Countdown to Mosconi Cup

[MBTaylor]

Ratings excuse?

You mean just toss out the player with the highest winning percentage ever? The guy who'll pack EVERY seat during his match?

Matchroom Sports is built to make money....Earl guarantees $$$$$$ in thier pocket.


Is it that hard to figure out?

Earl is money in their pocket just like Howard Stern is money in Sirius' pocket.

They both bring in money because,
1) People will listen or watch becuase they love them, or
2) People who don't like them will watch or listen to see what kind of assinine thing they will do to prove their point(s) about them being jerks.

Personally, I think it would be more of #2 for either at this point, but that is just my opinion.:grin: :grin: :grin:

 

[bfdlad]

It's obviously not that hard to figure out since I said "ratings"... getting people to watch.

..and yes I mean toss out the guy you mentioned. The same guy that yells at the crowd, is belligerent towards his opponent, tells any entire foreign city "they suck", acts like a child by slamming his cue on the ground or throwing it.

Earl is an embarassment to the event and an embarassment to American pool and our country in general when he represents our nation in events like this and the WPC. When people from other countries think of American pool, the first person that pops into their mind should not be Earl. Unfortunately it probably is, and more then likely not for his current playing ability, not when there are others who are outplaying him that should be there in his place.

I agree with you on a couple of your statements. The fact remains the same, he still has a high win % and he still is a name that people want to see. I think we need more characters in the sport it may get more attention.
It you ever decide to put a world class event together with the mind to make money and you need to draw a gate, a tv audience etc you will find yourself putting Earl in the mix somewhere. It is business, and it is real easy to sit on the sidelines of a major pool production and critisize the format, teams or venue. Until you have YOUR $$ out there making something like the Mosconi cup happen I suggest you sit back and enjoy the show.
Something else you probably do not know, before Earl goes out to play his matches did you know that they loop on the bigscreens everytime Earl has got pissed off? everytime he has broken a cue? Before he gets out there the Euro crowd are wanting to get on him and do. I imagine you are a stand up guy, a professional I don't know this but I will assume. Now everytime you play pool in competition to make your living there is someone or two sat in the audience shrking you, calling you names, doing anything they can to get a reaction. Even the slightest reaction, and when you react even just a little all hell comes down on you for complaining. If this constantly happened to you do you think you would just sit there and take the abuse? or would you react? I know the answer already. Who are you by the way?? to have a go at him? have you ever reached the absoloute top of your profession? I am going to say that you are one of those who will sit and complain without all the facts. You just have an idea you have never thought it the whole way through and figured out WHY. Anyway, Earl is Earl hall of famer and one of the greatest pool players who ever lived. Yes he has his fault but I am sure you do too. Its just there is not a million or more people watching your faults as they do his. I'm Out

 

[Rick S.]

I agree with you on a couple of your statements. The fact remains the same, he still has a high win % and he still is a name that people want to see. I think we need more characters in the sport it may get more attention.
It you ever decide to put a world class event together with the mind to make money and you need to draw a gate, a tv audience etc you will find yourself putting Earl in the mix somewhere. It is business, and it is real easy to sit on the sidelines of a major pool production and critisize the format, teams or venue. Until you have YOUR $$ out there making something like the Mosconi cup happen I suggest you sit back and enjoy the show.
Something else you probably do not know, before Earl goes out to play his matches did you know that they loop on the bigscreens everytime Earl has got pissed off? everytime he has broken a cue? Before he gets out there the Euro crowd are wanting to get on him and do. I imagine you are a stand up guy, a professional I don't know this but I will assume. Now everytime you play pool in competition to make your living there is someone or two sat in the audience shrking you, calling you names, doing anything they can to get a reaction. Even the slightest reaction, and when you react even just a little all hell comes down on you for complaining. If this constantly happened to you do you think you would just sit there and take the abuse? or would you react? I know the answer already. Who are you by the way?? to have a go at him? have you ever reached the absoloute top of your profession? I am going to say that you are one of those who will sit and complain without all the facts. You just have an idea you have never thought it the whole way through and figured out WHY. Anyway, Earl is Earl hall of famer and one of the greatest pool players who ever lived. Yes he has his fault but I am sure you do too. Its just there is not a million or more people watching your faults as they do his. I'm Out

Tap...Tap!!

