Its 11:15 a.m. and they are playing on espn classic.
Earl VS. Souquet on ESPN Now. Coincidence?
- Thread starter christopheradam
- Start date
Hey, Chris. Yeah, gives me something to do, as I'm at home sick today.
This chocie by ESPN Classic, though seemingly ironic, is not a coincidence. They've been showing old versions Challenge of Champions for weeks now, often in sequence. Last week they showed the 1995, so it's no shock that they are showing the 1996 event now.
Back then, the Challenge of Champions event gave us our only looks at two players now considered among the legends of the game: Souquet and Chao. Their genius was apparent even back then.
Enjoy the show. By the way, how about Ralf's moustache? I'd forgotten.
This chocie by ESPN Classic, though seemingly ironic, is not a coincidence. They've been showing old versions Challenge of Champions for weeks now, often in sequence. Last week they showed the 1995, so it's no shock that they are showing the 1996 event now.
Back then, the Challenge of Champions event gave us our only looks at two players now considered among the legends of the game: Souquet and Chao. Their genius was apparent even back then.
Enjoy the show. By the way, how about Ralf's moustache? I'd forgotten.
christopheradam said:
Yes, and Ralf won the $50,000 Challenge of Champions on an extremely difficult cut shot on the 9 into the corner pocket that rattled, then dropped.
Earl refused to shake Ralf's hand at the end of the match.
So I guess that's where the animosity between those two started.
Barbara
Barbara said:
The animosity is one-way. Since that match, Ralf Souquet has captured all of:
US Open nine ball title
US Open Straight Pool title
Derby City Classic Nine Ball title
World 9-ball championship
BCA Open 9-ball championship
Mosconi Cup
One must truly wonder what it takes to earn Earl's respect if these unprecedented achievements (and, yes, nobody else has won all of these in the game's history) aren't enough. Add to that that Ralf is about as classy a guy as there is in pro pool, and you really have to wonder what is wrong with Strickland.
Nine years later, as Earl proved last night at the US Open, little has changed.
drivermaker
Banned
Barbara said:
Earl actually DID get out of his chair and immediately go to Ralf and shook his hand right by the table after Ralf pocketed the 9 and was jubilantly raising his cue. There WAS an official handshake.
When Earl went back to break his cue down, Ralf went over to him and was talking about something, which Earl didn't seem too happy about, but it was hard to determine whether Ralf just had his hand out and open in expressing himself or whether it was being offered to Earl in another hand shake.
Earl did blitz outta there though. The commentator said that Earl wouldn't shake his hand, but I'm not sure if that was what happened right there.
sjm said:
Hope you feel better.
I enjoy every match they show on Espn Classic, just wish they would show some really old stuff, if it is even available.
Yeah I noticed his mustache,
Really enjoyed seeing the Bustamante of old with his Mullet on another show they aired. Funny to see them smoking during the tournament as well.
The best thing I've seen ESPNC air was Efren winning the U.S. open. I really enjoyed seeing that. You could see the focus on Efren's face in making those last few shots to win it.
sjm said:
Earl doesn't respect himself or he wouldn't act that way.
People, that treat other people with disrespect, will someday treat you the same way. Those kind of people aren't good for business & they aren't good for Pool.
Nobody likes losing, we all have a bad day. Earl is a great Pool Player, maybe Earl ain't a great person. If that's the case I would give a red cent to watch him play.
Golf is littered with turds, that have no heart for their followers. I never watch golf anymore & I used to be a Golf Professional.
Pool Players the world over are famous for being bad sports. I've been one myself, but one day I woke up. I pictured myself in the lucky winner's shoes & I was glad I won. Now that I have accepted defeat & learned to be a good loser, I'm a much better winner.
I'd like to see Earl become a gentleman Champion, but that may never be....
ESPN Classic
I don't know if it's me, but for some reason the coverage of those older matches seem more enjoyable to watch then the broadcasts of today. I don't want to specifically say that you don't have to listen to Mitch Lawrence but there is a difference. Whatevere the reason I look forward to watching the classic matches and really don't care about the new and improved version. It is also interesting to look at who the sponsors were back then. English Leather, an air purifying company and some others I can't think of right now. To bad the sponsor train derailed, cause for awhile back then it looked like things were looking up.
I don't know if it's me, but for some reason the coverage of those older matches seem more enjoyable to watch then the broadcasts of today. I don't want to specifically say that you don't have to listen to Mitch Lawrence but there is a difference. Whatevere the reason I look forward to watching the classic matches and really don't care about the new and improved version. It is also interesting to look at who the sponsors were back then. English Leather, an air purifying company and some others I can't think of right now. To bad the sponsor train derailed, cause for awhile back then it looked like things were looking up.
Did I hear Earl say, "That's what they get for clapping like a Seal"
"They should go to the zoo or something"
"I guess it's boring"
I tried to hear what he was saying. It was when Earl went up 2 games to 1 in the second set, for anyone that has it taped or on Tivo.
Did you see Earl clap when he missed one of the shots when Ralph was going to the table.
"They should go to the zoo or something"
"I guess it's boring"
I tried to hear what he was saying. It was when Earl went up 2 games to 1 in the second set, for anyone that has it taped or on Tivo.
Did you see Earl clap when he missed one of the shots when Ralph was going to the table.
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Is it pronounced Soo K or Soe K
the Lon guy keeps saying Soe K but I've always heard it pronounced soo k.
the Lon guy keeps saying Soe K but I've always heard it pronounced soo k.
Towards the end of the match check out the kid staring at earl looking like he is ready to cry 
PoolBum said:
It was all on the Lon guy, he missed them shaking hands.
What do you think Ralph was saying to Earl at the end?
Something like, "It could have went either way, I got lucky" , something like he said at the end of his end of the match interview about not plaing to great and playing some good safes and "it could have went either way"