Straight Pool Bus Bench Mystery- Los Angeles

14.1-J

First off, welcome to the boards. Second, the bus bench thing is brilliant :)

I sure hope you stick around here on AZ, someting tells me I would enjoy reading your posts.
 
Jack...................that post is better than any 100 ball run!!!!!! You knocked it right out of the park on your first post!!

Welcome aboard my friend!

Mike
 
14.1J it's not hard to tell that you're a writer. I was a pleasure to read something so well written. Welcome aboard and I'll be looking for more.
 
14.1 J
I had the oppurtunity of playing at Grady's place in Colorado Springs, Co. while stationed at Ft. Carson, in 76. I wasn't impressed with the furniture that he had in that small room. I would rather go to the black stallion and play on the bar boxes. In Houston we have a straight pool league and it is great. This is one of the first games I learned to play. Oh yeah I like the benches too. Keep stroking.
 
14.1 -J said:



Could these nasty comments by Grady Mathews really be coming from the same nice man I met at Ron Meyer’s house? Hard to believe. My name is Jack LoGiudice. I’m the Jack on the bus bench with Ron.

About six years ago, Ron’s wife called me, excited with an idea for Ron’s birthday. Knowing Ron’s love of pool, she wanted to hire a pro player to come to the house to give a lesson. Because Ron and I play every week, I was fortunate enough to be included in his gift. And I promised that I would find the pro. I found Mr. Mathews.

Our lesson was scheduled for a Sunday morning at Meyer’s House. Mathews showed up on time and was a very pleasant guy, with a lot of good stories about his journeys on the road as a player. He told them while he demonstrated his abilities on the table. Anyone that has seen Mathews play knows he’s a very talented player.

However, on this particular day he happened to miss a number of long shots. He blamed the misses on the table. In his comments on the AZ BILLIARD FORUM, he called Ron’s table a “furniture table”. Quite the opposite is true. In fact, the table is a Brunswick, made at the turn of the 20th Century. It took Blatt’s Billiards in New York over a year to completely refurbish it. Maybe the finest table I’ve ever seen. It plays like a Gold Crown. Allison Fisher, who gave us a great lesson the following year, will, I’m sure, attest to the table quality, as will Ernesto Dominguez, a ranked pro, who re-covers it regularly. And speaking of Allison, I doubt that she would ever have blamed a miss on the table. Mr. Mathews missed because he missed.

After an hour of listening to Mr. Mathews stories, and watching him shoot, it was clear he didn’t come with an instructional game plan for straight pool, which we were hoping for. And truthfully it seemed like he was done with the lesson. We thanked him for his time and he was paid five hundred dollars for that one hour. Not bad. There was nothing “dismissive” about it. Ron could not have been more gracious to Mr. Mathews as he walked him out.

Mr. Mathews called me the following day to thank me for hiring him. He told me how thrilled he was to meet Ron, and that he really enjoyed himself.

That’s what makes his next post even harder to believe. He writes, “ These two certainly didn’t add to my already low opinion of celebrities.” First of all, I’m a television writer/producer. Far from a celebrity. But Ron Meyer, who is indeed a celebrity, is by all accounts, the most approachable guy in Hollywood. One would only have to google him to realize the town’s feeling about him.

Mr. Mathews ends one of his posts by saying that it’s too bad we (Ron and I) don’t use our influence “to help a troubled sport”. I think the way we help the sport is by being good consumers -

In addition to hiring pros such as Mathews, Ms. Fisher and Mike Massey, along with some of the local pros, we try to read everything that’s out on straight pool. Play Your Best Straight Pool by Phil Capelle, along with The Straight Pool Bible, by Cranfield and Moy, might be at the top of the list. We also buy the Accu-stats videos of great straight pool matches, as well as a number of instructional videos. The Mike Segal videos on straight pool along with the workouts by Burt Kinister are certainly favorites.

In the cue department, we’ll always be grateful to Ernie Gutierrez for his Ginacues. Really works of art. Eddie Prewitt also made me a very fine cue.

When we can, we meet at the pool room, where a number of pros, including Melissa Herndon, as well as some great amateurs, have been quite generous in sharing their knowledge of the game.

And as far as the bus benches - Even though it started as a joke, if it happens to cause just one person to be curious about the game of straight pool, that’s a plus for the game. In the twenty years that I’ve been in Los Angeles, I don’t recall ever seeing even the mention of straight pool in any magazine advertisements, or on a billboard or bus bench.

At our pool room, most of the players in the room got a kick out of the benches. Many of them even took pictures with their phones to show us. Yet, none of them ratted us out. It was only the guy who was paid five hundred dollars for one hour of his time.

Mr. Mathews is right about one thing. Pool is a troubled sport. But if there is to be a resurgence in the great game, it might be a good idea not to have Mr. Mathews as its spokesperson.
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Well put. I hope your interaction here on the board with Mr. Mathews does not sour you to the AZB experience.

We have a 14.1 subforum on AZB that you should check out if you haven't yet. Most of the posters in that section are die hard straight pool fans and players. Video links, instructional material, and great posts by people like John Schmidt may be found there.

