The 60 Year Ride Is Over

Johnnyt

Johnnyt

Burn all jump cues
Silver Member
When I was a kid I watched Joe Louis try to comeback against Rocky Marciano after years of being retired. It brought tears to my eyes. I was about ten years old then. After watching the fight I made a promise to myself. I promised myself if I ever was good at any sport and came to the point I couldn’t maintain my top game I would pack it in. I was no Joe Louis when I boxed and far from Grady M. when I played my best pool. But watching Grady the other day on the stream I remembered my promise to myself 60 years ago. I was going to try to place high in a decent size bar box tournament one time before I packed it in. I got back to “A” on the box but I probably couldn’t hold up in a match or set anymore.

Two heart attacks, three strokes, COPD, and now the last straw, a back brace tells me it’s time to just play the ghost as long as I can. I’m done, but it was a sweet 60 year ride. Johnnyt
 
first...............JohnnyT, me thinks you're trying to set up a score. I made the ghost on my table wear a back brace too, it softened him up a little.
 
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Hang in there Johnny. There has been an older guy named John on the accustats game show a few times. When I first saw him I thought it might be you. He was hitting them pretty good.
 
We all need to adjust our expectations as time flies by. All too often the adjustment comes from a none too subtle experience. Sounds like Johnny is sagely looking out for himself and hasn't much delusional interest in 'boxing' champs any longer. Hang loose JT! :thumbup:
 
You got plenty of games left! Don't be discouraged!!

Johnnyt said:
When I was a kid I watched Joe Louis try to comeback against Rocky Marciano after years of being retired. It brought tears to my eyes. I was about ten years old then. After watching the fight I made a promise to myself. I promised myself if I ever was good at any sport and came to the point I couldn’t maintain my top game I would pack it in. I was no Joe Louis when I boxed and far from Grady M. when I played my best pool. But watching Grady the other day on the stream I remembered my promise to myself 60 years ago. I was going to try to place high in a decent size bar box tournament one time before I packed it in. I got back to “A” on the box but I probably couldn’t hold up in a match or set anymore.

Two heart attacks, three strokes, COPD, and now the last straw, a back brace tells me it’s time to just play the ghost as long as I can. I’m done, but it was a sweet 60 year ride. Johnnyt
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John,
Whenever I see your posts, two things come to mind. First, you've said some of the funniest stuff ever on AZB. Second, you have a boundless love for pool and are always asking lots of questions, most of which pertain to skill retention, playing levels, practice routines, etc. You get my drift. I've read between the lines and sort of figured out what you're struggling with....the natural aging and gradual breakdown of "us".

I have to talk about me for a moment, but only to show a point. I've worked since I was 11, 2 jobs all the time from when I was 21 until my back got fractured. I was almost 50 when I got hurt and had been playing pool since I was 11. It was the best I ever was playing in my life. I couldn't wait to turn 50 and FINALLY be able to enter pool tournaments, especially any senior events and I was looking forward to the DCC, which I was never able to attend due to work and familiy responsibilities.

Then my surgery. Massive infection afterwards. In bed from the first week of April until late October. Then, a back brace and cane and P.T. to learn to walk and do steps again. Then another surgery this April on my neck. 6 more screws along with another titanium plate. As of yesterday, my game is only 50%-60% of what it used to be. Still can't bend down or stay down long. I also thought about quitting, but I can't and won't. I've invested THOUSANDS of hours into pool. Playing it, reading about it, talking about it. I, like YOU, are a lifer.

I'm going to still play in some regional pro tournaments someday, as well as still match up. But, I got a little ways to go still. You and me and I know many, many others have up-hill climbs at times in our pool careers, but you'll be doing yourself a dis-service if you just pull the plug. Pool's given you too many rushes and highs over the years.

We're going to go down hill quicker if we don't have love in our hearts for and from our family and friends and if we have no hope left in our hearts.

Besides having a healthy relationship with the Lord, our family and friends, we do need some kind of activity that juices us up in other ways. Pool is what many of us have in our blood. Once it's been in there for so long, it can't easily be removed!

What did Winnie Churchill say?.........."Never give up. never give up. never, ever give up."

There's STILL a lot of pool left to be played! :)

Hang in there JohnnyT! And best wishes to you my friend!
 
