Earl Strickland Video showing him trying to hit his opponent with his cue.

[JAM]

JAM,
I do not hate Earl at all, I do not even dislike him. As a matter of fact, I have defended him on this forum a few time based on my own positive personal experience. I just found the behavior displayed in the videos really shocking.
Anyway, thank you for your feedback. I can see that there is a misunderstanding there, but anyway...
I do not see the need to defend myself.
I hope you and Keith are doing well.
Richard

Richard, I know you are, indeed, a kind and gentle man, as we have met several times on the American tournament trail.

Earl Strickland's actions are always in the public's eyes, right or wrong.

Professional pool in America is in trouble, and there ain't nobody stepping up to the plate to right some wrongs that have been committed behind the scenes and not in the public's eye.

Wishing you the very best, too!

JAM

 

[Stones]

Quick!

Someone posts some vids of Earl being compassionate, sportsmanlike and acting like a gentleman toward his opponent especially after he loses a big match for the same length as these videos. Just to show what a great guy and great rep for the sport.

Anyone?


Uh, anyone?


Hello? Anyone?


Look, there have been video cameras around for about 20 years, so come on! Someone must have a stockpile of Earl being the true gentleman of the pool world. Anyone?

Aw, I give up!

Stones

 

[Rick S.]

Quick!

Someone posts some vids of Earl being compassionate, sportsmanlike and acting like a gentleman toward his opponent especially after he loses a big match for the same length as these videos. Just to show what a great guy and great rep for the sport.

Stones

It's not going to happen, It's not 'newsworthy' according to most folks. It's such a sad situation. Just like the newspapers....disasters grab the headlines first, and foremost. Always have, and probably always will. People want to see the 'trainwreck'..........LIVE, if possible.

My profession (photography) involves shooting most of the major tournaments. I decided early in my career, not to EVER shoot, or publish a shot that would make a person-player look bad. In an shape, form, or fashion. If Earl and Gerda happen to get into a knockdown dragout fight on the main floor in Vegas next week, you won't see any photos of it from me.

It's the same away from the tournament trail...I just don't see why people continually want to make other people look bad. What do they get out of it? It's beyond me.....

The Pool industry is in sad shape anyway, and then we have people running it further into the ground posting obnoxious videos continually. Do you think that's helping the pool community out?? Come on....help the game!! Don't hurt it anymore than it is already.

Rick S.

 

[JimS]

Of course, I see things from a pool player's point of view. It doesn't mean that I am always right.

JAM

When at a tournament that's the way we as spectators MUST try to see things. It's the players point of view that counts during a match.

JAM. What's up with the soccer avatar? Are we seeing a new passion for you?

 

[Fatboy]

i didnt watch any of the videos, and I wont, i dont want to see a sick man.

i spoke to earl in around 1990 at Hardtimes and the hotel down the road we were in the elevator, and he was very nice to me, he asked me to knock some balls around wirth him, i declined i didnt want to waste his time-I wasnt playing good enough-come to think of it i never did play good enough. i was just a weak b player at the time.

he has his demons and I have awalys felt bad for him, he is perhaps the best 9 ball player ever-when everything is right in his head. I hope he gets the help he needs, we all have our problems and there is no embarassment in getting help. I only wish him the best. he is self destrictive i doubt he would hurt anyone else, from what I have seen.

go earl!!

 

[DoomCue]

Quick!

Someone posts some vids of Earl being compassionate, sportsmanlike and acting like a gentleman toward his opponent especially after he loses a big match for the same length as these videos. Just to show what a great guy and great rep for the sport.

Anyone?


Uh, anyone?


Hello? Anyone?


Look, there have been video cameras around for about 20 years, so come on! Someone must have a stockpile of Earl being the true gentleman of the pool world. Anyone?

Aw, I give up!

Stones

Since you asked, here's one: http://youtube.com/watch?v=edBj7uKHYZ0

I have this match on Accu-stats, and in the interview following the match, Earl talks about the Z kick and Efren. He is nothing short of gracious in that particular interview.

Anybody who knows me knows I'm no fan of Earl's when he's at the table, but away from it, he's really not that bad, and in this instance, Earl shows he's quite capable of being a good example of sportsmanship. Unfortunately, it doesn't happen enough to outweigh his examples of bad sportsmanship.

-djb <-- thinks it's time to leave Earl alone, too

 

[JAM]

When at a tournament that's the way we as spectators MUST try to see things. It's the players point of view that counts during a match.

