Earl Strickland Salutes the Fans at the 2008 Mosconi Cup

[cbi1000]

I guess you dont follow football,baseball,or basketball because there are many instances of players "interacting with the so called fans" and thats ok(Pistons in the NBA went into the stands and beat the crap out of a few fans). I have been around pool and went to many shows and tournaments and I dont have any great expectations about pool becoming something other than what it is. I suport them by traveling to all these shows and spending my money but after many years its always the same old faces at these places. Yeah,Earl has a problem..but during the ryder cup in golf did the gallery get together and have large place cards with a rude message for team Europe to get things going.No,we showed class but overseas they have none. Dont tell me about how Earl should have behaved,those classless fans should have been thrown out but the tournament directors at these events have no BALLS at all.

Two things here:
1st. Those players were punished! They lost millions of dollars in lost wages. The front office (what pool lacks) came down on these players. This distracts from future events like this from happening again.

2nd. A league front office would have rules in place so signs like that are not permitted. And if fans get out of control they are removed. All the pros, American and European, have to agree those fans are bad for the sport as well.

Listen, tit for tat is not the way to go. Players have to ban together, act professional, get a tour together, with rules, with a plan or these guys will continue to struggle.

 

[cbi1000]

Your opinion is not exactly the way reality is for American professional pool.

The pro player didn't ruin it. Why, it's the American pool culture with opinions like yours who have ruined it. Take a look in the mirror and rejoice.

Your kidding, that is your response? I disagree with you.

I support pool 100%. I pay to see matches either on tv or the web. I play league play, i buy production and custom cues ($20,000+ to date), i buy dvd's, own a table, etc. I'm doing what i can to make the sport better.

I never said it was only the American pro who has contributed to the downfall of the pro sport. It is pros from all over the world.

But the fact still remains that bad apples have killed the pro world. I listed many reasons why in my above post.

If the pros can come together and get a ligit front office going and let them do there job then they get rid of the bad apples.

The players have to understand they are not bigger then the sport. They have to put the sport above all.

 

[cbi1000]

Your opinion is not exactly the way reality is for American professional pool.

The pro player didn't ruin it. Why, it's the American pool culture with opinions like yours who have ruined it. Take a look in the mirror and rejoice.

And the pool culture got that way because players (not just American players) and promoters took advantage of the system. They all took took and took some more.

There are many legit folks out there, but it only takes unruly fans, corrupt players, or bad promoters to knock the game back instead of moving it forward.

 

[gunzby]

I still think they should make the Mosconi Cup something to strive for and earn. They should eliminate the ability to pick teams and use the top 5 ranked players with the coach being voted in by the players.

 

[JAM]

And the pool culture got that way because players (not just American players) and promoters took advantage of the system. They all took took and took some more.

There are many legit folks out there, but it only takes unruly fans, corrupt players, or bad promoters to knock the game back instead of moving it forward.

What, are you kidding me?

So we've got unruly fans, corrupt players, and bad promoters ruining the sport of pool, according to you.

How about nearly no fans, a dwindling lot of professional players, and lack of promoters supporting pool. Therein lies the problem.

It is the American culture with viewpoints and opinions such as yours that keep professional pool with one tire in the sand. It doesn't stand a chance with this way of thinking. Of course, who cares anymore?

The 2- to 300 members who post regularly on this forum? That's about the size of it.

 

[cbi1000]

Just my opinion but,

Up here in Canada our national sport is Hockey. In big games we do just about anything to throw our opponents off their game. We call their mom?s names, their girlfriends names and just about anyone else we think they might know names. Then we drop gloves and fight. All this goes on and we sell out arena?s clear across the country.

Earl, he gives a guy the finger, throws a bit of a tantrum, or sharks his opponent a little and you guys think he?s the devil. Hell, a lot of you wanna ban the him from the sport.

One way or another Earl brings excitement to a match. Even his shooting style is exciting to watch. And a lot of pool matches lack just that, excitement. The commentators are boring, the players are boring and the hype for the match is boring. That?s why you can?t market pool matches these days to the North American public because they = boring.

