World Series Of Tavern Pool

[ironman]

Here's both sides of the 1985 beer stein. That looks like a McDermott emblem on the butt of the cue.

That is Mcdermott. Jim loved these events and had a stable of players in them.

When they moved it to the MGM Mike Massey was under contract with Mcdermott and got up and sang in front of the whole group Mike got pretty emotional about it and I remember Jim saying, " It's a good thing he's a great pool player." LMAO!!

 

[mongoose-]

This was a freat idea and had tremendous turnnout all over the country.

If I remembe correctly the brain behind this whole thing was Larry Mueth. He was a hard working but very high Stress indiviual and wanted things to go perfectly.

I believe it was the 3rd year that they seperated the pros and the amatuers by deciding anyon who had ever played in an evnet with an entry of over $300, was a pro. The winner of the amatuer and the pro division were to play a final set of 9 ball for $5000.

Some guy form Wiscnsin won the amatuer and just as he and Dallas West were to play it was discovered he had played In Red's event down in Houston making him ineligible. They took hiss prize money, and declared the secnd place finisher the winner who was an older fellow from Ohio. Larry Mueth was just devastated by thiss and many many more were just sick at their stomachs. It cause quite a stir.

I believe that is the same year that Miller Lite fired Steve Mizerak for insulting the governors wife which is another story.

A lot of funny stories came from these tourneys though. There was plenty of action around. Kieth should remember a lot of them as he was quite active at these events.

Ahhh yes the good ole descrepency between the amateur & pro. With the internet and all the information out there today it should be much easier to know who is who in regards to classifying the 2 catagories. The 80's in my opinion was the ending of an era before all the technology we have today is here. As they say times are changing & we are all just along for the ride. I will have to let my friend know of the level of players that was at these events as I am sure he had no idea.

 

[ironman]

Ahhh yes the good ole descrepency between the amateur & pro. With the internet and all the information out there today it should be much easier to know who is who in regards to classifying the 2 catagories. The 80's in my opinion was the ending of an era before all the technology we have today is here. As they say times are changing & we are all just along for the ride. I will have to let my friend know of the level of players that was at these events as I am sure he had no idea.

The level of players at these events?? Just about anybody who was anybody wass at these events. Hopkins Segal, Richie Florence, Willie Munson, David Howard, Loou Butera, Ronnie Allen, Jay Swanson, Pat Fleming, Pete Margo, Dileberto, Massey, Dallas West, Stl Louie Lou, Dallas West, and a whole buch of others who just happened to be pretty darn good players.

Gary Pinkowski won the first 9 ball event and might have been the weakest player in history to win such a thing. Nothing against Gary, {RIP} as I liked the guy.

God, I would love to see another one of these, but it may never happen again.

 

[hangemhigh]

The more I think about this, the more I wish it would come back in some shape, form, or fashion. Maybe October in Vegas would be a perfect time to pull it off. Are you listening, Fatboy?

 

[TXsouthpaw]

I believe that is the same year that Miller Lite fired Steve Mizerak for insulting the governors wife which is another story.

You cant leave me hangin like that. How the heck did the miz insult the governers wife? This has got to be good.

 

[TXsouthpaw]

A lot of funny stories came from these tourneys though. There was plenty of action around. Kieth should remember a lot of them as he was quite active at these events.

Jam if your out there see if you can get some stories out of Keith about this event. Hes always got some good ones. (keith needs to write a book)

 

[mongoose-]

Thank you Ron

Wanted everyone who was also interested in any photos of the memorabilia Ron had he sent me a pm and is going to email them to me possibly today if he has the chance. If anyone else was interested in these pm me with your emails and I will pass it along. The data ia fairly large... 19 pages he said and we are not sure what the server here will accept. Thanks again for your efforts & help Ron. Also thanks to all who have shared in this thread... I had no idea this tournament had such history.

 

[ironman]

Jam if your out there see if you can get some stories out of Keith about this event. Hes always got some good ones. (keith needs to write a book)

The sencond year this was held Richie Florence was near the finals in the 9 ball and playing just great. Hundreds sere gathered around watching.

Richie was wearing this white polo style shirt when a young lady from the crowd asked him if it was his lucky shirt. Richie raised up and stated that he had worn that shirt at every tournament he had won, so it was his lucky shirt. She then asked how ong he had owned it and he said for years. SHe then blurts out very loudly, " one of these days you should take the price tag off the back!"

Everyone around just cracked up laughing and Richie just looked at her and said "You got me:! Richie was quite a guy.

 

[8ballEinstein]

Jam if your out there see if you can get some stories out of Keith about this event. Hes always got some good ones. (keith needs to write a book)

I remember being at the event one year and with so many players in town, I figured there was going to be some serious matchups around town. I told my buddy we should go out to sweat some of the action. I convinced him to take us to the Rum Runner but after a couple of hours, it was suspiciously quiet. Then I begged him to drive us out to the Serene Room but he wasn't interested because he had a tournment match the next morning. I then asked to borrow the car for the evening but he couldn't because it was on loan from a friend. So, we call it a night.

