I have had a grueling 3 weeks on the road doing the Pro tournaments at The Masters, Super Billiard Expo and the Earl Shane match. I am just getting back to normal here at my shop. First off I would like to congratulate both Earl and Shane for putting on the best pool match I have ever witnessed in my 45 years being in the sport of pool. Both these players played on the toughest table I ever tried to make a ball on. It was so amazing to see these warriors preform on live viewing, under the most adverse conditions I have ever seen. I was positioned on the left of Justin's set up and had a birds eye view of the entire set. I could not believe the beginning of the match. There were people positioned all over the room doing things I could not believe. They had the snack bags and drinks and used them strategically to disrupt the players. I don't know how Shane did not get sharked more than he did. I saw people waiting for Earl's final stroke to crunch the chips. They were warned that anymore of this and they would be evicted. I saw one person raise his drink at the last moment and when Earl got up and said something he lowered his can and I could not believe but raised it again as Earl got down, back up and down with Earl's motions. It was not only intentional but as rude as I have ever witnessed anywhere but in a pool room where the whole room was trying to shark the road man trying to beat the home town hero. I have been in plenty of these situations in my 20 years on the road gambling in pool rooms and faded it. Now I witnessed people talking and laughing while Earl was shooting. I know we are a long way from respect for pool players from people betting against the other guy. There were a couple of instances where people were doing things that disturbed Earl that were unintentional but both Earl and Shane came to me complaining about situations that I did my best to fix. My partner Mike, the owner of the pool room did his best to control the people also. He got on his own customers for both players, for the sharking and did not show any favoritism. He was as stressed out as I have ever witnessed a person for a gambling situation. Everybody knows how Earl is when he plays, he voices his opinion about anything and everything. Did Shane condemn Earl in their first match when he blistered Earl 100 to 65 or whatever it was, no they shook hands just like in the 2nd match. And I was sponsoring Earl in the first match also and Earl was exactly the same. You know how he is and if you cannot handle it don't play or watch. He is the best player we have in pool and the biggest resume and the most watched, what do you think and who is next?
Earl vs. Shane
- Thread starter gulyassy
- Start date
This is the type of event that can bring pool to a viewer interest level. This is how sports can make money for the players.
Great job and idea.
Great job and idea.
It is sure not coming from the amateur leagues like in golf, bowling and tennis, is it.
Well said! I wasn't there Friday night but I know the guy your talking about sharking Earl. I'm embarrasted to say I know that guy,he's the biggest drunken asshole piece of shit I might know. Someone should have drug him out of there by his goat ass goatee and beat his ass. He was there again on Saturday and again being a drunken asshole.
Anyway I just want to say great tournament & I hope thier will be plenty more to come from Ice Breakers.
Anyway I just want to say great tournament & I hope thier will be plenty more to come from Ice Breakers.
Hmmmm
Great Post from a pro player, cuemaker and promoter of the sport. It was a great match, just sit back and enjoy it and leave the B*tching at home. This is real pool for real fans......Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Great Post from a pro player, cuemaker and promoter of the sport. It was a great match, just sit back and enjoy it and leave the B*tching at home. This is real pool for real fans......Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
It may be our sports way in...sounds better that pool/poker/pain....Was working with a gentlemen 20 years ago out of Kentucky doing a production not in Kentucky, Annagoni was involved in the color, and all I can remembe,r is him saying ''Dirreaha of the Mouth"
He wanted to do a Nascar stlye production with a list of invited players and create something similar with our game. It was to be a studio setting, if not for the financing problems he ran into it could of worked, because this person was a director/producer of shows alread on TV.
Thanks for the great match and great idea. I was so excited in anticipation of the match and I shared my excitement and enthusiasm with local players and league members here im my small town. Most of these people wouldn't recognize Earl or Shane if they saw them, but I hyped the event up so much that by Sunday evening my phone was ringing off the hook with people calling me wanting to know the score!!!
Yes this was a great idea!
Thank You!
Sincerely,
Obsespool
I had to sort out a fellow English guy who was acting "yobbishly" and baiting Earl at the Mosconi Cup a few years ago - unfortunately Earl's persona seems to have created a magnet for these types, but it's still no excuse for that kind of behaviour from the stands.
Love/Hate!
Love/Hate!
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Its amazing people want to come on here talking so much about how the crowd sharked Earl but what about Earl being the BIGGES ASS in pool during that match? You come on here saying you know how earl is if you dont like it dont watch. Well all I have to say is you know how the fans are if you dont like it tell that cry baby to play a game he can handle mentally like solitaire.
Response to Mike G
Gambling matches can get nasty. Nasty sells. I personaly don't like it but it is the sign of the times and I think will draw the non pool players in vs. loving the skill of the game, tournaments. Imop promote it like the Mixed martial arts and wrestling(it doesn't have to be real animosity,just perceived) trash talk etc. Thanks for your hard work in promoting this match I enjoyed all but the first day. I still think you are to Earl what Col. parker was to Elvis. MIke the baby face colonel, Gulyassy. :grin:
See you soon I need work done.
