vagabond said:
I always believed and I still believe that the PURITONIC values America has embraced have negative influence on pool.I strongly believe that this is the main reason for not getting sponsorship from Non pool industries and corporations.I strongly believe that no body is going to admitt that their opinions on pool are influenced by puritonic values.I strongly believe that many Americans do not realize how much they are being influenced by Puritonic values in day to day living.
I think you hit the nail on the head, Vagabond.
vagabond said:
Jimmy Mataya has always been my most favorite player. I rather watch a match between Jimmy M v Keith McCready than Efren V Ralph Souquet.
Funny you should mention that!
Were you at the '03 Open? Keith McCready was playing a colorful player, but it wasn't Jimmy Mataya. It was Alex Pagulayan.
Efren Reyes was there, but he wasn't playing Ralf Souquet. It was Francisco Bustamante, two of the most famed players in the world were battling it out on the TV table.
Alex and Keith were playing their winners' bracket match on a side table. I was sweating bullets sitting on the rail, knowing how strong Alex plays. The two of them began to chatter between shots, and it seemed to attract the attention of spectators. Mid match during the race to 11, the colloquy continued, and though I was cringing with each word that came out of Keith's mouth, it seemed like everybody else in the joint was hanging onto every word out of Keith's and Alex's mouths respectively.
My most vivid memory of the match, sitting next to a chuckling Buddy Hall, was seeing Marcus Chamat across the arena, way high up in the alps. He was laughing so hard, he fell out of his seat. Even Efren and Bustie were watching The Alex and Keith Show. The TV crew decided to postpone recording the TV table match because the crowd began to roar inside the conference center, and all eyes were on Alex and Keith. Everybody was laughing and having a good time, except me.
Alex was so funny, which is why he is loved around the world. Everybody enjoys seeing Alex play, not only because of his skills set on the table, but he's a real person, one who isn't afraid to show a little emotion. Keith, who adores the fans, really got caught up in the excitement. When he feels the audience's energy, he goes into turbo charge. He actually plays better when he is himself. My heart beat fast, as I watched Keith dance around the table with his happy feet, chirping like a canary. It was anybody's game, and it went down to the wire. Keith was VERY LUCKY to have won this match, IMHO!
Pool has a conservative side, the "PURITONIC values" as you say, but it also has a liberal side, which for some may be the entertainment aspect of it. I don't know what the right mix is, but in order for pool to be a spectator sport, it needs to attract more interested parties which hopefully could include sponsors.
Picture of Alex and Keith at the 2003 U.S. Open. The next year, Alex "The Lion" Pagulayan roared loudly when he won the 2004 World Pool Championship!
JAM