Keith McCready

Keith McCready (born April 9, 1957) is an American professional pool player, nicknamed Earthquake.

At one time considered among the top players in America, McCready has been a traveling tournament competitor and notorious hustler since the 1970s. From 2003 to 2006, McCready was a contributing writer to InsidePOOL Magazine and remains a pro competition contender, known for comedically interacting with the audience. He also had a supporting role as the boorish hustler Grady Seasons in the 1986 film The Color of Money.

An energetic and aggressive player, he has a distinctive side-arm stroke and, despite his unusual form, is well known for strong shot-making offense skills, often executing extremely difficult shots that most other players would not attempt.

Early days

McCready was born in Elmhurst, Illinois. He realized he had billiards talent at the age of nine, after his father introduced him to bumper pool, and he soon began hustling his two older brothers out of their allowance money. He initially had to stand on a box to reach the height of the table, and developed his unusual stroke while still a boy.