HOF Dilution?

[sneakynito]

Not to be a debbie downer, but any concern with running out of names?

Pool is a small community as it is.
The percentage that play one pocket is even smaller.
The number of good 1p players is another fraction,
and the number of HOF worthy should be even smaller than that.

I'm wondering if our numbers can sustain continuing to induct one per year.
That is, if we really want to reserve the HOF title truly for the greats.
I worry about progressively reaching for names, and watering down the accolade.

Hell, the MLB sometimes inducts as little as 2 a year, and that's out of a pool of thousands of professional players.

I know we got started late, and had a short hiatus, but we still have 32 inductees in 15 years.
Even at a rate of 1 per year, I think we'll exhaust the number of truly deserving players relatively quick.

To be inducting at one per year, the game needs to be gaining a future HOF'er at one per year. Maybe i'm pessimistic but I think we may be over-fishing.

ps. vote for Scott!

 

[vapros]

I agree, sneaky. This is not like politics, where someone has to be elected every time. That is how Congress became the sorry congregation that it is.

 

[BRLongArm]

Not to be a debbie downer, but any concern with running out of names?

Pool is a small community as it is.
The percentage that play one pocket is even smaller.
The number of good 1p players is another fraction,
and the number of HOF worthy should be even smaller than that.

I'm wondering if our numbers can sustain continuing to induct one per year.
That is, if we really want to reserve the HOF title truly for the greats.
I worry about progressively reaching for names, and watering down the accolade.

Hell, the MLB sometimes inducts as little as 2 a year, and that's out of a pool of thousands of professional players.

I know we got started late, and had a short hiatus, but we still have 32 inductees in 15 years.
Even at a rate of 1 per year, I think we'll exhaust the number of truly deserving players relatively quick.

To be inducting at one per year, the game needs to be gaining a future HOF'er at one per year. Maybe i'm pessimistic but I think we may be over-fishing.

ps. vote for Scott!

You raise a valid concern, a concern shared by Steve Booth in his previous post. He suggests we look at Lifetime in Action to recognize those who have contributed to One Pocket in ways other than being a champion. You are also correct in that Scott Frost over the last 20 years has been, until he opened his room, one of the top three players in our game. He has promoted his brand of one pocket by publishing two videos and he now promotes a one pocket event as part of the West Coast Swing. He is, of course, a room owner. He has been the prime mover in his state of Arizona to promote one pocket and has mentored local players and played in some of the highest stake matches in recent memory, including matches against Alex, Efren and Dennis. He, along with Cliff, Efren and Alex, have dominated one pocket for the last 20 years. He is a no brainer choice this year.

 

[beatle]

dead players an old ones first.

 

[Jimmy B]

I think you should ask the question=If this person were to die suddenly or be killed today, have they done enough to be inducted??? If so, then like Shannon, do it, so they can enjoy their recognition a little bit while they are alive, and it doesn't have to be like with Strawberry Brooks... Frost, overdue, get my vote, of course...

 

[crabbcatjohn]

I believe Scott was only one vote shy last year. So he seems a logical choice for me.

 

[beatle]

the question you really have to ask is if this person turns out to be a real P.O.S.
does it take away from the h.o.f. in the future. so choose carefully on living younger players. as it is a lifetime award.

 

[J SCHWARZ]

the question you really have to ask is if this person turns out to be a real P.O.S.
does it take away from the h.o.f. in the future. so choose carefully on living younger players. as it is a lifetime award.

This might be a sensitive subject to some as this touches the core of people's beliefs, the integrity of the game, and life in gerneral. It should be, after all, what higher accomplishment is there to someone who has given and dedicated their life to this beuituful game? The last thing I want to do is start a flame war, as this is a more mature site than some of the other pool forums.
I'm younger than the majority of members here so maybe this is "above my pay grade" as they say, but I've thought about it quite a bit in the past so I'm just going to put it out there.
What personal merits or lack of should keep someone out of the H.O.F.? Let's be honest, there are inductees in both the BCA and 1p hall of fame that are no choir boys to say the least. I'm not passing judgment as I haven’t walked a mile in their shoes. To be honest there are members in both h.o.f s who I wouldn't trust to be in my home for 30 minutes unsupervised, but I have the utmost respect for them on the table. They may dump you, try and suduce your wife, talk 8 different people into staking them in a tournament with traveling expenses, but the bottom line is they are brilliant on the table and elivateted the game. When it comes to action I have the belief that it's survival of the smartest and that an education ain't cheap, but at what level does ones gamesmanship and personal morals exclude one from the H.O.F.? Some of the most diabolical twisted minds in this game have also shared some of
best knowledge and made great memories that I will cherish forever.

