Earl tossed out of SBE...

[The Saw]

Everyone always likens Earl to McEnroe... Well, he made his bit arguing fouls with refs and going off at press functions. Earl runs his chops offending the people he plays, disrespecting spectators, being racial, disturbing professionals playing on tables near him that are playing to put food on their families tables (many of which have spent thousands of $ to travel from the othe side of the world to be there), goes off on little kids..... The better comparison would be to Charlie Sheen. Anyone that compares him to McEnroe needs to check themselves cause they are spewing bs.

 

[Cashman]

I dont Think he got tosses during that. I think thats when he played Alex. Not sure what the actual incident was that got him kicked out. The cue banging wasnt bad enough for him to get thrown out, it was something else.

Your correct and it was something later in the afternoon. What it was, nobody seems to have the whole story. And if they do their not forthcoming with it yet.

But, after the Alex match he's already been warned twice for behavior. If he decides to push the issue later in the day, he has no sympathy from me.

RC

 

[12310bch]

My opinion is: I don't give a flying fduck. I'm only concerned about how I play today in a SD-9B tourney. I love pool but I'm not a Fan of anybody.
I like to play the game. The only time I enjoy watching pool is when I'm sweating a match.

Earl is Earl and we all know it and it doesn't bother me one way or another if he gets 86'd. I can't understand seven pages of gossip about it.

There. Flame me if you dare.

 

[jay helfert]

Everyone always likens Earl to McEnroe... Well, he made his bit arguing fouls with refs and going off at press functions. Earl runs his chops offending the people he plays, disrespecting spectators, being racial, disturbing professionals playing on tables near him that are playing to put food on their families tables (many of which have spent thousands of $ to travel from the othe side of the world to be there), goes off on little kids..... The better comparison would be to Charlie Sheen. Anyone that compares him to McEnroe needs to check themselves cause they are spewing bs.

This is closer to the truth. No question Earl has mental issues that should require treatment. Whether he gets it or not is up to him, and he may be in denial about it. I often feel like a surrogate therapist in dealing with Earl. "Calm down, it's going to be okay. You don't have to get so upset. Please don't talk to the fans. Just sit quietly in your chair while your opponent is at the table." I've said all the above and more on many occasions. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

 

[mudball]

Also, if it was Tony Robles or Ralf Souquet or about 50 other guys, who people thought were being treated unfairly, maybe I would stand up and be outraged. But, Strickland and Pinegar?

RC

ETA I don't mean to suggest John's a bad guy, just playing a pool match he can be a handful.

Exactly. People are making it sound like this guy is going off on everyone

 

[SCCues]

Earl is a lightning rod for the game. He is a polarizing figure that people love to watch to see what will happen. Will he freak out? or play some awesome pool? It's sad to see such a great player in this state. But, he brings this all upon himself.

You have described Earl pretty well. I've been a big fan of Earl's since the first time I got to see him play, but I have to admit my feelings toward him are slipping. You just can't get away with some of the things he does and some of things he says and be called a true professional. I like Earl and when he's playing well and acting right you won't find a better pro to watch do amazing things on the pool table, but when he goes off he just throws everything out the window. I would never want my son to be with me at a tournament and see Earl act the way he does sometimes. What an example that would be to a young man who's wanting to play pool at a high level one day.

I still enjoy watching Earl play and I have to admit that I expect something to set him off before the match is over.

James

 

[SUPERSTAR]

They are both wrong.

The Earl should not be allowed to get away with his behavior and all players should have some level of respect for their colleagues as well as the people who paid good money to watch the pros. If he is out of line, make sure he understands it and give him his warnings.

On that note, Frank has no couth.
Anyone that has been around the past few years knows this about him.

Sure, he doesn't take any crap, but he loves playing the enforcer role too much.
He is just as rude as Earl could ever be, and just as hostile and is LOOKING for something to find flaw with so that he can raise his voice at. Believe me, if Earl didn't get yelled at, someone else most certainly would have.
You can bet on that.

It would have either been another player, someone in the stands who he thought made too much noise, or members of his own staff.
He is primed and ready to OVERREACT and flip out unnecessarily simply because his ego is too large to be impartial, and that is not a quality one wants in a TD.

If what people are saying here is true, that he failed to toss Earl when he was playing Alex, and that he subsequently came in the booth saying he was going to throw Earl out the next match, when at that point, Earl didn't display any behavior warranting being thrown out during the next match, that is just flat out wrong, any way you slice it.

