Earl Strickland/John Schmidt altercation at BCA

he's a f$&king hypocrite too, for all the talk he does about the crowd being quiet and having respect, he will babble up a storm if an unknown player gets him down in a match! my cousin, Josh Degler, got him stuck 10-7 going to 11 at the US open a few years ago, and he babbled the whole match telling him how lucky he is, and every other remark he could think of! needless to say he shit all over himself and got away with a 11-10 victory and then wanted to be friendly and shake hands!GO EARL"CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL" STRICKLAND! ashame someone can be equal parts good player and jackass!
 
instroke75 said:
my cousin, Josh Degler, got him stuck 10-7 going to 11 at the US open a few years ago, and he babbled the whole match telling him how lucky he is, and every other remark he could think of!
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I've seen Josh play a couple times. He's a hell of an offensive player. Seemed to have disdain for the safety game, though. It's a shame. America needs the dedication of the Europeans and Asians.
 
There are two things I think w/ this thread:

1) JS is a total champion on and off the table. Would never let himself get caught up in a mess like that. He even admitted it was loose in the back after all - even though he prob didn't have to (given earl's history). John would hate me to even mention this (because I know it makes him sick)... but when he missed that 9-ball in the Texas Hold'm 9-Ball event in the last rack, he DID in my opinion, conduct himself like a winner and a CHAMPION. If it were me, I may have had a MAJOR television meltdown and they would have had to switch to the colored bars and tone. Hey, I saw Jack Nicklaus flub a ball about 10 ft w/ a 3-wood at Congressional in front of a thousand spectators. It happens to everyone. He giggled, shook his head, walked up to the ball, and then hit a 1-iron stiff.

2) In regards to Earl, everyone is really really quick to torch-in Earl for his actions - because many of which are really rude and bizarre. I don't know Earl personally, nor do I know this for a fact, but I'm guessing he's manic depressive/bipolar. This has been discussed often with a number of people and I'm sure I'm not breaking news here.

I have a few friends with this mental illness (as well as my mother) and let me tell you this... some of the things they do they really have no control during a "moment" and things just happen and are said/done. It's like they're an actor in a movie and the show goes on. Usually, later on, they think about their actions and wish they hadn't happened, even while they're on medication. Earl doesn't want the world to loathe him, believe me.

I'd bet everything I have that he can't control it... just like you can't control a someone w/ Turrette's Syndrome--- they just blurt stuff out and are embarrassed later. The best way to describe it is "Fire...Aim...Ready" instead of "Ready...Aim...Fire." I've been around people with that my whole life and totally get-it. It took me 30 years to get it, but I do now. People say he was rotten since 19, and I'm guessing he was ill for that long. I'm not blindly supporting him or condoning his actions... because I've seen them too. I just "understand" a little more than the next person, maybe. With that said... I respect Earl. We'll probably never see anyone else with 5 US Opens in our lifetime. Everyone is quick to say the Filipinos are the best of all time... they don't have 5 between all of them. :)

Just my humble opinion...
 
SpiderWebComm said:
There are two things I think w/ this thread:

1) JS is a total champion on and off the table. Would never let himself get caught up in a mess like that. He even admitted it was loose in the back after all - even though he prob didn't have to (given earl's history). John would hate me to even mention this (because I know it makes him sick)... but when he missed that 9-ball in the Texas Hold'm 9-Ball event in the last rack, he DID in my opinion, conduct himself like a winner and a CHAMPION. If it were me, I may have had a MAJOR television meltdown and they would have had to switch to the colored bars and tone. Hey, I saw Jack Nicklaus flub a ball about 10 ft w/ a 3-wood at Congressional in front of a thousand spectators. It happens to everyone. He giggled, shook his head, walked up to the ball, and then hit a 1-iron stiff.

2) In regards to Earl, everyone is really really quick to torch-in Earl for his actions - because many of which are really rude and bizarre. I don't know Earl personally, nor do I know this for a fact, but I'm guessing he's manic depressive/bipolar. This has been discussed often with a number of people and I'm sure I'm not breaking news here.

I have a few friends with this mental illness (as well as my mother) and let me tell you this... some of the things they do they really have no control during a "moment" and things just happen and are said/done. It's like they're an actor in a movie and the show goes on. Usually, later on, they think about their actions and wish they hadn't happened, even while they're on medication. Earl doesn't want the world to loathe him, believe me.

