Hall of Fame Banquet Set for Derby

By Bill Rosenberger

The o­ne Pocket Hall of Fame, which was recently created by www.onepocket.org, will be hosting an induction dinner at the Derby City Classic o­n Tuesday, January 18 at the Executive West Hotel.  Grady “The Professor” Mathews is not o­nly among the inaugural 2004 class, but he’ll also carry the title of Master of Ceremonies.  

Mathews was already honored as the first inductee at his December event, the Gulf Coast Classic, by o­nepocket.org official Steve Booth.What separated Mathews from the rest of that stellar field must have been his unparalleled career as a teacher and promoter of the game – along with his solid qualifications as a tournament and after hours player of course. Grady Mathews joins the o­ne Pocket Hall of Fame for his outstanding contribution to the legacy of the game of o­ne Pocket over a long and illustrious career.

Joining Mathews in the first hall-of-fame class is Jack “Jersey Red” Breit, Billy “Cornbread Red” Burge, Danny Diliberto, Larry “Boston Shorty” Johnson, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Nick Varner, Eddie “Knoxville Bear” Taylor, Bill “Weenie Beenie” Staton, and Leonard “Bugs” Rucker. And there are other active, retired, and deceased candidates that have done a lot for the game, including winning tournaments, teaching other players, and inventing shots. 

 According to www.onepocket.org, the hall of fame lists certain criteria that players must have to be considered as an inductee.  First, he or she should be an established great player who has demonstrated their excellence in tournament competition over a period of time.  Secondly, he or she should be considered a legend in their play and their heart, which is credited to their matching up against the game’s best.  Lastly, he or she should be a teacher and a promoter of the game, helping to bring a lasting impact o­n the growth and popularity of the game of o­ne pocket.

Banquet tickets are $50, and all interested parties should purchase their tickets at www.onepocket.org/marketplace or by searching out Booth upon arriving at Derby.      

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