26/06/2025
A Legendary Night at Amsterdam Billiards
Last night at Amsterdam Billiards was one of those unforgettable evenings where the past and present of our sport met in one powerful moment.
If you’ve ever walked through our doors, you’ve seen the striking portraits by Tom Hebert — tributes to legends like George “Ginky” San Souci, Tony Robles, Danny Baroudy, and Jeanette Lee. These works of art aren’t just decoration — they’re a celebration of our sport’s rich history and the players who’ve helped shape pool here at Amsterdam and far beyond.
We were proud to unveil a long-awaited addition to that wall: a portrait of Mika Immonen.
Greg Hunt, the owner of Amsterdam, opened the ceremony with a heartfelt reflection on the legacy of the club and the significance of the paintings. He spoke about how Mika’s portrait had actually been painted nearly 20 years ago — and how it was finally time for it to take its rightful place. Greg honored Mika’s contributions not just to the game at large, but to the soul of Amsterdam Billiards itself.
Mika followed with words full of humility and gratitude. He shared how much it meant to him to be featured alongside Ginky, Tony, Danny, and Jeanette — players he’s shared countless memories and friendships with. He spoke about how he had always hoped to one day have his portrait on the wall, and how deeply thankful he was to now be part of that legacy.
Even Mike Panozzo, publisher of Billiards Digest and fellow BCA Hall of Famer, flew in from Chicago to witness the moment. And Mika’s mother, who was planning to fly back to Finland, stayed an extra day to be there — making the night even more meaningful.
As someone who’s been part of this game for decades, I feel proud to be a part of this industry, this room, and to have witnessed Mika’s journey toward an immortal legacy.
nyc