CJ WIley Playing John Schmidt

The Woim said:
A quick $5,000 for John Schmidt in 39 minutes of work... Great! That John can really turn it on - why the "*&%*##" didn't he turn it on at the World Straight Pool Championship??? We who love John know why.

A $5,000 payday? Why can't John start upgrading his wardrobe and start playing with a really high end custom cue and look like a real Jim Dandy pool player ala Ralph Greenleaf?

You can buy a really nice pair of dress shoes for $275-$500. Why doesn't John buy four or five pair now?

Let's all encourage our pro players to start bringing some dignity to this game! Bring dignity to pool by dressing right and playing with custom cues.

Add it up:
- suit, tie and dress shirt = $650
- 4 pairs of great shoes = $1300
- great custom cue = $1500
-Increase in the dignity of pool = Priceless!!!

John (and many other top money players) will collect another $5000 in a few more days, but the shoes and the custom cue will last years. The increase in dignity to our beloved game will have added value for decades!

I can't say it enough but it's time for this sport to be occupied by grown ups who dress right and conduct themselves with dignity and a touch of class. In the world of pool, playing with a custom cue is dignity ne plus ulra.

I will not comment on smell because from where I am, John may have been wearing a high quality cologne but that's another post. :D

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim
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my GOD i hope this is a joke... anyone that spends 275-500 on a pair of shoes has WAY to much money and (IMO) is an idiot for wasting that much money on shoes...

oh yea... and 1500 for a nice custom "high end" cue??? have you been drinking?
 
rack'em zach'em said:
Actually John was dressed fine...He was wearing a polo with Golf Shorts and a pair of Nike shox...It went well with his Jack Justis Case..If you play that damn good you can play in your boxers for all I care...low class but great pool...

CJ wore his typical Jeans and T-Shirt, but I think it was Armani so yeah ummm oh well....lol...If I was playing for $5,000 I would want to wear what ever made me compfortable..

Rack'em
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Thanks for this. Absolutely play pool (especially for big bucks) in what makes you comfortable.
 
$275 or so isn't that outrageous for shoes. A nice pair of ECCO shoes can run as much but you get great looks, style, and comfort as well as a shoe that will last longer than your feet do.

As far as dress code, I was just on Thorsten's website (thanks Blackjack) and he really brings a level of style and class to the table every time.

With regards to comfort, that is very individual. I spend my day in a suit and tie so for me, just lose the tie and I am as comfy as I want to be. For some they would feel constricted. That's up to the player.

I definitely think that if pool and tournaments would become a little more strict about the dress code it would rub off on the perceived "element" which is the stereotypical pool player. Imagine, if you will, people walking into a pool room to see a room full of well dress, groomed players quietly going about their duties. I would bet the average joe asks if there is a work party going on. Most would not imagine that to be a pool tournament.

I don't think that taking it as far as the pro snooker players do is the answer, although it would definitely cause a stir, but you must admit that the social views on snooker vs pool are very different and perhaps the publics perception is easily affected by what they see on television.

You watch pro snooker and all the players are in bow ties and vests and dressed to the nines, whereas you watch the US Open and muliple champion Earl Strickland shows up in a tacky sweater, Gabe Owens has his shirt untucked, and everyone was wearing running shoes with few exceptions. Perhaps if the whole event can't have a strict dress code the television table should such that the general public could begin to see the class of the players as being more that what is stereotypically expected.
 
The Woim said:
A quick $5,000 for John Schmidt in 39 minutes of work... Great! That John can really turn it on - why the "*&%*##" didn't he turn it on at the World Straight Pool Championship??? We who love John know why.

A $5,000 payday? Why can't John start upgrading his wardrobe and start playing with a really high end custom cue and look like a real Jim Dandy pool player ala Ralph Greenleaf?

You can buy a really nice pair of dress shoes for $275-$500. Why doesn't John buy four or five pair now?

Let's all encourage our pro players to start bringing some dignity to this game! Bring dignity to pool by dressing right and playing with custom cues.

Add it up:
- suit, tie and dress shirt = $650
- 4 pairs of great shoes = $1300
- great custom cue = $1500
-Increase in the dignity of pool = Priceless!!!

John (and many other top money players) will collect another $5000 in a few more days, but the shoes and the custom cue will last years. The increase in dignity to our beloved game will have added value for decades!

I can't say it enough but it's time for this sport to be occupied by grown ups who dress right and conduct themselves with dignity and a touch of class. In the world of pool, playing with a custom cue is dignity ne plus ulra.

I will not comment on smell because from where I am, John may have been wearing a high quality cologne but that's another post. :D

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim
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Woim, you can get a job as the "dresser" for pool players. I'm sure you will be in great demand and make a lot of money helping them with their wardrobe. Pool needs a few Woims to clean it up. Thanks for stepping up to the plate and doing your part to make pool better.

