Mike Sigel is a legend of pool, one of the greatest ever, but surely hasn't looked liked it in his IPT performances. After his performance against Loree Jon Jones, a sloppy effort camoufalged by a lopsided score, which I watched on TV yesterday morning, one would have predicted that he'd be no match at all for Efren unless Efren played at his lowest level.
And so, my question is, can Mike Sigel ever play great pool again?
NOT WILL HE, BUT CAN HE? THIS THREAD IS ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE, NOT ABOUT WHETHER MIKE WILL MAKE THE EFFORT.
Or, more generically, is a comeback possible at Mike's age after more than ten years away from competition?
Let's weigh some of the evidence that suggests he might:
1) Many of Mike's contemporaries have played superbly though well into their 50's (such as Hall, Varner, Reyes, Parica, Rempe and many others) and a few have played well even into their sixties (for example, Mike LeBron). Being over 50 isn't being over the hill in pool.
2) Mike has the pedigree. He is a proven champion.
3) Pool fans, including this one, would support him wildly if he began to get anywhere near his old form, which would help him succeed.
Let's weigh some of the evidence that suggests he can't:
1) Nobody I'm aware of has retired and returned to make a successful combeack in their 50's. Yes, Joe Balsis stopped competing at pro level for about twenty years after being a stellar junior player, but returned to pro competition in his early 40's, winning countless titles once he returned.
2) It is difficult to put in long hours at the practice table in your mid-50's. Stamina is an issue.
3) Mike would find it difficult to swallow if he lost to some shortstops or marginal pros in the process of regaining his game, and might be inclined to give up the fight if it played out that way.
So, I'm wondering, is a comeback even possible for Mike Sigel at this age? By a comeback, I mean becoming a top-twenty-in-the-world player. Not will he come back, but can he? Is it even conceivable?
And so, my question is, can Mike Sigel ever play great pool again?
NOT WILL HE, BUT CAN HE? THIS THREAD IS ABOUT WHAT'S POSSIBLE, NOT ABOUT WHETHER MIKE WILL MAKE THE EFFORT.
Or, more generically, is a comeback possible at Mike's age after more than ten years away from competition?
Let's weigh some of the evidence that suggests he might:
1) Many of Mike's contemporaries have played superbly though well into their 50's (such as Hall, Varner, Reyes, Parica, Rempe and many others) and a few have played well even into their sixties (for example, Mike LeBron). Being over 50 isn't being over the hill in pool.
2) Mike has the pedigree. He is a proven champion.
3) Pool fans, including this one, would support him wildly if he began to get anywhere near his old form, which would help him succeed.
Let's weigh some of the evidence that suggests he can't:
1) Nobody I'm aware of has retired and returned to make a successful combeack in their 50's. Yes, Joe Balsis stopped competing at pro level for about twenty years after being a stellar junior player, but returned to pro competition in his early 40's, winning countless titles once he returned.
2) It is difficult to put in long hours at the practice table in your mid-50's. Stamina is an issue.
3) Mike would find it difficult to swallow if he lost to some shortstops or marginal pros in the process of regaining his game, and might be inclined to give up the fight if it played out that way.
So, I'm wondering, is a comeback even possible for Mike Sigel at this age? By a comeback, I mean becoming a top-twenty-in-the-world player. Not will he come back, but can he? Is it even conceivable?