At the very least, allow Earl to hang himself.
He most definitely will once he gets started. That is just a no brainer.
But don't make it personal, (which Frank did) and have a bone to pick with him. Once you do that, you are no longer impartial, and you really have no business being a TD from that point on.

This is the essence of Franks problem. He feel that by questioning his authority, that you are somehow questioning his manhood and he flips out.
Maybe this is due to having some level of limelight exposure when he was doing comedy that made him think he is more important then he is, but the fact of the matter is, he is there to serve.
Once his ego gets in the way, he is no longer able to do that objectively, and really should be replaced.

There is nothing wrong with running a tight ship. Players and spectators will appreciate that in the long run.
But there is no room at a professional event for egos to take center stage, and people need to understand that that goes for both Earl AND Frank.

 

[justadub]

They are both wrong.

The Earl should not be allowed to get away with his behavior and all players should have some level of respect for their colleagues as well as the people who paid good money to watch the pros. If he is out of line, make sure he understands it and give him his warnings.

On that note, Frank has no couth.
Anyone that has been around the past few years knows this about him.

Sure, he doesn't take any crap, but he loves playing the enforcer role too much.
He is just as rude as Earl could ever be, and just as hostile and is LOOKING for something to find flaw with so that he can raise his voice at. Believe me, if Earl didn't get yelled at, someone else most certainly would have.
You can bet on that.

It would have either been another player, someone in the stands who he thought made too much noise, or members of his own staff.
He is primed and ready to OVERREACT and flip out unnecessarily simply because his ego is too large to be impartial, and that is not a quality one wants in a TD.

If what people are saying here is true, that he failed to toss Earl when he was playing Alex, and that he subsequently came in the booth saying he was going to throw Earl out the next match, when at that point, Earl didn't display any behavior warranting being thrown out during the next match, that is just flat out wrong, any way you slice it.

At the very least, allow Earl to hang himself.
He most definitely will once he gets started. That is just a no brainer.
But don't make it personal, (which Frank did) and have a bone to pick with him. Once you do that, you are no longer impartial, and you really have no business being a TD from that point on.

This is the essence of Franks problem. He feel that by questioning his authority, that you are somehow questioning his manhood and he flips out.
Maybe this is due to having some level of limelight exposure when he was doing comedy that made him think he is more important then he is, but the fact of the matter is, he is there to serve.
Once his ego gets in the way, he is no longer able to do that objectively, and really should be replaced.

There is nothing wrong with running a tight ship. Players and spectators will appreciate that in the long run.
But there is no room at a professional event for egos to take center stage, and people need to understand that that goes for both Earl AND Frank.

Tap, tap, tap.

 

[ARROWCRUSHER]

I was sitting 10 feet from Earl during the match with Alex. Earl was doing his normal ranting, which was actually kind of funny. Some of his quotes were "Everyone thinks I'm the asshole. Well let me tell you, there are a LOT of assholes in this game. A LOT." About 10 seconds after that, Earl begins repeatedly smashing his shaft on the table. Frank said "Earl...Earl!!!" He almost had a pleading sorrowful tone to his voice. He rather politely told him that he couldn't abuse the equipment like that. He then more loudly and authoritatively told him "You're not the only one playing here. You are disrespecting the other players and I won't tolerate it. This is your final warning." Earl muttered something about not wanting to be here. So Frank said "so leave...you don't have to stay. Do you want to go?" Earl muttered something else, and Frank again said something like "ok, you want to leave now?" Earl basically said no I'll finish the match. So he did. The rack ended with Alex winning the match. Earl shook his hand, said something to Alex I couldn't hear. Alex chuckled. Earl walked out. About 10 minutes later, my friend comes into the pro arena and said that Earl was outside yelling and swearing. So this is a pro player swearing louding and making a scene at an even filled with amateurs and children (they have an under 14 bracket for crying out loud!). You think that promotes pool, or enhances the event? My guess is that him being ejected was a result of this, because I didn't see Earl again after that.

That's what I know.

KMRUNOUT

This is exactly what happened !!! I dont know why or who is saying in this post about Earl asked politly where his opponite is cause that didnt happen in the match I seen !! But everything the (KMRUNOUT) has posted is exactly what happened and the way I seen and heard it !! There are way to mant stories on here which never happened. <<ED
( I did learn one thing from this post ...not everything that is posted on here is true and some just post things just to post ! No matter if it's true or not !!

