jay wearing the shorts.

 

[Blackjack]

Jay can`t beat his wife in a game of 9 ball.I bet one dollar with you.
I understand that Kennedy made a comment on his shorts and it appears that kennedy did not approve off Jay wearing the shorts.

...and in Jay's good natured way he let it just roll into this joke...

I would bet that dollar on Belinda, not Jay

 

[StraightPoolIU]

A professor I knew in college entered the bank pool at the DCC 2 years ago, and it just so happened that he drew John Schmidt in the first round. Dr. Long actually held his own and won at least one game in the set I believe. After the set was over and Mr. Schmidt had won me and my friends were riding up in the elevator with him. We chit chatted a bit about how he just beat our professor, and he was incredibly nice even as much to say he thought Dr. Long played banks better than he did. He's been one of my favorite players ever since.

 

[vagabond]

...and in Jay's good natured way he let it just roll into this joke...

I would bet that dollar on Belinda, not Jay

This afternoon I called Jay and told him that I put some s$$t on him on AZB . OK ,OK,no more on jay

 

[Blackjack]

This afternoon I called Jay and told him that I put some s$$t on him on AZB . OK ,OK,no more on jay

ROTFLMAO @ Jay and @ you!

Here is my Canadian pool player story.

Long ago in a land far away (I think it was Quebec - or Shanghai - back then I wouldn't have noticed the difference, so it doesn't matter anyway). I was shooting pool and became engaged in a verbal altercation with a gentleman named Claude Bernatchez. I was highly intoxicated, belliigerant and overcome with intense stupidity and I decided to shove Claude as hard as I could (without falling over) - Claude didn't like that at all. Claude shoved me back just as hard, and then he punched me directly in the center of my forehead. Having youth on my side as well as a strong competitive nature, I decided to fight back. However, lacking even the smallest amount of common sense or the proper balance, I started wildly swinging at about 4 Claude's. I don't remember much after that. I just know that I didn't land any of my 35 punches. When I regained consciousness, Claude was still shooting at the table and I was in the parking lot with with twin gorilla's on each arm. I'm not sure if Claude would remember this incident or not, as it happened well over 20-25 year's ago, but I still want a rematch.(j/k) The only injury I suffered that night was to my ego - and if it anybody knows Claude let him know that if I was in his shoes that night that I would have punched me too.

 

[vagabond]

Long ago in a land far away (I think it was Quebec - or Shanghai - back then I wouldn't have noticed the difference, so it doesn't matter anyway). I was shooting pool and became engaged in a verbal altercation with a gentleman named Claude Bernatchez. I was highly intoxicated, belliigerant and overcome with intense stupidity and I decided to shove Claude as hard as I could (without falling over) - Claude didn't like that at all. Claude shoved me back just as hard, and then he punched me directly in the center of my forehead. Having youth on my side as well as a strong competitive nature, I decided to fight back. However, lacking even the smallest amount of common sense or the proper balance, I started wildly swinging at about 4 Claude's. I don't remember much after that. I just know that I didn't land any of my 35 punches. When I regained consciousness, Claude was still shooting at the table and I was in the parking lot with with twin gorilla's on each arm. I'm not sure if Claude would remember this incident or not, as it happened well over 20-25 year's ago, but I still want a rematch.(j/k) The only injury I suffered that night was to my ego - and if it anybody knows Claude let him know that if I was in his shoes that night that I would have punched me too.

I know claude very well.8 or 9 years years ago he was found to be suffering from diabetes and after that he became very thin and I do not think he will have enough strength to shove u and put you on the ground
By the way claude was born and raised in a very small rural place in quebec.when he was a young man he manufactured his own pool table with sticks and wooden planks etc.he was a very creative dude and of course a champion pool player.

 

[vagabond]

I know claude very well.8 or 9 years years ago he was found to be suffering from diabetes and after that he became very thin and I do not think he will have enough strength to shove u and put you on the ground
By the way claude was born and raised in a very small rural place in quebec.when he was a young man he manufactured his own pool table with sticks and wooden planks etc.he was a very creative dude and of course a champion pool player.

Forgot to mention that besides 9 Ball Claude Bernachez can play top class 8 ball

 

[ScottW]

A couple of years ago, Archer and Immonen were in town (CueStix brought them around) for a semi-appearance at our local pool/sports bar. You could sign up to play'em a game of 9-ball, they'd rotate back and forth. Nothing major. They both struck me as ok guys, but they seemed bored out of their skulls at the time - understandably so.

Last year I met Karen Corr at that one Atlanta IPT card qualifier. She was there watching her friend compete. I had to go up and tell her "Thank you for being on ESPN so much, as watching you and Allison Fisher duke it out so many times, it's helped my game just watching"