Re. Jack Cooney

[One Pocket Ghost]

I posted this over at az, but I thought it belongs over here even more so, since it's about One Pocket....On the Jack Cooney thread over there, Jay Helfert stated a timeline re. Jack's not coming out from undercover until late 90's that I had to correct slightly - and connected is a little story involving myself.....Here's what I posted over there....


Jay........Have to make a slight correction here....

Jack came out from undercover earlier then the late 90's - make that the early 90's instead - In 1994 he played in the U.S. Open One Pocket tournament, with most of the pool world there and approx. an 80 man field.......I particularly remember his being there for three reasons - one of those reasons is not good....

Reason #1. I was surprised to see him surface there and play in the tournament.

Reason #2. He was the first choice in the calcutta.

Reason #3. (the bad reason) With my usual horrible tournament drawing luck, naturally it was a hanger for me, that out of 80 players Jack was who I drew to have to play in the first round !...:(.....At least he didn't skunk me anyway - I lost that match to him 3 to 1 - actually should have been at least 3 to 2 though, one of the games I lost, I was ahead 5 balls to 2 and I shot a cross-corner bank and the cue ball caromed off two balls and trickled into the side pocket for a scratch - amazing how you sometimes remember certain shots/games/matches after many years have gone by....:)

- Ghost

[chicagomike]

Funny Ghost,
I just finished watching a classic match between Ronnie Allen and Lisle Gay,(Correct me if I'm wrong)also known as Jr. I would recommend the the tape.

Lots of good moves and our own Freddy the Beard did excellent commentary. The reason I mention this is two fold:

1. Freddy refers to Jack Cooney, saying he looked like he would never make a ball, and that he would always walk away from with the $$$$$$$$.

2. Freddy also mentions our own San Jose Dick as one of the best out there at the time....way to go SJD!!!!

Tell you what......watching that Jr. play the game was very impressive...pulled a coulple Efren like shots. Freddy commented that he had just beat Nick Varner in the tourney which was no easy feat.

I think it was a 1998 World One Pocket Event thru accustats.

Freddy, if you read this...Just how good was Jr. Gay?

[One Pocket Ghost]

Funny Ghost,
I just finished watching a classic match between Ronnie Allen and Lisle Gay,(Correct me if I'm wrong)also known as Jr. I would recommend the the tape.

Lots of good moves and our own Freddy the Beard did excellent commentary. The reason I mention this is two fold:

1. Freddy refers to Jack Cooney, saying he looked like he would never make a ball, and that he would always walk away from with the $$$$$$$$.

2. Freddy also mentions our own San Jose Dick as one of the best out there at the time....way to go SJD!!!!

Tell you what......watching that Jr. play the game was very impressive...pulled a coulple Efren like shots. Freddy commented that he had just beat Nick Varner in the tourney which was no easy feat.

I think it was a 1998 World One Pocket Event thru accustats.

Freddy, if you read this...Just how good was Jr. Gay?


C'mon Mike, you can't ask Freddy now, it's after 8:00, he's already asleep for the night...:D

As to your question....First of all his name is Leil or J.R. not junior - I've gambled with him playing One Pocket and we drew each other at the DCC about 4 years ago.....His best game isn't One Pocket though, it's 9 ball or straight pool - he's a 100 ball runner in straight pool......Imo, I would put his One Pocket game at about midway between Paul Navarette and Ike.

- Ghost

[Fast Lenny]

I see him from time to time here in Arizona where he lives now,he took 3rd this year in the state championships of one pocket. :)

[fred bentivegna]

C'mon Mike, you can't ask Freddy now, it's after 8:00, he's already asleep for the night...:D

As to your question....First of all his name is Leil or J.R. not junior - I've gambled with him playing One Pocket and we drew each other at the DCC about 4 years ago.....His best game isn't One Pocket though, it's 9 ball or straight pool - he's a 100 ball runner in straight pool......Imo, I would put his One Pocket game at about midway between Paul Navarette and Ike.

- Ghost

Leil or J.R. was playing very good at that time. His game fell off since then for whatever reason. Ghost (the clockmeister)is probably right, as he usually is in the clocking dept. Mike, I wish you wouldnt have given SJD such a good plug from me. It will for sure go to his head, and maybe make him feel a little guilty about all those dispagaging Chicago comments.

the Beard

[fred bentivegna]

This may be construed as a slight bump for my movie script, but this is for some of the new posters interested in more about Jack and Barbara.

-For an unauthorized (Barbara wouldn't let me use her or Jack's first names) full blown movie script, based loosely on Jack and Barbara's road adventures, read "Roxanne's Game."
www.scriptforroxannesgame.blogspot.com/

the Beard

"Roxanne" is really Barbara, "Mick" is really Jack, and me is really me.

[One Pocket Ghost]

[I] This may be construed as a slight bump for my movie script,



C'mon now Freddy, we would never construe you as having touted one of your 'Freddy the Beard' products....:rolleyes:...:D

[fred bentivegna]

C'mon now Freddy, we would never construe you as having touted one of your 'Freddy the Beard' products....:rolleyes:...:D


It's an old story, when you can't play, you got to work. You want me to go on a construction crew?

the Beard

[fred bentivegna]

Here are some of the pics I dug up that I am going to bring to DCC for Jack's induction.
The first is Barbara when she was young and smoking hot.
Then Jack in my car with my 2 yr old daughter Catherine.
Next is Jack and Barbara in front of the Show Lounge in Johnston City in 1972.

the Beard

[lfigueroa]

Here are some of the pics I dug up that I am going to bring to DCC for Jack's induction.
The first is Barbara when she was young and smoking hot.
Then Jack in my car with my 2 yr old daughter Catherine.
Next is Jack and Barbara in front of the Show Lounge in Johnston City in 1972.

the Beard


Great shots, Freddy. Jack looks totally different, way back when. Thanks for sharing.

Lou Figueroa
man, we dressed funny
back then

[Artie Bodendorfer]

Great shots, Freddy. Jack looks totally different, way back when. Thanks for sharing.

Lou Figueroa
man, we dressed funny
back then Wearing leather jackets back then was very COOL and if you look at pictures from back then a lot of people wore them even Bugs and it showed that you had money and class. Because the jackets were expensive. And Jack looks real Meallow and Cool. Barbra lookes like a modle out of a Magazine. And little Katheren looks Darling. Like she realy is. Those were the days my Freind I thought the would never END. Have a EXciting New Years 2009 is the year of the Happy Hustler.

[frmn]

leather jackets are cool but i swear,and i'm not kidding ,i use to have a good lookin pair of pants like jack was wearing in front of the motel.that was 70's style.

[lfigueroa]

leather jackets are cool but i swear,and i'm not kidding ,i use to have a good lookin pair of pants like jack was wearing in front of the motel.that was 70's style.


So, just curious: does anyone else have any personal pool related photos from the late 60's/early 70's?

I may have one, but it'll take me a couple days to find it.

Lou Figueroa

[One Pocket Ghost]

So, just curious: does anyone else have any personal pool related photos from the late 60's/early 70's?


Lou Figueroa



I have several.....:cool:

[lfigueroa]

I have several.....:cool:


Don't make me beg.

Lou Figueroa