Drum Roll, Please...BCA Announces HOF Nominees

[JAM]

This just in...

The BCA has announced the candidates for its Hall of Fame:

Meritorious Service: Terry Bell/Larry Hubbart, Pat Fleming, and Mike Massey.

Greatest Players: Robin Bell-Dotson, Sang Lee, and Earl Strickland.

I like every single one of the choices. This is a toughie. Glad I don't have to vote, but if I did -- wow, I'm not sure. I like them all!

JAM

 

[Rude Dog]

This just in...

The BCA has announced the candidates for its Hall of Fame:

Meritorious Service: Terry Bell/Larry Hubbart, Pat Fleming, and Mike Massey.

Greatest Players: Robin Bell-Dotson, Sang Lee, and Earl Strickland.

I like every single one of the choices. This is a toughie. Glad I don't have to vote, but if I did -- wow, I'm not sure. I like them all!

JAM

If I only got one vote, I'd vote for Robin. She beat me one time in a weekly tournament at Hard Times and the crowd went nuts. It was so cool She's always been such a nice lady, always a smile on her face, and eager to answer any questions someone may have. So, my vote goes for her. Not to take anything away from the other nominees, I'm sure they also deserve to be in. Peace to all, John.

 

[JAM]

If I only got one vote, I'd vote for Robin. She beat me one time in a weekly tournament at Hard Times and the crowd went nuts. It was so cool She's always been such a nice lady, always a smile on her face, and eager to answer any questions someone may have. So, my vote goes for her. Not to take anything away from the other nominees, I'm sure they also deserve to be in. Peace to all, John.

Robin does have a strong pool portfolio, and she's definitely one of California's finest.

Robin pic with Earthquake, taken at Valley Forge earlier this year! Check out the frog in the background. Robin was displaying the Frog jump cue at the Super Billiards Expo, very reasonably priced, a great stick that does the trick. Hey, I'm a poet and don't know it!

JAM

 

[christyd]

Does anyone know why Robin quit competing on the WPBA?

 

[JAM]

Thank the Good Lord for Accu-Stats!

Pat Fleming is a great choice, too. A pioneer in the sport, he created Accu-Stats and got the ball rolling, and he's still providing great coverage of many major events, much to the delight of pool enthusiasts around the world.

Interestingly, I saw a collection of pool player cards at the recent Glass City Open with many familiar faces, and there was Pat Fleming the pool player on one of those cards!

I am not sure why "Terry Bell/Larry Hubbart" is listed as one nomination, kind of like a two-for-one choice.

Picture of Tom Gearhart, one of the Glass City Open promoters, and Pat Fleming on the right!

JAM

 

[JAM]

America's Pearl

A six-time world champion and five-time U.S. Open winner, I am glad to see Earl "The Pearl" Strickland's name on the nomination list.

Throughout history, the rare pearl, with its warm inner glow and shimmering iridescence, has been one of the most sought-after gems. You have to admit, Earl the Pearl does bring some color to the table, not to mention his topnotch pool-shooting capabilities. Whether he's wearing sports goggles or tape on his fingers, he is THE player folks seem to love to talk about.

Delaware's Finest Kevin West told me when he was a teenager, he went to the U.S. Open in Virginia and watched Earl Strickland practicing. Young Kevin initiated a conversation with him, which is a fond memory he enjoys sharing with folks to this day. Kevin still remembers the warmness and genuine good naturedness of The Pearl. Because of this brief interlude of Earl taking the time to sit down with an aspiring young player and exchange a few words of encouragement, Kevin West decided to pursue the game.

Congratulations to Earl Strickland. He is the real deal!

JAM

 

[JimS]

If I only got one vote, I'd vote for Robin. She beat me one time in a weekly tournament at Hard Times and the crowd went nuts. It was so cool She's always been such a nice lady, always a smile on her face, and eager to answer any questions someone may have. So, my vote goes for her. Not to take anything away from the other nominees, I'm sure they also deserve to be in. Peace to all, John.

I think Pat Fleming will get the nod and I think Sang Lee will get the player nod. I also like these choices.

 

[sjm]

This just in...

The BCA has announced the candidates for its Hall of Fame:

Meritorious Service: Terry Bell/Larry Hubbart, Pat Fleming, and Mike Massey.

Greatest Players: Robin Bell-Dotson, Sang Lee, and Earl Strickland.

I like every single one of the choices. This is a toughie. Glad I don't have to vote, but if I did -- wow, I'm not sure. I like them all!

