This is all I have to say.

The bottom line is that whomever is putting on the tourney and is putting up the money to do so can invite whoever the hell they want to. If my money is being used to put a tourney on, and I don't like someone or someone is saying things against me or my promoters or tour then you can bet your sweet ass that I'm not gonna invite that person.

I can't stand Charlie Williams and I think he's a first class *****/pervert, etc.., but it's his promoters, tour, etc.. and he can invite or not invite whomever he choses, and rightfully so.

Now, if a certain standard of rules for qualification exist then they should follow those rules, but if invitees are allowed then its up to the money involved to decide who gets invites. It's akin to golf tourney's inviting Michelle Wie, John Daly, Eric Compton, etc... when other golfers deserve the sponsors exemptions due to playing ability, merit, etc..

Also, if someone doesn't want me playing in their tourney for whatever reason, then I would say f@#k them and damn sure not want to play.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
Agree or disagree with Grady - many of you are missing the point. Someone with multiple world championships (at any game) shouldn't worry about an invite ever. Whether or not he can win, the crowd loves to watch older legends get into the pit with younger competition. We got to see a little of it in the IPT - and we loved it.

The argument of "a younger player should get that spot who has a chance to win" is ridiculous - just create more spots. I think if you're a former world champion at any game - you have a chance to win. You might be a huge underdog, but you have a prayer. If you were looking to bet on Watson a week ago, what do you think you could have pulled-in as far as odds go?!?

Our sport doesn't do a good job in paying homage to our great players. When the Masters lets Nicklaus, Player, and Palmer tee off in the first grouping----- does ANYONE HERE ON AZB THINK THOSE OLD F's HAVE A PRAYER TO WIN!??!??? ANYONE? It's not the point. It's respect for the game and respect for the legends. How big do you think the galleries are around those guys who have no shot to win? I went to the Masters one year and let me tell you---- you can't get close to them and everyone watched them hack up the course and stood in awe with love and admiration.

Would'ves and Could'ves don't really matter--- it's WHAT IS that counts. It's sad to see Grady get on here and post how he should be able to play. If pool was more organized like golf, he probably would be able to play. Let's face it, the pool industry is a cannabalistic, siloed, insular and backward/sideways-looking sector. If pool were innovative, the organizing bodies would pull off IPT-like events that allowed any HOFer automatic/free entry, legend $$$ players CHEAP entry and seed all of them against the normal modern players. Imagine how marketable the videos would be?

Instead, pool is on the verge with tournaments going away, pool halls disappearing and few younger players getting involved. We need guys like Grady, McCready, Varner, Hopkins, Hall, and all the other geriatric players who I'd rather watch than any younger guy. Tournaments are BORING without them - plain and simple. Whoever manages the world 14.1 is eating their young by being dicks and not allowing former world champions, legends, HOFers, and the likes to play.

Keep b1tching Grady---- eventually some business neophyte at the world 14.1 office and get a bright idea to incorporate what I just posted. When it does happen, it's likely because you b1tched and opened up their blind eyes.

P.S.

Gee, if I recall, the last time I went to the Derby I watched Grady take Efren to the hill at some bank pool. Imagine that?
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Per Wikipedia, this is a list of Grady's titles.

Titles
1983 Red's Open One-pocket (Houston, Texas)
1984 World One-pocket
1984 River City Open One-pocket (Austin, Texas)
1984 Busch World Nine-ball (Moline, Illinois)
1985 Red's Open One-pocket (Houston, Texas)
1995 Legends of One-pocket (Olathe, Kansas)

As you can see, a total of 6 titles are atributed to Grady and none of them are in straight pool. In fact, 5 out of the 6 titles are in one-pocket with the sixth being in 9 ball. He hasn't won any straight pool title at all and he hasn't won any title in the last 14 years.

Yes, Grady is a gambler and a road player of note, however, his skills have long since faded. He is not the player he once was. Grady recently played in the Maryland Straight Pool Championship and he was eliminated in day one. He didn't even make an appearance on day to for the sake of his devoted fans.

Grady is definitely one of the legends of pool, however, that is not a qualification for being invited to a world championship tournament. I repeat, he has never won a straight pool championship and he has not won any championship of any kind in the last 14 years.

I'd be the first to say, I don't agree with the way Charlie Williams and his Dragon Promotions do things, but I have to agree that Grady does not deserve an invitation to the World Championship.

I also have to add, there are probably a dozen players who should be invited long before Grady, inlcuding our own Steve Lipsky.
 
