Despite a short career, many consider the Ken Davidoff the best one-wall singles player ever.
The lanky lefty overpowered the competition during the early 1960s when he was in his late teens and early 20s.
Moving away from New York (where all one-wall was played) to attend college and then recurring back injuries ended his career early. During his heyday, the young Davidoff not only defeated many of the all-time greats, but held them to single digits.
Over a 16-year period, Joel Wisotsky won 13 doubles titles with six different partners, including eight in one-wall, four in three-wall and one Canadian four-wall title. Afflicted with childhood asthma, the powerful lefty concentrated on ending rallies quickly. Joel developed a kill shot from every angle on the court and played mostly doubles, even after his asthma cleared up in his 20s. The player who many consider the most feared left side player in outdoor handball was also a successful dentist.
For a span of 35 year, Al Torres was at or near the top of the one-wall singles field at the Open level. The powerful lefty with great hooking serves won 11 open titles, including two final singles wins over Joe Durso. Starting out at East New York High, Torres quickly improved to be one of the most feared on the court and respected off the court. Al’s legendary conditioning makes him a physical marvel into his 60s.
In spite of a right leg weakened and disfigured by childhood polio, Arty Reyer became a doubles standout, winning six USHA national doubles titles with four different partners over a span of 16 years. Reyer brought a flair to every game he played with quick movement, incredible reflexes, anticipation and the sharpest of handball minds.
The 16 -year span of Open titles doesn’t give due to Reyer’s longevity. He was the only 50-plus play to win an Open title and won masters titles in the same years as the Open on four occasions.
Howie Eisenberg’s love affair with handball began when he was 3 watching his idol, Vic Hershkowitz at the Brighton Beach Baths in Brooklyn, N.Y. The youngster quickly developed into a great junior player who prided himself on being the hardest hitter in the game. While the lanky righthander is best known for being a runner-up in national open championships 21 times (four USHA & 2 AAU singles, 15 doubles with 11 different partners), the power hitter with the big serve also has two USHA and three AAU doubles titles to his credit.
Roberts was known for his smooth swing and effortless motion while gliding across the court. A national champion in singles and doubles in three- and four-wall, he also won the 1986 World Four-Wall singles title to go with 3 three-wall singles titles, 8 three-wall doubles titles and 4 four-wall doubles. The ambidextrous Roberts was one of the most colorful players on the pro tour for almost two decades.
Roberts continued to play age-level competitions, concentrating on doubles with his brothers and family friends.
One of the quickest and most ambidextrous players ever to grace a handball court, Bill Yambrick earned three YMCA singles titles. Yambrick might be best known for finishing second to Paul Haber in three USHA singles finals. Also known as one of the nicest men in handball, he stood in contrast to Haber’s brash personality. Throughout the 1960s, Yambrick played in hundreds of tournaments, conducted numerous clinics, including a trip through Canada on behalf of the Canadian government. In addition to his talent, Yambrick will be remembered as a true sportsman.
The lefthander in the famed Obert family of handball champions (joining brothers Oscar and Ruby in the Hall of Fame) Carl amassed an amazing singles and doubles record. A student of the game, Carl also dominated with his speed, hooks and tenacity. Growing up as a one-waller, Carl excelled at three-wall as well and then became one of the few men to win titles at one-, three- and four-wall. Playing doubles with Ruby, Carl won the USHA one- and four-wall titles as well as two national three-wall singles titles.
The most dominating, winningest handball player of alt time is considered by most to be the game’s all-time best. Naty “El Gato” Alvarado revolutionized the game of handball, turning the handball world upside down with his ambidextrous offensive attack. Reaching his prime during the early years of the pro tour, Alvarado went on a tear, winning 63 professional tournaments over a 14-year period. Alvarado became the winningest singles champion even in 1990 when he won his 11 national four-wall singles title. Naty was born in Juarez, Mex., and moved to the United States in 1976 with his wife Lupe.
Six Pro Wins, Three USHA National Titles and Two National YMCA titles
Dennis Hofflander may have the game’s best two-handed shooter. Hofflander made his first mark on USHA history by destroying the National Juniors field in 1963. No opponent scored more than five points against Dennis and the event featured other future greats, including Fred Lewis. After a stint in Vietnam, Dennis made his handball comeback by placing second in the 1974 Nationals. Dennis won the very next pro stop and went on to take second in the next two national championships.
A fierce competitor, Hofflander was all business on the court but a clean, fair player. He was called first true “pro handball player,” because it was the prize money that drew him back into the game after his tour of duty. Dennis learned the game on the south side of Chicago, where he became a firefighter.
