Keith McCready facts for kids
McCready at International Pool Tour King of the Hill event December 2005
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Keith Howard McCready |
| Nickname(s) | "Earthquake" |
| Born | April 9, 1957 Elmhurst, Illinois |
| Occupation | Pocket billiards player, actor, columnist |
| Life partner(s) | Jennie Ann (2002–present) |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Pocket Billiards |
Keith McCready (born April 9, 1957) is a professional pool player from America. He is known by his nickname "Earthquake". Keith was once considered one of the best pool players in the country. He has traveled to many tournaments since the 1970s. He is also known for playing matches for money.
McCready is famous for talking to the audience during his games. He also wrote articles for InsidePool magazine from 2003 to 2006. In 1986, he acted in the movie The Color of Money. He played a character named Grady Seasons. Keith is a very active and strong player. He has a special way of hitting the ball called a side-arm stroke. Even with this unusual style, he is great at making difficult shots. In 2017, he received the Lifetime of Pool in Action Award. This award was given at the One Pocket Hall of Fame event.
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About Keith McCready's Life
Keith McCready was born on April 9, 1957. His hometown was Elmhurst, Illinois. Later, he moved to Anaheim, California, with his family. When he was a boy, he had to stand on a box to reach the pool table. This is how he developed his unique "sidewinder" stroke.
As a young person, Keith was introduced to playing games for money by his father. The owner of his local pool room, Bob's Billiards, became his adoptive parent. This helped Keith focus on his passion for pool. In California, an older player named Cole Dixon helped Keith learn how to make a living as a pool player.
Keith was first called "Keither with the Ether" because he played so fast. Later, he became known as "Earthquake." Today, Keith McCready lives in Washington, DC. In January 2018, he was added to the One Pocket Hall of Fame. This was for his amazing "Lifetime of Pool in Action."
Keith McCready's Pool Career
When Keith was 21, he started playing in professional pool events. He quickly made a name for himself. In the Sacramento Open final, he was losing 2-6. But he came back to win the last nine games of nine-ball. He defeated Larry Hubbart 11-6.
In 1984, McCready won the Clyde Childress Memorial 9-Ball Open. He beat Earl Strickland twice in this event. By 1985, many people thought he was one of the best players in the country.
Keith won his first big professional title in October 1985. This was at the B.C. Open 9-ball Championship in Binghamton, New York. Pool expert Grady Mathews said Keith was "a worthy champion and a colorful, exciting player." Keith won the final 9-3, even though he used a borrowed pool cue.
In June 1987, Keith played in the 5th Sands Regent Open nine-ball tournament. He gave a "brilliant and entertaining" performance. He beat strong players like Paul Brienza and Mike Sigel. In April 2005, he won a Joss Northeast Nine-ball Tour event. He won the final match against Canadian player Danny Hewitt.
In December 1998, Keith was ranked 10th on the men's professional pool tour. He won several titles during his career. But he was especially known for playing high-stakes matches. Danny DiLiberto, a pool commentator, enjoys watching Keith play. He said, "He's colorful to watch, because he's going to shoot at a white flag." This means Keith often tries very difficult shots. Keith continued to play professionally and do charity events. In 2005, he won the Virginia State Nine-Ball Championship.
Keith McCready in Movies
In 1985, famous director Martin Scorsese was looking for real pool players. He wanted them to act in his movie, The Color of Money. Scorsese, Tom Cruise, and the casting director visited the US Open Nine-ball Championship. Keith McCready was playing a game for money with Efren Reyes. He was chosen for the movie because of his exciting playing style. Keith was already known as a very tough player in the pool world.
Keith McCready's Achievements
- 1979 Sacramento 9-Ball Open
- 1983 King of the Hill
- 1984 Clyde Childress Memorial 9-Ball Open
- 1985 B.C. Open 9-ball Championship
- 1987 Southern California 9-Ball Open
- 1991 Lexington All-Star 9-Ball
- 2004 Northeast 9-Ball Tour
- 2005 Virginia State 9-Ball Championship
- 2017 Lifetime Pool in Action Award