JAM

Bravo if they induct Strickland, for a BCA Hall of Fame without Earl is unworthy of our serious consideration. The election of Pat Fleming should be nearly as obvious, but I concur with most in this thread that all the nominees have nice credentials and that all merit serious consideration for election. Here's wishing each and every one of them good luck.

On a final note, I reckon I have attended close to fifty WPBA events in my life. The only time I ever witnessed a player break and run five racks in a row in women's pro nine ball was when Robin Dodson did it at the Brunswick New York Classic in 1996. A player that influenced Robin in her early playing days was the late Larry Lisciotti, and Larry would have been very proud of her today.

 

[recoveryjones]

A six-time world champion and five-time U.S. Open winner, I am glad to see Earl "The Pearl" Strickland's name on the nomination list.


Congratulations to Earl Strickland. He is the real deal!

JAM

If Earl doesn't get in, the whole Hall of Fame is a big joke as far as I'm concerned. SIX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS and FIVE US OPENS !!!! That's ELEVEN MAJOR TITLES.

That's like a tennis player winning 6 Wimbeldon's and 5 US Opens or like a golfer winning 6 British Opens and 5 US Opens. It's a freakin' joke. In any other sport Earl would have been in on the very first ballet. Hell Tiger Woods has only won 8 majors and if he retired tommorow he'd get into golfs Hall of Fame.


Sure enough Earl is hated by many for his antics. But were Ty Cobb in baseball or John McInroe in tennis nice people....I think not. Is Barry Bonds going to be kept out of the Hall of Fame?....I think not.

Love him or hate him, Earl deserves in the Hall of Fame, RJ

 

[X Breaker]

I met Earl in Vegas during the expos in 2004. We asked a stranger to take a picture for us. Afterwards, Earl took the time to check the picture to see if it was acceptable. He then asked the person to take another one for us saying the first one was too small. The picture was only for me to keep--it really did not matter to him whether it was good or not--but he still took the effort to make sure it was done right.

Earl went to a poolhall in Taiwan to practice a few years back before a big event. Fans went nuts and wanted his autograph while he was trying to practice. Earl not only took his time with the fans, he actually had a stack of laminated head shots in his bag that he had prepared to give out to his fans for free!

When Earl played on TV, it is sad that none of these moments got reported.

I also like Robin Dodson very much. She is truly an asset to the sport. She may not be as good a player as Earl; but she has contributed a lot and it would be nice to see her receive this honor. Robin has inspired and influenced a lot of players whom we see competing on the WPBA nowadays.

JAM, thank you for all the pictures and for drawing our attention to this. I agree that it is a tough choice.

Isn't it nice to have so many colorful and wonderful characters in the sport of billiards?

Richard

 

[Bob Romano]

Hummm... I get to vote! What to do what to do!!

LOL, I have my pick done.

Hey JAM ~ Happy New Year my friend!

Eydie

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

It's an interesting selection. In all fairness, all three are unique in regards to their achievements. HOWEVER, I personally think Sang Lee MUST get this award. Without any argument, Sang Lee was the greatest 3-cushion player of our time. He was a 12 time national champion and easily the dominant force in 3-cushion. Let me say that again. He won the National Championships from 1990 to 2001. He won ALL OF THEM. That achievement alone seperates him from the rest.

I have the utmost respect for Robin and Earl. In fact, I honestly believe Earl Strickland is one of the 3 greatest pool players on the planet. But when you consider the work Sang Lee put into the game, his devotion beyond his play and his accessability to those that decided to take up billiards as a hobby, you MUST vote for him.

If there is one thing I will always regret is that I didn't get the chance to see him play more than a few times. The hour train ride always seemed a little far and I never thought there wouldn't be a next time. He was an incredible pleasure to watch. His play was pure genius. His selection this year would not only be well deserved, it would also be appropriate in consideration of his recent passing. Earl and Robin will deservedly make the Hall of Fame. I'm absolutely sure of that but now is the time to induct Sang Chun Lee - The Greatest Three-Cushion Player of our generation.


Jude M. Rosenstock

 

[parvus1202]

Since I am not from the USA, I only know Earl from among the nominees. But what are the criteria for choosing nominees? Is it winning too many tours or inspiring young players and a good ambassador of the game? I think Parica should be included. Just my opinion.

 

[JAM]

Since I am not from the USA, I only know Earl from among the nominees. But what are the criteria for choosing nominees? Is it winning too many tours or inspiring young players and a good ambassador of the game? I think Parica should be included. Just my opinion.

