Wanted, Stories About Dick Henry

[Raildriver]

Any stories of Dick Henry (Colorado Springs, CO) would be greatly appreciated. Many locals say he may have been one of the greatest unknown players from the 60's to the early 80's on the planet during that time. Apparently he was schizophrenic and did not like to leave his home-base. Thanks for any stories you may remember. Raildriver:grin-square:

 

[Poolplaya9]

Any stories of Dick Henry (Colorado Springs, CO) would be greatly appreciated. Many locals say he may have been one of the greatest unknown players from the 60's to the early 80's on the planet during that time. Apparently he was schizophrenic and did not like to leave his home-base. Thanks for any stories you may remember. Raildriver:grin-square:

There is a story about him in this thread.
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=89402

 

[Island Drive]

He always had a smile on his face, a man that underestimated his own ability, but not by choice. Overweight roundy look, much like Collection Guru :smile: but slightly shorter, big forearms, bristly hair, and bald somewhat with a matching head and gut. Saw him play Jerry Brock on the bar tables all night (70's) in Jerrys prime and probably his prime and it took forever for Jerry to beat em, probably wore him down physically before he could win. He was most great at rolling 6 balls or more at a time but not aiming at a pocket just knew the percentages were way too his favor, this was the days during two shot shoot out. They always said, when he was in the nut house all he did was practice, and when he got out he always played good. Grady can tell ya more about em than I.

 

[Raildriver]

Dick Henry - Denver and Colorado Springs

Wow, that was a great thread. It took me an hour to read, super funny stuff-many laughs. Thanks, Raildriver:thumbup:

 

[Grady]

Dick Henry

Dick came into my pool room every day. I don't have time today but I will relate some stories about him later.

 

[jgpool]

Dick Henry

If I recall correctly Dick took second in the 1980 Rocky Mountain 9-Ball Open in Colorado Springs. Mike Sigel won the event. If my memory is still working.

 

[jrhendy]

Any stories of Dick Henry (Colorado Springs, CO) would be greatly appreciated. Many locals say he may have been one of the greatest unknown players from the 60's to the early 80's on the planet during that time. Apparently he was schizophrenic and did not like to leave his home-base. Thanks for any stories you may remember. Raildriver:grin-square:

Dick grew up in Monterey Park, Ca about 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles. He was my older brothers age and we lived almost across the street from him. His family owned a motorcycle shop and I believe his dad was involved with inventing the old Speed-E-Shift used on the old Harley's. He cut his pool teeth at Steve's Pool Hall on Garvey Blvd. in Monterey Park playing snooker on a 5 x 10. By the time I came along a few years later, he was hanging around Los Angeles and playing at Hollywood Billiards at Hollywood & Western. He left for Colorado & I only saw him a time or two in the next several years when he came home to visit family. He had a younger brother named Jerry who used to stake me sometimes. Jerry couldn't play but was a character like his brother and loved to gamble.

 

[Grady]

You asked?

Dick was a real character, who played almost championship level pool. One time Buddy called me ( I was in OKC) and asked for help.
"What's the matter, Buddy?" I inquired.
"I'm stuck to this guy and I'm out of money," he answered. It turned out that he was three ten ahead sets down to Dick, playing even up 9 Ball. I made some phone calls and got Buddy some cash and he ended up getting even but it was a tough, lengthy battle.
Every year or so Dick would go off the air and have to spend some time in the mental institution. It was always rumored a past wife who had done him wrong was the cause of it but I have no verification of that. What he did do was purchase really cheap cars, which he never made legal. To disguise his vehicle of the moment he would rub mud over the license plate.
Of course the police would always catch him.
Spectators would bet you even money that he'd make a ball from a snooker position and they'd end up ahead of you over time.He didn't play good safety but to offset that he didn't miss many balls.
One night we're all playing poker; it's 3am and I have the doors locked when we hear a knocking at said door: "Are you open?" a tall stranger yelled. He had on running clothes and was sweating.
"No," I responded. "Does anybody know this guy?" I asked the poker players.
"No," said they in unison.
"Oh, is that pool tables there?", the stranger continues. "I paid my way through college shooting pool. I'm a really good player."
To make a long story short, the guy talks me into letting him in and the poker players almost got into a fight over who got to play the man. Anyway, the runner proceeds to beat three men, the last of which was Dick Henry, who lost $4,000.
The stranger was Bob Ogburn. The poker players never asked themselves, "Isn't it odd for a runner to be out at 3am with a pocketfull of money and be a top pool player?"
Dick was a supernaturally lucky man, when it came to dice. He could be broke one minute, borrow a double sawbuck the next, and in a few minutes have all the money in the game. It was that sort of thing that made me feel ok to help road players sometimes.
One time we bought a cheap car and entered Dick in the local demolition derby. I sponsored a car anyway on Saturday nights and we all knew Dick's propensity for getting into trouble with cars. We talked him into going out to the races. Once seated I went to the announcer, as prearranged and this is what happened:
"Mr. Dick Henry, please report to the pits." Anyway, Dick had the time of his life and almost won the thing. It was money well spent.
Listen, we all loved Dick. He was good action, had a great sense of humor and was respected and loved by all of us in the Spgs.

