Update on Danny Medina

i appreciate your efforts, passion, and concern for Danny and his family. he was one of the greatest 9 ball players ever and few came through Denver to challenge him over the years. Most went home much lighter.
however when the term Hustler is used, I admit I have to laugh. I have to totally disagree with this. he was in fact, one of the worst hustlers I ever saw. the idea of missing on purpose or stalling, just did not come to his mind. i well know as I tried to get him to slow down or back off his opponet on many occasions and it was near impossible for him to do. He simply came to play and was going to try and make everyball on the table, no mater what.
years ago we were in the Pool Hall on Havana when a well known Car dealer walked in one night, walked right up to Danny and challenged him to some $50 eight ball.
This guy was a pretty well known snooker player and had some talent, and, very deep pockets. he knew his way around a pool room having grown up in Detroit and around the Rack in it's hayday.
They were about to begin when Danny said to him," I must tell you my name is Danny Medina"!The guy laughed and said," I do't care who you are and they began.
Danny beat on the guy until he surrendered after several consecutive games.
later i asked why he didn't just slow down a bit and try and keep the guy going. he said, " i don't come to hustle and lay it down, i come to play pool"!
That was just his mentality and the way he was.
I also realize Hustling is a broad term, but to some, it is a dirty word.
I never went any where with him that somebody didn't recognize him though.
Again, thanks for what you are trying to do.
I plan to be there on or about the 15th and have some ideas of my own.

+1, your right.:)
 
i appreciate your efforts, passion, and concern for Danny and his family. he was one of the greatest 9 ball players ever and few came through Denver to challenge him over the years. Most went home much lighter.
however when the term Hustler is used, I admit I have to laugh. I have to totally disagree with this. he was in fact, one of the worst hustlers I ever saw. the idea of missing on purpose or stalling, just did not come to his mind. i well know as I tried to get him to slow down or back off his opponet on many occasions and it was near impossible for him to do. He simply came to play and was going to try and make everyball on the table, no mater what.
years ago we were in the Pool Hall on Havana when a well known Car dealer walked in one night, walked right up to Danny and challenged him to some $50 eight ball.
This guy was a pretty well known snooker player and had some talent, and, very deep pockets. he knew his way around a pool room having grown up in Detroit and around the Rack in it's hayday.
They were about to begin when Danny said to him," I must tell you my name is Danny Medina"!The guy laughed and said," I do't care who you are and they began.
Danny beat on the guy until he surrendered after several consecutive games.
later i asked why he didn't just slow down a bit and try and keep the guy going. he said, " i don't come to hustle and lay it down, i come to play pool"!
That was just his mentality and the way he was.
I also realize Hustling is a broad term but to some, it is a dirty word.
I never went any where with him that somebody didn't recognize him though.
Again, thanks for what you are trying to do.
I plan to be there on or about the 15th and have some ideas of my own.

Hey Ironman,

Happy New Year to you, hope you have a great 2013.

I enjoyed your story about Danny playing the car dealer from Detroit, I grew up there but left in 1976, I was wondering if I knew him or of him. Do you remember his name?

I tried to PM you but your mailbox is full - you can PM me the answer if you wish.

Dave
 
Hey Ironman,

Happy New Year to you, hope you have a great 2013.

I enjoyed your story about Danny playing the car dealer from Detroit, I grew up there but left in 1976, I was wondering if I knew him or of him. Do you remember his name?

I tried to PM you but your mailbox is full - you can PM me the answer if you wish.

Dave

happy New year to you as well, and yes I will PM the name. It's no big secret and I am sure many have figured it out, but just out of simple respect, I wo't say it here.
 
