chair and yelled out, “NO, not that ball, shoot this ball”. He immediately came running over to show me the best pattern for the remains of that rack. I never saw a man of that age run so fast. He really had a passion for the game as it was clear to see. He came over and started schooling me and I thought I was in heaven. This went on almost every day and that is when Jimmy opened up to me and all of our customers. To this day I don’t know what held him back when he first started coming to our room. From then on we became very close and went everywhere together. My wife Susan, Jimmy’s wife Phyllis, Jimmy, and I were always going out together, and I was the luckiest guy alive to be in his company, let alone his good friend. One night we were in a French restaurant and next table over was Mike Schmidt from the Philly’s dining with a couple other guys. Jimmy leaned over and said to Mike Schmidt, “Hi, I am Jimmy Caras”, extending his hand to shake and Mike Schmidt said “Hi”, shook Jimmy’s hand and turned his back. Jimmy figured Schmidt should know that he was a Billiards Hall of Famer, but we all know pool is a different world. At least I thought Schmidt would mistake Jimmy for a fan looking for a autograph, but we know that was not the case. After the hand shake Jimmy turned to us and said that Mike Schmidt was not very nice to put it kindly. Had to be there. Was certainly a funny moment. Getting back to the challenge match, the time had come. Jimmy dressed
JIMMY CARAS, BOB MAIDHOF, PHYLLIS CARAS
to a tee in a Tuxedo with cue case in hand he was ready to go. We all showed up with approx. 40 people from the pool room to support Jimmy. Pat Fleming was there with his Accu-Stat crew , and Mike Massey came to entertain the guests before the match. Mike Massey put on a trick shot exhibition that was amazing. What a great way to begin. Finally the main event. All the hard work paid off. Jimmy won the challenge and also took high run. I had never seen him so happy. It was like he was 30 years old again. Never saw a man his age so alive. The next day we had a celebration party for Jimmy back at the pool room. What a great time in Jimmy’s life, and I was fortunate to be a part of it. I miss Jimmy and am thankful every day for the time I was lucky enough to be around him. He really helped my pool game as my high run is now 316 thanks to what I had learned from the great Jimmy Caras. I hope I get a chance to tell you the story of our trip to Key West, Florida. Jimmy , my wife Susan and I in Fla. Great Time. PS: Accu-Stats has Valley “Hall of Fame” Dinner Show Willie Mosconi vs Jimmy Caras. A collectors DVD. A great one to add to your collection.
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August 2011 - The Break 5