Pool's Biggest Showoff
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| Straight pool was Mizerak’s forte, and his titles included four straight U.S. Opens. |
Tournament promoter Barry Behrman summed up Mizerak with one word: "class." "In battle, as angry as he could get, he was class all the way, and he always had a good sense of humor, even in defeat," Behrman said. "Along with class and humor, he had dignity and charisma. When he walked into a room, everybody knew he was there. He was a kind, big-hearted giant of a man."
Although Mizerak should be credited with his charismatic promotion of pool on TV, "he's not just your Miller Lite guy," Behrman said. "He was a world champion for years and a Hall of Famer. I have to consider him up there with Mosconi, Greenleaf, and Lassiter. You have to place him, without a doubt, in the same room as them."
BD publisher Mike Panozzo recalled that in his peak years, Mizerak was "the epitome of concentration and determination. He was relentless and methodical in his marches around the table, chalking up one long run after another, rarely allowing his opponent an open shot when his own options were too risky."
Mizerak's longtime friend Pat Fleming believed that while Mizerak was always friendly and cordial, he was at his most outgoing when there was a crowd around, even a small crowd, somebody to play to and perform for. He was a showman who enjoyed the spotlight and "just showing off."
DiLiberto, who knew Mizerak for more than 40 years, agreed that he liked the "showing off" part of his fame. DiLiberto stressed that Mizerak "had a wit about him," pointing as evidence to the dinner Behrman organized for him at the 2005 U.S. Open, at which Mizerak wrested the microphone from Earl Strickland in mid-testimonial and had the audience in stitches.
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