earl spanked 5-0 in local tourney

[AZE]

Tell your boy congrats on the win, it is a good win no one can take that away.... that being said... I've seen I don't know how many 5 packs ran in my life... some by players that aren't even all that good.

 

[hippiepool]

It's funny this should come up.

Last night I was gambling some 9-ball, races to 5, $20 a set.

Very first set I lose the coin flip. My opponent broke the balls dry. I ran out. Then I broke and ran out the next four in a row. It was the first time I had ever ran out a full set. Wish I would have won the flip!

Regardless, my opponent went full tilt, didn't make a ball the next set, and quit stuck $40.

I also failed to mention that my opponent was at least 1 or 2 skills levels above me. But playing someone better always motivates me to step it up and play my best. And it also showed me that even though someone is "supposed" to win, doesn't mean they always do.

Everyone tilts at a certain point.

Pool Loft Dave

nice shootin dave ! .....puttin a "4" on someone is impressive , whatever the circumstances .....congrats , H.P.

 

[hippiepool]

I think this post pretty much puts the nail in the coffin of this thread.

After reading this post, the other by JimS, it would seem to me that any additional piling on by ANY poster would be mean-spirited and would not be respected by any rational member of this forum.

Thanks for your valuable information. I don't ever recall hearing this information before.

Hopefully, we can all continue to grow as human beings by showing tolerance and respect for this truly great player.

RG, your post and final sentence was one of the best that I have ever read on this forum.

JoeyA

I was about to post that he appeared to be bi-polar........, then i read your reply to nyc cue dude's post.........I have had two friends who we're b.p. , and also played pool , and can relate to this , hopefully he can be a positive example to others in the future ...

 

[wayne]

Jims was right, even though his post was probably more speculation than anything else. At the very least, it was incredibly astute.

2 years ago at the mosconi cup (perhaps 3, it was in europe) a female writer sat down with earl to interview him. The beggining of their conversation started "off the record" and in very close proximity to a handful of other participating players. The writer had just asked earl how he was feeling, and earl answered as if the two where on a deserted island, all but forgetting his surroundings. He answered that he was feeling better after a recent change in his medications from his doctor, stating that he was being treated for bi-polar disorder. The player who recounted the story told me that the comments were made in all seriousness.

Anyone who has any exposure at all to how mental illnesses affect people, can easily see how some of earl's behaviors can be attributed to this. I have spoken with earl many times, and have always sensed that he is paranoid and can vacilate to radical extremes quickly, between being the "charming" earl or the "protective, defensive and aggresive" earl.

I am no defender of earl, nor his friend, but as a human being, I feel compelled to show this fellow human, dignity and grace, even at times when it is beyond his ability to do the same.

rg

Some of the listed side effects from anti-depressants might be a factor also:

such as nervousness, anxiety, poor concentration, agitation, hallucinations, delusions, hostility, confusion.

 

[Paul Mon]

Earl told me personally, and I love the words he used. "A cab driver can beat me breaking from the rail". Great players can be beat by good players playing great. What happened to Earl is 9 ball at it best (worst) anyone can win the short race.

Paul Mon~~~~has played great, but not a great player

 

[poolmouse]

Earl is definitely a damaged human being, as much as any alcoholic or drug addict. Should he be allowed to participate in professional events in his condition. I for one, think not. It is not fair to subject his opponents and the audience to his anti-social behavior.

very well said

 

[Ron Cook]

Our heritage ......

Why would that give anyone the right to start bashing him or anybody else in that situation? Is that how we want to treat the greats of our sport? Once they've served what we percieve as their usefulness, we "discard" them as people and diminish or forget their great accomplishments. In most sports, the old time greats are venerated.

Earl is part of our heritage. What would we do without, Earl, Keith Mc Cready, Ronnie Allen, Minnesota Fats, Bucktooth, Alex, Mosconi, Efren who is "always lucky" and the "Fat Man" Jackie Gleason. Don't forget Fast Eddie/Paul Newman, Vince & Carmen, and the list goes on & on.

Where would pool be without some of these folks? Pool would be very boring without them. Especially Carmen, who said to Vince "If you win another game you will be stroking your fist for the next 6 months." Just think, what was Vince thinking the next game he was about to play? No wonder Earl is having such hard time trying to make it through a divorce, with no support system other than a cue ball and a stick, it just does not take the place of a good woman/wife.

As players and fans of the game we all make up the sport of pool, and as I see it you never know what will happen next? Just look at the "Knight in shining armor" Kevin Trudeau, we can't leave him out, where would pool be without him and his money?? Ha, Ha!

Pool is a daily changing sport and we need all the icons we can get to take us where we are headed. Hopefully, that place will be a place of both excitment and prosperity with the opportunity where we can enjoy and excel in the sport we all love.

 

[JimS]

I advocated leaving Earl alone to the extent that we don't bash him because of his apparent mental imbalance. I wasn't talking sympathy, I'm talking empathy. Accept the person but NEVER accept unacceptable, antisocial, behavior.

I also agree 100% with Jay that Earl needs to experience consequences based on his unacceptable antisocial behavior. I was witness to some of his unwarranted antics in St. Charles Il. a few years ago when he went off on John Hennessee for no reason. That was my 10 and 12 yr old grandsons first exposure to professional pool. I had a lot of explaining to do. They STILL talk about "that crazy mean guy".

 

[daniel]

This reminds me of an old story of Horace Harper playin Eddie Taylor in a snooker tournament & Eddie commits a necktiefoul when on the colours. Horace runs out & goes home believing he beat Eddie. Long story short he beat every livin human playing 9 ball. My friend Sweet Thing had Mataya there & Horace dusted him only because he believed he beat Eddie in this Snooker event. Go figure!

 

[poolmouse]

I advocated leaving Earl alone to the extent that we don't bash him because of his apparent mental imbalance. I wasn't talking sympathy, I'm talking empathy. Accept the person but NEVER accept unacceptable, antisocial, behavior.

I also agree 100% with Jay that Earl needs to experience consequences based on his unacceptable antisocial behavior. I was witness to some of his unwarranted antics in St. Charles Il. a few years ago when he went off on John Hennessee for no reason. That was my 10 and 12 yr old grandsons first exposure to professional pool. I had a lot of explaining to do. They STILL talk about "that crazy mean guy".

earl needs to walk away from the game and deal with his mental disorders. when (and if) he returns and is able to control his behavior, i'll be a fan again. until then i view him as a thorn in the sport's side.

poolmouse

 

[cuejoey]

Earl will always be known for the great player he was/is....i am wondering and i hope i am wrong but he mentioned last year about his hand tremblimg..the only thing i can think of that does that is the start of MS...i hope i am wrong...but perhaps he is struggling with that and is frustrated by the condition getting worse..if he does have a condition to prevent him from playing he will be a great teacher of pool playing..