Mosconi Cup Like You've Never Seen Before

[JAM]

Jen
I have footage of the Mosconi Cup going back to the beginning.
Tell me what you want and I will send it to you.

Doug, I'm not sure of the legal ramifications, but, man, wouldn't it be cool if all the Mosconi Cups were YouTube'd for everybody to not only enjoy, but maybe discover for the first time the thrill of this pool extravaganza?!

If somebody in the know would take the time to reach out to their contacts at ESPN -- Hello, Allen Hopkins! -- and let them see for themselves the Mosconi Cup footage of previous events, maybe they'll bite and broadcast the Mosconi Cup on American TV.

One person I would really, really, really want to hear in the booth would be my man Sid. Everybody has their favorite pool commentator, and I like them all, truth be told. They each bring a little different flavor to the mic, and variety, as they say, is the spice of life. But Sid is *the* premier pool commentator, bar none. He brings excitement, emotion, and joy to pool. We've got to bring him back!

 

[JoeyA]

Doug, I'm not sure of the legal ramifications, but, man, wouldn't it be cool if all the Mosconi Cups were YouTube'd for everybody to not only enjoy, but maybe discover for the first time the thrill of this pool extravaganza?!

If somebody in the know would take the time to reach out to their contacts at ESPN -- Hello, Allen Hopkins! -- and let them see for themselves the Mosconi Cup footage of previous events, maybe they'll bite and broadcast the Mosconi Cup on American TV.

One person I would really, really, really want to hear in the booth would be my man Sid. Everybody has their favorite pool commentator, and I like them all, truth be told. They each bring a little different flavor to the mic, and variety, as they say, is the spice of life. But Sid is *the* premier pool commentator, bar none. He brings excitement, emotion, and joy to pool. We've got to bring him back!

I'm not sure if Sid will ever be back to pool commentary but I have to agree that Sid Wadell had the most unique style of any pool commentator I have ever heard. The lines he used were originals and the eccentricity of his observations are unparalled in pool commentary history. I enjoyed his commentary so much that I would work with him for expenses.

 

[TheThaiger]

I'm not sure if Sid will ever be back to pool commentary but I have to agree that Sid Wadell had the most unique style of any pool commentator I have ever heard. The lines he used were originals and the eccentricity of his observations are unparalled in pool commentary history. I enjoyed his commentary so much that I would work with him for expenses.

Hmm, I'm not so sure. Sid was a fun lunatic, sure, but does pool need to delve any further into high farce? It's a conundrum, though - does the game want to be loud, fast and furious, catering for the 12 beers a night crowd, or does it wants to maintain a degree of artistry and precision?

Reason for the death of pool #5,329 - Pool doesn't know its own market.

 

[TheThaiger]

Celtic...You're dreaming! Noone comes even close to Earl's accomplishments. Woulda, coulda, shoulda...sorry, it doesn't hold water.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

White was playing snooker. OF COURSE he would have bettered Earl's accomplishments had he played pool instead of snooker. I know these snooker Vs pool arguments are circular and not conclusive, but come on. I was watching one of these mosconi cup videos the other day and the commentators seemed amazed at the skill of Mark Williams. This was double world champion Mark J Williams they were talking about FFS - one of the greatest cuemen ever, and they seemed genuinely surprised how good he was at potting a few balls into big bags playing 9 ball!? Extraordinary.

Sorry, but the top snooker boys are head and shoulder better cueists than the top pool lads.

 

[JoeyA]

Don't mind a drink or two.....

Hmm, I'm not so sure. Sid was a fun lunatic, sure, but does pool need to delve any further into high farce? It's a conundrum, though - does the game want to be loud, fast and furious, catering for the 12 beers a night crowd, or does it wants to maintain a degree of artistry and precision?

Reason for the death of pool #5,329 - Pool doesn't know its own market.

I'm not a 12 beer a night, kind of guy, but I enjoyed Sid's schtick. I don't think JAM is much on the alcohol either....

Besides, what Sid does in the commentary booth has to be considered art and his lines have laser beam precision.

 

[gromulan]

White was playing snooker. OF COURSE he would have bettered Earl's accomplishments had he played pool instead of snooker. I know these snooker Vs pool arguments are circular and not conclusive, but come on. I was watching one of these mosconi cup videos the other day and the commentators seemed amazed at the skill of Mark Williams. This was double world champion Mark J Williams they were talking about FFS - one of the greatest cuemen ever, and they seemed genuinely surprised how good he was at potting a few balls into big bags playing 9 ball!? Extraordinary.

Sorry, but the top snooker boys are head and shoulder better cueists than the top pool lads.

Um what? Much as I like Jimmy, he was fairly well-known for blowing it on the big occasion. I mean you're talking about someone who was basically a supporting figure to the greats of his era, whereas Earl WAS the great of his era (along with maybe Johnny and Mike Sigel).

Jimmy won, as best as I can recall, nine or ten major tournaments, and finished second about fifteen other times. Earl has literally won hundreds of pro events, including five US Opens and three World Championships, along with who knows how many other second place finishes. I'm a White fan, but the comparison is laughable.

 

[TheThaiger]

Um what? Much as I like Jimmy, he was fairly well-known for blowing it on the big occasion. I mean you're talking about someone who was basically a supporting figure to the greats of his era, whereas Earl WAS the great of his era (along with maybe Johnny and Mike Sigel).