This fellow isn't worth your keystrokes....He's been riding Earl's ass from day 1.

100 says he can't run 4 balls.

Let him walk a mile in Earl's shoes....then talk. He'll be whistling out his ass, after.

 

[bfdlad]

Tap...Tap!!

This fellow isn't worth your keystrokes....He's been riding Earl's ass from day 1.

100 says he can't run 4 balls.

Let him walk a mile in Earl's shoes....then talk. He'll be whistling out his ass, after.

lol, I have never had a prob with him/her before. I actually think I have agreed with some posts but I'm not 100% on that.
Anyway you are right Rick. Don't make fun of people who can't make 4 balls actually even 3 balls in a row. Thats my speed :0

 

[real bartram]

I agree with you on a couple of your statements. The fact remains the same, he still has a high win % and he still is a name that people want to see. I think we need more characters in the sport it may get more attention.
It you ever decide to put a world class event together with the mind to make money and you need to draw a gate, a tv audience etc you will find yourself putting Earl in the mix somewhere. It is business, and it is real easy to sit on the sidelines of a major pool production and critisize the format, teams or venue. Until you have YOUR $$ out there making something like the Mosconi cup happen I suggest you sit back and enjoy the show.
Something else you probably do not know, before Earl goes out to play his matches did you know that they loop on the bigscreens everytime Earl has got pissed off? everytime he has broken a cue? Before he gets out there the Euro crowd are wanting to get on him and do. I imagine you are a stand up guy, a professional I don't know this but I will assume. Now everytime you play pool in competition to make your living there is someone or two sat in the audience shrking you, calling you names, doing anything they can to get a reaction. Even the slightest reaction, and when you react even just a little all hell comes down on you for complaining. If this constantly happened to you do you think you would just sit there and take the abuse? or would you react? I know the answer already. Who are you by the way?? to have a go at him? have you ever reached the absoloute top of your profession? I am going to say that you are one of those who will sit and complain without all the facts. You just have an idea you have never thought it the whole way through and figured out WHY. Anyway, Earl is Earl hall of famer and one of the greatest pool players who ever lived. Yes he has his fault but I am sure you do too. Its just there is not a million or more people watching your faults as they do his. I'm Out

i can run 5 balls and i think he is right there are other players who should take his place.

 

[JAM]

Very presence = shitty attitude.

There are a bunch of better qualified American players out there who would be a better choice.

And I get it Jam. I know its all about Matchroom wanting to get people to watch and make money, and that's shitty for all the other talent out there that should be in Earl's place.

There's a lot of shitty things in this pool world. One of them is pool folk who change their identities on pool forums as trolls and post vulgarities about other pool folk they don't like. Most of them can't play a lick, and their only contribution to the pool world is to hang out on pool forums and attack others with their multiple identities.

Their very presence is a shitty attitude in my opinion. What's worse is when they brag to their forum peers about how vulgar they were, how offensive they were when attacking another, copy and pasting the vulgarities and mean-spirited posts. Some people get their rocks off on this. Yep, their very presence is a shitty attitude for sure.

You don't like Earl. That's fine. There's a lot of people who don't, but there's a lot of people who do. Unfortunately for those who don't like Earl, there's not much they can do about it if the promoters who pay the big bucks for these pool events happen to like Earl.