I'll bet you look magnificent and elegant every day. I'd love to see you in all your sartorial splendor. By the way, what's a "woim"?
 
I always dressed as close to everybody else in the place I was playing that night. I liked to blend in:D Johnnyt
 
jay helfert said:
Woim, you can get a job as the "dresser" for pool players. I'm sure you will be in great demand and make a lot of money helping them with their wardrobe. Pool needs a few Woims to clean it up. Thanks for stepping up to the plate and doing your part to make pool better.

I'll bet you look magnificent and elegant every day. I'd love to see you in all your sartorial splendor. By the way, what's a "woim"?
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my thoughts exactly... i love how the rail beaters always find a way to slam a player...

and by the way, John ALWAYS is dressed nicely... i believe he is known as one of the best dressed in the sport.
 
rack'em zach'em said:
Yes, it was Juan....very sick...CJ never really even had a chance when a guy gets the rolls he gets the rolls..when he missed CJ never really had a shot...I'm still in shock that it only lasted 39 minutes...
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Lucky rolls will do it every time in that game of 9 ball. They should have played 10 ball.
JoeyA
 
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PoolSponge said:
Imagine, if you will, people walking into a pool room to see a room full of well dress, groomed players quietly going about their duties. I would bet the average joe asks if there is a work party going on. Most would not imagine that to be a pool tournament....

Gabe Owens has his shirt untucked, [The Woim's note: Danny Basavich dresses like he works as an auto mechanic :( ] and everyone was wearing running shoes with few exceptions. Perhaps if the whole event can't have a strict dress code the television table should such that the general public could begin to see the class of the players as being more that what is stereotypically expected.
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Jay and Action Hound, if you're a bum and you dress like a pig people don't have to even give it a second thought to know what you are. If you are a bum but you dress up and play with a Szam, then maybe you're actually not a bum.

When you dress up and conduct yourself like a gentleman, most people will give you the benefit of the doubt. When you're a top money player like Gabe Owens and you wear your shirt untucked, well; that's too sloppy to conceive. It's time for an image change, kids. :)

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim
 
The Woim said:
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Jay and Action Hound, if you're a bum and you dress like a pig people don't have to even give it a second thought to know what you are. If you are a bum but you dress up and play with a Szam, then maybe you're actually not a bum.

When you dress up and conduct yourself like a gentleman, most people will give you the benefit of the doubt. When you're a top money player like Gabe Owens and you wear your shirt untucked, well; that's too sloppy to conceive. It's time for an image change, kids. :)

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim
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have you ever seen John??? based on your comments you have no clue what your talking about... he may not be dressed in 500$ shoes and a tux but he is always dressed very presentable, and for someone to call him a "bum" as you put it is rediculous.

from now on please check on what you dont know about before you comment.

but on another note since your so much better than these guys why dont you go out and buy them all a new wardrobe... i think 10 tux's and 5 pairs of these 500$ shoes should be enough... you should just email them and get there sizes.
 
Your image is the way your portray yourself on and off the pool table in the room..Wearing your shirt untucked is hardly classless..by the way Gabe had his shirt tucked in at the Texas Open..
 
smashmouth said:
woim is way out of line here
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WHAT???? no way man... everyone should have a 10k outfit on every time they step up to the pool table... afterall everyone can afford to spend that kind of money for an outfit. :rolleyes:
 
The Woim said:
[/I]

Jay and Action Hound, if you're a bum and you dress like a pig people don't have to even give it a second thought to know what you are. If you are a bum but you dress up and play with a Szam, then maybe you're actually not a bum.

When you dress up and conduct yourself like a gentleman, most people will give you the benefit of the doubt. When you're a top money player like Gabe Owens and you wear your shirt untucked, well; that's too sloppy to conceive. It's time for an image change, kids. :)

Yours Very Truly,
The Woim
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I'm going to take a moment and explain something to you woim. And it goes like this. When you clean up the environment, people act accordingly. That's human nature. If you build a real nice poolroom, most people will realize it is a place to dress nicely when they go there. If you put on a high class tournament, players will dress appropriately as well.

Did you happen to go to any IPT events? The players were playing in nice venues for significant money (at least they thought they were). They all looked good, dressed to the nines.

If you have a poolroom or a tournament that is held in a run down poolroom or lower quality hotel, players will also dress accordingly. Again, that is human nature.

Just remember, if you think of something first, it becomes your responsibilty. So from now on, you are responsible for how the players look. It is up to you to make sure they all look good. You may have to cut loose of some of the millions that you use to buy your clothes, and buy a few things for players who are not so well heeled.

I for one, would appreciate seeing how you dress on a daily basis. Perhaps a few photos of yourself in your thousand dollar ensembles would be a motivating factor for other players to see.
 
