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.
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
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
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