Queen Jean FINALLY on Youtube...

I thought I heard Jean say "some world championSHIP", which is not meant as a slight to Robin so much as the game itself...perhaps implying shoddy refereeing (with the racking...which was clearly bad).

KMRUNOUT

Ahh, I misheard the comment then. In either case, yeah, she was out of line. And, even back then, $200 is like a slap on the wrist. Maybe the girls didn't like getting beat up by Jean at every event, and maybe they did have some bias toward her because of it, but that doesn't negate the poor sportsmanship that she displayed in this match. This wasn't an action match. This was a professional tournament. There should be consequences if you lose it and act up. Anyone who has played this game has been there, but you need to control your behavior and, if you do lose it, there should be consequences.

I doubt anyone would justify that behavior if it was someone other than Jean who did it. It's sad for pool that it lost who I consider to be the best female player ever to play the game, but she did act up, and I don't think it's fair to the players who are on the receiving end of those tirades - not just in this match, but in general.

Anyway, I apologize if I hijacked the thread with that. Thanks for posting these videos. Keep 'em coming! :)
 
By "shark" do you mean intentional? Because I don't think it was intentional. It was an uncontrollable blurt.

Everything is controllable. 'between stimulus and response is choice' - Viktor Frankle.

I think that the "beat me with skill, not luck" is the one that was aimed in Robin's direction although it wasn't said directly to Robin.

Maybe Jay or others can chime in here but I'd bet that Jean played some of her matches against the guys and her opponents also got lucky rolls sometimes and she was probably quiet about it then.

It's not a big deal either way really. But it's really sad that she didn't just blow it off pay the fine and continue on dominating.

It's really catty to say that the other women imposed a fine just because she is Jean Balukas and they didn't want her playing. I know Eva and Loree Jon and Belinda and these are some of the nicest people on Earth.

They simply couldn't have condoned Jean's outbursts after Robin's complaint or then it would have seemed as if they were allowing such behavior.

Surely they had no way of knowing Jean would quit for good by fining her $200. If Jean had paid the fine she would have continued to play and continued to take most of the prize money out of the tour.

It's my opinion that Jean took it the wrong way. What a loss for us pool fans but it was her choice and she doesn't seem to be too broken up about it.
 
Here is a bio of Jean, outlining her career , honors , playing in men's tournaments, controversy with WPBA over fine, dress code etc., reasons for leaving pool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Balukas

Thank you. This explains a lot. Jean was on top at a tough time. There is still a lot of chauvinism surrounding women and pool but I guess it was worse back then.

Since Robin was reported to be Jean's best friend on tour then I think, as a friend, it would have been better to handle it privately rather than file a formal complaint.

Folks, Robin is a member of this forum and Robin, you might want to chime in to give us your side or not.

In any case I have known Robin for a long time and she is a classy lady who works very hard at what she does. It's unfortunate that this match proved to be the reason Jean quit and also unfortunate that it was against Robin.

Gotta go download the finals. :-)
 
Jean totally sharked Robin. She sounded like a cry baby from the chair. The "beat me with skill not luck" made me roll my eyes since Jean rolled her a few times as well. I dunno... not paying a $200 fine after you've won 16 in a row is cry-baby stuff as well.
I had always wanted to see Jean in action and now that I have...I'm left a little conflicted. Surely she was at the top of the game, but personal actions have a way of overshadowing incredible accomplishments...which 16-in-a-row is. Throw the dress code debacle in the mix, & I'm afraid history will be not as kind to Jean as it will be with Alison.

I'm left wondering WHY she would throw it all away over her refusal to adhere to an (appropriate IMO) dress code & her refusal to pay a (measly IMO) $200 fine for her flagrant behavior...two items key in the establishment of a professional sport.

With that said, thank you for posting the videos. I know it takes a lot of effort to break them into segments & upload. Your effort is very much appreciated.
 
Absolutely the most piss poor sportsmanship from a World Champion I have ever witnessed next to Earl!!
 
Hey Jay, you were saying that this was 16 in a row but I think I saw she was ranked number 2. Who was number 1?
Seems after 15 in a row she would be number 1.

Thanks,
Koop

EDIT: Nevermind, I heard them say Loree Jon was number 1.
 
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Hey Jay, you were saying that this was 16 in a row but I think I saw she was ranked number 2. Who was number 1?
Seems after 15 in a row she would be number 1.

Thanks,
Koop

Koop, I have no explanation for this. Jean was far and away the best women player back then. By the way, she could have easily paid the fine and continued her run, but at age 29 Jean was burned out with pool. She had been playing non stop since age 9! After twenty years she had enough and wanted a break from the grind. And perhaps seeing how it was affecting her psyche, she may have realized it was becoming unhealthy for her.

I think she made the best decision for herself at the time. I've talked to her several times since, and she's never expressed any regrets about it either. Jean has been quite successful in her private life and in business. A smart lady who has made a good life for herself, both as a pool player and afterwards.
 
Hey, if nothing else, at least an internal question was answered for me based on what I saw. Allison is def the best woman player who ever lived.

I wouldn't come to that conclusion based on this one match. I have seen Allison play poorly too. In fact, I've seen Efren play poorly!

Jean could flat out play. There is nothing "definite" when comparing these two other than we'll definitely never know who would win for sure. Everyone has their opinions on who would win between these two, but that's all they are; opinions.
 
To all of you who said it was poor sportsmanship-yup
and btw-too fckin bad-the ref was obviously racking poorly
does anyone take notice of the little smirk on robins face?
Loving that something finally got her a little riled up?
Jay i know you know i practiced with jean for years and shes pretty hard to annoy(or make her say something rude/cross )
trust me given how hard it is to find videos and such the first one you guys see is probably the last one-keep it up with your typical dopey internet muscles-
robins no angel either-because if you dont see it you never will
 
To all of you who said it was poor sportsmanship-yup
and btw-too fckin bad-the ref was obviously racking poorly
does anyone take notice of the little smirk on robins face?
Loving that something finally got her a little riled up?
Jay i know you know i practiced with jean for years and shes pretty hard to annoy(or make her say something rude/cross )
trust me given how hard it is to find videos and such the first one you guys see is probably the last one-keep it up with your typical dopey internet muscles-
robins no angel either-because if you dont see it you never will

Good post - btw the way the Miz stated that she was not #1 because she was playing more with the guys. Jean had a lot of pressure, women are being invited to men's tournaments now - back then she had to face a lot resentment (not so easy in a tournament with people making a lot of remrks) - the top women players today have personal coaches - Allison had one thru out her snooker career - same for KF - Pan and Ouschan travel with a coach - I don't know if Jean had one - but I think it helps out in dealing with pressure and strategy. Also in the interview after the match Jean said it hepled to let off some steam - If Robin won the match I doubt she would have complained. I do agree with the WPBA on the dress code issue .
 
Thanks a ton for the videos! I agree it was big time sharking. Yelling, "Beat me with skill not luck!" is clearly saying, "You aren't good enough to really beat me. You are just lucky these rules give you a chance."

I agree that Allison plays better. I just think Allison has more knowledge of the game and better strategy than Jean but what do I know?
 
Hey all....

My pleasure to post the videos. I was surprised when I searched that there were no vids on Youtube of Jean. Its even more surprising that it was some crazy pool nut from Australia that posted them when you think about it....

Wish I had the finish to the final though....:mad: Maybe someone else can post it up eh....:D

I have to thank my ole mate Dennis from Michigan who sent me the video in the first place....:thumbup: (Then I have to flame him
flame1.gif
for taping over the end of the final.....hehehe) (j/k)

Cheers - Dave.
 
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