Earl has had a lot of ideas over the years to better the sport, most of which I agree with. If the folks had listened to some of them 10 ? 15 years ago the sport might actually be something today. Instead it?s run by people who only think about their paycheck today.

I?m not saying I agree with everything Earl has done over the years. But there are a million other pros out there in other sports who have done 10 times worse things than Earl has. And a lot of them are admired. OJ for one.

People often forget your marketing a product, not a sport. The die hard pool fans on here will always support pool. All 100 of them. It?s the 10 billion others out there your trying to suck in.

Earl is the least of this sports problems.

Hockey is different then pool. This approach doesn't apply to golf either.

Watching people screen at fans or flip the bird doesn't make the game more exciting to me, but i could be one of the few here wit this opinion.

 

[JAM]

Hockey is different then pool. This approach doesn't apply to golf either.

Watching people screen at fans or flip the bird doesn't make the game more exciting to me, but i could be one of the few here wit this opinion.

Okay. Let's look at it this way.

How many professional hockey players do you think there are in existence?

How many professional pool players do you think there are in existence?

How many professional pool players are there in the United States, as one example, in 2008 compared to 1980?

Do the math, and you will discover why pool as a sport is failing, at least here in America. First-place monies in 1980, $10,000 for BCA, and first-place monies in 2008, $15,000. There won't be a BCA Open in 2009. The BCA organization is going bankrupt.

 

[corvette1340]

In any sport that is properly regulated he would have been fined several thousand dollars for that gesture.

But in pool it's Ok because he's Earl.

in pool who is going to pay the several thousand fine?

 

[cbi1000]

What, are you kidding me?

So we've got unruly fans, corrupt players, and bad promoters ruining the sport of pool, according to you.

How about nearly no fans, a dwindling lot of professional players, and lack of promoters supporting pool. Therein lies the problem.

It is the American culture with viewpoints and opinions such as yours that keep professional pool with one tire in the sand. It doesn't stand a chance with this way of thinking. Of course, who cares anymore?

The 2- to 300 members who post regularly on this forum? That's about the size of it.

Ok Jam, what do you think should happen. I have given my opinion how what i think would help the game.

All you have done is tell me i'm wrong. What then should we do?

Scream at the players, throw things, fight? Really, I'm open to anything.

I'm not trying to upset anyone here with my opinion, but i have a idea what i think will help. If you don't agree with my opinion please give yours. What do you think will help the game?

Some people think that what Earl did is no big deal because no body watches pool. However, i think that people who want to put cash into pool are watching, maybe they are a rail bird on the fence about advertising or promoting the game with or without partners. They are watching, and they see the entire Earl thing. They see what the fans did, they see what Earl did, and they see that the European players did and they just might say it's too risky and walk away.

 

[cbi1000]

in pool who is going to pay the several thousand fine?

There are ways to get the fines paid. You could take the money out of their price money and if they don't cash then the fine has to be paid before then are allowed to play in another tour stop.

I never said it was a 100% easy or perfect plan. LOL.

 

[cuedoctor]

Two things here:
1st. Those players were punished! They lost millions of dollars in lost wages. The front office (what pool lacks) came down on these players. This distracts from future events like this from happening again.

2nd. A league front office would have rules in place so signs like that are not permitted. And if fans get out of control they are removed. All the pros, American and European, have to agree those fans are bad for the sport as well.

Listen, tit for tat is not the way to go. Players have to ban together, act professional, get a tour together, with rules, with a plan or these guys will continue to struggle.

Right ...they lost millions in wages and could give two sh*ts because they make millions. Professional pool player make peanuts..I have all the respect in the world for them but check out the money list and then figure in the travel cost and time and they make minimum wage! Earls salute wasn't very professional but he's alittle bitter with being a 6 time world 9ball champ and 5 time us open winner and getting no respect from fans that act like idiots and there's no ruling body or promoter who doesnt anything about it. He shouldn't have to deal with fans at all,and if he knew these fans were going to be handled he might back off but when fans are throwing stuff,cursing and screaming things no man would sit there and take than the salute is fine with me

 

[corvette1340]

The bottom line is that professionals in any arena do not flip people off. That makes them unprofessional in my opinion. In all other sports, players that flip fans off get fined substantial amounts as it should be.