 

[JAM]

I agree with you on a couple of your statements. The fact remains the same, he still has a high win % and he still is a name that people want to see. I think we need more characters in the sport it may get more attention.
It you ever decide to put a world class event together with the mind to make money and you need to draw a gate, a tv audience etc you will find yourself putting Earl in the mix somewhere. It is business, and it is real easy to sit on the sidelines of a major pool production and critisize the format, teams or venue. Until you have YOUR $$ out there making something like the Mosconi cup happen I suggest you sit back and enjoy the show.
Something else you probably do not know, before Earl goes out to play his matches did you know that they loop on the bigscreens everytime Earl has got pissed off? everytime he has broken a cue? Before he gets out there the Euro crowd are wanting to get on him and do. I imagine you are a stand up guy, a professional I don't know this but I will assume. Now everytime you play pool in competition to make your living there is someone or two sat in the audience shrking you, calling you names, doing anything they can to get a reaction. Even the slightest reaction, and when you react even just a little all hell comes down on you for complaining. If this constantly happened to you do you think you would just sit there and take the abuse? or would you react? I know the answer already. Who are you by the way?? to have a go at him? have you ever reached the absoloute top of your profession? I am going to say that you are one of those who will sit and complain without all the facts. You just have an idea you have never thought it the whole way through and figured out WHY. Anyway, Earl is Earl hall of famer and one of the greatest pool players who ever lived. Yes he has his fault but I am sure you do too. Its just there is not a million or more people watching your faults as they do his. I'm Out

Well said.

And by the way, in case I haven't said it today...
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Go, Earl, go.
USA, All the Way.
Go, Earl, go.
USA, All the way.

 

[shir]

alex' speech at the players reception yesterday.. Came in too late to get Varner's speech.. Sorry..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9eBWZwICB0

 

[Icon of Sin]

Tap...Tap!!

This fellow isn't worth your keystrokes....He's been riding Earl's ass from day 1.

100 says he can't run 4 balls.

Let him walk a mile in Earl's shoes....then talk. He'll be whistling out his ass, after.

I have not made any personal attack on you or BFDLAD. Why the personal attack onme? I can understand a disagreement. But come on?

 

[Icon of Sin]

There's a lot of shitty things in this pool world. One of them is pool folk who change their identities on pool forums as trolls and post vulgarities about other pool folk they don't like. Most of them can't play a lick, and their only contribution to the pool world is to hang out on pool forums and attack others with their multiple identities.

Their very presence is a shitty attitude in my opinion. What's worse is when they brag to their forum peers about how vulgar they were, how offensive they were when attacking another, copy and pasting the vulgarities and mean-spirited posts. Some people get their rocks off on this. Yep, their very presence is a shitty attitude for sure.

I hope you are not insinuating that I do this. I have used 1 and only screen name on this forum and all other pool related forums.

 

[Icon of Sin]

I agree with you on a couple of your statements. The fact remains the same, he still has a high win % and he still is a name that people want to see. I think we need more characters in the sport it may get more attention.
It you ever decide to put a world class event together with the mind to make money and you need to draw a gate, a tv audience etc you will find yourself putting Earl in the mix somewhere. It is business, and it is real easy to sit on the sidelines of a major pool production and critisize the format, teams or venue. Until you have YOUR $$ out there making something like the Mosconi cup happen I suggest you sit back and enjoy the show.
Something else you probably do not know, before Earl goes out to play his matches did you know that they loop on the bigscreens everytime Earl has got pissed off? everytime he has broken a cue? Before he gets out there the Euro crowd are wanting to get on him and do. I imagine you are a stand up guy, a professional I don't know this but I will assume. Now everytime you play pool in competition to make your living there is someone or two sat in the audience shrking you, calling you names, doing anything they can to get a reaction. Even the slightest reaction, and when you react even just a little all hell comes down on you for complaining. If this constantly happened to you do you think you would just sit there and take the abuse? or would you react? I know the answer already. Who are you by the way?? to have a go at him? have you ever reached the absoloute top of your profession? I am going to say that you are one of those who will sit and complain without all the facts. You just have an idea you have never thought it the whole way through and figured out WHY. Anyway, Earl is Earl hall of famer and one of the greatest pool players who ever lived. Yes he has his fault but I am sure you do too. Its just there is not a million or more people watching your faults as they do his. I'm Out

You make very good points...

