Earl Strickland
- Thread starter JoeyA
- Start date
Stones said:
Sure it is.....But they don't do it.
Most of the promoters want a 'show' and let the hecklers (a-holes in my opinion) go on and heckle. You don't know how many times I have seen it at Earl's matches. Especially the U.S. Open. I can remember Earl playing Neils a few yrs back there, there was a fellow that whistled when Earl was shooting. This went on, and on. Smack dab, right in the middle of the match. Playing for 5th-6th at the time. Can you imagine trying to shoot?
Spectators SHOULD be removed immediately...doing it, is another thing.
Rick S.
The CheeZe
New member
travis trotter said:he is a good player but i am better than any pro player out there
thanks
haha that wasn't conceded or anything
if the crowd bothers him that much, maybe he should wear earmuffs to go with his scarf wrapped around his arm.
Cueball 1950
Cueball, the point was any positive conversation, experience outside of pool competition is of little or no relevance as we know Earl from his pool talent and behavior. I attemted to suggest that while he may have been a great baby, doesn't count- we weren't following him then. I was trying to get the point across by just using a few examples outside of the pool world; sorry I failed.
For those who think this "attention" will help Earl and Cuetec sales forget what we think of OJ and his behavior.
Dababe#3
Cueball, the point was any positive conversation, experience outside of pool competition is of little or no relevance as we know Earl from his pool talent and behavior. I attemted to suggest that while he may have been a great baby, doesn't count- we weren't following him then. I was trying to get the point across by just using a few examples outside of the pool world; sorry I failed.
For those who think this "attention" will help Earl and Cuetec sales forget what we think of OJ and his behavior.
Dababe#3
DABABE said:
I truly don't think the comparison of Earl Strickland and O.J. Simpson is a very good one, Dababe.
If Elizabeth wants to remain anonymous, as do MANY on this forum, then that is her choice, which I respectfully respect.
Earl Strickland, FWIW, most definitely does read this forum. When I went to Vegas last July, Earl knew that I did decide to drive instead of fly, and the only folks I shared that with were the readers of this forum. He is actually very enjoyable to be around on the offs, and he likes to laugh and have a good time.
A few days ago, I posted up a few snippets of an article which was written in 1978 about the straight-laced Willie Mosconi and the colorful Minnesota Fats. The writer of the article hit the nail on the head when he said: The Fat One enjoyed himself throughout, talking to the crowd, kidding with Cosell, and needling Mosconi. Mosconi was just the opposite: uptight, never a smile, always a true competitor in every sense of the word.
Willie thinks of Fatty as a braggart and a prevaricator with little talent. I think of Fatty as the biggest drawing card in the business, the example of what the public thinks of when they think of a pool player, a man who sacrifices his own time for charitable causes (Easter Seals), a kind man with a good word for everybody,...
...a man who has helped the game that has very little good to say about him.
The Fat Man is the principal missionary in the field for the game of pool. He provides a color and excitement that is appealing to one and all, young and old, pool fans and novices...
...He is the spirit of what makes the game so popular.
Think about it. I believe this writer's opinion holds very true today and is why pool in the United States has one tire in the sand. It is difficult to attract new blood into pool, but it won't happen in these United States watching robotic, emotionless pool players competing. The masses would rather watch NFL, MLB, NBA, PGA, et cetera.
Pool needs a few more Earl Stricklands. Sadly, though, as I have stated before, the existing lot of professional players is dwindling.
Believe it or not, there are some folks who would like to see a little emotion in the game along with the back-and-forth barking, like Minnesota Fats. There aren't too many of these kinds of players in today's pool world, but I can think of a few from yesterday in their prime and quite popular at every event they attended, i.e., Ronnie Allen, Louie Roberts, Steve Mizerak, Jimmy Mataya, Larry Lisciotti, Jimmy Reid.
JMHO, FWIW!
JAM
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JAM said:
Great post JAM. I think the characters are a part of why TV Poker got so big. Cards aren't interesting to watch. People are interesting to watch. The cards are an added bonus.
I can't decide how I would feel if someone did some of the things Earl does while I was playing, however. On the one hand, sometimes it makes me laugh (one guy was getting really pissed off at me once, trying to shark me. I just kept laughing until he threatened to punch me...it was so funny though). On the other hand, sometimes it can really bother me. I'm sure it wouldn't be the same if everybody did it, but one or two characters isn't bad...
The first time I started watching Accu-Stats tapes Earl was the one that stuck out the most. His aggressiveness at the table hooked me as a fan from the get go.
You know, Mike Siegel likes to chat with the people and joke around at times but when I met him he came off as a real jerk to us. My wife won't even watch his matches on video anymore. I don't mind watching his matches but if someone says that they don't like him I can totally understand. And I surely wouldn't try to defend him.