I help run 2 straight pool leagues in Chicago and also help organize teaching sessions with people like Danny Diliberto and Bobby Hunter to help educate our members. I don't know if Danny gets out your way much but if he does, you guys could do worse than get a few lessons from him. Old school straight pool.

Welcome to the forum and I hope it helps your game.
 
14.1 -J said:



In addition to hiring pros such as Mathews, Ms. Fisher and Mike Massey, along with some of the local pros, we try to read everything that’s out on straight pool. Play Your Best Straight Pool by Phil Capelle, along with The Straight Pool Bible, by Cranfield and Moy, might be at the top of the list. We also buy the Accu-stats videos of great straight pool matches, as well as a number of instructional videos. The Mike Segal videos on straight pool along with the workouts by Burt Kinister are certainly favorites.

When we can, we meet at the pool room, where a number of pros, including Melissa Herndon, as well as some great amateurs, have been quite generous in sharing their knowledge of the game.

And as far as the bus benches - Even though it started as a joke, if it happens to cause just one person to be curious about the game of straight pool, that’s a plus for the game. In the twenty years that I’ve been in Los Angeles, I don’t recall ever seeing even the mention of straight pool in any magazine advertisements, or on a billboard or bus bench.
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Jack,

First off, I would like to thank you for making your first post on AZ Billiards Main Forum. I hope it won't be your last. Like your quest to bring new blood into 14.1, we too enjoy seeing quality posters added to the AZB family. Thank you for taking the time to write such a well written post.

Secondly, I would like to apologize for my friend Grady. Yes, I consider Grady a good friend although we don't stay in touch as often as we should. Grady probably is going to be miffed at me for apologizing for him but I will do so nevertheless and suffer the consequences. I can't speak for Grady but I can apologize for his not so nice words about you and Ron. Grady has had a difficult journey in this sometimes frigid pool world and it has helped to alter his perspective. That difficult journey doesn't give him the right to be disrespectful to you or Ron. The constitution does that for him. :)

Grady has spent most of his entire life, playing pool, teaching and yes, writing and the reward has been minimal on the financial side. Grady is much like the people that you will meet in any pool room with good days and bad days. I think when Grady has a chance to reflect on his post, he will realize that his post was in bad taste and perhaps a direct apology will come your way. My friend Grady lost his dear wife, Randi recently and I am sure that this does not help his dispostion. None of this excuses his treatment of you and Ron but I thought you should have some additional information and at least an apology from a friend of Grady.

You write very well and your points are well understood. The main forum hopes that you will visit often.

I might also suggest Danny Harriman and John Schmidt for future straight pool lessons. Just don't get have them both there at the same time. :grin: (There's a bit of rivalry going on between the two of them, probably a bit more severe than the one between you and Ron). :wink:

I also believe they both have some fine straight pool videos some of which had voice-overs added by the shooter. If you need help finding out more information about those videos, just let me know or one of the AZB members and I'm sure you will be delighted with the response.

Best Regards,
JoeyA
 
14.1 - J,

Wonderful post. And much more believable than the pap Grady layed on us. He's been getting fairly bitter lately, and most of us just ignore him. We remember the Grady of old with fondness, and hope he returns soon, but the current Grady doesn't have many friends.

I love your joy in the game and your obvious fun with your rival. May it continue to bring you joy. I'm sorry that one of the first things you saw on AZ Billiards was someone complaining that you should be doing something for the game, rather than just enjoying it. Most people here on this forum are great folks, willing to give of their hearts, minds and experience with a full measure of generosity. I hope you stick around long enough to see that. It's a wonderful place here.

AuntyDan,

That's one of the funniest things I've ever read here. Maybe you have a future in the entertainment business. You certainly had me busting a gut.
 
Jack, I second Dennis' (dmgwalsh) plug for lessons from Danny Diliberto. He knows straight pool as well as anybody and gives great lessons. After all, he taught the current 14.1 world champion (Stephan Cohen). He still has a little work to do with me though.

I feel so Hollywood lately since I played Rick Thomas, a gaffer, in a recent Chicago 14.1 tournament. He lives in LA and was here for some reason. If he gaffs as well as he shoots pool, you should hire him for your next flick.
 
Having played in the same room as Jack and Ron for about 15 years I can say they are a welcome pair. Not because they are accorded some celebrity status but because they are 2 of the nicest guy that could ever venture in any establishment. Dont forget we stand right in the middle of the film industry. Most of us are tied into it some way. If we dont work in it as I do but have customers and clients who are in it. Movers, security guards, furniture repair, painters, drivers, etc. We deal with so called celebrities every day of our lives and I can tell you in "our" room we dont tolerate any fools. We got enough of our own. Like a famous comedian who had a long running series was shocked when he was expected to pay for table time got told-"Dont mean a thing J"-you pay like everybody else. In other words you dont get no special treatment from pool players. Maybe if you were Efren but on the baize youre just another ball banger.

The thing about Ron and Jack is that they do more for pool and particularly 14.1 than a lot. Because not only do they play it for hours on end but are probably the only ones who play it so passionately than anyone in LA. They have sparked the interest of it in some and give credence to the game because of their seriousness. No diletanttes are these. They both have been very generous as well. Recently one of them paid for the entire field of women for their green fees in a tournament they were trying to establish. This a small example of their generosity.