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Wow...this sounds like quite the predicament! I can see valid points on both sides. I'm not really sure who got invited or who didn't, so that makes it tough.
 
Grady said:
I'm really proud of Tom Watson. I ask respectfully. Why should I be denied my opportunity to play in my sport? It is disgracefulm for me not to receive an invitation to the straight pool tournament.
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Grady !!
Not a real good analogy ? Are you not old enough to be Tom Watson's father ?? You were still swinging pretty good wood back when you were 56 too !!
 
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At least, guys, get your facts straight, please

I actually won two 14.1 tournaments, one was one of Frank Zummo's events in Cleveland, the other the New England Straight Pool Championship.
The latter had Nicky Vhalos, Larry Liscotti, Ray Martin, Boston Shorty and some other very good players. The former, while it was not a big field, starred Alan Hopkins, Irving Crane, I think Diliberto was in it and Frank himself was a 100 ball runner
Then, of course, my third place finish in the World Straight Pool tournament in NYC in 1983 I'm very proud of. Two of the men I was lucky enough to defeat were Mike Sigel and Irving Crane.
Listen, respected posters, this is the best thing that could ever happen to me. Just forget about I may think I deserve, like an invitation. I'll just freely admit that I shouldn't get one. Further I'm sorry for suggesting such a bold and selfish thing.
Only, puleeeeze if you insist on posting negative things about me and my career, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.
Thank you,
Grady
 
Grady said:
I actually won two 14.1 tournaments, one was one of Frank Zummo's events in Cleveland, the other the New England Straight Pool Championship.
The latter had Nicky Vhalos, Larry Liscotti, Ray Martin, Boston Shorty and some other very good players. The former, while it was not a big field, starred Alan Hopkins, Irving Crane, I think Diliberto was in it and Frank himself was a 100 ball runner
Then, of course, my third place finish in the World Straight Pool tournament in NYC in 1983 I'm very proud of. Two of the men I was lucky enough to defeat were Mike Sigel and Irving Crane.
Listen, respected posters, this is the best thing that could ever happen to me. Just forget about I may think I deserve, like an invitation. I'll just freely admit that I shouldn't get one. Further I'm sorry for suggesting such a bold and selfish thing.
Only, puleeeeze if you insist on posting negative things about me and my career, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.
Thank you,
Grady
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Nice post Grady and I support your future endeavors!;)
 
Grady said:
I actually won two 14.1 tournaments, one was one of Frank Zummo's events in Cleveland, the other the New England Straight Pool Championship.
The latter had Nicky Vhalos, Larry Liscotti, Ray Martin, Boston Shorty and some other very good players. The former, while it was not a big field, starred Alan Hopkins, Irving Crane, I think Diliberto was in it and Frank himself was a 100 ball runner
Then, of course, my third place finish in the World Straight Pool tournament in NYC in 1983 I'm very proud of. Two of the men I was lucky enough to defeat were Mike Sigel and Irving Crane.
Listen, respected posters, this is the best thing that could ever happen to me. Just forget about I may think I deserve, like an invitation. I'll just freely admit that I shouldn't get one. Further I'm sorry for suggesting such a bold and selfish thing.
Only, puleeeeze if you insist on posting negative things about me and my career, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.
Thank you,
Grady
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Grady you are far too polite, I doubt I could have restrained myself in your position.

Take care Grady, and say hello to Randi from the Crew at Full Spliced Billiards.
 
I would have liked Grady to be invited. I would also have liked Grady to respectfully decline the invitation. One of the most heartbreaking moments I remember is the GREAT Willie Mays participating in an all star game that he had no business being in!
 
Grady said:
I actually won two 14.1 tournaments, one was one of Frank Zummo's events in Cleveland, the other the New England Straight Pool Championship.
The latter had Nicky Vhalos, Larry Liscotti, Ray Martin, Boston Shorty and some other very good players. The former, while it was not a big field, starred Alan Hopkins, Irving Crane, I think Diliberto was in it and Frank himself was a 100 ball runner
Then, of course, my third place finish in the World Straight Pool tournament in NYC in 1983 I'm very proud of. Two of the men I was lucky enough to defeat were Mike Sigel and Irving Crane.
Listen, respected posters, this is the best thing that could ever happen to me. Just forget about I may think I deserve, like an invitation. I'll just freely admit that I shouldn't get one. Further I'm sorry for suggesting such a bold and selfish thing.
Only, puleeeeze if you insist on posting negative things about me and my career, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT.
Thank you,
Grady
Click to expand...


Grady has had one hell of a career in ALL disciplines - and that should be respected. The accomplishments of the legends should be respected and celebrated. Victories over Crane and Sigel - Martin, Vlahos, etc.

