Who do you think is the most naturally talented pro?

I often wonder how many of those naturally talented players there are around the world. Just in the town where I live (Eastern Holland) where pool is not really that big, I know of two players who could just run rack after rack purely on feel alone.

They were around 15 years ago, but still - if that's two in a mediocre town in Holland, then there's gotta be lots and lots more like that around the world. Players you never hear about, who never play in any really big (international) tournaments.
 
Keith McCready, cause JAM said so! And also cause we get to see his comeback soon. Goodluck Keith, destroy the field!!!
Jason
 
jasonlaus said:
Didnt he come out and play not long ago?
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Yes, Mark Tadd has played a few times since retiring. Recently, he played in the 2016 Derby City Classic. In banks, one pocket and 9 ball he played 12 matches and won 6 and lost 6. He would really have to devote himself to get back to where he used to be.
 
Wu was a world champ at 16. I think later he had to join the military and also had cancer I believe.

Now still dominating.
 
Naturally gifted? Probably Earl Strickland. If you look past the craziness and address pure talent and shot making, it's Earl. Think about it, he's like close to 60 now with other problems and he can still complete.
 
Mark tad was really a great player when I saw him in Las vegas,but keith mc cdedie

impressed me as being a pure natural phenomena

I hope both guys make comebacks
 
I agree...by the time one becomes pro level, he has destroyed any evidence of 'natural talent'.

pt109 said:
I have never defined the term 'natural' to myself satisfactorily....

We had a kid up here, years ago, who was a world class snooker player at 18.
He always treated people nicely...but he complained to me privately....
"Another one just called me a natural...if he hit as many balls as I have, he'd be a natural too."
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He's been dead for about 20 years, but my choice would be Nick Vlahos. He was running racks on a 5 x 10 in Washington when he was 14, both 9 ball and one pocket.
 
I hate to be the one to say it, but...

Magyar19 said:
You know, a pro that can pack his sticks in his closet for months or years and still give anyone on Earth trouble. I'd give my answer but I admittedly don't know much about the pros.
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This is really kind of a silly question.

Unless you have seen someone from when they start until now, you have no idea how much of their ability is a natural talent and how much is marked dedication.

I'll tell you one thing. There are ZERO pro level players who at one time in their life didn't eat drink and sleep pool for an extended time and virtually every top player had a mentor who KNEW the game inside and out.

Sorry for the rant, I just hate when people ask about natural talent, because really there's no such thing. No one has ever excelled to the highest level of anything without dedication and hard work and attainment of knowledge.

While there may be rare exceptions of people who have no idea how they do what they do, they still understand and know strategy and they put in tons of work to get where they are.

Jaden
 
Dennis Hatch has incredible natural talent. Guy is in the finals of the US Open at 19 or 20 years old, and narrowly lost to Buddy Hall. He's also a 330-odd runner in 14.1.

I recall an interview with John Morra where he said DH was his favorite player.
 
I agree with the sentiments about Earl, Shaw, and Morris. All 3 of those guys make pool look so easy
 
IMO Efren Reyes... Einstein changed how we see physics, Jordan changed how we see basketball, and Reyes changes how we see pool...
 
John Schmidt. Started playing pool at the late age of 18 and became pro in a short time. That is rare and almost unheard of.
 
Kris_b1104 said:
John Schmidt. Started playing pool at the late age of 18 and became pro in a short time. That is rare and almost unheard of.
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Not that rare when you consider that JS was an excellent golfer....golf knowledge gives
one a big head start on other beginners...for one thing, ball sense.
 
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