The Keith McCready Story Has Been Released

Gonzo09

Gonzo09

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Keith McCready's life story has been released on Legends of the Cue podcast with Parts 1 & 2 dropping today. Here is a link and episode description for Part 1 entitled "The Early Hustle: From Elmhurst to El Diablo".

https://www.legendsofthecue.com/keith-mccready-part-1-the-early-hustle-from-elmhurst-to-el-diablo/

In this first installment of our Legends of the Cue four-part series, hosts Mike Gonzalez, Allison Fisher, and Mark Wilson sit down with one of pool’s most electrifying personalities—Keith McCready—to trace the raw, unfiltered beginnings of a life that could only be described as cinematic.

Born in Elmhurst, Illinois, and raised under the California sun, Keith’s early years were anything but ordinary. By age ten, while most kids were trading baseball cards, he was already gambling, running pool tables, and learning the delicate art of survival. After losing his mother at a young age, Keith found refuge in the game—and in the smoky glow of California pool halls where legends like Louis Lemke and “Cowboy” Jimmy Moore tested his growing talent.

Adopted at 13 by Bob Wallace, the owner of a local poolroom, Keith’s new family gave him both stability and access to the best action on the West Coast. By fifteen, he was on the road, matching up against future world champions, and earning a nickname that captured his fearless spirit—El Diablo. His stories of those days—standing on Coke crates to reach the table, running 56 balls at age twelve, winning thousands at the racetrack before eighth grade, and learning from icons like Ronnie Allen—paint the portrait of a natural-born competitor with an edge as sharp as his stroke.

This episode captures the roots of a player whose talent, charisma, and streetwise grit later caught the eye of none other than Martin Scorsese, who cast him as Grady Seasons in The Color of Money. Join us as Keith McCready takes us back to where it all began—before the fame, before the film—when the hustle, the game, and the gamble were one and the same.

🎱 A story only Keith could tell, and only pool could create.
 
Here is a link and episode description for Part 2 entitled "Earthquake” in Action

https://www.legendsofthecue.com/keith-mccready-part-2-earthquake-in-action/

In this second installment of Legends of the Cue featuring the incomparable Keith “Earthquake” McCready, the stories get wilder, the stakes higher, and the characters larger than life. With his trademark wit and fearless honesty, Keith takes us deep into the gritty underworld of American pool during its most colorful era — where the lights never dimmed, the games never stopped, and the money was always on the line.

From marathon gambling sessions at California’s legendary Billiard Palace to encounters with icons like Minnesota Fats, Ronnie Allen, and Danny DiLiberto, McCready recalls a time when skill, nerve, and street smarts were the only currencies that mattered. He shares how his early years were a “mini-laboratory” for learning to play under relentless pressure — and the sometimes-questionable methods players used to keep going for days on end.

Listeners will hear Keith’s hilarious and heartbreaking tales of triumph and trouble: falling asleep under pool tables with cash in his pockets, only to wake up robbed; being “jarred” mid-match by opponents looking for an edge; and hustling through the West Coast’s roughest rooms armed with nothing but talent and charm.

Co-hosts Mike Gonzalez, Allison Fisher, and Mark Wilson bring warmth and insight as they guide Keith through these vivid memories — from his friendship with the greats to the challenges of vision loss that ended his playing days far too soon.

Equal parts humor, danger, and heart, this episode captures the essence of a man who lived pool at full throttle and left an indelible mark on the game.

🎱 Join us for Part 2 of “Earthquake” Keith McCready — the stories only he could tell, from a life lived at the edge of the table.
 
Used to ice skate at the indoor/outdoor rink in Elmhurst, think it was near the tracks. 1963
I was from Glen Ellyn.
 
I have not listened through all of the podcasts so I apologize
But can someone tell me specifically, if it was mentioned what Keith’s eye problems are
 
Keith’s journey with macular degeneration. Apparently, Keith has suffered from macular degeneration for a long while. Back in the days before GPS, when we used to travel the country by car to go to pool tournaments, we carried a big road atlas with us. While I was driving, I’d ask Keith to check how many more miles it was to the next exit or town. There would always be a long pause while he just stared as the atlas. I’d get frustrated and usually ending up pulling over to read it myself. Sadly, I actually thought Keith did not know how to read.

About seven or eight years ago, I went to Costco to get my eyes checked, and I convinced Keith to have his done too. When the doctor came out after his exam, we were both in shock to learn that Keith had macular degeneration. He referred us to a specialist, where Keith began receiving treatment, a shot in each eye. The doctor told him on his first visit that he was legally blind. Neither of us had any idea.

Fast forward to today, and the doctor says his sight has improved by 50 percent. It will never be what it once was, but Keith is getting a new medicine and now only needs the shot every seven weeks instead of every month. The prognosis is encouraging. Soon he may only need them every four months. The doctor is very pleased with his progress.

All that said, Keith still has lightning in the jug and believes he can still compete. Maybe not at the same level, but with his years of experience, shot arsenal, and what he calls his “feel shots,” the Earthquake still lives strong in his heart.
 
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Keith is truly honored to stand alongside such amazing talents in this beautiful Legend of the Cues series. Being included among so many of the game’s greats is a privilege and a heartfelt tribute to the sport we both love. This series isn’t just a showcase of skill; it’s a celebration of a lifetime passion shared by players and fans alike.

On a personal note, this experience holds deep meaning for me. It feels like a chance to leave a lasting footprint of Keith’s story in the game. I’ve been a little melancholy lately. It seems that every week brings news of another friend, colleague, or pool legend who has passed. I suppose that’s part of reaching a certain age. My one wish, though, is a simple one: to outlive Keith.

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JAM said:
Keith is truly honored to stand alongside such amazing talents in this beautiful Legend of the Cues series. Being included among so many of the game’s greats is a privilege and a heartfelt tribute to the sport we both love. This series isn’t just a showcase of skill; it’s a celebration of a lifetime passion shared by players and fans alike.

On a personal note, this experience holds deep meaning for me. It feels like a chance to leave a lasting footprint of Keith’s story in the game. I’ve been a little melancholy lately. It seems that every week brings news of another friend, colleague, or pool legend who has passed. I suppose that’s part of reaching a certain age. My one wish, though, is a simple one: to outlive Keith.

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I don't fully understand your last line. Could you elaborate on its actual meaning?
 
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