I think Grady was just a fish out of water. Had he really been smart he would have tried to establish a productive relationship with the two with the end of getting them interested in developing something for the pool world at large. Instead he gave pool players a bad name by putting himself and his personal gripes into the affair. Its so distasteful. Just think a guys family pays you to come over to instruct their birthday boy in pool. Give you $500 and he outs you and bad mouths you. What would you think of pool pros in general? I think Grady just blew a great opportunity. Too bad.

As far as Danny Diliberto, I too agree in the choice. Just speaking to him over the holidays he has moved back to Buffalo his birth city. He too has experienced some very hard times and is looking for an excuse to come to the west coast. He has a son here he hasnt seen for some time. He is a fabulous teacher and his experience as a champion, road player, pro, etc. extraordinary. Jack you will get a lesson like no other, particularly 14.1. I guarantee it.

Keone
PS Melissa we miss you!!!
 
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14.1 -J said:



Could these nasty comments by Grady Mathews really be coming from the same nice man I met at Ron Meyer’s house? Hard to believe. My name is Jack LoGiudice. I’m the Jack on the bus bench with Ron.

About six years ago, Ron’s wife called me, excited with an idea for Ron’s birthday. Knowing Ron’s love of pool, she wanted to hire a pro player to come to the house to give a lesson. Because Ron and I play every week, I was fortunate enough to be included in his gift. And I promised that I would find the pro. I found Mr. Mathews.

Our lesson was scheduled for a Sunday morning at Meyer’s House. Mathews showed up on time and was a very pleasant guy, with a lot of good stories about his journeys on the road as a player. He told them while he demonstrated his abilities on the table. Anyone that has seen Mathews play knows he’s a very talented player.

However, on this particular day he happened to miss a number of long shots. He blamed the misses on the table. In his comments on the AZ BILLIARD FORUM, he called Ron’s table a “furniture table”. Quite the opposite is true. In fact, the table is a Brunswick, made at the turn of the 20th Century. It took Blatt’s Billiards in New York over a year to completely refurbish it. Maybe the finest table I’ve ever seen. It plays like a Gold Crown. Allison Fisher, who gave us a great lesson the following year, will, I’m sure, attest to the table quality, as will Ernesto Dominguez, a ranked pro, who re-covers it regularly. And speaking of Allison, I doubt that she would ever have blamed a miss on the table. Mr. Mathews missed because he missed.

After an hour of listening to Mr. Mathews stories, and watching him shoot, it was clear he didn’t come with an instructional game plan for straight pool, which we were hoping for. And truthfully it seemed like he was done with the lesson. We thanked him for his time and he was paid five hundred dollars for that one hour. Not bad. There was nothing “dismissive” about it. Ron could not have been more gracious to Mr. Mathews as he walked him out.

Mr. Mathews called me the following day to thank me for hiring him. He told me how thrilled he was to meet Ron, and that he really enjoyed himself.

That’s what makes his next post even harder to believe. He writes, “ These two certainly didn’t add to my already low opinion of celebrities.” First of all, I’m a television writer/producer. Far from a celebrity. But Ron Meyer, who is indeed a celebrity, is by all accounts, the most approachable guy in Hollywood. One would only have to google him to realize the town’s feeling about him.

Mr. Mathews ends one of his posts by saying that it’s too bad we (Ron and I) don’t use our influence “to help a troubled sport”. I think the way we help the sport is by being good consumers -

In addition to hiring pros such as Mathews, Ms. Fisher and Mike Massey, along with some of the local pros, we try to read everything that’s out on straight pool. Play Your Best Straight Pool by Phil Capelle, along with The Straight Pool Bible, by Cranfield and Moy, might be at the top of the list. We also buy the Accu-stats videos of great straight pool matches, as well as a number of instructional videos. The Mike Segal videos on straight pool along with the workouts by Burt Kinister are certainly favorites.

In the cue department, we’ll always be grateful to Ernie Gutierrez for his Ginacues. Really works of art. Eddie Prewitt also made me a very fine cue.

When we can, we meet at the pool room, where a number of pros, including Melissa Herndon, as well as some great amateurs, have been quite generous in sharing their knowledge of the game.

And as far as the bus benches - Even though it started as a joke, if it happens to cause just one person to be curious about the game of straight pool, that’s a plus for the game. In the twenty years that I’ve been in Los Angeles, I don’t recall ever seeing even the mention of straight pool in any magazine advertisements, or on a billboard or bus bench.

At our pool room, most of the players in the room got a kick out of the benches. Many of them even took pictures with their phones to show us. Yet, none of them ratted us out. It was only the guy who was paid five hundred dollars for one hour of his time.

Mr. Mathews is right about one thing. Pool is a troubled sport. But if there is to be a resurgence in the great game, it might be a good idea not to have Mr. Mathews as its spokesperson.
Click to expand...
Dude, wow.

Like you dismissed me in Wilmington, NC when I asked you to play some? PM me, and I'll be in your area in a month or two, Grady. Uh, this is with respect and not a bark.
 
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