I am the same age as Grady and have no idea what his problems are today. I too lost my first wife and it was difficult. Like you I have had a few physical problems along the way and I do not have the stamina that I once had. I did not take up playing pool until I was 40 or so. I can tell you that at my age and living in an active retirement community where there are at least two guys over 90 still playing everyday in a 12 – 16 man tournament that life and pool gets better not worse. While the skill levels are not what they were for most everyone here the competition is as intense as ever. There is one fellow here who is 92. He was a champion trap shooter in his day and took up playing pool at the age of 80. I have seen him run the table (6 – 7 and out) on a few occasions. We play 8-Ball on 9’ Gold Crown III. He is so good that the others have named him 8- Ball Johnny.

Sure you have to lower your expectations some but the people here are more active than many of the people in my old life. People here get up at 5 – 6 AM, play tennis, pickle ball, golf, baseball (for crying out loud) and I see probably 20 people every morning out for their constitutional walk. There is a whole crew that paddles a dragon boat (and win state championships).

At the swimming pool there are usually 5 to 10 people swimming laps or doing those women’s thing water aerobics. Sure we are all in bed by 9 – 10 PM at night but life is what you make it. A few days ago I was talking with a 78 year old lady who is a birder, on the dragon boat team (a big canoe with 20 people paddling), snorkels, scuba dives and plays tennis. This year she was taking up mountain climbing.

So what are you going to do with the rest of your life?
 
Damn, Johnny. I hardly knew ye.
As someone who has had a couple of coronary events myself, I can understand, but that doesn't mean you have to leave AZB, does it? You may feel that you can no longer use your body, but we here can certainly use your mind. :)
 
Johnny

7 years ago, a doctor told me that I would be in a wheelchair in possibly 2 years due to the advancement of my Parkinson's Disease. Instead of listening to that nonsense, I waited 2 years - woke up one day - had my feet hit the floor - put one foot in front of the other started walking. Instead of buying a wheelchair, I paid my entry into a UPA event. I didn't fair very well in the tournament, but in my eyes I scored a major victory against this debilitating disease.

2 years after that - and 4 years after they told me that I would completely lose the ability to walk - I went out to Capone's and pocketed 10,020 balls in two 12 hour shifts to raise money for a Brandon Amato, a little boy that has leukemia.

Since then, my disease has progressed - I have been battling Ischemic Heart Disease - I have had major problems with that - yet every day I get up and put one foot in front of the other - sometimes shaking - and sometimes having a good day with my meds - some days my attitude is better than others - but I go back to a quote by Ben Stein - “It is inevitable that some defeat will enter even the most victorious life. The human spirit is never finished when it is defeated...it is finished when it surrenders.”

I've learned that winning and losing is not about getting money or trophies or even recognition - it is about understanding and appreciating everything that you have been through along your journey to get to where you are standing today. If you're like me, you're probably lucky to be standing - and that is a victory all in itself.

I made this video a while back for the Parkinson's Unity Walk -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5OKI3wgI7I

it shows me doing something that people without Parkinson's would have difficulty doing. I don;t post this brag or to show off - I post it show you the power of the human spirit. At the end of the video, I have placed my own personal motto - "It's always too early to quit."

I may not ever win a big tournament - hell I may not even win a race to 2 8 ball tournament at Joe's Bar - but I won't surrender what I love to do to this disease.

FTR, that video is not a fluke - I did the same thing on my home table yesterday afternoon.

Despite Parkinson's Disease and the raised eyebrows of my Cardiologist, I am planning to do yet another 10,000 ball marathon to raise money for a worthy cause

Yes - this guy is a walking heart attack and should be in wheelchair

- because that's what I love to do - and nothing is going to stop me - and I know that you're made of that same grit and and never-say-die determination.
 
Johnnyt said:
When I was a kid I watched Joe Louis try to comeback against Rocky Marciano after years of being retired. It brought tears to my eyes. I was about ten years old then. After watching the fight I made a promise to myself. I promised myself if I ever was good at any sport and came to the point I couldn’t maintain my top game I would pack it in. I was no Joe Louis when I boxed and far from Grady M. when I played my best pool. But watching Grady the other day on the stream I remembered my promise to myself 60 years ago. I was going to try to place high in a decent size bar box tournament one time before I packed it in. I got back to “A” on the box but I probably couldn’t hold up in a match or set anymore.

Two heart attacks, three strokes, COPD, and now the last straw, a back brace tells me it’s time to just play the ghost as long as I can. I’m done, but it was a sweet 60 year ride. Johnnyt
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Damn. I was about ready to ask you to go on the road. Would've been a lot of fun ... :mad:
 
Johnnyt said:
When I was a kid I watched Joe Louis try to comeback against Rocky Marciano after years of being retired. It brought tears to my eyes. I was about ten years old then. After watching the fight I made a promise to myself. I promised myself if I ever was good at any sport and came to the point I couldn’t maintain my top game I would pack it in. I was no Joe Louis when I boxed and far from Grady M. when I played my best pool. But watching Grady the other day on the stream I remembered my promise to myself 60 years ago. I was going to try to place high in a decent size bar box tournament one time before I packed it in. I got back to “A” on the box but I probably couldn’t hold up in a match or set anymore.