If I flipped someone off at my job then I can guarantee that I would get fired or at least disciplined, possibly lose some pay.

Earl is not one of the best American players anymore and he shouldnt be on the team period. His antics are entertaining thats for sure, but he is absolutely killing the team as a whole because of his play and his lack of team chemistry.

 

[JAM]

Ok Jam, what do you think should happen. I have given my opinion how what i think would help the game.

All you have done is tell me i'm wrong. What then should we do?

Scream at the players, throw things, fight? Really, I'm open to anything.

I'm not trying to upset anyone here with my opinion, but i have a idea what i think will help. If you don't agree with my opinion please give yours. What do you think will help the game?

Some people think that what Earl did is no big deal because no body watches pool. However, i think that people who want to put cash into pool are watching, maybe they are a rail bird on the fence about advertising or promoting the game with or without partners. They are watching, and they see the entire Earl thing. They see what the fans did, they see what Earl did, and they see that the European players did and they just might say it's too risky and walk away.

Without Earl Strickland, America's strongest champion ever, pool would be much duller than it is now.

If the pro players, like Earl, had a legitimate tour, it would help matters, but unfortunately, when the BCA organization gave one entity, with no track record, the authority to be the governing body of pool, he raped the industry for personal gain, jumped ship, and left others holding the bag.

The BCA is supposed to be the United States' representative with the world governing body of professional pool. I think somebody should strip the BCA of their power at this juncture and give it to Mark Griffin, et al., who is trying to get a self-sustaining tour off the ground.

The WPA, the international governing body, needs to stop treating the United States like a stepchild and devote more of its energy and resources to our country. They seem to have huge interest in the Middle East in recent times. Of course, they get their hands greased nicely from Middle Eastern pool bodies.

IMHO, pool needs a Willie Mosconi, a Minnesota Fats, and players just like Earl Strickland. The more, the merrier, I say. Looking at Buckingham Guard-like, robotic pool players on TV ain't going to elevate the sport. Pool needs emotion, much like our other heralded sports.

American pool pros are suffering. There is not very much new blood getting into pool. Reality smacks the prospective and aspiring pros right in the face when the rent comes due or it's time to go out and buy groceries. Most people today would rather have a roof over their heads than play pool professionally and sacrifice a secure lifestyle. It's tough to have it both ways, unless you have a fat stakehorse or sponsor. How many of them exist? I can count them on one hand, and that's how many American pros you'll be able to sit back and watch, sooner than you think.

 

[VonRhett]

First of all, Earls antics and specifically flipping the bird only confirmed to EVERY potential Corporate Sponsor and Advertiser throughout the WORLD that their decision to NOT invest in the sport of pool was the correct decision. WTG, Earl, you effen asshole.

Trust me, potential Sponsors will remember that moment and probably pull out that pic every time they discuss the possibility of investing in pool. And some here call Earl an Ambassador of the Sport? I think not.

He puts butts in seats? What, all 32 people in the bleachers?

Next, "no fans", "dwindling pro players", "American viewpoints of pool", etc., etc., are NOT the problems. These are SYMPTOMS of the problem. Joe didn't die from a cough, it was the cancer causing him to cough.

-von

 

[worriedbeef]

It has already been established that Earl was simply giving an eager fan a demonstration of his closed bridge.

 

[JAM]

First of all, Earls antics and specifically flipping the bird only confirmed to EVERY potential Corporate Sponsor and Advertiser throughout the WORLD that their decision to NOT invest in the sport of pool was the correct decision. WTG, Earl, you effen asshole.

Trust me, potential Sponsors will remember that moment and probably pull out that pic every time they discuss the possibility of investing in pool. And some here call Earl an Ambassador of the Sport? I think not.

He puts butts in seats? What, all 32 people in the bleachers?

