Earl vs Efren 1997 US Open Finals

westcoast said:

Interesting match.

Earl got a lot of rolls, played well, and Efren played about as poor as I've ever seen him play. Earl sporting a modified mullet here too!

Why did they seat the players so far away from the table in this tournament?
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A couple things stand out.
1) Earls stroke is much straighter these days.
2) The pockets in this match appear to play very loosely.
 
Welder84 said:
A couple things stand out.
1) Earls stroke is much straighter these days.
2) The pockets in this match appear to play very loosely.
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I think Earl's style has developed, he still plays aggressive but it seems a bit more restrained and calculating.

I like the matches that Tom Kelly announced. He was a great foil for Varner and Davis, he knew enough of the game that a pool player can listen to him, yet he related to the casual and non-players. He did a great job of bridging the gap between the experts in the booth and the casuals watching and brought a great energy to the show. If people want to get a bigger audience for pool, someone like him in the booth would be a big help.
 
westcoast said:
Interesting comment in the post match interview-Earl stated that he was striving to set records like Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan. He doubted anyone would match or beat his number of US Open titles. Shane matched him though!
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Earl in my mind is the ultimate example of reinventing yourself.

He never stops fighting (personal issues or not). I love that...
 
CanadianGuy said:
prime Earl was the ultimate example of the highest 9 ball ceiling, take a look at every winner of the worlds and us open and he sits above them all imo
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I agree. Earl is probably my favorite player of all time to watch play. His prime matches are amazing. It's too bad too many of his matches then (and now) are interrupted by his emotions.
 
Rocket354 said:
I agree. Earl is probably my favorite player of all time to watch play. His prime matches are amazing. It's too bad too many of his matches then (and now) are interrupted by his emotions.
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Even in the past decade, when he catches a gear and stays focused he is an amazing player. He has some of the greatest natural pool playing ability of all time
 
Rocket354 said:
I agree. Earl is probably my favorite player of all time to watch play. His prime matches are amazing. It's too bad too many of his matches then (and now) are interrupted by his emotions.
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The Earl vs Rafael Martinez match was a great match. Two of the most entertaining players to watch. It's a shame Earls emotions get the best of him sometimes.
westcoast said:
Interesting comment in the post match interview-Earl stated that he was striving to set records like Jack Nicklaus and Ben Hogan. He doubted anyone would match or beat his number of US Open titles. Shane matched him though!
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I guess Earl will have to learn to be satisfied with 6 World Championships. Poor guy.
 
Rocket354 said:
. It's too bad too many of his matches then (and now) are interrupted by his emotions.
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tomatoshooter said:
It's a shame Earls emotions get the best of him sometimes.
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i think i understand that y’all are saying earl would perform better if he had more control of his feelings, but that passionate manic rollercoaster is probably my favorite thing about watching Earl. Not only is it something i can relate to from skating, but it’s just so very human and real and just a part of life that so many try to sweep under the rug and act like it doesn’t exist.

however, i of course have never been on the receiving end and speak only from a distant spectator’s standpoint. watching earl snap like a twig just makes me feel a little bit less alone
 
soyale said:
i think i understand that y’all are saying earl would perform better if he had more control of his feelings, but that passionate manic rollercoaster is probably my favorite thing about watching Earl. Not only is it something i can relate to from skating, but it’s just so very human and real and just a part of life that so many try to sweep under the rug and act like it doesn’t exist.

however, i of course have never been on the receiving end and speak only from a distant spectator’s standpoint. watching earl snap like a twig just makes me feel a little bit less alone
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True, the emotions that get the better of him are also what drive him to better his game.
 
Earl in his prime was as good as a human can play 9 ball,as good as anybody that ever played the game.
If you put all the great 9 ballers in a room at their prime Earl might not beat them all but I would bet on him over the field.
Too bad later in life his bipolar got the best of him.
 
just watched that match, complete destruction of Erfen. How do you beat that...? What a clinic on 9 ball.
 
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