One Pocket:
1. Scott Frost
2. Jeremy Jones
3. Gabe Owen
Bank Pool:
1. Francisco Bustamante
Pool In Action:
1. Bob Ogburn
This is my early list, I'll add more later
There's no debate over whether or not we should have a HOF ceremony this year. The date, time and reservations have been set. So we'll have to fill in the blanks.
It was easy when we could still choose Ronnie, Grady, Squirrel, etc. But there are no obvious standouts who have been both historic 1P players, and have also been top players.
The true historic guys ought to be considered: Johnny Vevis, Johnny "Irish" Lineen, Joey Spaeth, Johnny Ervolino, and the like.
Of the active competitors, the only guys that might possibly be considered are Jeremy Jones, Scott Frost, and Francisco Bustamante.
In my view, Bustamante was always a rotation game player. He took up one pocket later in his career, possibly to be able to compete in the DCC all-around. He plays the game well, especially in recent years; but one pocket was never his "bag".
Frost was the most entertaining and fearsome 1P player to come along since Ronnie Allen. There's no question that he'll go into the HOF, but it may be a little early. And who knows if Scott will continue to compete? He hates the tournament format, and he's probably putting in a lot of effort into his new poolroom.
Of the three, JJ would be my pick. He's never had the record of a Shannon Daulton, or the excitement of a Scott Frost or Alex Pagulayan. But he's been a top one pocket expert for years-- since the days he was mentored by the great Jersey Red. He is a strategist unequaled outside of the Chicago school. He's won his share of tournaments, is always near the top, and he promotes the game solidly. He is an incisive commentator, and never hesitates to offer a tip to those with questions. He's probably playing 1P as well today as he was 25 years ago.
And lastly, sooner or later Steve Booth must go in under the Teachers and Promoters category. It's inconceivable that the popularity of one pocket would be where it is today without Steve's marvelous website, onepocket.org. Started in 2004, it immediately drew the attention of 1P devotees everywhere. It continues to be the unofficial authority in the game of one-pocket, and is known throughout the international pool community as the "go-to" reference for our game.
In my view Steve's website, and his tireless promotion of our game, ranks just behind the Janscos, Grady Matthews, and Greg Sullivan as forces which have cemented this great game into the high position that it enjoys today. And he has effusively promoted the HOF to honor great players who would otherwise never be heard of.
Steve is a New Hampshire WASP-- a guy whose nature would never allow him to even consider promoting himself personally, nor bask in the glow of limelight, nor even be comfortable accepting compliments..
~Doc
There's no debate over whether or not we should have a HOF ceremony this year. The date, time and reservations have been set. So we'll have to fill in the blanks.
It was easy when we could still choose Ronnie, Grady, Squirrel, etc. But there are no obvious standouts who have been both historic 1P players, and have also been top players.
The true historic guys ought to be considered: Johnny Vevis, Johnny "Irish" Lineen, Joey Spaeth, Johnny Ervolino, and the like.
Of the active competitors, the only guys that might possibly be considered are Jeremy Jones, Scott Frost, and Francisco Bustamante.
In my view, Bustamante was always a rotation game player. He took up one pocket later in his career, possibly to be able to compete in the DCC all-around. He plays the game well, especially in recent years; but one pocket was never his "bag".
Frost was the most entertaining and fearsome 1P player to come along since Ronnie Allen. There's no question that he'll go into the HOF, but it may be a little early. And who knows if Scott will continue to compete? He hates the tournament format, and he's probably putting in a lot of effort into his new poolroom.
Of the three, JJ would be my pick. He's never had the record of a Shannon Daulton, or the excitement of a Scott Frost or Alex Pagulayan. But he's been a top one pocket expert for years-- since the days he was mentored by the great Jersey Red. He is a strategist unequaled outside of the Chicago school. He's won his share of tournaments, is always near the top, and he promotes the game solidly. He is an incisive commentator, and never hesitates to offer a tip to those with questions. He's probably playing 1P as well today as he was 25 years ago.
And lastly, sooner or later Steve Booth must go in under the Teachers and Promoters category. It's inconceivable that the popularity of one pocket would be where it is today without Steve's marvelous website, onepocket.org. Started in 2004, it immediately drew the attention of 1P devotees everywhere. It continues to be the unofficial authority in the game of one-pocket, and is known throughout the international pool community as the "go-to" reference for our game.
In my view Steve's website, and his tireless promotion of our game, ranks just behind the Janscos, Grady Matthews, and Greg Sullivan as forces which have cemented this great game into the high position that it enjoys today. And he has effusively promoted the HOF to honor great players who would otherwise never be heard of.
Steve is a New Hampshire WASP-- a guy whose nature would never allow him to even consider promoting himself personally, nor bask in the glow of limelight, nor even be comfortable accepting compliments..
~Doc
There's no debate over whether or not we should have a HOF ceremony this year. The date, time and reservations have been set. So we'll have to fill in the blanks
And lastly, sooner or later Steve Booth must go in under the Teachers and Promoters category. It's inconceivable that the popularity of one pocket would be where it is today without Steve's marvelous website, onepocket.org. Started in 2004, it immediately drew the attention of 1P devotees everywhere. It continues to be the unofficial authority in the game of one-pocket, and is known throughout the international pool community as the "go-to" reference for our game.
In my view Steve's website, and his tireless promotion of our game, ranks just behind the Janscos, Grady Matthews, and Greg Sullivan as forces which have cemented this great game into the high position that it enjoys today. And he has effusively promoted the HOF to honor great players who would otherwise never be heard of.
Steve is a New Hampshire WASP-- a guy whose nature would never allow him to even consider promoting himself personally, nor bask in the glow of limelight, nor even be comfortable accepting compliments..
~Doc
nope......