I do agree, Parvus1202, about Jose "Amang" Parica. His list of titles is lengthy, and he's still competing and attends every event within his reach. Matchroom Sport thought enough of Jose's accomplishments that he was invited to the recent World Pool Championship in Taiwan, along with Earl Strickland. Even though Jose was "ranked" high enough to attend the WPC, the current ranking system currently in use in the United States didn't provide any benefit to Jose because of his citizenship.

One person missing from the bunch, IMO, is Allen Hopkins. Every single one of his peers during the height of Allen's pool-playing career is in the Hall of Fame: Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Jim Rempe, Mike Sigel. Omitting Allen's good name as a nominee, year after year, is curious (IMO).

The criteria, Parvus, for the GREATEST PLAYER is this: "The Greatest Player category shall be reserved for outstanding players who have been active in national or international competition for at least 20 years and have won at least one national or international championship." All three of the above-mentioned nominees for the GREATEST PLAYER category fit the bill.

Earl Strickland is an AMERICAN pool phenom. The six-time world championships and five-time U.S. Open wins only represent the tip of the ice berg when he comes to The Pearl's portfolio. If there was EVER a player worthy of consideration, and acceptance, by the Billiard Congress of AMERICA for their hall of fame, it is Earl.

JAM

 

[JAM]

Inquiring mind seeks info

I took a long hiatus from pool and am not familiar with the accomplishments of "Terry Bell/Larry Hubbart." I would be interested to learn from others in the know about their contributions to the sport and accomplishments.

Thanks in advance!

JAM

 

[sjm]

Without any argument, Sang Lee was the greatest 3-cushion player of our time. He was a 12 time national champion and easily the dominant force in 3-cushion. Let me say that again. He won the National Championships from 1990 to 2001. He won ALL OF THEM. That achievement alone seperates him from the rest.

This simply isn't true. First of all, winning the US national championship is not that tough, and Sang won exactly one world three cushion championship. Any tournament in which the five European legends Raymond Ceulemans, Thorbjorn Blomdahl, Semih Sayginer, Dick Jaspers, and Fred Caudron, are disallowed from participation cannot be considered a first tier event. Sang was no better than one of the best of his day. You are probably the only person I've ever heard suggest that Sang played a better game of billiards than his contemporary Thorbjorn Blomdahl, who is almost surely the best that ever played three cushion.

 

[sjm]

...One person missing from the bunch, IMO, is Allen Hopkins. Every single one of his peers during the height of Allen's pool-playing career is in the Hall of Fame: Buddy Hall, Nick Varner, Jim Rempe, Mike Sigel. Omitting Allen's good name as a nominee, year after year, is curious (IMO).

Darn right, JAM. For my money, Allen is such an obvious choice that his omission from the nominations IS curious. I'm sure his day will come.

 

[JAM]

Does anyone know why Robin quit competing on the WPBA?

ChristyD, I only met Robin once at the Super Billiards Expo. Keith and I were milling around the vendor booths, checking out the wares, and when Keith laid eyes on Robin and vice versa, two broad smiles sprang across their faces. They grew up in the same neck of the woods in California. She is very personable, and her booth was very popular with the fans.

It is only recently, because of the strong endeavors of the WPBA, that the lady champions are finally prominent in today's pool world. I can remember years ago reading about Dorothy Wise, the first lady admitted to the BCA HOF, and quite frankly, I didn't know too much about her. The opportunities available to women in Dorothy Wise's era weren't too plentiful.

Today's women players enjoy a much different environment, especially their strong presence on American TV. Again, I believe they have made great strides because of the WPBA. I was very much impressed that the recent BCA Open first-place purse of $15,000 was the same for the women as the men. Years ago, the ladies played for peanuts, but this is all changing, and rightfully so. Players like Robin Bell-Dodson stuck it out during the hard times of yesterday and have led the way. She's definitely one of the great ones!

Robin Bell-Dodson's website

JAM

 

[catscradle]

...Thorbjorn Blomdahl, who is almost surely the best that ever played three cushion.

I agree Sang Lee was NOT of the same caliber as Blomdahl, but I really hate these "best ever" statements about any sports figure. The equipment changes over the years, the knowledge increases, etc. You just can't compare today's greats with yesterday's greats, it just isn't fair to either. JMHO

 

[hemicudas]

The APA

I took a long hiatus from pool and am not familiar with the accomplishments of "Terry Bell/Larry Hubbart." I would be interested to learn from others in the know about their contributions to the sport and accomplishments.

Thanks in advance!

JAM

They founded the APA, JAM. Larry Hubbart was as good as anyone in the late 70s. Terry Bell had a chance to beat anyone on a given day. The reason they are in consideration though is because the BCA and the APA are GOOD friends.