Ok, so they're all the world's biggest bunch of victims. Perhaps somebody that truly believes that should take out a nice, fat loan and prove the rest wrong. :thumbup:
Earl himself even said in that documentary that he had made a lot of money and just made poor decisions.
Earl himself even said in that documentary that he had made a lot of money and just made poor decisions.
Is Earl's *real* first name Benjamin?
So you are, like the others, stereotyping all pro players under one umbrella because of your experience with a few. Again, not all pro players are the same.
Well, Watchez, you see, the BCA has dropped the ball on professional pool. It started about 10 years ago. It's like a nightmare and has gotten worse and worse.
If professional pool is to *ever* rise to the level of an accepted "sport" with a legitimate tour, the BCA ranking points will be used. Pool used to have a points system and qualifying events, but thanks to the BCA, the professional pool players were ejected from their pool world to fend for themselves. All the years the BCA used to be in existence, this was not the case, but some fat, greedy, self-absorbed -- whatever adjective this forum likes to label the American pro player -- industry member changed all that and turned the BCA into an industry organization that only looks out for its industry members.
Since this is MLK week, I'll just say that even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow in this pool world, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American pool culture.
I have a dream that one day even the United States of America, a country sweltering with the heat of disdain for professional players who suffer from the heat of oppression on this forum, will one day have an American pool tour with ranking points and be treated with the same respect as our brethren players from Europe, Philippines, Asian and Middle East countries.
I have a dream that American pro players will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the stereotype of this forum but by the content of their pool-shooting performance and get paid a decent wage for their talents.
Yes, Watchez, I have a dream today!
I am saying there are risks/benefits to a job just like there are if you choose to be a professional pool player. Unless you are a trust fund baby, life is not so easy so just deal with it. Don't sit there and think the world owes you something just because you can either draw your ball or if you are proficient with Excel.
O.k. so comparing the plight of the "American Pool Player" to the plight of African Americans in the civil rights movement is a bit rich. I don't think we will have any lynchings, fire hoses, or dogs at the Derby this year.
Moreover, if we were to judge "pro" pool players by the content of their character, I am afraid the judgment for so many would be a severe one.
kollegedave
I also don't see the point in the thread. The numbers I stated about the us open are pretty realistic numbers and without hitting the top 24 you've lost money. And as you say, anyone can enter. Are you saying only 24 people should enter because they're the only ones that can make it in the pool word? 24 people enter, not much to win.
Relating that to my job just isn't the same. I don't have to out preform my co-workers to get paid. I come in and do my best and get paid the same thing every day no matter what. Yea, I have daily expenses but there is no risk involved. Money made-money spent=profit. My profit never changes. I know my margin and I'm happy with it. Playing tournaments you might profit, break even or lose. And 90% of the field loses.
JAM, you are sounding as though pro players are all victims and we are all out to get them. Stereotypes exist, people deal with them. Such is life. Consider any portrayal of lawyers or used car salesmen. The point is that these views exist because of those individuals who make them to be true.<--Very good way to put it IBA !
Earl made a lot of money during his career. His own life choices lead him to the financial state he is in. The industry/BCA or any other entity other than Earl Strickland himself, is certainly not to blame. Earl has for 20+ years been obnoxious to his fans, angry towards his competitors, rude to bystanders, and unappreciative of his sponsors. This is what happened to Earl, not some conspiracy. <--Again, right on target !
I had to outperform my co workers to get paid. I started out at my company as a temp. Earned getting hired as a full time employee and then moved up 4 times to management. Many are still in the same place they have been for 20 years with barely a 2% raise that can't keep up with the cost of living.
Earl Strickland has more titles than any other American in my lifetime, and yet he struggles big time. He's treated just like any other pro with no championship title, required to sleep in flea-bag hotels, people's couches, and sometimes can only afford fast food for a meal. I'm sorry, but I think that sucks a big weenie. Earl Strickland and any other pro player of his caliber deserve a little bit better than that, and if this American pool culture has no respect for pro players, then so be it.
I guess I'm not sure what you are trying to say.
Are you saying your job is just as difficult as a pool player's, or are you saying your job is more difficult than a pool player, or are you saying a pool player's job is more difficult than yours?
Where in the world did you get the idea that achieving high level skills in pool is as easy as flipping a coin?