The U.S. Open is an excellent venue. There is always plenty of room between the tables, and the audience is usually set up at a distance. In this instance with Earl Strickland, though, his table was the first one you see when you walk in the tournament room, and the seating was literally 4 feet from the table. I can see how having a person you had just had a verbal argument with sitting front and center could have been a major distraction for Earl Strickland. I also understand the magazine writer truly only wanted to capture the match in writing. Earl ended up winning the match, if memory serves me right, and he also made it to the semi-finals that year, the lone American with three Filipinos in the UNITED STATES OPEN. Alex Pagulayan captured the title.

JAM. What's up with the soccer avatar? Are we seeing a new passion for you?

That is Calvin Borel, the jockey who devoted his life to horse racing, and won this year at Churchill Downs. A guy who always rode the cheap horses in the morning workouts and a lot of other cheap horses in the afternoon races, Calvin had only had four previous Derby mounts, but the horses were all long shots. His entire life, he's been watching all the super star jockeys ride in the Derby on favorites.

Out of 20 horses in the race, Calvin Borel and Street Sense were in the back of the pack, nineteenth in position. Riding the rail all the way, Calvin rode Street Sense to first place to win the Kentucky Derby. I have never seen a jockey so happy as this one.

Calvin Borel dropped out of school in the eighth grade because of a leg injury and did not return. He never wanted anything more than to ride horses. He was one of those jockeys who was loved by all because of his dedication to the game, hard work, and sparkling personality.

What a great day it was to see a country boy from Louisiana in his forties shine in the limelight. He had waited his entire life for this moment. EVERYBODY was happy to see Calvin win, and me, it gave me hope for my horse to someday make it to the winner's circle. Today's political environment when it comes to professional pool doesn't afford the Keith McCreadys of the world the same opportunities to compete as others, but given a chance, like Calvin Borel, I hope someday that Keith will shine in the winner's circle.

Chalk one up for Dixie! Picture of Calvin Borel. Dreams really can come true, if only given the chance.

JAM

 

[Williebetmore]

....
I wish this country would take a few steps back and men where allowed to be men again.

... Men hit and kick spit and cuss, if they don't they can't be trusted.

Pool is a feminist sport that is for sure.
Jamison

JN,
I agree with the general tenor of your argument. I'm not sure though that Earl would be an ideal poster boy for your campaign; really he just acted like a little boy. The interview was hilarious; little boy rationalizing his hand in the cookie jar.

I had not seen any of this before; so thanks to Richard for posting. Apologies to Earl's fans for enjoying the clips so much.

P.S. - I was not offended at all by anything in your post, or in this thread so far......I feel there must be something wrong with me.

 

[rackmsuckr]

Quick!

Someone posts some vids of Earl being compassionate, sportsmanlike and acting like a gentleman toward his opponent especially after he loses a big match for the same length as these videos. Just to show what a great guy and great rep for the sport.

Anyone?


Uh, anyone?


Hello? Anyone?


Look, there have been video cameras around for about 20 years, so come on! Someone must have a stockpile of Earl being the true gentleman of the pool world. Anyone?

Aw, I give up!

Stones

I'm not defending the actions of Earl either, but he acted very much the champion when Efren executed his famous Z kick for the win. He raised the white flag and was very gracious. Of course, that was some time ago, and his behavior has deteriorated somewhere down the road.

My personal experiences with Earl are mixed - he ranted at me mistakenly for something another Asian had written, he forgot how he actually played in his trick shot show here, but he did remember that I broke and ran out on him.

He needs to learn to be proactive instead of reactive and realize that many so-called fans have but one mission during his matches, and that is to push his detonator. He is a champion with enormous talent and with commensurate monkeys on his back. I wish him well in his future with his new sponsor.

 

[The Piper]

haha Earl is friggin great.

This is my thoughts on Earl. You need characters in the game. All different characters. From the quiet to the loud. The slow thinkers with deadly safeties, to the fast and loose two rail bankers.

He's the T.O. of Pool. Love him or hate him, you're going to watch him.

 

[Fragged]

....Does not Gulyassy sponsor Earl? If Iam not mistaken, Samsara makes Gulyassy break cues now.

 

[Johnnyt]

"Earl Strickland Video showing him trying to hit his opponent with his cu
It's obvious that Earl wasn't really trying to hit his opponent with his cue.