 

[inside_english]

The whole tournament. The tournament director, Frank Delpizo, (sp?) and Earl had words in an earlier round. Apparently Earl just did something again, and Frank wasted no time in ejecting him. He then said over the PA that by doing whatever he was doing, Earl was disrespecting Alen Hopkins. This Frank guy seems like a real winner... We all know what to expect out of Earl, but I don't think it's so bad that he needs to be ejected from the tournament. What a disappointment to Earl's fans!

BTW, this is the same tournament director that wouldn't allow the Earl v Alex P match to be played on the 'tv' table so that it could be streamed for the fans to see. His reasoning was that Earl had already played once on that table, and Alex had not. What a joke. We, the fans, lost out on that one as well do to him. Can we vote to eject the tournament director?

I think voting to eject the TD is a bit extreme and uncalled for. Some of you Earl-a-holics are so caught up with your precious Earl that you are blinded to everything he says and everything he does just because he can play amazing pool. Every tournament I attend where Earl is playing some of you are in the stands, giggling like schoolchildren as soon as he opens his mouth and says ANYTHING at all...kind of sad.

The TD has to worry about the quality and overall integrity of his tournament, and if that means throwing out a professional who does not know how to curb himself then so be it.

And for those of you that claim the sport "needs" people like Earl to pack the stands and increase ratings, I disagree.

Pool needs Earl's behavior like tennis needed John McEnroe's behavior.

And if people flock to venues to see Earl act up more than wanting to see him play, then that is a sad commentary on us.

I walked into the arena when the TD was announcing what happened. This older gentleman next to me said he loves watching Earl play "because he never knows what is Earl is going to say or do"...which basically means Earl's performance on the pool table has long since taken a backseat to the real reason most people flock to watch and adore him.

 

[bfdlad]

If I remember right I think there was a thread last year right after the SBE about this Frank/TD guy. Maybe there is a pattern here with him.

 

[inside_english]

Ken Shuman or Scott Smith would be great!
AS FAR AS I KNOW, the Pro Player's Championship at VF is the ONLY tournament Frank D does. I've been there several times & I just don't care for his style. Took much ego & acting like HE'S the attraction.

What does his style have to do with Earl's conduct?

 

[inside_english]

I was sitting 10 feet from Earl during the match with Alex. Earl was doing his normal ranting, which was actually kind of funny. Some of his quotes were "Everyone thinks I'm the asshole. Well let me tell you, there are a LOT of assholes in this game. A LOT." About 10 seconds after that, Earl begins repeatedly smashing his shaft on the table. Frank said "Earl...Earl!!!" He almost had a pleading sorrowful tone to his voice. He rather politely told him that he couldn't abuse the equipment like that. He then more loudly and authoritatively told him "You're not the only one playing here. You are disrespecting the other players and I won't tolerate it. This is your final warning." Earl muttered something about not wanting to be here. So Frank said "so leave...you don't have to stay. Do you want to go?" Earl muttered something else, and Frank again said something like "ok, you want to leave now?" Earl basically said no I'll finish the match. So he did. The rack ended with Alex winning the match. Earl shook his hand, said something to Alex I couldn't hear. Alex chuckled. Earl walked out. About 10 minutes later, my friend comes into the pro arena and said that Earl was outside yelling and swearing. So this is a pro player swearing louding and making a scene at an even filled with amateurs and children (they have an under 14 bracket for crying out loud!). You think that promotes pool, or enhances the event? My guess is that him being ejected was a result of this, because I didn't see Earl again after that.

That's what I know.

KMRUNOUT

Let's hear the Earl fans defend this one.

Post after post, thread after thread, some of you defend EVERYTHING Earl does...and you don't stop there...you attack the TD(s) or whomever his anger was directed toward.

Biased much?

 

[inside_english]

I'm heading down there this aftrernoon and we usually meet up with Allen at some point for a beer. I'll ask whats up.

As for the posts that Allen should have done something about Earl/TD.....the Pro side of this event should be the LAST place there is an issue. The "Pros" Earl especially, should police themselves. There are hundreds of other people playing in this event and you hear nothing about issues from the floor, but its the Earl show that is the headache......and some folks think he should get preferential treatment?....silly!

I am a BIG fan of Earls game, not his childish outbursts. He is probably the oldest Pro there, he should be the best behaved, and show the younger guys how its done.....not acting like a fool.

