The Miz

G

Grady

Pro Player
Steve and I respected and liked each other, although we couldn't have been from more different backgrounds.I hadn't met him but of course had heard of him, when I hired him to do an exhibition at my pool room in Colo. Spgs. in 1976. We played a 1,000 point match of 14.1, among other things. Steve beat me, I think it was 1,000 to 469.
Over the ensuing years we became fast friends and peers. We had our differences, too but always in a gentlemanly way. Starting the Senior Tour was a stroke of altruism and genius. I just wish he had had time to promote it further.
When asked, as often I was, who was/is the greatest Straight Pool player of all time, I'd always say The Miz and explain why. He won the U.S. Open four times and two other world championships, with open fields comprised of usually 64 men who could all run a hundred balls, not some four or eight man invitational.
Steve was a stand-up guy who never womanized or took drugs or drank much. He loved his family and he was a real credit to the human race and to his profession.
Randi and I prayed for the Miz but our hopes of him living on were dashed in this untimely manner. Our heartfelt condolences to the Mizerak family and to the billiard community.
Grady and Randi Mathews
 
Memories

Steve was a class act, always a gentleman. I met him when I was 12. He was considered the best straight pool player at that time by many.
He became known wold wide since then and was truely one of the greats.
He will be missed by all and rembered for the gentleman he was and the player he became.
He and his family will be in our prayers,
Nick Serdula and Family
 
Miz

I had the honer to sit and talk to Miz at the 1993 US open 9 ball tournament. We didn't talk long, but it was somethlng I will always remember. Shortly after we talked, he had a match with Luat, Miz sits in his seat while Luat runs 6 racks. Luat breaks and nothing goes but Miz was hooked, Miz walked to the table and looked at the shot and said, I WAITED 6 GAMES FOR THIS. He had a great sence of humor, and at another time and place, it could have been Luat sitting for 6 racks. RIP MIZ You will be missed.........
Beatle.........
 
I loved to watch him play! He was great with the players, and fans! A great player and a true ambassador for the Game of Pool! "Just Showin Off" he will be missed. He is already!
dacue
 
I am really sorry for the loss of The Miz. I grew into my pool game watching and re-watching many matches of Steve's. I also had the honor of meeting him in Columbia, SC during the 1991 Legends of One Pocket.

I had my Richard Black cue with me and showed it to Steve and he got it out and looked it over really well and complimented me on it. I also had him sign one of his books that was hot off the press. After he signed it, he turned to Weenie Beaney and said "Hey! Have you seen my new book?" and they stood there and looked it over for a few minutes, while I nervously watched.

I found him to be very nice and sincere and a pleasure to watch at the table.

I know many of my college friends will be sad to hear of his death and will fondly remember the times we would get pumped-up to play by watching those old video tapes of Steve smoothly slicing balls off of the green.
 
Grady said:
Steve and I respected and liked each other, although we couldn't have been from more different backgrounds.I hadn't met him but of course had heard of him, when I hired him to do an exhibition at my pool room in Colo. Spgs. in 1976. We played a 1,000 point match of 14.1, among other things. Steve beat me, I think it was 1,000 to 469.
Over the ensuing years we became fast friends and peers. We had our differences, too but always in a gentlemanly way. Starting the Senior Tour was a stroke of altruism and genius. I just wish he had had time to promote it further.
When asked, as often I was, who was/is the greatest Straight Pool player of all time, I'd always say The Miz and explain why. He won the U.S. Open four times and two other world championships, with open fields comprised of usually 64 men who could all run a hundred balls, not some four or eight man invitational.
Steve was a stand-up guy who never womanized or took drugs or drank much. He loved his family and he was a real credit to the human race and to his profession.
Randi and I prayed for the Miz but our hopes of him living on were dashed in this untimely manner. Our heartfelt condolences to the Mizerak family and to the billiard community.
Grady and Randi Mathews
Click to expand...
Grady, I loved the story you told of the Miz on one of the Accu-Stats tapes where you guys walked into a bar and Steve got up a game with a local who had no idea who he was playing.... after Steve put a quick 10 games on the guy he turned to Steve and said " Saaaayyyy you have a pretty nice stroke. I cried laughing so hard.
Steve really was a great guy and I'm glad he lived long enough to see the ceremony in his honor at the Open last year, he really deserved it. He brought Class and Dignity to our sport and he was never too big a star to treat the Fans like they were special. A great loss to Pool and the Human race. Glenn
 
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