Which is better, the nice guy at the table that is a jerk to the fans or the jerk at the table that treats the fans well? I'll take the latter.
MULLY
Give 'em Hell, Earl!!
P.S. I'm sure there are plenty of people that have good stories about Siegel. This is just my opinion of him.
You know, Mike Siegel likes to chat with the people and joke around at times but when I met him he came off as a real jerk to us. My wife won't even watch his matches on video anymore. I don't mind watching his matches but if someone says that they don't like him I can totally understand. And I surely wouldn't try to defend him.
Which is better, the nice guy at the table that is a jerk to the fans or the jerk at the table that treats the fans well? I'll take the latter.
MULLY
Give 'em Hell, Earl!!
P.S. I'm sure there are plenty of people that have good stories about Siegel. This is just my opinion of him.
arsenius said:
Whenever I attend an event in which Earl Strickland is in the house, the MAJORITY and the MASSES crowd his table, each and every time. They want to see him because he is, without a doubt, colorful, full of emotion, and, of course, the man can actually play!
Earl Strickland is an American pool icon, a five-time U.S. Open champion, 2006 BCA Hall of Famer, and championship titles too numerous to list on this thread. I don't think there will ever be another Earl Strickland. He is unique in his demeanor at the table, but he is a draw for every promoter. They want Earl in the house. They need Earl in the house.
I have attended some events in which the finals was in progress, consisting of two world-champion players battling it out for the first-place purse. Then, at another table at the event, there was a notorious colorful player who was barking his head off, trying to gamble with a prospect. When he eventually did get the game of stakes going, guess where the majority of the crowd seated themselves? It wasn't at the finals table.
You are 100-percent correct about poker. People like to see the players' reactions to various hands. They enjoy hearing the bantor back and forth at the table. Pool, as it currently exists, doesn't offer much in the way of excitement in the United States, which is why we are part of a very small sports culture.
If there were a traveling pool road show with the likes of Earl Strickland, Alex Pagulayan, Scott Frost, Marcus Chamat, Ronnie Wiseman, Jeanette Lee (who's a pretty good barker in her own right), Shannon Daulton -- just a few names I can think of off the top of my head this early morning hour -- I believe it would be successful. If it were televised on TV, I think it would be a boost for pool. Sadly, though, the pool that we continue to see here in America is robotic, emotionless tournament soldiers. Even we within the pool culture often criticize today's pool broadcasts as boring and not very worthy of watching.
America has most definitely turned its back on American pool players. Our tournament soldiers have to travel the globe to eek out a living, and the expenses far outweigh the payouts. Try going to three or four pool tournaments each and every month, like the pros do. Personally, I have gotten to not like hotel rooms very much, and there is no place like home.
If you want to make a decent living at pool in America, you can't do it being a professional player in the year 2007. World-class champions like Allen Hopkins and Mike Sigel knew it several decades ago, and it still holds true today.
JAM
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As I have stated in other threads, Earl is one of my all time favorites.
He has come into the Flamingo many times over the years. And he is just one of the guys, he likes a good conversation, jokes, etc etc.
He is always welcome.
He has come into the Flamingo many times over the years. And he is just one of the guys, he likes a good conversation, jokes, etc etc.
He is always welcome.
Southpaw said:
Southpaw, I am sure you must be correct about the foul on the 5 ball.
And while two wrongs don't make a right, I have to wonder how many other pros have chosen to not call a foul on themselves. I would guess the numbers would be rather high.
On a similar note, do you think there are ANY pro players that have EVEN ONCE; failed to call a foul on themselves, sharked their opponent, failed to correct an accounting error by their opponent, accidentally, but knowingly shot out of turn etc. For myself, I have in the most recent years have called fouls on myself, worked hard at remaining still and silent when my opponent is shooting and in general given my opponent every chance to play their game without interference. This has not always been the case and unfortunately I do the right thing only most of the time, but could respond in-kind at any time in a match.
JoeyA (mea culpa, mea maxima culpa)
Pinocchio said:
Where was the azb room located?
JoeyA said:
I have seen Johnny Archer foul and just kept shooting cause no one called it.
cuejoey said:
CueJoey, you can click on the tab above named Member's and type in Elizabeth and then click on See all posts made by Elizabeth. I'm not sure but I think many of her posts were in the IPT Forum but it could have been another. If you can't find "her" posts, let me know and I will get them for you.
Elizabeth's perspective was kind of refreshing, IMHO.
JoeyA
The first tournament I attended was in Toledo. It was the last match of the night and these spectators next to me were heckling Earl. I asked why they were doing it and they said it was fun and because they wanted him to "get going" on a rampage. They wanted to get him mad enough to break his cue.
From what I have noticed is Earl is friendly. He is always talking to the people in the stands be it complaining or bragging. He will talk to anyone sitting or standing by him. He will include you in his conversation as if he knows you. If he loses his attitude is not as gracious.