The thing about Earl breakdown's being aired before he comes out was news to me. I am sure that is hard o deal with and must suck A LOT. However, this is not the only event that he has these tirades. I seen a video of him playing in the finals and the semis that used to be on propoolvideo.com. it was the 2006 Mizerak championship. He played Deuel in semis and lost too Saez in the finals. This was not an international event. This was in Florida ant Capones I beleive. There were no Europeans to heckle him and there was no lowlight reel played before he got to the table of him showing his ass.

Yet he still found reasons to cuss and have fits like he does. Still found reasons to yell at the crowd. Besides, do they show the lowlights of the other american players temper tantrums? Sure they get upset, but not like Earl does... and for them to start showing them must mean that he has done them before or is known for them.

Along the line of me, I'm no one of consequence. Just a pool player in Baltimore that enjoys the game. I would to consider myself a stand up guy and thank you for giving me the benefit of the doubt. I have not reached the top of my profession like Earl but I do not think that gives him a right to act the way he does. You don't see Corey or Rodney or Souquet or (insert world beater name here) acting the way he does. Sure I get upset when I miss a ball. I dont slam my shaft on the ground hard enough to split it. I dont throw my jump cue after I execute a perfect shot with it. I dont tell the entire poolhall that they suck.

Im not faulting Earl's playing skills. Earl plays better then I could ever hope to imagine... and it's great that an American holds the top Mosconi win percentage. I assume that is good reason to keep him on, however I really think that is not the real reason.

Now I know for a fact that I am not the only persont hat htinks this because I got multiple rep points commending me for my post, just others wont say anything. Which is fine. I can understand avoiding the argument. I am sorry I said anything now.

Now for an apology. BFDLAD, RICK S and JAM. I can see that you guys are big Earl fans. I owe you all an apology for the demeaning things I said about him and also for insuiating this argument. I would not like it if someone bahsed someone I look up too. However this is a forum and this place is fueled by opinions, that's why we all post here. My views on this matter have not changed. I will think twice next time before I share them though.

 

[SJDinPHX]

My take on "Earl the Pearl"

Not to try and act as a peace maker or moderator, but Icon, Rick S., Jam, and Bflad, have all made interesting comments regarding their allegience (or distaste) for Earl.
Earl may very well be the Mike Tyson or John Mac Enroe of pool.
All his supporter's should take a step back, and face the fact that Earl, like Tyson and Johnny Mac, could be the epitome of the "Ugly American". And we all know we are percieved that way in most foreign countries. I don't like it either, but
I certainly can agree with some of Icon's observations. For all his skill at the game of pool, he sometimes can work very hard at making you NOT like him.
That being said, is it any wonder that he is heckled, and derided in a forum such as the Mosconi Cup ?
His place in the world of pool is, without a doubt, unsurpassed. Does that entitle him to act the way he often does, when representing our country, or even just playing in a small regional tournament.
I truly envy the man's skill, and his dedication to the game. I only wish that all his follower's could find a way to tell him that all of his tirades and antics do NOT serve in HIS best interests.
Just a touch of humility and warmth, would make him a champion we could all be proud of.
But then, I guess that wouldn't make "The Pearl" as big a draw at the Mosconi Cup,would it ?

Dick

PS. For those who I consider my friends, I truely hope my observations haven't affected that friendship, but those are my true feelings on this subject.

 

[Ironman317]

earl is a great champion...no one will ever break his u.s. open record of 5 wins, but what you have to ask is this...currently, is he good for pool? and to answer this honestly, you have to factor in other facts than just ability. alot of players have great ability, but demeanor is a must. he would be representing our country...which pool has always struggled in. my honest answer would be...no earl. jmo.

 

[JAM]

Jerry Forsyth -- WOW!