A guy i used to work told me I should wear a cape when I played. Because it's not uncommon for people to lose in pool tournaments but to lose to someone wearing a cape would be something to see.

He kept telling me to keep wearing a cape and everyone would show up to watch me play and win wearing a cape.

Funny guy... I dont wear a cape though :D
 
jay helfert said:
I'm going to take a moment and explain something to you woim. And it goes like this. When you clean up the environment, people act accordingly. That's human nature. If you build a real nice poolroom, most people will realize it is a place to dress nicely when they go there. If you put on a high class tournament, players will dress appropriately as well.

Did you happen to go to any IPT events? The players were playing in nice venues for significant money (at least they thought they were). They all looked good, dressed to the nines.

If you have a poolroom or a tournament that is held in a run down poolroom or lower quality hotel, players will also dress accordingly. Again, that is human nature.

Just remember, if you think of something first, it becomes your responsibilty. So from now on, you are responsible for how the players look. It is up to you to make sure they all look good. You may have to cut loose of some of the millions that you use to buy your clothes, and buy a few things for players who are not so well heeled.

I for one, would appreciate seeing how you dress on a daily basis. Perhaps a few photos of yourself in your thousand dollar ensembles would be a motivating factor for other players to see.
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Here you go Jay - the WOIM in all his splendor. Fresh, dressed, like a million bucks!
 

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I understand what he is trying to do here. He may call out the wrong players, however, he does have a little bit of a point. Maybe if pool players in these bigger tournaments start dressing just a little nicer, maybe the "pool" image would start to get better.

I don't know how realistic this is. It's definitely hard to overcome the reputation that has been placed on pool over the years....I think it's more about getting more money into pool though. Once you do that, more people will take note.

I mean, look at poker....doesn't have a great outlook either, but you don't see poker players dressed up in fancy clothes. It's the money that gets the attention. People watch because it's something they could do....and there is a lot of money in it.

Also, the cues players use... Most of the time, you won't really notice for sure what they are, and the public person that likes watching pool and playing some won't even know that it's a custom.
 
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I saw a fellow a ways back in Virginia in June, 85 degrees, play a tourny wearing a FULL LENGTH leather coat and a leather hat. I am sure he was thinking this was a cool intimidating look and I was thinking "what a buttmunch"!
 
jay helfert said:
Did you happen to go to any IPT events? The players were playing in nice venues for significant money (at least they thought they were). They all looked good, dressed to the nines.
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I think it's important to recognize the difference between representing yourself, and representing the sport.

If you in a tourney, a PR gig or TV show, you are representing the sport and (IMO) you should take that into consideration. That is, you should at least give some thought to your outward appearance. Not to say you should wear an Armani or a Tux, but you should at least give some effort to put forth a good image.

If you are at the local hall, in your house, in the backroom, etc., I don't see any "obligation" to dress up. Besides, your clothes will just smell like smoke in 2 minutes anyway - and who needs a dry cleaning bill.

It is readily apparent that most people see themselves as representing only themselves, and they have no sense of obligation to the rest of the "world." This is more of a social commentary on the evolution of our sense of community (or lack thereof), rather than a reflection of an individual.

-td
 
I want to clarify something in case I hit a nerve. I in now way want to imply a lack of class regarding Gabe or Earl with respect to their attire. The point was simply that if Champions were seen dressing as they would like and comfortable then that is the image that people would maintain about them. I agree that John Schmitt is a very well dressed player and typically looks full of class and looks like he thought about what he was going to look like and the image he wanted to reflect upon the television audience as well as all in live attendance. That is an obvious plus on his character. Again, I am not trying to belittle, insult, or question the integrity of any players, simply, I want people to consider that we as players understand what is comfortable given the long hours and usually uncomfortable surrounding that accompany a long tournament; however, the regular television view, the ones who the sponsors are trying to reach and positively affect, probably do not.

Jay, how many times as a commentator do you find yourself clarifying something on air which would be construed as simple to pool players, but, as a good commentator, you understand that chances are many watching are clueless. Herein lies the problem associated to our beloved sport and the need for increase support from sponsors. Given the chance to represent the sport in North America's largest ,and one of the most prestigeous events in the sport, many players appeared on television in an extremely casual state. In my mind this did a little to personalize them, sure, but moreover, it did little in the way of swaying naysayers into believing there is a new leaf in pool and the shady hustler lurking in pool halls is not as prevalent as it was 20 years ago. When we as a community shed that stereotype and present ourselves as "professionals", which I believe is the true nature of Woim's comments, and only then will we be able to see the sport grow through sponsorships and coincidentally, perhaps see more players make decent money through better endorsement deals.

Just my thoughts.
 
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