A visit with Cole

fred bentivegna

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Got a call awhile ago from Reno. Dr Bill Incardona, Jimmy Mataya, Larry Schwartz and Cole Dickson's daughter were all in town to visit Cole. They had him out for breakfast. They were all with him last night also. Billy put me on the phone with Cole, and I got to say hello to an old pal. It was very nice of the fellas to pay their respects to a fellow warrior. I didn't ask any specifics re his health and I dont want to learn any.

Beard
 

FastEddieF.

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Cole

Cole

I met Cole in D.C.C. 10 or 12 years ago. We talked for about an hour,He is the real deal , just a great guy. If I remember correctly he had a beer in each hand. I also remembered him playing in D.C.C. about 3 years ago. He played real strong, a real fighter at the table.He drew one of the largest crowds,everybody was rooting for him.Does that say enough about him.
 

NH Steve

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Good to hear he is still fighting. How did he sound? I mean strong voice? He has a natural strong voice...
 

SJDinPHX

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Not always a good thing to see..All your friends and loved ones, gathering 'round...Could mean somethings up !...But If anyone can fade it, it would be Coley..!

Best of luck to you Bud,

Dick
 
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fred bentivegna

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Good to hear he is still fighting. How did he sound? I mean strong voice? He has a natural strong voice...

He was barking at me about giving me a ball, but it wasnt quite as strong as it used to be. I mimicked the way he says my name with his squeaky voice, "Fraddie." It was nice that we all got to give our love, but the prognosis is not good.

Beard
 

wincardona

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It's 7:00 am.and I'm up and showered sitting next to a sleeping Cole Dickson. Larry and Jimmy are still sleeping but I expect them to get up shortly, we all have flights to catch this morning. Larry to Chicago, jimmy to LasVegas, and I fly to Dallas. Cole is a special person and has always had a great attitude in dealing with adversity, I'm so proud of him the way he's handling himself as he goes through this sad inevitable outcome. We all just had a good time together (considering) as we talked about back when it was our time and how much fun we had. We drank a little beer and played a little pool, Cole has a tight Gold Crown (under 4" pockets) in his home. Cole really doesn't have much energy but he did manage to play about 10 minutes and had to stop because he was playing poorly and if you know Cole you know he wasn't happy about that. But in all fairness no one played good on the tight box. We went to the casino and played slots for an hour and then back to the house to hang out and laugh about how each of us had at times got our nuts shot in. (Back in the day)

Cole's waking up and Larry and Jimmy just woke up too, got to get ready to leave and say goodbye to our friend and hope to see him again.

Dr.Bill
 

onepocket926

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Anderson, CA
Got a call awhile ago from Reno. Dr Bill Incardona, Jimmy Mataya, Larry Schwartz and Cole Dickson's daughter were all in town to visit Cole. They had him out for breakfast. They were all with him last night also. Billy put me on the phone with Cole, and I got to say hello to an old pal. It was very nice of the fellas to pay their respects to a fellow warrior. I didn't ask any specifics re his health and I dont want to learn any.

Beard

....first time I saw Cole Dickson play was in about 1967 or 1968....it was in a place called "Teen City".....in Bellflower, California...just down the street from Vern Petersons place......how appropiate...because I believe Cole was only about 16 or 17...fresh from the Bay Area...on the road with a guy named Mike...he claimed he was his brother (I dont believe that to be true, but it was the story)......Cole had a backer named Butch (he eventualy bought the Palace from Vern)....so Cole was playing the local Teen Champ...for all the cash (probably 100 dollars).....my older brother was one of the backers for local player.....of course Cole was shooting lights out...and it was no contest...but, back then...you could get on the table....so Cole....scrawnny kid that he was...gets up on the table...and walks to the shot...my brother..who wasn't a player...starts to pull him off the table in protest.....when he felt something cold against his temple......it was Butch with a 38....saying...the kid can do what he wants.....:lol...my brother of course said....your absolutly right.....he can.......

....many times after that I watched Cole work his magic......"no fear".....he'ld play anyone for anything......in my mind he's one of the greatest players I ever had the pleasure to watch.....

.....I set him up with a cutie...at the teen center during an after hours party....but alas.....the Cops raided the party...and we got him out just in the nic of time.....:lol...he might have been a bit lucky too....

........God Bless you Cole.....
 