i appreciate your efforts, passion, and concern for Danny and his family. he was one of the greatest 9 ball players ever and few came through Denver to challenge him over the years. Most went home much lighter.
however when the term Hustler is used, I admit I have to laugh. I have to totally disagree with this. he was in fact, one of the worst hustlers I ever saw. the idea of missing on purpose or stalling, just did not come to his mind. i well know as I tried to get him to slow down or back off his opponet on many occasions and it was near impossible for him to do. He simply came to play and was going to try and make everyball on the table, no mater what.
years ago we were in the Pool Hall on Havana when a well known Car dealer walked in one night, walked right up to Danny and challenged him to some $50 eight ball.
This guy was a pretty well known snooker player and had some talent, and, very deep pockets. he knew his way around a pool room having grown up in Detroit and around the Rack in it's hayday.
They were about to begin when Danny said to him," I must tell you my name is Danny Medina"!The guy laughed and said," I do't care who you are and they began.
Danny beat on the guy until he surrendered after several consecutive games.
later i asked why he didn't just slow down a bit and try and keep the guy going. he said, " i don't come to hustle and lay it down, i come to play pool"!
That was just his mentality and the way he was.
I also realize Hustling is a broad term, but to some, it is a dirty word.
I never went any where with him that somebody didn't recognize him though.Again, thanks for what you are trying to do.
I plan to be there on or about the 15th and have some ideas of my own.

Lewis, you remember when you took Danny into Paradise Billiards in Corpus looking for action and there was a video of Danny playing on the big screen? LOL


Stones
 
Lewis, you remember when you took Danny into Paradise Billiards in Corpus looking for action and there was a video of Danny playing on the big screen? LOL


Stones

OMG, that was so outrageous and I had nearly forgotten.
Danny came to visit in San Antonio and of course there is nothing for a top player to do in this town.
We were sitting in Banana's when I got a call from harrison who owned Paradise Billiards in Corpus Christi. he had heard Danny was in town and asked us to come down there. I was reluctant, so, he offered us at least $300 just to show up and meet Harrison"s father who loved his matches on Video.
he went on to metion we should be able to sneak up on somebody, so, we decided to take the drive to see what might be going on since the only game we could find was a 12-4 one pocket game.
So we get into the car and head down. Paradise> Harrison and his father are seated on the left side of the room nearest the 9 foot tables where introductions were made and we were invited to sit. Then we are introduced to a Bill Milkulbey who at one time was a pretty darn good player but he wants nothing to do with Danny. They haggle and haggle ands finally Bill is going to play when on all the dozen TV"S appears a tape of Danny Medina running 9 racks on David Howard. That ruined the whole deal sour and it was done.
Harrison realized what he had done and ended up staking both for some $200 sets. Danny won 3 sets and we headed back to San Antonio laughing the entire way. So much for sneaking up on someone.
That was about 10-11 years ago.
 
Dino, see ya tomorrow................Is wheelchair Dennis gonna be there???????????
 
Nice video..great stories. Can't wait for the book. I want to read about playing 30 hours a day :D
 
Very well done video, I enjoyed watching that. I had the pleasure of playing Danny a couple sets last year at Felt, and he could definitely still play some. Everyone knows about his power, but I was most impressed with his finesse game. He had a very soft touch with the cueball when he needed it.
 
In the tournament section someone asked how it went, so I thought I'd copy & paste what I wrote to give you all an idea:

The tournament went great, especially on such short notice. There was a full field of 32 double elimination 8-ball race to 3 on both sides, all speed levels were represented. I finished 4th and left while it was still going on. Not a lot to win since the reason for this was to help Danny and his family: I think 1st was $150 and 5/6 was $45, I got $50 for 4th. Entry fee was $35 and $20 went to Danny's fund so that only left $15/player for the prize fund. Felt donated the table time.

The highlight was that Danny was so appreciative of all those coming together on his behalf, he insisted on making an appearance. He was in a wheelchair, had an oxygen tank wheeled in with him and he couldn't really remember everyone. He looked very frail but was treated like royalty. Everyone just surrounded him and took turns shaking his hand or hugs - it was so touching, not sure if there was a dry eye in the place. There was a few pictures taken of Danny with the entire tournament players (or close) and several of him being greeted. I'm sure some will get posted eventually.

And it was a success! The tournament and the raffle raised over $1,000 and the on-line donations and such pushed the total to over $2,000 but I'm not sure of the exact amounts (I'll leave that for others to post).