 

[alstl]

Dick was a real character, who played almost championship level pool. One time Buddy called me ( I was in OKC) and asked for help.
"What's the matter, Buddy?" I inquired.
"I'm stuck to this guy and I'm out of money," he answered. It turned out that he was three ten ahead sets down to Dick, playing even up 9 Ball. I made some phone calls and got Buddy some cash and he ended up getting even but it was a tough, lengthy battle.
Every year or so Dick would go off the air and have to spend some time in the mental institution. It was always rumored a past wife who had done him wrong was the cause of it but I have no verification of that. What he did do was purchase really cheap cars, which he never made legal. To disguise his vehicle of the moment he would rub mud over the license plate.
Of course the police would always catch him.
Spectators would bet you even money that he'd make a ball from a snooker position and they'd end up ahead of you over time.He didn't play good safety but to offset that he didn't miss many balls.
One night we're all playing poker; it's 3am and I have the doors locked when we hear a knocking at said door: "Are you open?" a tall stranger yelled. He had on running clothes and was sweating.
"No," I responded. "Does anybody know this guy?" I asked the poker players.
"No," said they in unison.
"Oh, is that pool tables there?", the stranger continues. "I paid my way through college shooting pool. I'm a really good player."
To make a long story short, the guy talks me into letting him in and the poker players almost got into a fight over who got to play the man. Anyway, the runner proceeds to beat three men, the last of which was Dick Henry, who lost $4,000.
The stranger was Bob Ogburn. The poker players never asked themselves, "Isn't it odd for a runner to be out at 3am with a pocketfull of money and be a top pool player?"
Dick was a supernaturally lucky man, when it came to dice. He could be broke one minute, borrow a double sawbuck the next, and in a few minutes have all the money in the game. It was that sort of thing that made me feel ok to help road players sometimes.
One time we bought a cheap car and entered Dick in the local demolition derby. I sponsored a car anyway on Saturday nights and we all knew Dick's propensity for getting into trouble with cars. We talked him into going out to the races. Once seated I went to the announcer, as prearranged and this is what happened:
"Mr. Dick Henry, please report to the pits." Anyway, Dick had the time of his life and almost won the thing. It was money well spent.
Listen, we all loved Dick. He was good action, had a great sense of humor and was respected and loved by all of us in the Spgs.

That's one of the best stories I've seen on this website.

 

[Raildriver]

Dick Henry

Grady, thanks for the great stories. True life is much more interesting than fiction. I had never met Dick or you, but many stories always resurface as the players reflect on the characters they played, beat, and were beaten by. Sounds like you and Dick made a big impact on this area; what a fun time that must have been. Cowboy, a good friend of Dick's whom I would think you would remember, sold me Dick's old Willie Hoppe cue. I was looking for some great old stories that would go along with Dicks abilities, and give this cue connectivity to the great person and unknown champion that Dick appeared to be. Thanks for spending a few moments and sharing some of your memories. Raildriver:wink: