Earl is a disgrace!

[FranCrimi]

Bi polar disorder, sensory integration disorder, perhaps aspbergers, adhd, a series of antisocial traits, I also believe that he could be a hyper-sensitive highly sensitive to noise, temperature, light or lack of, certain odors, among others...
I'm not assuming that you don't know him very well, I'm sure you all have operated in the same circles for years and years. I wouldn't begin to know what kind of relationship you've shared with him.
I've only had the chance to observe him in person a few times, these are observations from what I've seen and read, interviews I've seen, accounts of other people. My initial thought was that he was a very passionate player that just hated to lose and didn't handle losing very well. In a situation like the Mosconi Cup he demanded perfection from his team mates and those around him, and he also had an unbelieveable ego, but that just didn't explain it all for me. My thought was that someone who has that passion for the game and that respect for the game and cares for the game enough to become the very best wouldn't dare disrespect the game or opponents the way he does sometimes, there had to be other reasons. These aren't isolated incidents. Some mental illness and emotional disabilities would explain an awful lot of it

You're right about that --- He certainly doesn't exhibit normal social behavior. But strangely enough, he mysteriously manages to bring it all under control when he realizes that he is about to be ejected from a match for poor sportsmanship.

 

[macguy]

I would rather see a whole team of earls myself.

That might be, but there is something mentally wrong with him. He was like that 30 years ago this is nothing new. You usually didn't see it because he would play good and win and it would not be triggered.
You would not want to go through life living in Earls head like he does. There is probably a med he should be on. A lot of mental illness it very treatable today.
Do you honestly think he acts like that on purpose?

 

[Icon of Sin]

Extremely rarely-He apologized to Michaela at the WPC one time but that was because it was in his best interests not to have the ref hating him. Other than that he just remains convinced he was justified in all the stupid shit he has said and done.

If he ever did disrespect the game, it was because "they made me do it".

PS-Get the side pockets out of pool!! They're ridiculous!!

I dont think it is that rare. I heard Shaw mentioning that Earl wanted to be his friend after an altercation that happened at one of the NY tournies recently.

Plus after Gerda beat him (and during the match) in the IPT King of the Hill Tourney he acted like an ass and rumor had it he sent her flowers to make up for it.

I imagine that off the table he genuinely likes most of his opponents and would like their friendship in return, he competitive nature and bi-polar issues bring out the shitty side in him during the match.

 

[Pathetic Shark]

I was replying to Dick, but you keep on trolling, trolling, trolling along. Maybe you can reply to another one of my posts before the morning is over. :smile:

Sure, my pleasure.

Keep on labeling every one who disagrees with you a troll or a hater. It works wonders.

 

[NYC cue dude]

I dont think it is that rare. I heard Shaw mentioning that Earl wanted to be his friend after an altercation that happened at one of the NY tournies recently.

Plus after Gerda beat him (and during the match) in the IPT King of the Hill Tourney he acted like an ass and rumor had it he sent her flowers to make up for it.

I imagine that off the table he genuinely likes most of his opponents and would like their friendship in return, he competitive nature and bi-polar issues bring out the shitty side in him during the match.

Well, the first part isn't really true. When earl and shaw clashed during their match at Steinway, they were already living together.

And, right after that event, at Turning Stone, Earl repeated his misogynistic behaviors towards Karen Corr during their match. Apparently, he doesn't learn from his mistakes.

 

[JAM]

Sure, my pleasure.

Keep on labeling every one who disagrees with you a troll or a hater. It works wonders.

I knew you'd be back. It's seems as if you are always looking for one word, one phrase, one sentence in an entire post to reply to with flippant replies, but you don't only do this to me. You seem to do it to others as well.

Maybe you have trouble interpreting, poor fellow.

 

[Island Drive]

Many on this forum are hurt, damaged, insulted, amazed, and angry. How ironic what we're going through, a lifetime of samo/samo and the same day Nelson Mandela has passed on. I think this behavioral problem that is systemic within the pool world here in the states, will help us do good and make hopefully for us all....Promoters included, look at what's before us ALL & MAKE/DEMAND CHANGE. Our systemic animal comes in many different shapes, colors, sizes and demographic areas, let em know up front why you don't like it or why your unwilling to put up with it, and look within yourself, are we adding fuel to the Pool in respect for its timeless greatness. We are so lucky to have had Efren in our time here.

For those of us that realize pool is Life, it's taken me a lifetime to realize it IS one of the great ARTS and is why it has a grip and addiction that few realize or understand. But once that happens, your light will burn and your willingness to go with the status quo is no longer THERE.

 

[DrGonzo]

So, why not explain to the class how nearly every other person can act civilized during the same moments? Is it because he's a genius? Magnifying glass.. you must be blind if that's what you call it. He acts like a total jerk for the dumbest of things and you sit there and say people are scrutinizing him with a freakin magnifying glass. Pathetic is right.

Earlock Holmes

 

[Celophanewrap]

You're right about that --- He certainly doesn't exhibit normal social behavior. But strangely enough, he mysteriously manages to bring it all under control when he realizes that he is about to be ejected from a match for poor sportsmanship.

I think to say he brings it ALL under control is a bit of a reach but he does seem to calm down a bit. The threat of something traumatic - like being ejected from a pool event - is unfathomable to him. Just the thought probably causes a whole different level of anxiety and changes his focus from the lucky SOB at the table to where would he go, what would he do when faced with being forcibly removed

 

[FranCrimi]

I think to say he brings it ALL under control is a bit of a reach but he does seem to calm down a bit. The threat of something traumatic - like being ejected from a pool event - is unfathomable to him. Just the thought probably causes a whole different level of anxiety and changes his focus from the lucky SOB at the table to where would he go, what would he do when faced with being forcibly removed

....Which shows that he is capable of controlling his behavior.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

I love watching Earl play, but if he pulled these antics in any other sport, he would be fined out the arse.

That's not true. Shit talk goes on all the time in other sports and is never punished. For example, fighters go at it face-to-face, with insults much worse than anything Earl ever said. Things said about their opponent's wife/mother/sister and what they (supposedly) did to them the night before are common tactics used in the ring to make the other guy go off in a fit of rage and get too aggressive and leave themselves open.

Even outside of the ring, look at all the horrible and cruel things Ali said about Frazier - in public - and nothing close to a reprimand was ever mentioned. In fact, many folks today credit Ali's shit talk with the renewed interest that boxing enjoyed before another fighting "sport" (MMA) took it to an even higher level of degradation.

Brutally cruel things are said at the line of scrimmage in football, under the boards in basketball, against the glass in hockey, and just about anywhere you have grown men fighting for pride, honor, and money.

The truth is, the cue sports are about the only place where such actions are considered to be forbidden. Which is as it should be. Pool is a game of deep concentration, and a man or woman has a right to take whatever time they are allowed for their inning in silence, both from the crowd and from their opponent. Hell, they should even be allowed to use all six pockets if they so desire.

Earl was flat out wrong in his behavior toward Mr. Boyes and should have been deeply ashamed of himself if he had pulled out the win by using such deplorable tactics. Karl did nothing to Earl that would substantiate Earl's claim from the documentary that "They made me do it". No taunting, no distracting, no nuttin'. IMO he should issue a public apology to Mr. Boyes if he cares in the slightest about what kind of legacy he will leave when he hangs up his cue for good in a few years.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

....Which shows that he is capable of controlling his behavior.

Bingo.

All this BS talk about how Earl is "mentally ill" (whatever that is) and can't help himself is laughable. If Earl's problems center around his meds and his DSM-V diagnosis, then how is it that he can turn it on and off like a switch when he wants to?

Who are the real psychiatrists on this forum anyway? Who knows beyond all doubt that he is actually bi-polar in the first place? That is a tough diagnosis even for a trained medical practitioner, never mind some keyboard shrink who think's every mood swing demands anti-psychotic drugs.

FWIW I'm married to a clinical psychologist with 15 years experience, including a stint at the Capital District Psychiatric Center in Albany, NY. She see nothing remotely like Bi-polar I, Bi-polar II, or the related diagnosis Cyclothymia that would be responsible for Earl's antics. Bi-polar swings are huge, long lasting (weeks at a time), and a patient cannot just pull their shit together and behave when it suits their needs.

Earl likely suffers from any of several personality disorders, lumped in together in the older DSM-IV as "Axis II" disorders. Most Axis II disorders are controlled poorly or not at all with medications, so there goes the old "Earl's off his meds and can't help it" excuse. Cognitive therapy is the best course of action with personality disorders, but the success rate is rather low. It has to start with the patient wanting to change. Typical for these disorders, Earl wants the world to change (even the game itself) to meet his needs, instead of adapting to the ever changing environment that is life.

 

[alstl]

And this is why we cant have nice things.

Please try to type without making so much noise. I don't want to have to report you to the librarian.

 

[scsuxci]

If I an interpreting your post correctly, then you are saying it's okay that Earl dances like a monkey for the masses, because it's expected, and after the dance, the masses can then take their clubs and beat him to death because of his performance that they asked for.

Actually,I hate the way he acts, but
I truly believe its expected of him to act this way.If he doesn't,its almost a let down
for the fans.
Its like people who only watch car racing for the hopes of crashes or figure skating
for the hopes of someone falling.
When you read comments about Earl,you'll notice that most comments
will start with what a wonderful game he has, followed by how much they enjoy
watching his antics because he's so un-predictable.
You are right about the same people that will lambaste him if it doesn't
turn out in there favor.
For me,I find that Earl is very predictable and hopefully one day he might realize
that his fans do not have his best interest at heart.
Its really to bad.

 

[Kim Bye]

I think Earl is finished as a Mosconi cup player...

 

[Prey]

In a lackluster performance by team USA. Earl "The Pearl' Strickland made it entertaining to watch! Thanks Earl and team USA! May we do better next year.:thumbup:

 

[oldroller]

I am sure

it's been said many many times but he is a dick

 

[BeiberLvr]

Excellent interview

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQnf5PsTNxk

 

[PocketPooler]

Earl has the flamboyance and charisma to draw people to pool. He's a total character, but that draws attention to the sport and gets people playing... Look at that idiot bowler a few years back that busted out dance moves, shot down the pins with his finger gun, and best of all, wore shades while bowling... what a damn character. But here I am ten years later... remembering that fool. Earl may be in a funk, but I'll take him over any of the Europeans

 

[Celophanewrap]

....Which shows that he is capable of controlling his behavior.

I believe that his reactions are primal, instinctive, reflexive. It would be like you trying to control goose bumps when you're cold. Without that social filter he thinks things and they spew out of his mouth like an avalanch. I believe that's about how much control he has.

But, as you eluded to, you likely know him much, much better than I do. I'm speaking just from observation, I could be 100% off the mark. It could be that he's just a complete ass