Interview with Bolibar: Talking with a Genius

   Deep in the province of Bizkaia, there is a village with 408 inhabitants named Bolibar; which is two miles from the town of Markina. It is here that one of the greatest pelotaris in the history of Jai-Alai, Txikito de Bolibar, was born and still resides.
 
   Bolibar lives with Kontxi, his wife, and his two daughters 24 and 28 years of age, respectively. Together, they run a small bar located just a few meters away from the fronton. . Moreover, right in front of the museum-house; this holds the origins of Simon Bolibar, the “Libertador de las Americas.”


Bolibar earned a lot of money playing Jai-Alai – in 1982, in Durango, he earned more than $1,000 USD per partido ---and he knew how to save it, we know that well, the bar appears more a hobby than a source of income. At age 57, he has an excellent physical appearance. Since he retired he has been training twice weekly in Markina – he does this by playing the backcourt.

Who can forget the lanky figure with narrow shoulders and arms that would go on forever? The simian walk that would suddenly turn to predator, merciless with his adversaries. Bolibar was a well-rounded pelotari; his game could be the dirtiest and the cleanest, depending on the moment. He could just as well go down to line 2 or up to line 10 to help his backcourt. He was a genius of Jai-Alai, proud of his game, sometimes angry, and very ambitious. Once in Mexico, Bolivar who was already a veteran had just won a final beating a young Alberdi. Alberdi was in the dressing room crying inconsolably when Bolibar addressed him: “You cry, you cry, eh! ...You would be crying much more if I had gotten you when I was 28 year old.” On another occasion in West Palm Beach, when an average player made a point against his serve, Bolibar would declare from the bench: “Bah! 1,500 peseta players in Durango [a reference to minimum wage caliber]. He was very ambitious. During his first year in Tampa, he was injured for a few days. Every night he would pray to the Virgin Mary, not for his recovery but so that at the end of the season he would have the most wins.

Bolivar is still passionate about Jai-Alai. He lives it and does not miss a chance to relive his feats. What follows is a humble interview for someone who, as Orbea I said of him: “how can anyone play Jai-Alai so well”. I recognize that his career, his achievements, his adventures provide material for much more than just an interview, it could easily fill a whole book

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Interview

• Of all the seasons you played in the US, which one was the best?

“They were all very good. I had the most wins in most of them. Maybe, the 1979-1980 Bridgeport season was the best. I won 216 quinielas, 49 singles, and 45 wins in the last quiniela.”

• And your best year in the Basque Country?

“My best memories are from 1982 when, playing with my brother Agustin, we won the World Championship in St Jean de Luz.”



• What was the most powerful roster that you have played in?

“In 1977, half the Tampa roster was taken to Hartford and the other half came from Miami. Perhaps that was the best roster. I played in that roster several months and established a record 99 quinielas and 50 singles.”



• Why did you not play in Miami?

“In 1969, I signed with Berenson to go play in Miami. Later on, Berenson bought Tampa and took me there. As much as a player stands out in Tampa, he will never play in Miami, Berenson said. As it turns out, in 1974 he wanted to take me to Miami. I declined the offer and reminded him of his words. Plus I was doing well in Tampa.”



• Your favorite US court?

“Tampa”



• Your favorite court in the Basque Country?

“Markina”



• What was the strongest part of your game?

“To point something out, my right hand, the rebote was pretty good as well.”



• What was the weakest part of your game?

“Look, I would have liked to have had a better costado; I was never able to dominate it like Inclan, Joey or your brother Zulaica I.”



• Who was your favorite players’ manager?

“I would say two, Beitia (Tampa) and Lasa (Bridgeport).”



• The most well rounded pelotari you have ever seen.

“Ondarres.”



• A Backcourt?

“Churruca.”



• Who was your most dangerous rival in the quinielas?

“Without any doubt, Inclan. He was a terrifying opponent. He would catch any serve and he would throw costado everywhere. He would drive you crazy. I would opt to lob the serve to buy me time to reach the remate. I played with him four seasons in Milford. He used to tell me that he would rather be at the bottom of the wins record than to be number two behind me.



• Your worst rival in partidos?

“Uriarte and Ondarres.”



• Your greatest Jai-Alai achievement?

“I have won everything. My career is complete. That final in the World Championship when my brother and I won against Castro II and Goiogana, in San Juan de Luz, was something incredible.”



• Any memorable points?

There was one in Tampa. Almorza and I were disputing a singles point. I returned 3 chic-chacs; and then I caught the ball  and pass to dominate. "Big Al" returned 2 incredible chic-chacs; I made the point with a dejada. It was an incredible play, an unusual volley; we were both burnt out when it ended. The crowds gave us a standing ovation, applauding for a couple of minutes. “Big Al” was a tremendous athlete, what a great rebote!” [I witnessed that point, truly memorable, otherworldly]



• What current player do you like?

“Goikoetxea. In the back-court I like Lopez more than Irastorza.”



• Do they play dirtier now?

“Yes. When Goiko and these guys get the ball by the side wall and they get away from the wall by taking some steps…..that was not done before.”



• What has changed from your time to the present?

“In those days, there were more high caliber pelotaris, both front and back court. Presently, there are few.”



• Do you remember an American pelotari who played with the name Rastock?

[He tries to remember…..]. “I know that he began to play in Milford at the inception of the strike and afterwards we played there. I am unable to recall anything else, in particular.”



• When you played in Bridgeport there was someone in the audience who called you Booooooli!!......and you would answer back, remember?

“Yes, of course (and he laughs). He would come every Sunday. He was Cuban and came to visit Markina a while ago. Now he lives in Dania.”



• Would you return to Florida for any exhibition?

“No. But I would like to play that month and a half in Ocala, I would love it.”

• Did you retire being Number One?

“I was 44 years old. I had had the most wins in Milford. Totorika offered me a contract to play in Euzkadi, but I decided to leave it. Everything I had to do in Jai-Alai, I had achieved.”



We said goodbye at the door of the bar, just a few meters from the fronton where he, Txikito de Bolibar, a genius of Jai-Alai, had taken his first pelotazos. Before I left, he made a gesture as if he were to catch the pelota with his reves, as he said, “Still got it, eh!”…….