2013 One Pocket HOF Call for Nominations

[piggybank04]

Jimmy played everything pretty sporty. He was the best 8 ball player I had ever seen. I watched Keith and Jimmy playing 10 ball at Buddy's in Jackson, MS in the 80's, and Jimmy was 6 games up after several hours, when I went to the room. Jimmy was one of the few players I knew back then that liked 10 ball over 9 ball. He thought he could out move them better.

my buddy steve saw jimmy reid years ago and jimmy asked steve how he had been, steve replied that he had just won the us open bar table tourney --jimmy said "it doesnt mean anything--i wasnt there" lmao.......

 

[Island Drive]

Hal Mix, long time instructor and advisor to Nick Varner among others, hated Rempe's spread eagle stance. He said it was only good for taking a leak and not getting any on your shoes.

Rempe seemed to do ok with it.

Jim could cut the hair off a ball in the old ''roll out'' nine ball days. I don't know of another pro that could thin cut a ball and go up/down long rail 5 Rails, as effortlessly and consistently as he. And under pressure he had No fold, maybe a slight Sigel head shake and that LOOK', but nothing outta class.

 

[wincardona]

Jimmy played everything pretty sporty. He was the best 8 ball player I had ever seen. I watched Keith and Jimmy playing 10 ball at Buddy's in Jackson, MS in the 80's, and Jimmy was 6 games up after several hours, when I went to the room. Jimmy was one of the few players I knew back then that liked 10 ball over 9 ball. He thought he could out move them better.

In 1972 I believed I was playing the best 9 ball in the country, I beat everyone I played with the exception of Jimmy Reid. Actually we didn't play 9 ball we played 10 ball in Johnston City. The session took 36 hrs before I ran out of money and gas,..(ran out of gas after about 24hrs.) Any ways Reid played so good that there was a 10 hr. span where he only missed one ball, and that was the run that really broke me down and nearly broke me. I came back after that run and got most of my money back, however, his pills were better than mine and he ended up beating me. Mostly everyone played with help back then, 24 hr sessions were the norm and everyone liked gambling with each other..unlike today where there is a bunch of "soft woofing" :sorry

Dr. Bill

 

[Island Drive]

In 1972 I believed I was playing the best 9 ball in the country, I beat everyone I played with the exception of Jimmy Reid. Actually we didn't play 9 ball we played 10 ball in Johnston City. The session took 36 hrs before I ran out of money and gas,..(ran out of gas after about 24hrs.) Any ways Reid played so good that there was a 10 hr. span where he only missed one ball, and that was the run that really broke me down and nearly broke me. I came back after that run and got most of my money back, however, his pills were better than mine and he ended up beating me. Mostly everyone played with help back then, 24 hr sessions were the norm and everyone liked gambling with each other..unlike today where there is a bunch of "soft woofing" :sorry

Dr. Bill

First time I ran into em, west coast early seventies, he wore All White ''Real pool players don't wear WHITE'':frus....he sharked me two other times , one of em he ran a 9 behind it.

 

[fred bentivegna]

In 1972 I believed I was playing the best 9 ball in the country, I beat everyone I played with the exception of Jimmy Reid. Actually we didn't play 9 ball we played 10 ball in Johnston City. The session took 36 hrs before I ran out of money and gas,..(ran out of gas after about 24hrs.) Any ways Reid played so good that there was a 10 hr. span where he only missed one ball, and that was the run that really broke me down and nearly broke me. I came back after that run and got most of my money back, however, his pills were better than mine and he ended up beating me. Mostly everyone played with help back then, 24 hr sessions were the norm and everyone liked gambling with each other..unlike today where there is a bunch of "soft woofing" :sorry

Dr. Bill

Commercial plug:

Cardone relates that story in detail my Encyclopedia of Pool Hustlers. It is a very funny story.

Beard

 

[1on1pooltournys]

Cliff and/or Hokes

Cliff and/or Hokes

Not sure why Hubert isn't already in but I'd say he should be.

Cliff deserves to be in for his exceptional play of the game. He also deserves a bit of credit for boosting the game along. In my opinion, it seemed once he came onto the scene as one of the greats the amount of play picked up in the game. Lots of folks talked about him and his style and of course his monster spots he would give people.

 

[Island Drive]

Not sure why Hubert isn't already in but I'd say he should be.