Gambling matches can get nasty. Nasty sells. I personaly don't like it but it is the sign of the times and I think will draw the non pool players in vs. loving the skill of the game, tournaments. Imop promote it like the Mixed martial arts and wrestling(it doesn't have to be real animosity,just perceived) trash talk etc. Thanks for your hard work in promoting this match I enjoyed all but the first day. I still think you are to Earl what Col. parker was to Elvis. MIke the baby face colonel, Gulyassy. :grin:
See you soon I need work done.
Sorry, but I don't buy these excuses for Earl's abhorrent behavior. It isn't the "crowd" that makes him act this way! I've seen audience members get a little too loud and unruly at tournaments before, and the players didn't feel the need to respond anything like Earl did. The man (Earl) was out of line with Shane, PERIOD!
He and Mike both owe Shane an apology. Doubtful it will be coming anytime soon. Probably just more "poor me" from the Earl camp. By the way, Earl did not act like this in his first match. He went down like a mouse, and barely whimpered for three days.
He and Mike both owe Shane an apology. Doubtful it will be coming anytime soon. Probably just more "poor me" from the Earl camp. By the way, Earl did not act like this in his first match. He went down like a mouse, and barely whimpered for three days.
I don't get it Jay. You've seen how Earl acts for over 30 years and you've stood up for him on this forum for years until this one match that you so happened to bet on? You can't possibly tell me this is the worst you've seen Earl act in 30 years so what changed except you putting some money against him?
Blast away everyone...
Hello Mike. Thanks for setting this match up. I'm sure it was very difficult and I admire the effort I'm quite sure it took to make this happen. Earl's level of play was stellar. (Shane's level of play, not so good) I find it sad, however, that Earl behaves the way he does. I've had enough of "It's Earl just being Earl". It's a shame when a player who's skill set is as ridiculously high as Earl's is resorts to the histrionics and the boorish behavior that, unfortunately, he's become known for. I wanted Earl to win, but I found myself rooting for Shane. What a classy individual that young guy is. If only Earl behaved like Shane. Thanks again, Mike (and TAR) for making this happen. I enjoyed watching the mercurial talent on display...
Actually my bet (and it was a small one) has absolutely nothing to do with anything here. I watched a man misbehave badly, seriously shocking (and sharking) his opponent and get away with it. He could never have done this in any tournament I worked on, not even close. And he wouldn't either! Earl knows better. In this setting, it was no holds barred. Earl was given free rein to act however he wanted, without restrictions. Shane got set up! Shame on anyone who sticks up for him and how he behaved in this match. Once again, if this is the future of professional pool, count me out.
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I have to give Mike G. a lot of praise for making this, as well as previous, action matches happen with Earl. He is a man of his word. When he says he's going to make something happen, Mike G. follows through.
I am reminded of one incident when Earl Strickland was speaking to me at a Carolinas Open, sharing his opinion about jump cues. Mike G. happened to be within hearing distance. Before Earl could get on a rampage about jump cues, I reminded him that Mike G. was right next to us. He looked at Mike G. and refrained from sharing his opinion further on jump cues. It gives me a chuckle, now looking back on it.
There probably isn't as strong an Earl Strickland supporter as me on AzBilliards Discussion Forum over the years. I do understand the "why" when things get, in the words of Steve Tyler, "crazy good." :grin-square:
On the one hand, nothing pleases me more than to see Earl Strickland out there full time, 24/7/365, playing in action matches, tournaments, exhibitions, et cetera. I love that!
On the other hand, I do think Earl knows right from wrong. Just because he's Earl Strickland, five-time U.S. Open champ, et cetera, doesn't give him a free pass to, again in the words of Steve Tyler, act "crazy bad."
Earl is going to turn 50 this year. His future is what he makes it. He is fortunate to have three very strong and reputable industry members in his corner. I hope he realizes this and makes them proud. If he can accomplish this and keep his head up high and act "crazy good," then Earl will be okay. The ball is in his court, and the rest, as they say, will be history.
I am reminded of one incident when Earl Strickland was speaking to me at a Carolinas Open, sharing his opinion about jump cues. Mike G. happened to be within hearing distance. Before Earl could get on a rampage about jump cues, I reminded him that Mike G. was right next to us. He looked at Mike G. and refrained from sharing his opinion further on jump cues. It gives me a chuckle, now looking back on it.
There probably isn't as strong an Earl Strickland supporter as me on AzBilliards Discussion Forum over the years. I do understand the "why" when things get, in the words of Steve Tyler, "crazy good." :grin-square:
On the one hand, nothing pleases me more than to see Earl Strickland out there full time, 24/7/365, playing in action matches, tournaments, exhibitions, et cetera. I love that!
On the other hand, I do think Earl knows right from wrong. Just because he's Earl Strickland, five-time U.S. Open champ, et cetera, doesn't give him a free pass to, again in the words of Steve Tyler, act "crazy bad."