These videos have been shown before. No offense, but I've grown a bit weary of the Earl bashing. Like most, I find his behavior reprehensible. Unfortunately, since Earl is such a seminal figure in the world of pool and one of its greatest champions, his behavior reflects poorly not just on himself but also on the sport. I think it's rather clear that he has some serious personal issues, and I just find the whole unfortunate Earl saga more sad now than anything else.

I agree. Enough about Earl already. Johnnyt

 

[rayjay]

haha Earl is friggin great.
This is my thoughts on Earl. You need characters in the game. All different characters. From the quiet to the loud. The slow thinkers with deadly safeties, to the fast and loose two rail bankers.
He's the T.O. of Pool. Love him or hate him, you're going to watch him.

Couldn't agree more. Earl is friggin great. We all have demons...

 

[Luxury]

Worst trick shot show ever.

I love Watching Earl! Thanks for the thread and the vids. Was interesting to me.

 

[Luxury]

whoops was trying to start a new thread

 

[spliced]

Good thing Earl doesnt work for predator, or Xbreaker may try to bash the player and his cue in the same post!

 

[jay helfert]

The U.S. Open is an excellent venue. There is always plenty of room between the tables, and the audience is usually set up at a distance. In this instance with Earl Strickland, though, his table was the first one you see when you walk in the tournament room, and the seating was literally 4 feet from the table. I can see how having a person you had just had a verbal argument with sitting front and center could have been a major distraction for Earl Strickland. I also understand the magazine writer truly only wanted to capture the match in writing. Earl ended up winning the match, if memory serves me right, and he also made it to the semi-finals that year, the lone American with three Filipinos in the UNITED STATES OPEN. Alex Pagulayan captured the title.



That is Calvin Borel, the jockey who devoted his life to horse racing, and won this year at Churchill Downs. A guy who always rode the cheap horses in the morning workouts and a lot of other cheap horses in the afternoon races, Calvin had only had four previous Derby mounts, but the horses were all long shots. His entire life, he's been watching all the super star jockeys ride in the Derby on favorites.

Out of 20 horses in the race, Calvin Borel and Street Sense were in the back of the pack, nineteenth in position. Riding the rail all the way, Calvin rode Street Sense to first place to win the Kentucky Derby. I have never seen a jockey so happy as this one.

Calvin Borel dropped out of school in the eighth grade because of a leg injury and did not return. He never wanted anything more than to ride horses. He was one of those jockeys who was loved by all because of his dedication to the game, hard work, and sparkling personality.

What a great day it was to see a country boy from Louisiana in his forties shine in the limelight. He had waited his entire life for this moment. EVERYBODY was happy to see Calvin win, and me, it gave me hope for my horse to someday make it to the winner's circle. Today's political environment when it comes to professional pool doesn't afford the Keith McCreadys of the world the same opportunities to compete as others, but given a chance, like Calvin Borel, I hope someday that Keith will shine in the winner's circle.

Chalk one up for Dixie! Picture of Calvin Borel. Dreams really can come true, if only given the chance.

JAM

Looks like Keith's cousin. I bet he has something funny to say too.

 

[jay helfert]

I loved watching Earl play when he was at his best. He was poetry in motion on a pool table. Nothing bothered him then. Sadly those days are gone. I hope he gets the help he needs and can regain his form of yesteryear.

I'm not optimistic though. I'm a realist. I do like to see pool played well, and he was one of the best ever. Maybe one day he will be again. But as long as he struggles with his composure, he will never be a great player. You cannot play pool at the highest levels with multiple distractions going on in your head.

Everyone should shout at him, "GET SOME HELP EARL!!!"

 

[Fleece3]

I have to agree with you, PoolBum. All of these video links have been shown before ad nauseum.

What I find sad is the continuous bashing of Earl. I mean, to initiate a thread today with these video links, what is the purpose? Everybody knows Earl is a controversial pool figure, but why on earth would someone go out of their way to initiate a whole thread about it today, and for what purpose or ulterior motive is there to do so?

JAM

Hey JAM, I agree 100%. If you post a Earl bashing thread you will get dozens of replies. Post a positive Earl experience, like I recently did regarding lessons that I had with him, and NOTHING. It is so easily forgotten that will are talking about THE most accomplished 9 baller that the world has ever seen! If this were boxing he would be ALI, hoops he would be Jordan.

 

[crawfish]

An interesting thought..... Nick Varner was asked "If you had three balls with ball in hand and your life depends on it, (Showed him the layout) what would do?" His response tells you a lot. "Can I get Earl to shoot'em?"