I think about that every time I see him. Just get that shit out of your head and realize you're still a great player and move on. It's clearly a mental thing with him.
Earl imploding in the World Pool Masrers
- Thread starter RunoutJJ
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I think about that every time I see him. Just get that shit out of your head and realize you're still a great player and move on. It's clearly a mental thing with him.
Fats was a great person to hang out with. He had a big heart and loved talking to people, no matter who they were or their position in life. He revered no one and treated all equally, whether they be a gas station attendant or the president of the bank. He had no problem calling out a big shot if he got out of line and would heap praise on someone who was doing good for others or animals.
Of the other three guys you mention, only Balsis was easy to talk to. He was a a very down to Earth man, who was comfortable talking to anybody. He was a proud man but not aloof. Lassiter and Crane were far more circumspect and preferred the company of friends to strangers. They would only give short curt answers to inquiries from people they were not familiar with.
Mosconi on the other hand barely had time for anyone who he considered beneath him. He did mellow in his later years and softened in his demands for special treatment and perfect conditions during his exhibitions.
That I didn't know. My only experience is watching him play a few matches and he seemed to carry himself well, especially when he was playing someone like Fats.
I wish I had 1/1000 of the experiences you've had.
And Earl isn't like everyone else. So what.
well played Sir 
Postmatch interview starts around 51:45.
https://youtu.be/t9_bxamUH2Y
https://youtu.be/t9_bxamUH2Y
Haven’t seen any of it but it’s Earl, that’s what he does and if it wasn’t for him and his antics over the years people would have had a lot less amusement.
Jay,
growing up in the Chicago area, and he representing Brunswick....his egotistical character was felt, he was in the public eye allot in his early years. At one time in his prime depression era?, I heard he was likely the largest paid sports athlete on the planet. Growing up in the mid west, the Italian thing and horse tracks, etc were prevalent depending on the city/suburb you lived in. The race tracks (owned by Italians) had the hwy dept. put up signage for their race track business, paid for by the state.
Give Earl A Break
Anyone who is saying that Earl blew up during that interview is either looking to bash Earl, Or they are extremely jealous of his ability.
Klenti Kaci was taking it all in good humor.
I have seen Earl acting bad. Most of the time it is brought on by people in audience egging it on.
Earl over the years he has played at such a high level, deserves respect from the pool world. IMHO
Anyone who is saying that Earl blew up during that interview is either looking to bash Earl, Or they are extremely jealous of his ability.
Klenti Kaci was taking it all in good humor.
I have seen Earl acting bad. Most of the time it is brought on by people in audience egging it on.
Earl over the years he has played at such a high level, deserves respect from the pool world. IMHO
1) Earl shouldn't shit on his opponents. he can talk about age, rolls, etc - but putting down the talent of someone who just beat you? that's crap and no sport needs that to succeed. Case in point? see #2.
2) Needing someone like Earl is good for the sport or ratings? How about Tiger 10 years ago. Did he piss and moan about conditions? Talk about how he got beat by shit players? Talk shit all day? No. He was a great player - and no player in any sport in history moved the needle on any sport the way he did, and his absence the sport struggles.
3) Nascar was at its biggest 10-15 years ago. No Dale, and the big jerks were Kyle and Stewart. News flash - they weren't the reason.
2) Needing someone like Earl is good for the sport or ratings? How about Tiger 10 years ago. Did he piss and moan about conditions? Talk about how he got beat by shit players? Talk shit all day? No. He was a great player - and no player in any sport in history moved the needle on any sport the way he did, and his absence the sport struggles.
3) Nascar was at its biggest 10-15 years ago. No Dale, and the big jerks were Kyle and Stewart. News flash - they weren't the reason.
Just watched the interview and he was, by "Earl" standards, anyway, not at all out of line. Was he snarky? Yup. But that's due to him feeling he was being "picked on" by spectators. And he probably was. I can tell you this. I've watched Earl for 35 years both in person many times and on video and, except for the first 10 years when he really never acted out at all, I can say the only times he acts like a jerk is when he feels, right or wrong, that he's been jerked around. He has always, if he felt he was getting respect from him, been very polite and very much a gentleman to his opponent; applauding good shots, shaking hands sincerely and ( most of the time, anyway ) warmly and even saying nice, encouraging things about him in post-match interviews. But, if he feels he's been disrespected by either the crowd or his opponent ( or both ) then all bets are off and God only knows what will happen.
All I know is, like him, love him, hate him or have no opinion one way or another, Earl Strickland is, without a doubt, one of the ( in all probability ) 3 best 9 ball players who ever lived. And, considering he doesn't even *play* 14.1, by and large, seeing as how his high run is 408 balls ( let THAT sink in for a minute or two. Earl. 408 balls ), I'd say he plays more games than just 9 ball pretty f'ing sporty. The guy has proven medical issues. Cut him some slack...
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In the last decade Earl has been such an easy mark for spectators to shark. There are people in the stands that can do things in front of Earl that few would notice, even others that are sitting close to the perpetrator. Earl will see it because he looks for it. Its a shame that these fans would want to needle a person just to see the reaction but it happens and Earl is weak to let it get to him.
Earl has lost a lot of respect but that will not stop him from calling someone out if he sees it. It bothers me to see how Earl acts but it bothers me even more to see others who want to initiate a bad reaction from a person who can't help himself.
Here is a video that shows someone taunting the man. And I know he asks for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mg9nZjlF5Xo
The saddest things about it to me are how it affects his game and how it affects him as a person. He really does care about how he's perceived and he has pretty rigid standards of behavior for himself. For example, I challenge anyone to find a video at his *most* explosive, off-the-deep-end behavior, with him using a single word of profanity. I don't believe anyone will find it. Which, for a potty-mouth like me, is pretty F'ING impressive. He was raised to not do it and, at least in public, I've never seen him do it, regardless how upset he is. But he HAS to know and understand how adversely acting out, regardless how "justified" he thinks it is or, for that matter, it *actually* is, affects his play. But he simply cannot help himself. And when I see it, I feel very badly for him. And I know he hates that, knowing some people feel sorry for him. It's just a lose / lose situation, not only for Earl but for pool as a whole.
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I'm not sure I understand. Willie grew up in Philadelphia.
You nailed it.
You've been watching Earl for 35 years, and you've never heard him swearing during matches? I've heard it many times.
You want an example, go find the famous match with Landon Shuffett from 2012. Here's a post that indicates where some of the swearing in that match can be found: https://forums.azbilliards.com/showpost.php?p=3699984&postcount=25
Even in his match last week in the World Pool Masters, the commentators apologized in case any of Earl's swearing was audible on the stream.
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He and Brunswick went hand in hand. Since I grew up right near Bristol WI, just over the border from IL, up I 95, then turn west at the Brat Stop.... his presence was felt as if he lived near by.
Pool in the fifties was pretty neat around the Chicago area. Every city had a pool room, always Brunswick equipment, and every town had Italian Pizza. :thumbup2:
Never did see a bar table growing up. Mostly GCI's, and the older Brunswicks in the bowling alleys. Brunswick flooded the state colleges with GCI's in the early sixties. Most Brunswick literature had Willies Pictures as part of the sell.
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