I would suggest reading this book to learn more about mental illness, addictions, and the associated side effects ---> A Common Struggle
Coming out October 5, 2015.
Coming out October 5, 2015.
Classless Earl Strickland
- Thread starter Grantstew
- Start date
Duplicate post because I left the quote out.
I discovered pool at 14 years old.
I finished high school in 1969.(still playing pool)
I finished college in 1974.(Still playing pool)
I raised my family, paid all my bills, and now own my home, and owe no one anything.(still playing pool)
Maybe I am the American icon, and Earl needs to show me the respect for accomplishing the things he can only fantasize about.
Well said! Being at the top of the pool world isn't really all that important in the grand scheme of things. Matter of fact, some pretty heavy sacrifices are made for a silly game.
I wouldn't want to trade lives with the top players...
Being at the top of the pool world is important to them in the grand scheme of things, It is their passion. Anyone can achieve greatest in any one thing if they have laser focus but when you have that sort of passion you must give other things up. If they have a family, that family loses because of that passion. This was their choice. You obviously have made yours and I have made mine. No pro in any sport would call their profession "silly" any more than someone should call your profession silly.
Ok MOM.......
I heard he is. I wonder if he would go into aiming systems and hand pivots.and the like....NOT
I might place a bet on that match, but I'd have to wait to see which Earl shows up!
How many posters, save Jay, have even met Earl?
That does not include rail birds. Just curious.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
That does not include rail birds. Just curious.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
I've met him.
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Speaking as one who has frequently aroused the wrath of forum members for taking exception to Earl's often disgraceful behavior, I'm definitely on board with your comments.
In truth, though, Earl's fellow professionals have let him off the hook as often as fans and tournament officials. So few have ever stood up to this loser and those who've looked the other way, even defended him, have all hurt him.
My late father used to say, in rough terms, [If you conduct yourself like a loser, then even when you win, you are a loser]. To me, that sums up Earl's pool career.
I wish Earl everything good away from the pool table, but don't concur with those who believe that his many train wrecks in pool over the years are colorful --- no, they are an embarrassment to our sport. Finally, if they are a product of mental illness, why would anybody be amused?
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I have. Met him years ago in my fathers pool room when I was a 18 or 19. but he was not that much older than me, maybe a couple of years. He does not remember it though
Also took a lesson from him when he was in the Chicago area about 10 years ago. Great lesson, funny as hell, and had a great time.But then spent an entire weekend at a tourney in Omaha when he played Johnny Archer a few years ago. I was in his corner for the weekend and ferried him back and forth to his hotel, whatever. He could not have been nicer. But during the match, he would get sidetracked, by this fan or that fan or something not even "real".
I would deflect, and get his mind to a good place. I would tell him the fan was actually clapping for him (they were not) or tell him the noise he heard was just the waiter (if was not), I would tell him whatever would get back to the match at hand and ignore the real and imaginary distractions.
Yes, he signed every autograph and took pics with anyone that wanted one, and everyone did. The fans LOVED him, even the ones that didn't still wanted his autograph.
There was only one time he barked at a fan, is when he asked Earl to sign something, but it was a the bottom of a ro;led up poster, and Earl unrolled it to see what he was signing. Yep, it was a Johnny Archer poster, and he threw it on the table in front of the guy, and said, "I'm not signing that" and stormed away.
A few minutes later, I got him back on track. And he was as friendly as can be to everyone, including all the kids.
So, yes, i'm convinced he has an undiagnosed medical condition. So, he might be a lot of things, but "moron", which was a term used earlier to describe him is NOT one of them.
Even if it was not medically related (highly unlikely), it's very small potatoes in the scheme of things. No rapes, no murders, no violence, no wife beatings, no child beatings, no driving a car into a group of pedestrians, etc.etc. etc.
I see league players act worse every day, and twice on Sunday. Big whoop. So, yeah, he's a jerk off at some tourneys because he's got a big mouth. We're pool players NOT polo players, so lets all grow a set and shoot some pool
Freddy and many others have wrote books about the "rogues" in pool, and folks love every minute of it. Love Earl or hate him, he's a character that many will never forget. He's the John McEnroe of pool, and McEnroe last time I checked is still a legend in the game of tennis.
Hell, the biggest loud mouth in Professional Poker is the richest. I have to wonder if some of it as act to be listed as the "bad boy" of poker. His books sell like hotcakes, and his appearance fee's are through the roof. If pool was as big as Pro Poker, Earl would be a fuggin rock star today, and as rich as one
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While I can agree with some of your sentiments regarding his behaviors not being beneficial to himself or the game, referring to Earl as a "loser" is not any different than the jackasses that egg him on because they think its entertaining.
You seem to be a reasonably intelligent person, do yourself a favor and read up about mental illness and the stigmas about mental illness. Please stop contributing to those stigmas by propagating words like "loser" when referring to someone that is truly mentally ill.
Signed autograph for me with a smile.
Always love his exhibitions!
Just got my US Open tix. I know who's table I will be crowding in to see (along with the majority in the arena) as is always the case. EARL THE PEARL!!
Just a fact.
Agree! Except.... not with "anyone" can achieve being the greatest. That's just for elementary school kids. lol
Met him a couple times. He is also a GREAT follow on Twitter btw.
I still hope to get him to my house someday for lessons and some games.
I'm willing to pay. No problem.
When I built my basement myself, I had 2 major driving forces / visions during those long couple years:
The Diamond table I would get someday.
And getting the great Earl Strickland over to my house. (Still working on that one)
It will happen I am certain!:thumbup:
Also, If more players played like Earl pro pool would be a lot more popular.
I'm not just talking about the tantrums and stuff.
I mean fast and loose. Taking and making remarkable shots.
Talking to the crowd etc.
Go to any event he is in. Look for the crowd. It's not even close. (You don't even need to look at the names above the table) That is where you will find Earl playing.
The crowds are not just there for the antics either that's just not true.
It's for the reasons I stated above.
I'm not just talking about the tantrums and stuff.
I mean fast and loose. Taking and making remarkable shots.
Talking to the crowd etc.
Go to any event he is in. Look for the crowd. It's not even close. (You don't even need to look at the names above the table) That is where you will find Earl playing.
The crowds are not just there for the antics either that's just not true.
It's for the reasons I stated above.
NYC cue dude
Banned
My comments come from personal interaction and experience.