Cliff deserves to be in for his exceptional play of the game. He also deserves a bit of credit for boosting the game along. In my opinion, it seemed once he came onto the scene as one of the greats the amount of play picked up in the game. Lots of folks talked about him and his style and of course his monster spots he would give people.

Hube gets my vote, he also helped Varner learn the game and Nick is already in. Anywho, one of the true founding fathers/humanitarians of the game and his love of one hole. Any of you guys seen him and Fats gamble back in the sixties or?

 

[RedCard]

❿

❿

Commercial plug:

Cardone relates that story in detail my Encyclopedia of Pool Hustlers. It is a very funny story.

Beard

I watched a few hours of that 10 ball game between Dr. Cardone and Jimmy Reid in '72. The best I remember it was in the back room of the back building at Jansco's. At least for a while I think they were both playing without shoes on. Each paying off out of his own pocket in three rumpled bills when he lost. I didn't have to watch for long to realize I could beat either one of them. They almost never had any hard shots to make. But...⬇︎

The odd times a tough shot did come up it got made. They never missed. When one would, even if there were 5-6 balls left on the table, he'd often rake them, showing great respect for the other's game.

My recollection of that game is open to correction, I was fairly drunk at the time. I'm glad I behaved myself. I'm also glad I realized why they were rarely having any tough shots to shoot at.

 

[NH Steve]

Last year's ballot

Last year's ballot

This is the list of names on last year's ballot. Shannon Daulton was elected from the living players group, and none of the deceased players reached the minimum threshold of votes.

Living Legends of the Game:

Shannon Daulton - Shannon rocked the world of One Pocket with his spectacular play in winning his first of several Legends of One Pocket tournaments at the tender age of 19. He is still a favorite to win anything he enters, despite focusing ever more of his attention on promoting his Great Southern Billiard Tour. His distinction as our youngest nominee is earned as our youngest champion!

Cliff Joyner – Cliff Joyner has been synonymous with One Pocket for twenty years. He has probably won or placed high in as many One Pocket tournaments as any other player over the last 20 years. Among his major One Pocket wins are three US Open One Pocket tournaments and one Derby City title.

Rafael Martinez - Considered one of the most creative One Pocket players of his generation, Rafael has finished at or near the top in many tournaments.

Billy Palmer - A perennial west coast One Pocket champion, Billy has also done well at Derby City.

Al ‘Little Al’ Romero – One of the long time quiet stars of West Coast One Pocket, still competing after all these years.


Deceased:

Marcel Camp (deceased)– One of the early great One Pocket players credited with influencing the rise in One Pocket in the years before Johnston City. Camp was a solid all around player and action legend.

Hubert ‘Daddy Warbucks’ Cokes (deceased) – One of the very early players that spread the game of One Pocket around well before the Johnston City era. His strong play and imposing personality commanded the respect of players and fans alike over a very long career. He introduced One Pocket or sharpened the games of countless champions along the way.

Johnny Ervolino (deceased) - A two-time Stardust Open One Pocket champion, and for years one of the top players in the legendary action rooms of NYC.

Johnny 'Irish' Lineen (deceased) - An top early player considered to be one of the best during the years leading up to the beginning of the Johnston City events.

Eugene ‘Clem’ Metz (deceased) – One of the top ‘undercover’ One Pocket players ever. All the old time champions include his name on their short lists of "the best One Pocket player ever".

Gene Skinner (deceased) - Another early player that avoided tournaments but was a strong player that influenced the generations after him.

Joey Spaeth (deceased) – A Johnston City regular and solid all-around competitor for many years. Joey came up in Cincinnati in the same generation as ‘Clem’ Metz, and took to One Pocket early in his career.

‘Mexican Johnny’ Vasquez (deceased) - A lifelong hustler with outstanding all-around talent; another very strong Chicago player.

Harold Worst (deceased) – One of the very best all-around players of all time. He unfortunately died in 1966 in the prime of his playing career, less than a year after winning the One Pocket and All-around titles at the ‘65 Stardust tournament.

 

[gulfportdoc]

Not sure why Hubert isn't already in but I'd say he should be.

Cliff deserves to be in for his exceptional play of the game. He also deserves a bit of credit for boosting the game along. In my opinion, it seemed once he came onto the scene as one of the greats the amount of play picked up in the game. Lots of folks talked about him and his style and of course his monster spots he would give people.

