The EPITOMY of CLASS, CHARACTER & TALENT
- Thread starter JoeyA
- Start date
You're so right about "People judge you by the way you act". It isn't the words one speaks or writes, it's what you do and how you do it and you set an excellent example for all of us in everything you do.
Thank you my friend. Hope to see you, Connie, Landon, Kiley and Phil in the near future.
Joey, you sir are a class act! Thanks for sharing this story about something good in the world of pool. It's because of people like you who I have met along the way that my trip has been worthwhile. I wish Stan and I had connected during my days in Dayton, but I hate to admit I was around before his time. :smile:
I'm glad to know Stan, and think that Landon is fortunate to have him for a father. I look forward to meeting Phil as well, maybe at the U.S. Open???
As for me I wish I had some good sparring partners to practice with. I might actually get back in stroke. The last time I played multiple sets with anyone was with my dear friend Ming all those years ago. She went on to be a top sixteen player on the WPBA and I snapped off a few small scores.
I haven't played that good since, even though I got lots of action at my last poolroom. Jay's Billiards is long gone now, closed for over five years. I'm adrift in the pool world, having to suffice with a rare tournament appearance, my lot cast as a TD and commentator. Sometimes I wish I lived in New Orleans; great people, great food and great pool!
I could stand to be hustled by Joey every day. I'm sure he would make a better One Pocket player out of me and I might do the same for his Bank game.
P.S. I will say this publicly, of all the co-commentators I have worked with over the years, Joey is right at the top of the heap! Great voice, great insights and a very pleasant manner. Hopefully we'll get to to it again some day.
WOW, Jay. You've got me blushing. :blush::blush:
Thank you for your kind words. I look forward to doing some commentary with you down the road.
Pool continues to excite me and the journey isn't quite over. Thanks for all you do for pool. It's always great to hear from you especially when you travel to far ends of the earth to report on pool in faraway places. Maybe one day I can play in the Jay Swanson tournament. I love these weekend tournaments and that one sounds like a blast.
hey Joey,
I have not met Stan yet, but have heard only great words about him. And would love to meet him 1 day and go over ideas of the game, as Phil has mentioned Stan loves the v grip :smile:
Phil is a great player and America beware he is a monster, and a great kid also. he has a great opportunity in america and being with Stan a great teacher also. I would really love an opportunity like Phil has myself, to be able to coach and play in America, any offers anyone :smile:
I have not met Stan yet, but have heard only great words about him. And would love to meet him 1 day and go over ideas of the game, as Phil has mentioned Stan loves the v grip :smile:
Phil is a great player and America beware he is a monster, and a great kid also. he has a great opportunity in america and being with Stan a great teacher also. I would really love an opportunity like Phil has myself, to be able to coach and play in America, any offers anyone :smile:
that sounds good btw what u mean help with what? u should come too the next white diamons tournament it should be in feb not 100% sure
I agree that Joey is a great commentator for all the reasons Jay just said. You might not think the average fan pays much attention to the commentating, but I do and I think most others do as well. I found his comments to be insightful and positive. Thanks for that Joey, and for all you've done for the game of pool.
sorry robley, we speak a different english over here :smile:
help in my language means offer coaching advice, and i would love to come the tournament in feb, might coincide it with a coaching school
oh thats kool i kinda knew what u meant lol but wasent sure
thanks that would be great where u at?
This weekend's tournament at White Diamond Billiards in Lafayette, Louisiana was exciting, competitive and fun.
Robley and JoeyA finished up 7th & 8th for the tournament, although it was Robley who sent JoeyA over to the one loss side first.
Due to some coaching and cueing instruction from Stan Shuffett and the new kid on the block, Phil Burford I enjoyed some enhanced playing this weekend.
My high finish was nothing short of a miracle with 128 players in this event. The field was deep with great talent but often they faced each other or the lesser player caught a gear at the right time which was my case most of the time.
But THE REAL STORY was something that I personally witnessed. In all of the years that I have played pool, I was never more impressed by a single incident than what occured this weekend. Stan Shuffett went in the Calcutta for an enormous amount of money and did not buy half of himself because he felt that the bid price was too high. It's not hard to agree with him as the bidders of the Calcuttas at White Diamonds often go through the stratosphere without rhyme or reason. Rumors often send the price of players through the roof. One rumor had Phil Burford beating Mark Cavalier so badly that mark quit during the set. That rumor is so far from the truth I had to laugh because I was there when Phil played Mark. The second set had Mark making a comeback and finishing the set and losing with a score of around 11-8. That's not a blowout and Mark isn't a quitter. Phil lost two matches in the White Diamonds tournament and finished 9-12th one position less than Robley and JoeyA.
Phil went for an astronomical number at a little over 1200 dollars if I recall correctly and we all bought a piece of Phil but Stan bought most of Phil's half. Now with that much money at stake on Phil you would think that everything would be done to assure Phil's journey to the top. With Stan and the JoeyA crew not buying any portion of what was paid for Stan in the Calcutta, we had great hopes for Phil Burford, a young 20 year old hailing from England but not residing in Kentucky since we all had a major investment in the Calcutta for Phil.
