Doc Hubert and Howard Hankin

mr3cushion

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In Chicago, there have been many fascinating characters, as I’m sure there were in many other cities. One of them that have hung around the edges of the gambling and the pool world for years is a brilliant guy named, “Doc” Hubert.” As of recently one of the former owners of Chris’s Billiards in Chicago. Doc was actually a REAL doctor, been retired now for about 7 years. He’s been a BIG pool bug and sports better his entire life, one of the REALLY unusually strange birds around is Howard Hanken. He’s worked at the ball parks for years selling beer and programs.

Howard is a really huge White Sox fan, and he and Doc always were making bets with each other. This one particular game was in the early fall, a night game at Sox park. Howard took the Sox and Doc had the other team, the weather turns bad before the game starts and it’s called off. Tomorrow both teams play again with the same pitchers. During towards the end of the game, 8th inning, Howard calls up Doc and says, “We got action, right same pitchers!” Doc tells him, “We got NO action, NO bet,” and hangs up the phone.

At that time, Doc was the head doctor at the psychiatric floor at the VA hospital. That evening one of the nurses on the floor grabs Doc and tells him there’s a man here to see him, he name is Howard Hankin. Howard comes from around the corner starts yelling, “We had action, and you owe me money!” Doc tells him, “Get out of here Howard I don’t owe you anything, and go away!” Howard refuses and starts screaming at the top of his lungs, “He’s NO Doctor, He’s NO Doctor, He’s a bookmaker, give me my money, you thief!”

Well Doc had enough of Howard and called for security, when they showed up, Doc begins to explain to them that, “This man is a mental patient of mine, and he needs to put in a straight-jacket, and locked up in a room until I finish my shift.” “Then I’ll take him to Walter Reed for a more extensive psychiatric evaluation!” So, they hall off Howard in a straight-jacket to a rubber room. Now, Doc’s shift doesn’t end till midnight, during that 6 or 7 hours, the nurses would have enter Howard’s rubber room to feed him by hand.

When Doc finished his shift, he went down where Howard was being held and asked him, “You going to behave yourself and NOT cause another scene,” If so, I’ll have them let you out of the room and jacket.” If, NOT, I’ll see you in the morning!” Howard timidly replied, “NO, NO, Doc, I’ll behave. Please let me out, I’ll be good!” They let Howard out, and Doc gave him a ride home.

Just another couple of, “Zanies’” that hung around pool rooms and gambling joints in Chi-Town!
 
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Jimmy B

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Aug 17, 2007
Messages
6,897
In Chicago, there have been many fascinating characters, as I’m sure there were in many other cities. One of them that have hung around the edges of the gambling and pool world for years is brilliant guy named, “Doc” Hubert.” As of recently one of the former owners of Chris’s Billiards in Chicago. Doc was actually a REAL doctor, been retired now for about 7 years. He’s been a BIG pool bug and sports better his entire life, one of the REALLY unusually strange birds around is Howard Hanken. He’s worked at the ball parks for years selling beer and programs.

Howard is a really huge White Sox fan, and he and Doc always were making bets with each other. This one particular game was in the early fall, a night game at Sox park. Howard took the Sox and Doc had the other team, the weather turns bad before the game starts and it’s called off. Tomorrow both teams play again with the same pitchers. During towards the end of the game, 8th inning, Howard calls up Doc and says, “We got action, right same pitchers!” Doc tells him, “We got NO action, NO bet,” and hangs the phone.

At that time, Doc was the head doctor at the psychiatric floor at the VA hospital. That evening one of the nurses on the floor grabs Doc and tells him there’s a man here to see him, he name is Howard Hankin. Howard comes from around the corner starts yelling, “We had action, and you owe me money!” Doc tells him, “Get out of here Howard I don’t owe you anything, and go away!” Howard refuses and starts screaming at the top of his lungs, “He’s NO Doctor, He’s NO Doctor, He’s a bookmaker, give me my money, you thief!”

Well Doc had enough of Howard and called for security, when they showed up, Doc begins to explain to them that, “This man is a mental patient of mine, and he needs to put in a straight-jacket, and locked up in a room until I finish my shit.” “Then I’ll take him to Walter Reed for a more extensive psychiatric evaluation!” So, they hall off Howard in a straight-jacket to a rubber room. Now, Doc’s shift doesn’t end till midnight, during that 6 or 7 hours, the nurses would have enter Howard’s rubber room to feed him by hand.

When Doc finished his shift, he went down where Howard was being held and asked him, “You going to behave yourself and NOT cause another scene,” If so, I’ll have them let you out of the room and jacket.” If, NOT, I’ll see you in the morning!” Howard timidly replied, “NO, NO, Doc, I’ll behave. Please let me out, I’ll be good!” They let Howard out, and Doc gave him a ride home.

Just another couple of, “Zanies’” that hung around pool rooms and gambling joints in Chi-Town!



You tell some of the best stories ever. No doubt about it. I, of course side with Doc all the way on this one. If a game is called off, you cannot assume you have action on the game that takes place in the future, regardless of who is pitching. I feel like Doc would have gave him action, but you have to call and check in for your bet and confirm it first.

If I had been in Doc's place, I would have went in his room and gave him a strong injection of some type of pain killer like demerol or dilaudid. Not enough to really harm him but plenty enough to make him itch all over, especially on his face and nose area. And he would not have been able to rub or scratch to well in that fukkin nut coat. That would have been a good pay back for trying to shake the Doc. Doctors, who had the power of the pen, got total respect devotion from me. I think you know what I mean...
 

keoneyo

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I met Doc at the Derby in 2006 I think. He was a big fan of Deadwood and we sat and talked for hours. A real gentleman and handed me a card and said "I own Chris' Billiards. Anytime youre in town come see me.". I didn't know he was a real Doc but he was a real nice guy.
 

#Cruncher

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Did Howard Hanken frequent the poker room at the Horseshoe Casino by any chance? If so, I know he sure could pass for a resident in an asylum!
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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I met Doc at the Derby in 2006 I think. He was a big fan of Deadwood and we sat and talked for hours. A real gentleman and handed me a card and said "I own Chris' Billiards. Anytime youre in town come see me.". I didn't know he was a real Doc but he was a real nice guy.

I use to bet with Dock all the time. Ask him what his record is. Not just with pool. when dock was at the derby. I don't remember the year. Scott Frost won the one pocket championchip.

And Dock bet on Achollo Ibet Scott. And it was at the end of the game. And Achollo was shooting at his pocket. I think he needed two balls. And Scott needed one. And I told dock if Achollo shoots that shot he will loose the game and make Scott game ball. Because of the angle he was shooting the other ball.. And I repeated to dock if he shoots that shot. He will make Scott game ball. And Achollo shot the shot and made Scott game ball.

And Scott couldn't believe it and dropped to his knees.I wish somebody could pull up that picture. It was one of the greatest ending in a pool match. And dock said if he was not there. He would have thought that he got past posted. But this is a classick.
 

Artie Bodendorfer

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Did Howard Hanken frequent the poker room at the Horseshoe Casino by any chance? If so, I know he sure could pass for a resident in an asylum!
Howard is a very intelligiant person. Different then most people. You could say he is eccentric. But he is a good gambler. And card player. Playing pool he has very little ability.

Could be because he is too much on the intelligiant side. Most people who are super intelligiant. seam to have less sports ability. Than most of the other people.
 
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