I have read a lot of pool material in the past 7 or 8 years, but none have impressed me more so than Jerry Forsyth. I really like the way Jerry relays pool happenings.

Here's a cute story I snatched from the AzBilliards Main Page entitled "Mosconi Cup Pre-Flight," written by Jerry Forsyth. I like his style!

The flight to Malta was like most any other. Miserable. When our ?meal? was served the man beside me commented that at home he would not feed this to his dog for fear of being charged with cruelty. But we gagged it down in order to make the requisite sleep possible. After the trash was collected the lights were turned off in the cabin and we all looked forward to a doze.

This was when the infant in the first row first exploded. The screaming was horrendous and as loud as any ambulance siren. The parents found this quite entertaining and charming. They beamed as the banshee railed. My plan to duct tape a towel to his ass for a tail and put him in a cage to be taken downstairs with the rest of the beasts gradually met with more and more passenger favor as the devil seed continued to scream unrelentingly. A woman in the row ahead of me began passing out valiums to her fellow passengers, but even this could not allow sleep over the piercing screams. Finally the crew told the parents in no uncertain terms that the noise had gone on long enough and requested that the child and mother go into a bathroom until the little monster either quieted down or (better) died. The insulted mother stormed down the aisle and disappeared into one of the bathrooms.

Then the valiums hit us like ether and off I went, not to awake until the wheels touched down in Rome. A two-hour layover was spent searching for the Air Malta gate, then a brief hour flight to Malta. The Malta airport is very small and efficient. There is a passport control gate, but it was open and unmanned. In the three minutes or so it took us to get to the luggage carrier our bags were already arriving. Then through the again unmanned customs area, into a cab, and off to the Hilton.

Malta is beautiful. The seacoast varies from tall cliffs to sunlit beaches and areas where the sea slips into natural harbors filled with boats of every kind. Each of these harbors is surrounded by restaurants, shops and hotels. The Hilton itself is a simply magnificent place. The guest rooms are large, with verandas that overlook the sea, the pools and the palm trees. The bathrooms have showers and, my favorite bathtubs that are large enough to fill with hot water and stretch out in completely, even for six-footer. On arrival day the weather was perfect ? sunny, breezy and warm. We walked about the city, stopped in bookstores and gift shops and finally had a pizza on a stone deck above one of the harbors. Beneath us on the dock children fished and artists painted the scene. Truly, Malta is one of the prettiest places I have ever seen.

When evening came Matchroom Sport put on a welcoming get-together in one of the bars and the team captains, Nick Varner and Alex Lely, said a few words that were met with toasts and applause. Then it was back into the streets to roam the city in search of nightlife, a search that is easy enough as the whole place comes alive when the sun goes down.

Being tired from the trip and feeling somewhat older than the dirt beneath the cobblestones, I retired early and slept for ten hours straight. When I awoke the next morning the weather had changed considerably. The wind was howling, threatening the very existence of the palm trees that were swaying fervently in an effort to uproot. The hard rain gave way to hail and then settled into a downpour that has been continuous now for the entire day. Oh, well, no matter. The Hilton contains all we need. Shops, food, bars, and two practice rooms with Brunswick GC V?s for the players to practice on. All is well.

Tonight at 8 o?clock the work begins. Stan James has the odds at pick ?em and most everyone agrees that they have it correct. This match-up on paper is a coin flip. The winner will be determined by whichever team makes the fewer mistakes or gets the best rolls or some combination of the two. Both teams seem supremely confident, no one is ill and all seem to be on their games. This could be the best Mosconi Cup in history as it looks like it could be very close indeed.

AZBilliards will keep you up to date each day with these reports and I am certain there will be forum posters here as well. Stay with us as the action unfolds in Malta. And put Malta on your list of places to visit. The prices are low, the people are great, and the scenery is exotic and varied.

Man, does Malta sound inviting!

 

[JAM]

Lots of newspaper articles about the Mosconi Cup around the world, with the excepton of the American mainstream media that doesn't even mention the Mosconi Cup, pool's equivalent of golf's Ryder Cup.