As for the TD, what kind of official would he be letting Earl get away with that crap? what would the other players think of that? would the tourny or the TD be taken seriously after that? How anyone can justify Earls antics, and defend him doing this BS is beyond me......and I will repeat, Earl was my favorite player for 20 years.

G.

Great post. Frankly, Earl should be the one to reimburse his beloved fans for spoiling their fun by GETTING HIMSELF EJECTED.

It was $12.00 for every session (two per day) and $20 for VIP...so it was not cheap to sit in those extremely uncomfortable bleachers and watch the pros. Yet people poured in to see their precious Earl. He gets booted and they want to jump on the TD's neck, calling him a clown and so forth.

Get real!

 

[inside_english]

Earl game is A+ but his attitude and demeanor is reminecent(sp?) of someone who has spent YEARS+ being great at a struggling sport.

I am in no way defending his actions or attitude as I was never there, but perhaps a little understanding on why he is overall frustrated. It is not justifiable nor should it go unpunished, however, it can be understandable to be so completely frustrated that your attitude and emotions get the best of you when you feel so passionately about a sport you love, yet, no one else seems to get it.

It is a rarity to see the type of skill, passion, and love for a game that we get from Earl. Like I said, not excusable to act like that, yet a little understandable.

Carl

What I find to be confusing about posts like these is that Earl's love for the game does not translate into his love for the fans...HIS fans.

Yeah, he's passionate (funny how bad behavior gets equated with passion and a competitive spirit).

If he really loved the sport (more than he loves himself) would he not be doing whatever it took to promote it?

No, instead he thinks it is him versus the world and he is basically a highly volatile person who people flock to see because he might explode. It is almost like pool meets Jerry Springer.

During this SBE they had challenge matches where you could play a game of ten ball with any pro for $10 or $20, and all the proceeds went to Ginky's funeral, which was great.

People gathered around, had some fun, had a few laughs and the money went to a great cause. The pros I saw participate were Ralf Souquet, Rodney Morris, Raj Hundal, Tony Robles and I believe Jennifer Baretta.

Can you imagine how many more people would have been entertained if Earl were a part of that, playing challenge matches with amateurs and fans, having a few laughs, letting his photo be taken, and signing autographs for ANYONE who asked?

Earl could have been truly great, and the USA's biggest and best pool ambassador, and he missed the boat.

If he were as loyal and respectful to his fans as they are to him it would be a different scene.

Oh well.

 

[inside_english]

I dont Think he got tosses during that. I think thats when he played Alex. Not sure what the actual incident was that got him kicked out. The cue banging wasnt bad enough for him to get thrown out, it was something else.

So if you're not sure what actually happened and you were not even there, how can you defend him?

 

[bfdlad]

I didn't want this to get lost in this thread so I started a new one. I just got off the phone with Earl and he told me what his version was of it all. Check the main page for what Earl has to say.

 

[jimmy-leggs]

The guy is a Whack Job and GETS what he deserves,plain and simple.:thumbup:

 

[The Saw]

Someone tell me this.... When was the last tournament that Earl attended where he didn't cause friction? I will guess it was prior to 1998.....

 

[beetle]

Great post.

What I find to be confusing about posts like these is that Earl's love for the game does not translate into his love for the fans...HIS fans.

Yeah, he's passionate (funny how bad behavior gets equated with passion and a competitive spirit).

If he really loved the sport (more than he loves himself) would he not be doing whatever it took to promote it?

No, instead he thinks it is him versus the world and he is basically a highly volatile person who people flock to see because he might explode. It is almost like pool meets Jerry Springer.

During the SBR they had challenge matches where you could play a game of ten ball with any pro for $10 or $20, and all the proceeds went to Ginky's funeral, which was great.

People gathered around, had some fun, had a few laughs and the money went to a great cause. The pros I saw particpate were Ralf Souquet, Rodney Morris, Raj Hundal, Tony Robles and I believe Jennifer Baretta.

This was a great thing to do in memory of Ginky.
I played 2 games and beat Raj!!!... but lost to Rodney.

Can you imagine how many more people would have been entertained if Earl were a part of that, playing challenge matches with amateurs and fans, having a few laughs, letting his photo be taken, and signing autographs for ANYONE who asked?

Earl could have been truly great, and the USA's biggest and best pool ambassador, and he missed the boat.

If he were as loyal and respectful to his fans as they are to him it would be a different scene.

Oh well.