Earl is going to turn 50 this year. His future is what he makes it. He is fortunate to have three very strong and reputable industry members in his corner. I hope he realizes this and makes them proud. If he can accomplish this and keep his head up high and act "crazy good," then Earl will be okay. The ball is in his court, and the rest, as they say, will be history.
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I agree with all of that except he has done worse than this before and probably many times and you still stood up for him. He's broken more cues than I can count on both hands. He's cursed opponents and fans out. He's been doing all of this for decades but until this match I've never seen you degrade Earl like this. Maybe he didn't do it in your tournaments but you know he's done it elsewhere.
I have to give Mike G. a lot of praise for making this, as well as previous, action matches happen with Earl. He is a man of his word. When he says he's going to make something happen, Mike G. follows through.
I am reminded of one incident when Earl Strickland was speaking to me at a Carolinas Open, sharing his opinion about jump cues. Mike G. happened to be within hearing distance. Before Earl could get on a rampage about jump cues, I reminded him that Mike G. was right next to us. He looked at Mike G. and refrained from sharing his opinion further on jump cues. It gives me a chuckle, now looking back on it.
There probably isn't as strong an Earl Strickland supporter as me on AzBilliards Discussion Forum over the years. I do understand the "why" when things get, in the words of Steve Tyler, "crazy good." :grin-square:
On the one hand, nothing pleases me more than to see Earl Strickland out there full time, 24/7/365, playing in action matches, tournaments, exhibitions, et cetera. I love that!
On the other hand, I do think Earl knows right from wrong. Just because he's Earl Strickland, five-time U.S. Open champ, et cetera, doesn't give him a free pass to, again in the words of Steve Tyler, act "crazy bad."
Earl is going to turn 50 this year. His future is what he makes it. He is fortunate to have three very strong and reputable industry members in his corner. I hope he realizes this and makes them proud. If he can accomplish this and keep his head up high and act "crazy good," then Earl will be okay. The ball is in his court, and the rest, as they say, will be history.
Because of Earls ranting before this matchup I cancelled my wager with Jay (I bet on Earl) because I thought it would be wrong for Jay or myself to win or lose because of this type of recent behavior, Earl and I are good friends and enough said. If I were in a position to bring my two daughters to a premier pool match when they were younger that's one thing, BUT if there was ANY possibility this type of behavior was going to happen I would of never even thought about asking them or bringing them into this type of situation. Would you take YOUR kids? This sounded more to me like some form of one sided verbal cage wrestling. There are people nowadays that endorse/pay and love this type of behavior, and it the proper arena is acceptable. Would be interesting to see what percentage of the crowd thought it was good or bad. One has to also wonder how much SVB was taken advantage of, I'm not talking about the table and conditions. All good players have trapped others at one time or another, I once trapped Cole Dixon in So. IL and another time got trapped good by Gumphries in VA.
I find Earls rants more like a person crying out for attention for himself and the sport and how things should be but arn't. If Earl were this great at another sport, such as golf, he would either be nice or be gone, the money would speak loudly and most likely mold his character, if not the sporting body would deal with it quickly. We all need parameters in life for ourselves and for others that interact with us, if not.........
We all have relatives or co workers that fall into this catagory. We still like em, but....................
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Thanks Mike G. for making this happen.
All erratic behavior aside; I'm quite surprised that few are commenting on the fact that Earl was absolutely right about the level of play required to excel on that table. To me, it was not unfamiliarity with the equipment that did in Shane; it was that he had nowhere near enough precision to ever beat Earl on that table (unless Earl would beat himself...which of course is quite likely).
Shane's level of precision is fine for smaller tables; but not for the big one - very few players can pound the ball down those rails as accurately as Earl did. As one who has played a fair bit on shimmed 5 x 10 I could not believe how well Earl played those tough shots - I didn't really think it was possible (Shane's level of play is what I would expect from the vast majority of pro players who try such a table).
Kudo's to Earl, because he demonstrated just how great his pocketing skills really are - WAY more precise than SVB. I hope it is out on DVD because it belongs along side the Color of Money series as an example of the heights that rotation games can be played at by someone like Earl.
All erratic behavior aside; I'm quite surprised that few are commenting on the fact that Earl was absolutely right about the level of play required to excel on that table. To me, it was not unfamiliarity with the equipment that did in Shane; it was that he had nowhere near enough precision to ever beat Earl on that table (unless Earl would beat himself...which of course is quite likely).
Shane's level of precision is fine for smaller tables; but not for the big one - very few players can pound the ball down those rails as accurately as Earl did. As one who has played a fair bit on shimmed 5 x 10 I could not believe how well Earl played those tough shots - I didn't really think it was possible (Shane's level of play is what I would expect from the vast majority of pro players who try such a table).
Kudo's to Earl, because he demonstrated just how great his pocketing skills really are - WAY more precise than SVB. I hope it is out on DVD because it belongs along side the Color of Money series as an example of the heights that rotation games can be played at by someone like Earl.
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Nice post.