Lets see if everyone can follow this; The Billiard Congress of America is a TRADE organization devoted to the busness success of it's members. This is in their mission statement.
The "Hall of Fame" is simply a list created by this trade organization. It is neither a physical museum or maintained by any non-affiliated group.
ANYONE can NOMINATE any player for the BCA HOF. The Hall of Fame committee then decides which nominees get on the ballot for that year.
Perhaps the fans should get to vote as well. Who knows? Don't the sports writers vote on the Baseball HOF? I have no idea. I know though that the BCA HOF is the only one that we have right now and people are on there who have never won a tournament solely for their business accomplishments. Those business successes also raised the general awareness of billiards. My new favorite saying - a rising tide lifts all boats. I guess the converse is that a hurricane destroys all boats as well
Earl is a special indivdual. He deserves the accolades and the critique as well. I think McEnroe was good for tennis in the same way that Earl is good for pool. But I want to watch Earl play conflict-free high level pool. I don't go to see Earl "crash". That kills the enjoyment for me. Y'all need to remember that his crashes have been very loud and public - at least within the billiard community (industry) and that plays a big part in how he is handled.
I applaud Earl for removing himself from the ballot. He is definitely a man of principles. Warped ones maybe, but ones that define him and that he sticks to.
Earl, I don't agree with a lot of what you say and do. I won't pay to watch you play anymore. But your play has always been an inspiration to me. To this day I will always start any match breaking from the same spot you did when you won the 1991 World Championship in Germany. I wish you all the rolls.
John Barton.