As fortune would have it, eventually Stan and Phil had to face each other. Just prior to the match between the two of them, the person who bought Stan in the Calcutta, inquired with Stan about what he could expect. Morty from Florida was just inquiring because he didn't know how hard Stan would be playing to beat Phil afterall Marty put up his hard-earned money and wanted to find out if he had a chance. Stan immediately replied that Marty didn't have to worry and that he would play hard against Phil, even though Stan was an underdog in this match on all cards. Morty, later in a private conversation with me, said that he had faith not only in Stan's integrity but in his talent as well. (It's good for a Calcutta buyer to know his players
Not to my surprise, I watched as Stan stood firmly fighting for each and every ball, playing a strong, solid game, demonstrating his prowess at the table. If you've never seen Stan compete, you're missing an inspiration because he is a fierce competitor and a great talent as well as a remarkable teacher and coach. In the short race to 7, Stan managed to squeak out a victory by fighting hard every second of the tournament. His tenacity, grinding style of play and talent inspired me to levels I have never before seen in myself. I guess some of that inspiration took place earlier in the week when Stan and Phil visited Buffalo Billiards for a few days prior to the big tournament. I had asked Stan and Phil to offer any advice that might help my game and they spent quality time with me and I believe I am now a better player for their efforts and insight. Stan took Phil and I out to eat at K-Paul's for Blackened Drum ( a DELICIOUS, fish delicacy made famous by local Chef Paul Prudhomme.) I had treated Stan and Phil to a modest Muffaletta sandwich from Giorlando's Restaurant, which is a must have sandwich that originated here in New Orleans.:grin:
Stan Shuffett inspires me not only as a pool player but he also inspires me to be a better man. I've always tried to do the right thing and don't always succeed but am always working toward that goal. Stan by his own personal standards sets a benchmark for anyone who wishes to be classified as a professional and a man of integrity. I also watched Stan's other matches at a distance (because I didn't want to distract him, which would probably be hard to do, but I didn't want to take any chances) and when his opponent was at the table, Stan was a motionless opponent awaiting his own return to the table.
The event paid out over 40,000 beans to the participators. Even JoeyA and Robley got a taste.
Hopefully, Stan and Phil will pass our way in the future. I know that for me as a player, he and Phil made this tournament, my most memorable tournament event. The icing on the cake was how Stan conducts himself in public and private. Stan is a GREAT instructor, top player and a man of integrity. Thanks for inspiring us all Stan!
I will be honest and have to say was proven wrong on the match with Stan and Phil. When I saw they met up I knew what could happen because Micky and I bought Stan but was being out bid so we decided to go three ways on him. I had nine players already would not really matter about having all of him or a part in my eyes anyway when I saw they drew each other I thought the worst. You only think that way because money is the rude of all evil and sometimes people choose money over dignity. I am glad that people still have there dignity and do not chop someone up like a chicken at the grocery store.
I have bought many players in the calcutta and know the risks of these acts. I have been on the bad side of this more than once and never complained or said a word. Hell I know for a fact that people bet on the side of a match that was played when I had half of a player and the player he played had 100% of the other one. I could of been a scum bag and take advantage of people but did not bet even though I knew what was going to happen. This was a great post Joey you made and enjoyed reading it. See you at the next one!
That Bender is a great looking cue. See you tomorrow Micky!
I enjoyed meeting you this weekend and glad to know there is still great people out there in this sport. I enjoyed your thoughts on what we discussed about having a winners attitude and really enjoyed watching you play. You try so hard man and grind it all the way till the end. Look forward to seeing you again and hope that all your students can learn from your positive attitude and hard work. I got to see why you are the best teacher in the country for pool this weekend. See you next time!
TapTap
It was an honor to meet both of you this weekend. I look forward to seeing both of you again in the near future.
It was an honor to meet both of you this weekend. I look forward to seeing both of you again in the near future.
Joey,
I noticed when you and Stan were at the bar box against the wall. I figured you were gettin' schooled (LOL), and thought it inappropriate to butt in. Hopefully I can get some of Stan's time for the next tournament if (hopefully when) he comes back.
I hope I didn't interrupt the two of you with my thunder breaks at the nearby table while you guys were talking! :grin:
I noticed when you and Stan were at the bar box against the wall. I figured you were gettin' schooled (LOL), and thought it inappropriate to butt in. Hopefully I can get some of Stan's time for the next tournament if (hopefully when) he comes back.
I hope I didn't interrupt the two of you with my thunder breaks at the nearby table while you guys were talking! :grin:
Scott, when I am around Stan I act like I am around E.F. Hutton. Everything else around me just disappears.
Stan doesn't like to give pool lessons when he is on vacation or playing in tournaments. It is too difficult to split your efforts between the two endeavors. Thanks for having the class to not butt in but you should have just introduced yourself. Do so the next time and maybe you can schedule a pool lesson with him. I've heard his Foundation Course is awesome.
Stan was probably just reminiscing to me about the KPaul meal we shared.