 

[Mkbtank]

HOF Dilution?

This might be a sensitive subject to some as this touches the core of people's beliefs, the integrity of the game, and life in gerneral. It should be, after all, what higher accomplishment is there to someone who has given and dedicated their life to this beuituful game? The last thing I want to do is start a flame war, as this is a more mature site than some of the other pool forums.
I'm younger than the majority of members here so maybe this is "above my pay grade" as they say, but I've thought about it quite a bit in the past so I'm just going to put it out there.
What personal merits or lack of should keep someone out of the H.O.F.? Let's be honest, there are inductees in both the BCA and 1p hall of fame that are no choir boys to say the least. I'm not passing judgment as I haven’t walked a mile in their shoes. To be honest there are members in both h.o.f s who I wouldn't trust to be in my home for 30 minutes unsupervised, but I have the utmost respect for them on the table. They may dump you, try and suduce your wife, talk 8 different people into staking them in a tournament with traveling expenses, but the bottom line is they are brilliant on the table and elivateted the game. When it comes to action I have the belief that it's survival of the smartest and that an education ain't cheap, but at what level does ones gamesmanship and personal morals exclude one from the H.O.F.? Some of the most diabolical twisted minds in this game have also shared some of
best knowledge and made great memories that I will cherish forever.

Great post J. One thing is for sure if it were the “Impeccable Character hall of fame” there would be veeeeery few inductees heh. It’s about the skills in 1p imho.

 

[stevelomako]

James Walden


Should have been in already.

 

[BRLongArm]

James Walden


Should have been in already.

I've known James for over 20 years, but he was an undercover champion that many do not know. He's in his mid 50s now and not doing well. I don't know if he'll ever get in, but he is a first rate bushwhacker and back room legend.

 

[LSJohn]

I've known James for over 20 years, but he was an undercover champion that many do not know. He's in his mid 50s now and not doing well. I don't know if he'll ever get in, but he is a first rate bushwhacker and back room legend.

About 16-18 years ago I watched him give a very good player 9-6 and barbecue him.

About 3 years ago I saw James a couple of times and it looked like he was trying to make a comeback, but I haven't seen or heard of him since.

I only knew him well enough to say "hello" but people I've heard comment say he's an unusually nice guy.

 

[Nick B]

The reality is that it would take us 40 years to catch up to former greats. Add the ones currently playing which are locks. No problem in sight.

 

[stevelomako]

I've known James for over 20 years, but he was an undercover champion that many do not know. He's in his mid 50s now and not doing well. I don't know if he'll ever get in, but he is a first rate bushwhacker and back room legend.

That is a big problem here...so many people have no clue how good some players were.

 

[Ross Keith Thompson]

Hof contenders

Hof contenders

Greg Stevens lifetime in action, Richey Florance lifetime in action, John "Duke"
Dowel lifetime in action, Tall Jeff Sparks terrific player and has contributed to this site, was a world beater back in the day and a good guy!

All four I've mentioned deserve a star on the walk of fame, I played all but Richey.

 

[NH Steve]

Greg Stevens lifetime in action, Richey Florance lifetime in action, John "Duke"
Dowel lifetime in action, Tall Jeff Sparks terrific player and has contributed to this site, was a world beater back in the day and a good guy!

All four I've mentioned deserve a star on the walk of fame, I played all but Richey.

For the "Lifetime Pool in Action" award, we have tried to stay with living players, or very recently deceased (Wade Crane). If we reached into the archives absolutely the names you mention would be perfect. Cleo Vaughn would have to be added too. And of course Louie Roberts, namesake of the DCC action award for many years.

The DCC no longer has that award, BTW -- which I believe is an unintended consequence of the DCC being hosted at a casino. Pretty ironic how glorifying "gambling" is a problem at a casino lol.

 

[gulfportdoc]

For the "Lifetime Pool in Action" award, we have tried to stay with living players, or very recently deceased (Wade Crane). If we reached into the archives absolutely the names you mention would be perfect. Cleo Vaughn would have to be added too. And of course Louie Roberts, namesake of the DCC action award for many years.

The DCC no longer has that award, BTW -- which I believe is an unintended consequence of the DCC being hosted at a casino. Pretty ironic how glorifying "gambling" is a problem at a casino lol.

Yes, the casino does not want a dime gambled that they don't have a piece of. I'm sure they threatened Greg with loss of venue. The "Action" award served to amplify what they did not want occurring. I'm actually surprised they permit the DCC to have the Action Room. Perhaps there's an extra charge for that room rental. Dunno.

~Doc