Two heart attacks, three strokes, COPD, and now the last straw, a back brace tells me it’s time to just play the ghost as long as I can. I’m done, but it was a sweet 60 year ride. Johnnyt
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What a bunch of wonderful responses.You are a great contributor.
Life is a precious gift and we have to live it as best as we can.
So now you'll need a little weight.

...but i don't want to hear about carpal tunnel...
 
60 years?

Hey, Man.
I'm only 75 years old and I think with another 10-15 years of learning a few more shots I'm going to be a tough SOB. Right now, I dearly love to beat young guys for a few bucks and listen to the excuses. I heard one of them telling his buddy that he got beat by some guy about 50 years old and it was because he had gotten some really bad rolls.
Quit? Nah, we've got time to get better. So, come on and get your head out of your butt and hit some balls. That ghost doesn't get your blood circulating like somebody running out the rack.
You're not a quitter, don't talk like one!
PastPrime.
 
Terrific attitude

David I always knew you were a great player and now I can see why, because you have a great attitude. God Bless you,:thumbup:
 
Johnnyt said:
When I was a kid I watched Joe Louis try to comeback against Rocky Marciano after years of being retired. It brought tears to my eyes. I was about ten years old then. After watching the fight I made a promise to myself. I promised myself if I ever was good at any sport and came to the point I couldn’t maintain my top game I would pack it in. I was no Joe Louis when I boxed and far from Grady M. when I played my best pool. But watching Grady the other day on the stream I remembered my promise to myself 60 years ago. I was going to try to place high in a decent size bar box tournament one time before I packed it in. I got back to “A” on the box but I probably couldn’t hold up in a match or set anymore.

Two heart attacks, three strokes, COPD, and now the last straw, a back brace tells me it’s time to just play the ghost as long as I can. I’m done, but it was a sweet 60 year ride. Johnnyt
Click to expand...

Johhny T,

Maybe matching up is over for awhile, but here all that health nonsense doesn't matter much.

On AZ Billiards, you're as good as you post. You know what? You post just fine!

You did good Johnny. You got everyone's attention. As long as you can pound that keyboard, I still think you're an "A" player and the rest of it really doesn't matter much.

Johnny - even with the pain, make it your goal to enjoy life once again. There's always a way to do it - good food, good company, and good wine works for me.

Chris
 
Johnny, this is something that you've done all your life because you've enjoyed it. I'll tell you what my wife says to me when I tell her it's time to quit. She say "and then what are you going to?"

P.S. I'll be 70 on Father's day this month.
 
You got to stay practiced up I am coming to South Florida in a couple of months and wanted to try you you on the bar box.
 
Johnny T
I had no idea you were that age and I apologize for some of the cross words we have had on here,with that being said My father in law who has lived with me now for 2yrs is almost 71 yrs old,he has battled cancer for 20 yrs now.But regardless he loves the bar box game and follows me to just about every tournament and keeps my table busy as long as he can stand it,when he does not feel up to playing he will set at my computer and watch live streams,or recorded matches.He may have lost some stamina but not the desire.Pool is his everything these days and he is like a kid when SVB or Bustamante is playing.The funny thing is people constantly under estimate him and his desire to win.So hang in there get plenty of rest and pace yourself before your matches.No I am not a doctor ,but I watch a 70 yr old make his game plan on a regular basis.Good Luck Johnny T
Peteypooldude
 
Johnny you just got to do what you can. I'm 64 I used to run 70 miles a week at a 7:30 or so pace when I was 40, now I run 20 miles a week at a 9:30 pace and feel like hell. I used to play all 90 minutes on my >60 soccer team, but we've got a lot of good new players and I just get out there each week and get what playing time I can. The point is keep moving. One of my favorite expressions (which I oddly enough picked up in a book on SQL) is "Better to wear out than to rust out." Don't let yourself rust out.
Swallow your pride a little and join a league and play as good as you still can, that's all you can do. Life goes on and we loss our former abilities, but we go on.
If you can't stand to play pool at a lower level, pick up a completely different sport/game and start from scratch, you can only improve. I started playing pool seriously at 54, I'm only a C+ player but it is the best I've ever been at it and improving. Find something and go for it.
 
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