Next, "no fans", "dwindling pro players", "American viewpoints of pool", etc., etc., are NOT the problems. These are SYMPTOMS of the problem. Joe didn't die from a cough, it was the cancer causing him to cough.

-von

Earl Strickland is one ingredient that belongs in American pool.

It is like baking a cake. If you bake a cake and you leave out the eggs, you won't get like half of a cake. You get a mess. You get nothing.

Just like the CAFE standards ruined the American auto industry, it would be foolish to listen to foreign opinions about American pool. The WPA has already shown their disdain for American pool. It's time that we Americans take the bull by the horns and elevate pool in this country.

I vote for Mark Griffin's new enterprise of a self-sustaining pool tour to be the governing body. The BEST of all worlds for me would be to have this tour be restricted to AMERICANS ONLY. This is one way to see American pool flourish. Why let alien counterparts come feed at our troughs?

 

[gesan]

Earl is the "American Pearl"

Earl and that picture probably more acurately reflect America then we could script. What is America's history if its not stick it in your face and kick your butt if you mess with us. I hope thats how they look at us. Oh yeah we have failed to do that a couple of times. (how proud are we of that?)


If you don't like Earl and what he did thats ok but don't accuse him of hurting America's image. He might reflect it but he didn't create our image. We have to share the credit for that. I'm ok with what he did under the circumstances. If he just sat there and did nothing in the face of that abuse I would think less of him.

Like most of the people on the planet think we are all wonderful peace loving people. We turn the other cheek - sticks and stones all that.
Oh my god did you see that American poolplayer? I had no idea they were such animals!!
If someone acts a certain way because he is afraid of fines and sanctions is he a better person?

We are all so full of PC it probably makes Bill Gates wish he had started Apple.

Good for you Earl! I'm ok with you repping America with your play and your finger

If any major corp or sponsor thought they could make a dime they would rep charles manson playing jacks - some of you guys are either joking or your nuts

 

[mullyman]

You got to be kidding! I don't care what happened. A pro is suppose to be bigger and better then that. What did they do, say something? Stick and stones!

Earl supporters are the same people who complain in other threads about why pool doesn't made money like golf or bowling.

Earl supporters are hurting pool HURTING the game.

I like to watch Earl play as much as the next guy, but it's actions that are killing the sport.

It's hard enough to get sponsors to pay out their $$ now an days. They don't want to pay for a 40 year old to act like he's 4. Perfect example was the XFL. The number one sport in America is football and some people got together and created a football league that would allow players to act just about any way they wanted. And most acted like jerks. What happened next was no surprise, most people didn't like it and the sponsors left.

Just about every sport has league office that reviews things like this and take action against the player. However pool doesn't have this check and balances.

Until WE the people demand more from the pros we will NEVER see a true real time pro tour like golf, tennis, or bowling.

Please understand if there was a real legitimate pro tour then there would be many more opportunities for us amateur players (again, see other sports).

Don't even get me started about about representing America in a much better way.

Let make this sport better!

Yeah, pool doesn't have better sponsors because Earl Strickland gives people the finger and because people like Earl.

Face it, and I'm going to be extremely open here, pool doesn't get support because of all the scumbags involved with it. Losers hanging around pool halls, gambling, drinking, drugs, you name it. Not to mention the personalities of the people playing the game. Someone gets a break run out and all of a sudden they're world champions and act like everyone owes them a looksee. Earl is only one small area of the problem and to be honest, he puts more asses in seats than you can imagine.
MULLY

 

[rope_one]

I guess you dont follow football,baseball,or basketball because there are many instances of players "interacting with the so called fans" and thats ok(Pistons in the NBA went into the stands and beat the crap out of a few fans)

Actually it was just Indiana Pacer players that fought with fans. No trashing the Pistons unjustly.

 

[corvette1340]

Actually it was just Indiana Pacer players that fought with fans. No trashing the Pistons unjustly.

yes, and they also got suspended WITHOUT pay. It cost Ron Artest over 5 million.

edit: didn't see the first response post stating basically the same thing.