Not many people can say that.

What Grady failed to mention is the many events that he has successfully promoted out of his own pocket. This is a man that cares deeply about this game, and has given every bit of his life to it.

Not many people can say that, either.

Best of luck, Grady, you have my support.
 
To not invite Grady to this tournament is silly IMO. Grady's record speaks for itself and he is a stalwart of the game that demands anyone's respect. Additionally Grady is a great commentator and all around billiards resource.

If I were the TD I would invite Grady not only to be a player but to commentate matches. Not only does he know the game but he has the ability to verbally express himself.

In closing Grady has earned the right to complain about being snubbed any time on this board. I hope this oversight is corrected.

Best,
Marcus
 
Okay, maybe this is a bad analogy, but here it is - In baseball, Hall of Famers or soon to be HOF's like Roger Clemons, Rickey Henderson..etc, have all been demoted to the minors (AA) in their careers. Some of these players were in slumps or simply just sent down for rehab.

I'd like to see pool do adopt the same (so to speak). I cannot stand favoritism in sports/games.

With that said, I'm sure there were players who were invited to this tournament who play beneath Grady....eventhough he may have lost a step or two. That's not fair either! I guess what I'm trying to say is, the best men/women for the job be should be invited. I know...easier said than done...that would call for time consuming qualifiers and all that bs.

It's too hard to call. Promoters in pool who pick and choose players are always going to be unfair to certain players. Grady is a legend and has nothing to prove. I know he's itching to play however and I think he should've been invited. Maybe he was snubbed? Mickey Rourke got snubbed last year at the Oscars for Best Actor to Penn. Pete Rose got snubbed by the Hall of Fame. It happens and it sucks.
 
Glendale said:
Okay, maybe this is a bad analogy, but here it is - In baseball, Hall of Famers or soon to be HOF's like Roger Clemons, Rickey Henderson..etc, have all been demoted to the minors (AA) in their careers. Some of these players were in slumps or simply just sent down for rehab.

I'd like to see pool do adopt the same (so to speak). I cannot stand favoritism in sports/games.

With that said, I'm sure there were players who were invited to this tournament who play beneath Grady....eventhough he may have lost a step or two. That's not fair either! I guess what I'm trying to say is, the best men/women for the job be should be invited. I know...easier said than done...that would call for time consuming qualifiers and all that bs.


It's too hard to call. Promoters in pool who pick and choose players are always going to be unfair to certain players. Grady is a legend and has nothing to prove. I know he's itching to play however and I think he should've been invited. Maybe he was snubbed? Mickey Rourke got snubbed last year at the Oscars for Best Actor to Penn. Pete Rose got snubbed by the Hall of Fame. It happens and it sucks.
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Well I guess that argument is valid in its own way. But...... Pool is not baseball. Grady is an asset to a pool tournament for just being in the room. Invite the guy! It will enrich the experience for everyone. There aren't many aspiring 14.1 players that Grady will displace anyways.
 
I personally believe the billiard industry and competitive pool could use all the help it can get. I believe Grady to be some of that help.
 
In my opinion, Grady should have been invited. He can still play well and his record speaks for itself. If this were 9-ball it might be different but in straight pool it's usually more interesting to watch the veteran players like Grady, varner, Sigel, Martin etc because of their pattern play and knowledge accumulated over a lifetime of playing. Personally I'd rather watch a 14.1 match featuring Grady and say Nick Varner rather than a match between two young hotshots who're primarily 9-ball specialists.
 
mnorwood said:
Well I guess that argument is valid in its own way. But...... Pool is not baseball. Grady is an asset to a pool tournament for just being in the room. Invite the guy! It will enrich the experience for everyone. There aren't many aspiring 14.1 players that Grady will displace anyways.
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Good post!

I understand pool isn't baseball...I was just trying to make some sort of analogy, and I admitted, I could've been way off.

Grady is a legend and has done a lot for pool! He's also very knowledgable in 14.1 and a lot of "up and coming" players could learn from him by playing/watching him. As an invitational 14.1 tournament, I agree with you that he deserved an invite.
 
We may need more info about you.

Grady, I have compiled some information about you from this decade's events and placings. The only source used was AZ Billiards, Rich R's post and some information you posted on this thread.

On a glance of the document, there is a lot of missing information about your achievements, and I believe it is only fitting, that someone gather all the correct information in order to post it at Wikipedia.

If you wish, I am willing to update the information for the benefit of everyone.

Just let me know if you want this small project completed.
 

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