InsidePOOL, Billiards Digest, and AzBilliards, of course, are providing round-the-clock updates.

Here's a great read from the Malta papers: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20081212/sport/europe-on-top-after-opening-day

Wow, look at the concentration on Team Europe!

 

[JAM]

Europe are holding a 3-1 advantage over the US after the opening day of the Mosconi Cup. The European quintet made of Tony Drago, Niels Feijen, Mark Gray, Miko Immonen and Ralf Souget dominated the first session.

Looks like Team USA is concentrating too, but unfortunately, they're benched in this snapshot!:sorry:

Look, there's everybody's favorite referee!

Picture courtesy of Luke Riches of Mathroom Sports.

 

[JimS]

earl is a great champion...no one will ever break his u.s. open record of 5 wins, but what you have to ask is this...currently, is he good for pool? and to answer this honestly, you have to factor in other facts than just ability. alot of players have great ability, but demeanor is a must. he would be representing our country...which pool has always struggled in. my honest answer would be...no earl. jmo.

You are absolutely right.

Some behavior's are correct some are incorrect and rude and inappropriate and unacceptable.

In competitive situations Earl has been guilty of frequently acting like an emotionally immature child. He has been made aware of this and yet he keeps it up.

He should be warned at the first sign of acting out his emotions and then if he allows himself to again act immaturely he should be disqualified for unprofessional behavior.

The tournament director or referee should have this power and their decision would be final.

It is obvious that his inclusion on this year's team is a marketing move and not a result of chooseing the players who have performed the best this last year, or the players who would make up the best team. Given this obvious fact then it is also obvious that this tournament is nothing more than a show, a sham, a circus. All tournaments such as this are for marketing purposes only. Ryder cup or Mosconi cup it's just a show put on to make a buck. Nothing wrong with that as long as people know and accept that.

 

[Rick S.]

What you guys fail to understand is Earl is encouraged to be a 'Bad Boy'. It's part of the 'show'. It's what sells tickets....just look at the way Matchroom hypes anything Earl does, or says. http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=47

Earl definitely dosen't need much help to go off on a tirade. But when it's encouraged....and happens, the ratings go thru the roof.

 

[bfdlad]

I have not made any personal attack on you or BFDLAD. Why the personal attack onme? I can understand a disagreement. But come on?

You took a personal shot at Earl and he wasn't around to defend himself, thats why you got personally attacked. When you did it to Earl was that ok?

 

[bfdlad]

Not to try and act as a peace maker or moderator, but Icon, Rick S., Jam, and Bflad, have all made interesting comments regarding their allegience (or distaste) for Earl.
Earl may very well be the Mike Tyson or John Mac Enroe of pool.
All his supporter's should take a step back, and face the fact that Earl, like Tyson and Johnny Mac, could be the epitome of the "Ugly American". And we all know we are percieved that way in most foreign countries. I don't like it either, but
I certainly can agree with some of Icon's observations. For all his skill at the game of pool, he sometimes can work very hard at making you NOT like him.
That being said, is it any wonder that he is heckled, and derided in a forum such as the Mosconi Cup ?
His place in the world of pool is, without a doubt, unsurpassed. Does that entitle him to act the way he often does, when representing our country, or even just playing in a small regional tournament.
I truly envy the man's skill, and his dedication to the game. I only wish that all his follower's could find a way to tell him that all of his tirades and antics do NOT serve in HIS best interests.
Just a touch of humility and warmth, would make him a champion we could all be proud of.
But then, I guess that wouldn't make "The Pearl as big a draw at the Mosconi Cup,would it ?

Dick

PS. For those who I consider my friends, I truely hope my observations haven't affected that friendship, but those are my true feelings on this subject.

SJD & Icon. Like I said also Earl had his faults, there is no getting around it. I am sorry if I went off on you but I hate people saying brutal things about players when they have no way to defend themselves.