Island Drive

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1968 pretty sure....he and Sizemore were in Carbondale IL/SIU right before the Johnson City event, he dressed sharp during that time, had blonde hair and the gals had difficulty not ooglin' em. 1989 Palm Springs Huebler Cup, match play. Then a few yrs later at the Bike/Bicycle Club in Los Angeles during a pro event, ran into em in the card area. His character is invigorating being around, and Cole....you were my toughest opponent in Heubler Cup, and I had already played Archer and Carter +++++++.
 

Fatboy

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I remember when i first started playing pool in Stockton Ca the guys on the rail always talked about Cole, this was in 85. lots of rail birds and rail bets, chatter etc. I wanted to know everything and everyone in pool good, bad or otherwise.

Cole's name always popped up, and Kim/Keith the 2nd most. So naturally I had to see this "Cole" guy play, I was told lots about him and overheard more. I was in the pool rooms from 85-89 in NorCal constantly. The damnedest thing is I never once saw him, I either just missed him, I was in Sacramento he was in the Bay Area, it was always something-it defied all probabilities. I been in the pool room 100 nights when Keith was around, more with Kim, Ron Rosas, Chris MacDonald, the Mexican champions. Every one but Cole, how that happened i'll never know. Maybe he was scared of me:eek: Just kidding, in all seriousness we never crossed paths. Never heard anything but good things about him and how strong he played, took the heat etc. Its rare to not hear negative things about people in pool, there are a few others in that category but its rare, and I can say with 100% certainty people only talked good about Cole, I have no reason to say otherwise. Mostly talked about how good he played, I remember this like it was yesterday. I'd hear he would be somewhere next week, i'd be there and he wasn't . This is the Gods honest truth.

I finally did see him years later at the Derby or somewhere, and on Youtube, pretty lame.

Then when I saw he was sick on AZB a while back I thought of this, kept my trap shut. it really bothered me, I have heard so much about him, from so many players, rail birds, guys that would be 100+ years old now, my friends my age and damn it if I never had the pleasure to see him play or make a bet.


I was reluctant to say anything as its a pretty lame story "We never met" story isnt the best, I know I missed out on lots not ever meeting Cole, It sure wasnt for lack of trying or being there. I'm not sure we ever will meet, i hope he gets better and we do someday.

Thanks for the update Billy/Mr.Beard

best
Eric

The lesson here for me is do what you have to do to meet the people you want to meet. I did that with Freddy, Billy when I got older, when I was young I was shy, missed out on lots.
 
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jrhendy

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Placerville, CA
Cole

Cole

Cole came into California Billiards in the early 90's with a guy that looked familiar to me. For some reason I thought it was someone from Oregon I had played and beat some time back.

It was obvious they had been partying some. This guy said his name was Tony and asked to play some one pocket. We played for $150 a game and I beat him five or six games before they closed.

We made an appointment to play again and of course we jacked the bet a little. He had quit partying and beat me five games in a row before a light clicked on and I realized who I was playing. Larry Lisciotti, whose picture was in most rooms in the country and who I had played many times at Verne Peterson's Billiard Palace in Bellflower, CA many years ago. That was also where I met Cole and got drilled playing even, then with the 8 and then again with the 7.

I quit and we had a good laugh about me not remembering him. I should have known Cole would not be running around with any shortstops.
 

fred bentivegna

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From my book:

Cole Dickson
Fremont, CA - Straight-shootin’, rootin’ tootin’ nine-baller
Cole was a monster even as a teen. He was about 16 or 17 years old when he first came into Bensingers, but he looked only about 14. He was in Hippie garb, standing at the counter with his back to me. He had long blonde hair, jeans, and sandals. I thought to myself, what is that dynamite looking broad doing in here? Then he turned around, and I saw he was a guy, a nice-looking guy, but a guy nonetheless.
He was carrying a private cue, so I hustled him to play. I suggested bank pool, he obliged, and I lugged him to a 5’ x 10’ table where he promptly banked 8-and-out the very first game! I was taken aback, of course, but fortunately for me, he didn't have a clue how to play safe so his shot opportunities dwindled drastically after that, and I wound up breaking him.
Cole was on short money to begin with, and as soon as he went broke, his girlfriend and the kid he had gone on the road with, deserted him and left town. I felt a little sorry for him - a young kid, broke on the road like that - so I got him a guy to stay with, Joey Lapidus, who had a room in the Diversey Hotel around the corner. They ended up going around town together, did some hustling in the bars and made a few bucks. He did not make any money in Bensingers though. No one was going to give him any nine ball action. When he left Chicago, he went directly to Johnston City.
He was about 19 when he arrived at the 1972 Stardust tournament in Las Vegas. He went directly to the crap tables and lost about $3,500. They never checked any ID, and he proceeded to quickly blow his whole store. Then he borrowed $200 from someone and immediately went back to the tables to try and get even. But now that he was a short-horn with a small bankroll, they asked him for ID, and wouldn't let him play anymore because he was underage. He howled like a banshee, but the creeps still wouldn't let him play. You see, once he was almost broke, he suddenly became too young to gamble.
At the same time this all was going on, there was a high-rolling sucker wandering through the Casino. He had a beanie on his head, with a propeller on top, and a loud whistle around his neck; whenever he felt like it, he would blow it as loud as he could. He also sported a 15- or 16-year old blonde girl on his arm as he cavorted through the Casino. No security people even glanced at him. Security totally ignoring this guy only outraged Cole even more. Later in life, he got even with the Casino’s after he put together a Blackjack scheme that resulted in Cole and his accomplices scamming the tables for thousands and thousands of dollars