I'd bet everything I have that he can't control it... just like you can't control a someone w/ Turrette's Syndrome--- they just blurt stuff out and are embarrassed later. The best way to describe it is "Fire...Aim...Ready" instead of "Ready...Aim...Fire." I've been around people with that my whole life and totally get-it. It took me 30 years to get it, but I do now. People say he was rotten since 19, and I'm guessing he was ill for that long. I'm not blindly supporting him or condoning his actions... because I've seen them too. I just "understand" a little more than the next person, maybe. With that said... I respect Earl. We'll probably never see anyone else with 5 US Opens in our lifetime. Everyone is quick to say the Filipinos are the best of all time... they don't have 5 between all of them. :)

Just my humble opinion...
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That's a very good post.

Don't forget the 6 World 9 Ball Championships also.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
some of the things they do they really have no control during a "moment" and things just happen and are said/done. ......

I'd bet everything I have that he can't control it... just like you can't control a someone w/ Turrette's Syndrome--- they just blurt stuff out and are embarrassed later. ..
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D,
You may well be correct. On the other hand, it is clear that he does not have Tourette's syndrome (known for uncontrollable outbursts of profanity, and uncontrollable repetitive tics and automatic behaviors).

I have never met a manic-depressive that was not very sorry about bad behavior after a manic episode ended. I am unaware of other mental disorders that could explain Earl's behavior (not to say they couldn't exist; but seems quite unlikely to me). Do we really have much evidence that Earl is upset with his behavior? I've heard a humorous, semi-apology at the Hall of Fame induction; I heard a semi-apology about the Mosconi Cup outburst; but little else from the hundreds of other incidents.

I guess I am still somewhat skeptical that he is not in control of his actions (though perhaps some episodes are out of his control). Many of the incidents I have witnessed show him to be very cool and calculating in his poor sportsmanship - very, very atypical of a manic state. It is of course our job as pool fanatics to speculate; otherwise I'd have to get back to work.

P.S. - In one of the largest mental hospitals in the world (Morganton, NC), they have a huge ward for the violent and criminally insane. Massive men in white coats patrol the halls. Every 10 feet or so along the hallways are huge signs that say, "Mental illness is NO excuse for bad behavior". An admirable sentiment that is true in a large majority of mental patients; but as you have correctly pointed out, not really true in all instances.

P.P.S. - I agree with your assessment of Earl's stature as a player. It is true in all sports that the fans always give WAY to much weight and importance to the current players. Any poll in any sport will always have way too many modern players listed as "the best." It is natural, because fans are most familiar with the current players; and it gives them a sense of excitement to think they are seeing "the best."

I remember after Michael Jordan was voted "the best player of all-time" by some magazine or other; I met with one of the legendary coaches who just laughed and said, "MJ was a great player; but would have a tough time even making the top 10 all-time; but as soon as half of your fans die, half of your reputation dies with them."
 
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lawl

I don't wanna disrespect your experience spider, you prolly know bipolar when you see it, but even if earl has a little of it... I think you're totally wrong on this one. Earl seems to pick and choose when to get upset, he doesn't just do it randomly even when everything's going great and nobody's bothering him.

When he doesn't respect a player, he'll talk the whole time (instroke's example). When he respects them, he might run his mouth during his own shots, but he stays dead quiet during the other guy's (remember when he was playing efren in the color of money match, and efren was .01 inches over the line for his break? Earl ranted about it throughout his own inning but never said a thing during efren's innings, over the course of over 200 games).

There's also evidence earl mouths off intentionally just to entertain people, not because he can't help himself. Check out this interview: http://www.azbilliards.com/interviews/earl3.html

But I'm a character. I'm playing a role here. This is like an important role as a character. I part of the pioneering of pool. Bringing audiences to the table to see this crazy character that shoots straighter than Dick Tracy and gets mad at the same time. When I first started playing, people loved me and they hated me. I could care less then. It was the greatest relationship you could ever have in a sport. It sold tickets, just like McEnroe did.
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strickland deserves a forum on azb,,and everyone can rant there.

call it "earl strickland: NOW what"

or these forum headers...
travels with earl

the strickland dialogues

strickland: now what!

earl: the reality show

you, me, and earl

oil da poil

the people vs earl

the state vs earl

the strickland manefesto

broken cue, broken spirit

save earl

don't save ear

why save earl

earl blog: me and my bud rasheed wallace
 
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Icon of Sin said:
By calling Earl the Phil Hellmouth of pool isnt really helping. Phil is a complete dick and totally full of himself. Sounds familiar.

Also, you cant say Earl "doesn't have many outburts". He has one of his fits or tirades almost every tournament it seems now. I wouldnt call it a high ticket item for those who are fans of the sport, pool players who want to see a match dont want to see a whiner go off and ***** about every little thing. They dont want to see a player insult the other player. they dont want to see a player threaten another player by raising his cue towards them. They dont want to see a player insult another players family just for being there watching.