There's no reason we couldn't have a living player and also a deceased player in the same year-- like, for example Cokes/Cliff or Ervolino/Cliff. It's been done several times before. We'll just have to see who's on the ballots, how the voting goes, and what "the committee" decides.

Doc

 

[lll]

where does billy palmer fit into the evaluation??
also marcel camp seems to always be mentioned in the pre 1960s in their prime players
so eventually shouldnt marcel/clem metz/cokes be inducted???
couldnt we also have several deceased inducted at one time to bring the hall of fame up to date with regard to past legends??
before us less older folks are gone and noone remembers who they where??
just askin.....

 

[sappo]

where does billy palmer fit into the evaluation??
also marcel camp seems to always be mentioned in the pre 1960s in their prime players
so eventually shouldnt marcel/clem metz/cokes be inducted???
couldnt we also have several deceased inducted at one time to bring the hall of fame up to date with regard to past legends??
before us less older folks are gone and noone remembers who they where??
just askin.....

I think Larry's suggestion makes a lot of sense. If there are say 5 players from the past {deceased} that year after year everyone agrees should be in the HOF why not bite the bullet this year and put them all in? Keith

 

[wincardona]

where does billy palmer fit into the evaluation??
also marcel camp seems to always be mentioned in the pre 1960s in their prime players
so eventually shouldnt marcel/clem metz/cokes be inducted???
couldnt we also have several deceased inducted at one time to bring the hall of fame up to date with regard to past legends??
before us less older folks are gone and noone remembers who they where??
just askin.....

I agree, that makes complete sense. Every year that passes there will be less and lees players/people that know anything about these great legends. I'm in agreement with Larry and Keith, lets do it.

Dr. Bill

 

[fred bentivegna]

Cardone, Larry and Keith are right. As the years pass the old time deceased players fade from memory. Luckily for me, I happen to be old enough to remember almost all of them (save Johnny Irish). There were 9 players in the old-timers category, IMO, all 9 should be mortal locks to be in. All 9! :frus Putting a couple of them in this year and reducing the left-out field would be a great start.

Beard

FYI, I couldnt bet a red quarter on any human playing Harold Worst One pocket. When people like Eddie Taylor and Ronnie Allen ducked him, that should wake up the dead.

 

[Cowboy Dennis]

So basically you are saying the majority of players up until the 1990's didnt know what frigging hole they were shooting at playing one pocket.. I applaud you for admitting that Billy... If some others would admit it maybe these Hall of Fames wouldn't be as watered down as skim milk.. Every year this voting turns into a jerk each other off buddy system... Do you know what sport has the fairest Hall of Fame?.... The LPGA you win 30 tournaments and your in.. In other words YOU EARN IT.. You don't have people drumming up votes for guys who didn't know which hole was theirs, and then later regretting and bringing down the standard of the Hall of Fame... What a joke this is

There are a core group of people here who do a lot of work to bring about the HOF voting and the HOF dinner at the DCC every year. For you to dump on the HOF voting procedures is insulting them and the hard work they do. It means a lot for the older, living players to be recognized by their peers and the families of deceased players appreciate the awards also.

What do you contribute to this site except criticism and ridicule of everything and everyone here?

Dennis

 

[NH Steve]

Cardone, Larry and Keith are right. As the years pass the old time deceased players fade from memory. Luckily for me, I happen to be old enough to remember almost all of them (save Johnny Irish). There were 9 players in the old-timers category, IMO, all 9 should be mortal locks to be in. All 9! :frus Putting a couple of them in this year and reducing the left-out field would be a great start.

Beard

FYI, I couldnt bet a red quarter on any human playing Harold Worst One pocket. When people like Eddie Taylor and Ronnie Allen ducked him, that should wake up the dead.

One of the great things about OnePocket.org is the differences of opinion, because you get to see all sides of the stories. Personally, I don't see the need to have Worst in our HOF. He is already in the BCA HOF for his general pool and billiard brilliance, but his engagement in One Pocket seems to have been relatively minimal. Although he played it incredibly well due to his immense cue talent, as far as I know he certainly did not embrace and promote the game, nor did he commit to playing it enough to warrant enshrinement in our game specific hall of fame.