Jimmy won, as best as I can recall, nine or ten major tournaments, and finished second about fifteen other times. Earl has literally won hundreds of pro events, including five US Opens and three World Championships, along with who knows how many other second place finishes. I'm a White fan, but the comparison is laughable.

The comparison concerned talent, not bottle. Had he been a pool player since birth, I've no doubt he would have matched or bettered Earl - he's just more talented.

Regarding White as a choker, he had enormous weight of expectation on his shoulders, had some rotten luck, and played in an era with a dominant Stephen Hendry, the greatest cue sport player of all time.

 

[gromulan]

The comparison concerned talent, not bottle. Had he been a pool player since birth, I've no doubt he would have matched or bettered Earl - he's just more talented.

Regarding White as a choker, he had enormous weight of expectation on his shoulders, had some rotten luck, and played in an era with a dominant Stephen Hendry, the greatest cue sport player of all time.

Can't agree with you about the talent, Earl is as talented at cue sports as any human. Besides, they said Jimmy was more talented than Davis or Hendry too, but that didn't stop him from losing to them, over and over again. My guess is that had White been a pool player from birth he would have done well, but would still have played a supporting role to people like Strickland, Sigel, Archer and Varner before fading into the woodwork.

However, had Earl been born a snooker player, well I have no doubt he would have won numerous titles and been one of the greats of his day. At that level they all have talent, but some have that little bit extra. Strickland is one of those, White isn't.

 

[JAM]

...However, had Earl been born a snooker player, well I have no doubt he would have won numerous titles and been one of the greats of his day. At that level they all have talent, but some have that little bit extra. Strickland is one of those, White isn't.

Make no mistake about it, but Earl can play himself some snooker. Most players who grew up playing pool in the '80s and '90s era learned how to play all games, unlike their counterparts of today who are rack riggers, break mechanics, action locksmiths, or 9-ball specialists.

That's just the way it was. A player would come to town and hope to get played. He better know all games well because he most likely will have to shoot with a house cue and play on strange equipment, sometimes not as pristine as today's equipment. This is why old-school players adapt to new equipment faster than today's tournament soldiers.

Different equipment, different games, different era. The game has evolved, thanks to new technology, jump cues, break cues, slick cloth, and spotted cueballs. I wonder what folks will be writing about today's players 30 years from now. :smile:

 

[JAM]

I'm not a 12 beer a night, kind of guy, but I enjoyed Sid's schtick. I don't think JAM is much on the alcohol either....

That's a fact, Jack -- I mean JoeyA.

Besides, what Sid does in the commentary booth has to be considered art and his lines have laser beam precision.

The man is brilliant. There will never be another one like him. My counterpart is passionate about pool, but he does not enjoy seeing pool on TV; that is, until we caught a show commentated by Sid and Jerry Forsyth. The two of them made beautiful music together.

It was so enjoyable to listen to Jerry with his knowledge of the game/players and Sid with his excitement. Sid's voice would go up and down, and he came with some comical quips that would make you laugh out loud. In essence, Sid can make pool fun and entertaining. He is *exactly* what pool needs in the United States right about now.

For the young'ns who don't know him, here's Sid's Wiki page: Sid Waddell.

Here's a couple of Sid's quotes: :grin:

We couldn't have more excitement if Elvis walked in and asked for a chip sandwich.
That was like throwing three pickled onions into a thimble.
Look at the man go, it’s like trying to stop a water buffalo with a peashooter.

Sadly, in researching some tidbits for this post, I just read that Sid Waddell was diagnosed with bowel cancer in September 2011: A statement from his manager Dick Allix read: "Following recent tests, Sid has unfortunately been diagnosed with bowel cancer. He is now undergoing treatment and will, regretfully, be unable to undertake any professional engagements for the time being.

Source: Commentator Sid Waddell diagnosed with bowel cancer [Retrieved 1 November 2011]

Here's a couple cute YouTubes of Sid:
Sid Waddell Classic Quotes
Oh, You Little Sausage
Sid Waddell at Work

 

[predator]

However, had Earl been born a snooker player, well I have no doubt he would have won numerous titles and been one of the greats of his day. At that level they all have talent, but some have that little bit extra. Strickland is one of those, White isn't.

I agree with this 100%. And I also happen to think that had Earl started with proper snooker training as a child rather than with pool, he would have been happier and far richer person today...with a lot less to complain about...

On a less serious note, what would he hate in snooker world if he was part of it?:grin: I imagine slow players only. There's no jump cues, no big pockets, no racking controversies, no extremely short races, nothing like that. Would he have asked for 14ft tables to be introduced?:grin:

 

[TheThaiger]

I agree with this 100%. And I also happen to think that had Earl started with proper snooker training as a child rather than with pool, he would have been happier and far richer person today...with a lot less to complain about...

On a less serious note, what would he hate in snooker world if he was part of it?:grin: I imagine slow players only. There's no jump cues, no big pockets, no racking controversies, no extremely short races, nothing like that. Would he have asked for 14ft tables to be introduced?:grin:

Good point, actually. When I mentioned White earlier, it was with temperament in mind - White would've been ideally suited to pool, with its reliance on great shot making, rather than mechanical repetition.

Earl certainly has not the temperament for snooker and would have been a disaster. As far as slow play goes, there's something seriously wrong with cue sports in general if snooker is a quicker game than pool - and it often is.