Was I glad to be there when Danny rolled in. There was also a special raffle for a huge poster that Danny signed (maybe 4' x 4'). It was a nice 9-ball graphic with one of Danny's quotes like: Practice, Practice, Practice and have no fear or maybe it was Play with no Fear!! (I have a bad memory so I could be off). Another way of Danny showing his appreciation. No matter how you feel about Danny, him showing up and the poster was 100% a class act.

Dave
 
In the tournament section someone asked how it went, so I thought I'd copy & paste what I wrote to give you all an idea:

The tournament went great, especially on such short notice. There was a full field of 32 double elimination 8-ball race to 3 on both sides, all speed levels were represented. I finished 4th and left while it was still going on. Not a lot to win since the reason for this was to help Danny and his family: I think 1st was $150 and 5/6 was $45, I got $50 for 4th. Entry fee was $35 and $20 went to Danny's fund so that only left $15/player for the prize fund. Felt donated the table time.

The highlight was that Danny was so appreciative of all those coming together on his behalf, he insisted on making an appearance. He was in a wheelchair, had an oxygen tank wheeled in with him and he couldn't really remember everyone. He looked very frail but was treated like royalty. Everyone just surrounded him and took turns shaking his hand or hugs - it was so touching, not sure if there was a dry eye in the place. There was a few pictures taken of Danny with the entire tournament players (or close) and several of him being greeted. I'm sure some will get posted eventually.

And it was a success! The tournament and the raffle raised over $1,000 and the on-line donations and such pushed the total to over $2,000 but I'm not sure of the exact amounts (I'll leave that for others to post).

Was I glad to be there when Danny rolled in. There was also a special raffle for a huge poster that Danny signed (maybe 4' x 4'). It was a nice 9-ball graphic with one of Danny's quotes like: Practice, Practice, Practice and have no fear or maybe it was Play with no Fear!! (I have a bad memory so I could be off). Another way of Danny showing his appreciation. No matter how you feel about Danny, him showing up and the poster was 100% a class act.

Dave

Thanks for posting details.
Sounds great and it's great he got to show up.
Great event, will be looking to see the pics soon.
 
Dave,

Yes it was a great turnout. A strong field of players were there and it was fun even if I was knocked out right away :angry:

Cancer SUCKS! I could not believe the difference in Danny's condition since I saw him maybe 3 months ago. It hurt me to see him that way and I don't think my eyes dried up until he left.

I'm hopeful his family will raise the money they need.
 
Here's one picture that skierlawyer posted on facebook; the poster.

Also, I heard that the family was looking for the tape of when Danny ran 9 racks and out against David Howard (Danny's copy had been lost) - if anyone has this and would like to donate it or make a copy for the family to keep, that would be great.

Thanks,
Dave
 

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I had to leave before Danny got there. It was a packed house. Danny Chavez was telling people how he and Danny used to gamble on marbles at the age of 15.
 
Great interview with Danny...

Thanks guys for the great interview and video made for Danny.

Here is a bump to the top for a great pool player!

God bless you Danny in this difficult time!
 
I've put together a few memorabilia items for fund raising. Will mail them out to the address provided.

Joe Tucker gave me 3 new DVD's "Racking Secrets" to include for Danny. I think this particular lesson is among the most valuable strategic knowledge a player can learn.

I know I missed the tournament but I'm sure every little bit helps.

I am a Wincardona fan, but I must admit I enjoyed the Accu-Stats match where Danny put a 9 rack blitz on Billy. Wow what a package. Thanks Danny for sharing your uncommon talent and for a time, taking us all to a better place.

Gian Calise
 
Sat the 8th

Gian, nice post....here's a copy paste I did from the medina thread @ onepocket.org

Just got back from Denver 3PM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He was waitin' for me....lol, and I brought em some copy of our past battles in two finals, ironically Danny Chavez and Frank Espinoza arrived about 30 seconds after I got there and we all were welcomed. I told him that the ''boys'' were wishing em the best and a personal one from Billy I. Danny was funny when we mentioned the benefit tournament Saturday, first thing he said, who got first? How much did they pay? thats' danny. LOL

He seemed sharper today than Saturday, but we were only there for 10 minutes and had to leave as his needs were elsewhere, but it was a good time.
 
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