LIVING THE JAI LIFE VOL 8: U.S.A. Jai-Alai's First American Star Player
- May 20, 2025
- World Jai-Alai League
Too often, present-day media refers to Jai-Alai's "Golden Age" as being the 1980's. In truth, depending on the criteria used, Jai-Alai's "Golden Age" in the United States was most likely a 25-year period beginning around 1962 and continuing through 1985. In the 60s the sport was limited by heavy State regulation with significant expansion in the 1970's. The restrictions that governed the wagering on Jai-Alai likely contributed to it always being a niche, regional sport. Going back to 1900 the sport of Jai-Alai (independent of gaming restrictions) had players who were legends. Indeed the strike/lock-out of 1968 sidelined some of the best players to ever play the game. Their names were well known in South Florida (Orbea, Churruca, Chimela, Larranaga, Piston, etc). But when the door was "cracked" for Americans to train in the late '60s and early '70s it was not clear if one would emerge to become truly great.
While "Randy" broke through to play professionally at Miami in 1968, Joey Cornblit was in training in what would become the first "graduating class" of the Miami Jai-Alai school. Before making his professional debut in Gernika, he trained daily on the 150-foot court at North Miami under Epifanio Saenz. "Epi," as he was lovingly referred to was of Cuban descent and though he enjoyed modest success as a player in pre-Castro Cuba and Miami, he was a gifted teacher (and ball maker at Miami jai-Alai). At 15 Joey was a top amateur with an unusually aggressive style of play which Epifanio encouraged. Following some months playing in Gernika and around the Basque country Joey would make his professional debut at Miami Jai-Alai in 1972 at 16 while still in high school. By 18 he was among the top players at Miami Jai-Alai and in the world. Joey changed the game of jai-Alai. Whereas power and volleying were the dominant style, Joey would "kill" the point by taking the serve in doubles on the left side and throwing two walls that the server could not reach. Joey also turned the rebote, which had usually been defensive into an offensive play - he could kill the point as easily off the rebote as he could off the front wall.
(Left to Right) Stanley "Buddy" Berenson, Joey Cornblit, Epifanio Saenz & Pedro Mir prior to Joey's professional debut - Fall, 1973.
Press Photo of Joey - Miami Jai-Alai - Circa 1977
Between 1975 and 1984 Joey had won 7 of 10 Front Court Championships at Miami and numerous Tournaments held between Miami & Tampa and multi-fronton tournaments held in the 1970s & 80s. In that same 10 years period "Asis" won 8 of 10 Singles Championships with Joey winning the other two. Indeed from the mid '70s through the '80s, an era which saw many, many great players the Partidos played between Joey and Bolivar (Tampa & then Palm Beach's top Front Courter and a contender for top 5 of all time) remain some of the most remembered Jai-Alai competitions of all time. World Jai-Alai, Inc. made Joey the face of Jai-Alai in the 1970s & 80s and his name is remembered to this day by those who may have only had a tacit connection with the sport.
January 27th, 2023 Joey meets Ekaitz Mendizabal (Magic City Star Frontcourt "#20 Goixerri") at a Dania Jai-Alai event. Both players dominating 50 years apart with a devistating Costado 2-Wall.