Dont get me wrong, it makes for good tv and is great for the non pool playing audience to get them to stop on the channel as they are flipping through, but I dont think pool players watch pros play to see them get upset and whine and moan and call people names and act like a 10 year old.
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Considering you just basically re-posted what I said in your own words, I will just take it as you didnt fully read my posts =)
 
Williebetmore said:
It seemed like a blatant shark attempt; and John didn't say a word - just looked a little disgusted (my interpretation) and refused to take the bait.
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Earl went on to finish 17th in the event. As usual the only person Earl sharked was himself:rolleyes:
 
bruin70 said:
strickland deserves a forum on azb,,and everyone can rant there.

call it "earl strickland: NOW what"

or these forum headers...
travels with earl

the strickland dialogues

strickland: now what!

earl: the reality show

you, me, and earl

oil da poil

the people vs earl

the state vs earl

the strickland manefesto

broken cue, broken spirit

save earl

don't save ear

why save earl

earl blog: me and my bud rasheed wallace
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How did you come up with all them? :) What a great idea:eek:

No matter what side a person is on in this never ending debate, it's funny to what lengths it drives us to! That was some very clever posting.
 
I'm still laughing!!!

bruin70 said:
strickland deserves a forum on azb,,and everyone can rant there.

call it "earl strickland: NOW what"

or these forum headers...
travels with earl

the strickland dialogues

strickland: now what!

earl: the reality show

you, me, and earl

oil da poil

the people vs earl

the state vs earl

the strickland manefesto

broken cue, broken spirit

save earl

don't save ear

why save earl

earl blog: me and my bud rasheed wallace
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The only one you forgot was the new made for TV cop buddy movie starring Earl and Gary Busy, called "ANOTHER 15 minutes of fame":D
 
Williebetmore said:
P.S. - In one of the largest mental hospitals in the world (Morganton, NC), they have a huge ward for the violent and criminally insane. Massive men in white coats patrol the halls. Every 10 feet or so along the hallways are huge signs that say, "Mental illness is NO excuse for bad behavior". An admirable sentiment that is true in a large majority of mental patients; but as you have correctly pointed out, not really true in all instances.
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WBM, have you been looking at Breakup's holiday photos?

I was going to post in the other recent thread about Earl but decided not to because basically it just gets old hearing the same stuff about him. What did cross my mind was that if he really could make a "comeback" and play without all the theatrical b/s then I think we should all give him a chance to redeem himself. Sadly, I can't see this happening any time soon. I hope I'm proved wrong on this.

Once again though, on a positive note, we hear about JS showing how a true professional acts. The more players we have like him the better chance pool has in the future.
 
Terry Ardeno said:
How did you come up with all them? :)
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must be my intense apathy for anything earl, feeds my creative spirit............and WALLAAAH.
 
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I'm glad I got to witness the GREATNESS of Earl Strickland, the pool player. I'm sorry I had to witness the humiliation of Earl Strickland, the pool player.

Like another writer once said, "It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times".
 
Once again though, on a positive note, we hear about JS showing how a true professional acts. The more players we have like him the better chance pool has in the future.
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[/QUOTE]
And now we have Shane also. :)
And they both post here!:cool:
I guess AZ builds Real Champions! :D :D
 
Racking at BCA

I was there when Earl had the problem with the Rack. Seems like he should have discussed this with John Schmidt first, but he choose not to. I just wrote it off that he was struggling to stay in the tournament, wanting anything that would increase his odds of staying in, and struggling to play as well as he had in his earlier years. I could not hear the comments Earl was making to the crowd, since I was on the other side of the table.

I met John Schmidt between his matches, got him to sign a cue ball (great souvenir), and thanked him for the straight pool DVD I bought from him through this forum. A true gentleman. John played great at this tournament.

I just have the following questions:

1) Being my first tournament to watch the pros play, is it just me - or was there an exorbitant amount of trouble racking the balls? Some tables appeared worse than others. Would the Sardo rack eliminate this or was it just the condition of the tables and balls?

2) John - How about that verbal run in with Ron Wiseman during your match with him. Where you suggested he might sit down for a while - that you were really trying hard to get the balls to rack properly (rather than sharking). After a few "Or What"s exchanged, Ron got so upset; he ended up taking a break. John - I thought you handled the situation well. Just more racking problems. Some tables and matches required Steve Tipton to rack almost every game.

3) How about when Jeanette Lee got mad after missing and hit a piece of chalk with her cue toward the VIP table I was sitting at. Although she apologized to the audience and her opponent, I do not see anyone making a big deal out of her behavior. It does not bother me much, heck a little more elevation and it might have hit me in the head rather than the side of the table. (Do the rules allow me to keep the chalk like at the ballpark??)
 
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