I feel the same way about Mike Sigel, Jim Rempe and Jimmy Reid. At no stage in any of their stellar pool careers would you ever say, "One Pocket is their best game", for example, or "One Pocket is their favorite game". If you don't even like a game that much, why should we ever consider honoring great general players that happen to be able to transfer their immense talent to excel at One Pocket in the brief spurts that they dabble in the game? I want players and promoters in our game specific HOF who love or loved the game of One Pocket, and we reciprocate by honoring them.

But if there is sufficient momentum at the ballot box I will obviously join in honoring them. Fair is fair.

 

[fred bentivegna]

There are a core group of people here who do a lot of work to bring about the HOF voting and the HOF dinner at the DCC every year. For you to dump on the HOF voting procedures is insulting them and the hard work they do. It means a lot for the older, living players to be recognized by their peers and the families of deceased players appreciate the awards also.

What do you contribute to this site except criticism and ridicule of everything and everyone here?

Dennis

Personally, I am very proud of our Hall of Fame, and the methods employed to vote the players in. While our voting process is probably somewhat flawed, it aint no worse than the voting process we use to elect our govt officials.:sorry I used to get $5 every time I voted in my old neighborhood. Plus the precinct captain would come by my house, wake me up and personally escort me to the polls. Cliff Joyner is probably going in this year and who could argue with that?

While I have had differences in my opinion regarding the order in which some of the players have been inducted, the fact remains that I don't begrudge any of their inductions.

I believe our HOF can give the BCA one hit and the pick, and as far as a presentation, our ceremony is memorable, just ask anyone who has ever attended one.

Beard

 

[fred bentivegna]

One of the great things about OnePocket.org is the differences of opinion, because you get to see all sides of the stories. Personally, I don't see the need to have Worst in our HOF. He is already in the BCA HOF for his general pool and billiard brilliance, but his engagement in One Pocket seems to have been relatively minimal. Although he played it incredibly well due to his immense cue talent, as far as I know he certainly did not embrace and promote the game, nor did he commit to playing it enough to warrant enshrinement in our game specific hall of fame.

I feel the same way about Mike Sigel, Jim Rempe and Jimmy Reid. At no stage in any of their stellar pool careers would you ever say, "One Pocket is their best game", for example, or "One Pocket is their favorite game". If you don't even like a game that much, why should we ever consider honoring great general players that happen to be able to transfer their immense talent to excel at One Pocket in the brief spurts that they dabble in the game? I want players and promoters in our game specific HOF who love or loved the game of One Pocket, and we reciprocate by honoring them.

But if there is sufficient momentum at the ballot box I will obviously join in honoring them. Fair is fair.

Mark me down for a ditto on Sigel, Rempe, and Reid. Not so for Harold. He died before he had a chance to play enough One pocket. Another difference is that Sigel, Rempe and Reid would duck the Onepocket if it was at all possible to play the rotation games. Harold would get up and boogie with anyone playing One pocket. I will say it again, Eddie Taylor and Ronnie Allen ducked him.

Beard

 

[Island Drive]

Mark me down for a ditto on Sigel, Rempe, and Reid. Not so for Harold. He died before he had a chance to play enough One pocket. Another difference is that Sigel, Rempe and Reid would duck the Onepocket if it was at all possible to play the rotation games. Harold would get up and boogie with anyone playing One pocket. I will say it again, Eddie Taylor and Ronnie Allen ducked him.

Beard

How ironic, having the name Worst and being just the opposite in Real Life.

 

[androd]

Mark me down for a ditto on Sigel, Rempe, and Reid. Not so for Harold. He died before he had a chance to play enough One pocket. Another difference is that Sigel, Rempe and Reid would duck the Onepocket if it was at all possible to play the rotation games. Harold would get up and boogie with anyone playing One pocket. I will say it again, Eddie Taylor and Ronnie Allen ducked him.

Beard

How ironic, having the name Worst and being just the opposite in Real Life.

Well I agree about the older players.

As for Sigel and Rempe they wouldn't fit. Reed could possibly go in the after hours category. He would play if that's where the action was and it took a pretty good player to beat him. He was an action guy.

I also agree with Freddy about Worst. Had time been kinder to him it one pocket may have become his favorite, although he liked anything to do with striking the ball.
Rod.
P.S. The name of his business was "Worst Shoes" I don't remember exactly but the other shoe store in town may have been "Best Shoes"