Beard
 

Frank Almanza

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well, that didn't come out very diplomatic shit faced at 3:30 in the AM...
apology given when due. and it is due.
i think you're a neat guy who's been around and enjoy reading what you have to say, you got nothing to fade on over me. i was out of line and wrong to state it that way.

dustin miller

You're a good man mister Miller.
 

JAM

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well, that didn't come out very diplomatic shit faced at 3:30 in the AM...
apology given when due. and it is due.
i think you're a neat guy who's been around and enjoy reading what you have to say, you got nothing to fade on over me. i was out of line and wrong to state it that way.

dustin miller

That was nice of you to post a reply. You are a good man, Dustin Miller! :)
 

petie

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Citrus Springs, FL
That was nice of you to post a reply. You are a good man, Dustin Miller! :)

I knew Dustin was a good man a long time ago. He always checks up on me if I'm not posting like recently when I was in the middle of moving from Michigan to Florida.
 

fred bentivegna

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chicago illinois
well, that didn't come out very diplomatic shit faced at 3:30 in the AM...
apology given when due. and it is due.
i think you're a neat guy who's been around and enjoy reading what you have to say, you got nothing to fade on over me. i was out of line and wrong to state it that way.

dustin miller

You got it! We're cool.

Beard
 

onepocket926

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Anderson, CA
well, that didn't come out very diplomatic shit faced at 3:30 in the AM...
apology given when due. and it is due.
i think you're a neat guy who's been around and enjoy reading what you have to say, you got nothing to fade on over me. i was out of line and wrong to state it that way.

dustin miller

...would you concider running for President ?......

....well done !!!!!....
 

JAM

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Keith just got off the phone with Cole's ex-wife, and she said Cole is doing very poorly today. They are looking into a hospice to take him to for the last days of his life. He was conscious yesterday, but today he is worse, much worse.

Keith is upset. This was truly his best friend when he was growing up in the pool world.

What a year this has been!

I will pray for Cole and his family. This must be hard for them to let go.
 

Frank Almanza

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I read this on AZ and I'm really sorry to hear this. Cole and I played many times and he was always a gentleman to play with. I believe he is a bit over ten years younger than me. First time I played him was in San Leandro, Ca. in maybe 1968 and he must have been about 16 years old. I remember him then as a gutsy skinny kid with no fear. May things go smooth for him.
 

SJDinPHX

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I read this on AZ and I'm really sorry to hear this. Cole and I played many times and he was always a gentleman to play with. I believe he is a bit over ten years younger than me. First time I played him was in San Leandro, Ca. in maybe 1968 and he must have been about 16 years old. I remember him then as a gutsy skinny kid with no fear. May things go smooth for him.

Yes, I remember him the same way Frank... In those days, whenever they could scrape together a little BR, him and his buddies used to come down to SJ, when he heard I was in town !...As I've said before, I may have been guilty of encouraging him to drink, while playing !....We got along great over the years...You are right, he had NO give up in him !..Sure wish him the best.
 
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boingo

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San Jose, CA
Does anyone know

Does anyone know

how Cole got started playing? How did he get to be such a monster at such a young age? I've heard that he came from just over here in Fremont, CA. That was a small community back in the 60's I wonder from whom he learned to play?
What are his nicknames? I've heard "Cole cuts" and "Hippie Cole", are there any others?
 
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