[Leftoverchinese]

Well, I found out Steve Mizerak owns and runs a pool hall a few miles from my work. Funny thing is that I had been in there numerous times, yet I have never seen him in there. I suppose my late night hours for shooting pool differ from his work schedule which is aparently open to around dinner time.

Does anyone know if he offers lessons or has anyone had lessons from him before? I myself have never seen him. I didn't want to go up and ask him in case he was similar to the stories you guys were telling of Mosconi.

I thought I would try to go in and see if he would humor me by playing a game. I am more than certain he would beat me badly. I just thought it would be fun to play a living legend. :-D

Any of you guys have any stories about him? I have read his book and he comes off as a nice fellow. However, I thought I would ask first.

[ Edited by Leftoverchinese on 2005/11/22 9:54 ]

[ Edited by Leftoverchinese on 2005/11/22 9:54 ]

[Sodapop]

I saw him on tv at the US open and if I am not mistaken, I think the Miz is now in a wheel chair he had a stroke and can no longer play pool.

[FASTLARRY]

He got up to around 5 or 600 lbs, it was un believable and then his liver failed and a stroke. I saw him 2 years ago at the BCA, lost all that weight, skin just hanging off of him, hard to even view. He was in an electric wheel chair then and I guess still is.
Lessons, go up to Tampa and find Ray Martin

[westhills2]

Wow, very sad about The Miz, I had no idea. He was one of my favorite comedy pool players growing up. Meaning that with respect of course. Winning the US Open 4 times straight is amazing.

So, where is his pool hall located and what is the name of it?

[ Edited by westhills2 on 2005/11/22 10:58 ]

[Leftoverchinese]

Ehh, if I am gonna take a road trip then I want to take a road trip. Thats a shame to hear about Mizerak. I had read one of his books and figured I would love to go see and play with a living legend.

His pool hall is named Steve Mizerak’s Billiards. I had gone in there a few times and didn't know the name of it. Most of the halls around here change names often anyway.

When one of my friends asked if I wanted to go to Mizeraks, I thought it was tacky that someone would name thier pool hall after a famous player. As if to use thier name to make thier hall standout. I didn't know it was his though.

Its a great pool hall. There are I think 16 tables lined up 4 by 4, if I recall correctly. When you first walk in, there is a 6 ft tall life-like biker cop with his hand ready to draw his gun. On the back of him it says something to the effect of, "in memory of officer ******* for tackling the gypsy thief." :-D

There is a nice bar with a large plasma TV. Lots of chairs and tables. I believe they have other things like darts or chess, but I never really paid attention to anything other than the pool. Thats what I was there for. Sadness. :-(

[Leftoverchinese]

I went and saw him last week on wednesday. He had all his wits about him. However, he said he could no longer play pool. He runs the hall with the help of some other people. He was basically hanging out in the place watching shows like Judge Judy on the plasma above the bar from his recliner. He says he plays cards and a few other games that don't require much of the physical but a good bit of his mental ability.

He seemed delighted to talk about the past. Storys of when he was a history teacher and former cars that he has owned came one after another. Seemed like having a conversation with anyones grandfather. A real down to earth kind of guy. It was great to see, yet sad in the same light.

[Hazer]

Wow, I'm jealous. My first experience with trying to actually think about what I'm doing when playing pool was when a friend of mine handed me The Miz's book and told me to read it and come back to him in a few weeks. I too liked it, and it had an interesting history.

It's too bad to hear what happened, but great that he's still got his mental game.