Of course the next day, I had all kinds of folks telling me about the incredible matchup that happened last night at the Serene Room. The story was, Keith McCready and Surfer Rod were locking horns for big bucks on a bar table. At the time, these were two of my favorite players, AND I MISSED OUT ON THIS!!! I don't remember who won. It may have been a push. Someone on here may remember this.

 

[Eieio59]

Let's not forget that our very own "Robroy" also had a great time at the World Series of Tavern Pool!!!! One of my very favorite memories of all of pool was watching her win from the stands - and then watching the kids run down and hug her.... aawww. Too Cute.:thumbup:

Another memory was when they sang the National Anthem at the one at Caesars. I just remember that woman singing the best anthem I've ever heard! I know... not very pool related, but a real good "feel good" time.

then when we had it at the MGM.....(right after the fire)..... they had overbooked the rooms and so when I got ready to check in, they had to put me in a suite.... not a mini-suite.... penthouse suite. SWEET!:wink:

BTW.... I loved those tournaments!!!!

Tammie Wesley-Jones

 

[Frankenstroke]

You cant leave me hangin like that. How the heck did the miz insult the governers wife? This has got to be good.

I'm dying to know this too. Doesn't anybody know the story here?

 

[mongoose-]

bumping back to the first page for some more great stories

 

[ironman]

I'm dying to know this too. Doesn't anybody know the story here?

You know, I wish I hadn't posted that. It really wasn't right of me and I'm not going to share that one. I liked Steve {what I knew of him} and don't want to offend anyone. It was wrong and I apologize.

 

[JG-in-KY]

T


Some guy form Wiscnsin won the amatuer and just as he and Dallas West were to play it was discovered he had played In Red's event down in Houston making him ineligible. They took hiss prize money, and declared the secnd place finisher the winner who was an older fellow from Ohio. Larry Mueth was just devastated by thiss and many many more were just sick at their stomachs. It cause quite a stir.

Larry had a tremendous personal tragedy that pretty much ended his participation in this tournament. Harvey Mason (JoAnns dad) was the disqualified player. Ted Elias finished second and took his place. The National Billiard News had great coverage of these fine events.

 

[Island Drive]

You know, I wish I hadn't posted that. It really wasn't right of me and I'm not going to share that one. I liked Steve {what I knew of him} and don't want to offend anyone. It was wrong and I apologize.

It really wasn't Meant Bad, but the timing, society and womens Lib crushed the Miz's (job) in his tracks while working for Miller Beer. He shot one of the great 6 balls into six pockets trick shot, with the phrase "but ya can't beat me" and smoozed the world into 'our game'. But in 'bragadozzio'...Later...he spoke 'out of place' when he referenced the female gender in a negative tone. He was out of a cush job...shortly thereafter.

 

[Scott Lee]

ironman...Gary didn't play that bad. He won another big event, during that same era...the B.C. Open, which was in N.Y., and also had all the top players. Gary won $25K for that one too, iirc.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

Gary Pinkowski won the first 9 ball event and might have been the weakest player in history to win such a thing. Nothing against Gary, {RIP} as I liked the guy.

 

[mongoose-]

bumping this back to the first page for any of the old timers who might have missed it as the forum has been down so much lately :angry:

 

[richiebalto]

T


Some guy form Wiscnsin won the amatuer and just as he and Dallas West were to play it was discovered he had played In Red's event down in Houston making him ineligible. They took hiss prize money, and declared the secnd place finisher the winner who was an older fellow from Ohio. Larry Mueth was just devastated by thiss and many many more were just sick at their stomachs. It cause quite a stir.

Larry had a tremendous personal tragedy that pretty much ended his participation in this tournament. Harvey Mason (JoAnns dad) was the disqualified player. Ted Elias finished second and took his place. The National Billiard News had great coverage of these fine events.

My friend had won it that year,there he is in the paper ,down in the left corner,with big glasses,(Pittsburgh Mike Kasaris)at the time Mike was a card dealer at one of the casinos,Mike is still living, i talk to him a couple times a month,70years old and still playing,Bobby cotton has a write up about Mike in his great book,neat little story how cotton left mike at the rack in detroit with 5o dollars,cotton returns and mike had run the money up to 4or5 thousand,Mike split the money with Cotton,what an honest man!

 

[Pushout]

ironman...Gary didn't play that bad. He won another big event, during that same era...the B.C. Open, which was in N.Y., and also had all the top players. Gary won $25K for that one too, iirc.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

May have been mentioned earlier but I'm not going back through a three year old thread. Gary Pinkowski promoted The BC Open, did not play in or win it. The $25,000 first prize was won by Keith McCready.

 

[doublej487]

My friend had won it that year,there he is in the paper ,down in the left corner,with big glasses,(Pittsburgh Mike Kasaris)at the time Mike was a card dealer at one of the casinos,Mike is still living, i talk to him a couple times a month,70years old and still playing,Bobby cotton has a write up about Mike in his great book,neat little story how cotton left mike at the rack in detroit with 5o dollars,cotton returns and mike had run the money up to 4or5 thousand,Mike split the money with Cotton,what an honest man!

u got too many friends that r good pool players