I was told that he is bipolar.
From what I have noticed is Earl is friendly. He is always talking to the people in the stands be it complaining or bragging. He will talk to anyone sitting or standing by him. He will include you in his conversation as if he knows you. If he loses his attitude is not as gracious.
I was told that he is bipolar.
Elizabeth would run circles and make no sense for 8-10 posts and then get mad and leave. I hope she isn't really Earl because I like him and respect him as big mouth heart on his sleeve kinda guy.
Liz is one of the most pointless posters this board has ever seen. Most of the time she just argues to argue and never has a point or suggestion to make. She does make for funny ready from time to time.
Liz is one of the most pointless posters this board has ever seen. Most of the time she just argues to argue and never has a point or suggestion to make. She does make for funny ready from time to time.
I quite simply can't understand how anyone can be a fan of this idiot. He has been and continues to be a black eye on the sport and because of guys like him pool will always be small time. The only way for pool to advance and reach the next step with the masses is to rid the sport of those like Strickland who continue to embarrass the sport. If Tennis players and Golfers can make millions, why can't pool players? Think about it.
NYC cue dude
Banned
Undoubtedly Earl is a VERY talented poolplayer and fierce competitor.
His resume should be the goal of EVERY pro player worldwide.
As far as his abilities are concerned, no knowledgable person can argue/belittle his accomplishments.
I too have had many converations with earl, and for the most part, he is sensible, reasonable and engaging, regardless of whether the topic is pool related or not. Earl wants to be heard, and I speculate that is why he is so approachable and at times charming.
Most of Earls problems, imo, lie between his ears, though. Granted, there must be some level of frustration for any pro athlete reaching the twilight of ones career, where the prospect of losing their livelihood becomes more of a reality as each day passes. There is no doubt in my mind that this weighs heavily on him.
As anyone who knows Earl can testify to the fact that he is forever comparing pro pool to many different sports including golf and tennis. I don't think we can fully understand what it must be like to be gifted in one field, and throughout an entire career, see little or no advancement. I understand that arguement that no one forces these guys into playing pool, but that isn't the point.
As time has marched by for Earl, his behavior has gotten worse. Everyone here has either witnessed or heard of some sort of over the top outrageous thing that earl has done. What bothers me the most, as a fan and supporter of pool though, is that Earl can no longer be trusted to even finish an event. On several different occasions, earl has infamously quit mid game. I believe he did it most recently in the Florida predator open (not exactly sure when this took place, but I recall within the last 8 or 9 months).
Earl has in the past, advance deep into an event, and after an event he percieves either to be discriminatory against him or something like that, he has just either mucked the balls, onestroked, banged and missed, or even unscrewed.
Imo, there is no excuse for quitting. I wont go into what this does to the integrity of the game, but I will add that how can any promoter or player trust that Earl will stick it out. For this reason alone, I know he has been overlooked in recieving invitations to events. Could you imagine Earl doing this during the finals of a televised espn event?
Apparently, some people can.
rg
His resume should be the goal of EVERY pro player worldwide.
As far as his abilities are concerned, no knowledgable person can argue/belittle his accomplishments.
I too have had many converations with earl, and for the most part, he is sensible, reasonable and engaging, regardless of whether the topic is pool related or not. Earl wants to be heard, and I speculate that is why he is so approachable and at times charming.
Most of Earls problems, imo, lie between his ears, though. Granted, there must be some level of frustration for any pro athlete reaching the twilight of ones career, where the prospect of losing their livelihood becomes more of a reality as each day passes. There is no doubt in my mind that this weighs heavily on him.
As anyone who knows Earl can testify to the fact that he is forever comparing pro pool to many different sports including golf and tennis. I don't think we can fully understand what it must be like to be gifted in one field, and throughout an entire career, see little or no advancement. I understand that arguement that no one forces these guys into playing pool, but that isn't the point.
As time has marched by for Earl, his behavior has gotten worse. Everyone here has either witnessed or heard of some sort of over the top outrageous thing that earl has done. What bothers me the most, as a fan and supporter of pool though, is that Earl can no longer be trusted to even finish an event. On several different occasions, earl has infamously quit mid game. I believe he did it most recently in the Florida predator open (not exactly sure when this took place, but I recall within the last 8 or 9 months).
Earl has in the past, advance deep into an event, and after an event he percieves either to be discriminatory against him or something like that, he has just either mucked the balls, onestroked, banged and missed, or even unscrewed.
Imo, there is no excuse for quitting. I wont go into what this does to the integrity of the game, but I will add that how can any promoter or player trust that Earl will stick it out. For this reason alone, I know he has been overlooked in recieving invitations to events. Could you imagine Earl doing this during the finals of a televised espn event?
Apparently, some people can.
rg