Earl walked out @ GCCS

[ShootingArts]

Catch 22

If he is bi polar and doesn't take his medication then he should be disciplined just like anyone else would be. Since this seems to be an ongoing problem with him I'm sure he is one of the many who won't take their meds.

It is very easy to say just take the med's which I understand Earl has tried. However it is a Catch 22 deal. Taking medication can take the mental and physical edge off of your game. The options are to not take the medication and try to wrestle with whatever mental or physical health issues you have or take the medication and know you are handicapping yourself in competition. Either option can be wrong.

Hu

 

[quanz]

I wonder if I (nobody) act like Earl, will I be judged as an ass or will people understand me, or at least try to understand me?

 

[aj6788]

I've met the man personally, he is a riot! I've seen many video's too. Naturaully and from personal experience the guy is a natural chatter box! He is usually on the high end of happiness. I've seen him get upset though. I honestly didn't think he was going to walk out like he had. It is a very big dissappointment to me, I know I'm not the only one though!

He is seen as a role model to many, rather he likes it or not, IMO he should show some class and not walk out on a match like that. He has definately lost some brownie points from me.

 

[macguy]

I hate to say this but Earl having a rough time .
I heard Kim was less than pleased with his antic's .
During tournament play he had sweep the balls off the table after making bad shots and couple of times .
Some time around 7:30 pm he broke his cue down and left in the middle of a match last night .
I like Earl and I hope he gets his head together SOON !!

With all due respect I saw him do the same thing in the early 80's he has always done that kind of stuff. Around 1980 I saw him quit a local player who got ahead of him like 5 to 0 in a race to 11. He just got pi$$ed because all the spectators in the pool room were rooting for the local player. Earl just started insulting the spectators and finally quit saying something like "Are you happy now, he won". People started calling him names and he left forfeiting his next match never to return. Earl is and has always been a complete F'n obnoxious "JERK". To be honest, I am surprised he doesn't do it more now. People usually become more nut's as they get older. He was nut's 30 years ago.

 

[Pushout]

If you really love the game of pool, Earl in stroke is a beautiful thing to behold. Even today, with his obvious problems, sometimes when he is running balls, I still sit in awe and wish I could play 1/20th as well. I'm also amazed at how some people react to his problems, which are within himself. How can some people be so bitter and downright cruel in their criticism of one of the greatest players ever to play the game? I've admitted myself that he doesn't make the best decisions regarding his sportsmanship but why do so many make it sound so personal?

 

[macguy]

Unfortunately, Earl's antics (I believe) have always been a way to get the edge on his opponents. I think he should have been disciplined years ago, but the tournament directors wanted him too much as a drawing card.

Don't read too much into it, the guy is nut's. I mean there is actually something wrong with the guy. Spend a few days with him and then tell me what you think. I saw him act like a lunatic in a grocery store.

 

[SCCues]

I like Earl, but if something don't change this man will end up dead broke and lonely without anyone to call a freind or family if he don't change his way of doing things. The guy has a God given talent and he is just wasting it, if he ever gets his head right he would still be a threat playing anybody, anyone that plays as good as Earl does could still be running rack after rack well into their 80's if he lives that long.

I agree and I hope the man can get it together. I was at the US Open when Earl won it for the 5th time and i've never seen anyone play match after match so well. He went the whole week just dominating player after player. I think that was the 25th US Open in 2000.

James

 

[Pushout]

I agree and I hope the man can get it together. I was at the US Open when Earl won it for the 5th time and i've never seen anyone play match after match so well. He went the whole week just dominating player after player. I think that was the 25th US Open in 2000.

James

Quite agree and I was there too, it was, indeed, the 25th anniversary of the Open.

 

[tigerseye]

Earl was a perfect gentleman of the game a couple weekends ago in Goldsboro... He never rasied his voice or threw any tantrums. He shook hands like a gentleman/professional that he can be...

Just thought i would throw a good comment in there for ya Earl...

 

[Fatboy]

I hate to say this but Earl having a rough time .
I heard Kim was less than pleased with his antic's .
During tournament play he had sweep the balls off the table after making bad shots and couple of times .
Some time around 7:30 pm he broke his cue down and left in the middle of a match last night .
I like Earl and I hope he gets his head together SOON !!

I hate to hear this, earl has had a difficult time for years, I have compassion for troubled people. I hope Earl finds the peace he so desperatly needs.

 

[manwon]

I hate to say this but Earl having a rough time .
I heard Kim was less than pleased with his antic's .
During tournament play he had sweep the balls off the table after making bad shots and couple of times .
Some time around 7:30 pm he broke his cue down and left in the middle of a match last night .
I like Earl and I hope he gets his head together SOON !!

I think he needs to find a new shrink, and get back on his medication or at least have it increased. I have always loved to watch Earl play, but his antics are getting very very old, he is not child or a teenager any longer. Lets face it there is really nothing wrong with Earls Game, but his mental issues have gotten worst and wrost over the years, and this personality problem is destroying a great player.:frown:

 

[manwon]

Finally, an iota of sense. What Steve said, plus the fact that Earl is probably spoiled, and a little bratty. Many people can not stand failure after experiencing the success that Earl has experienced in the past.
Feeling it 'slip away' can be awfully hard on a person, kind of like when you feel yourself getting old.

I resent the bi-polar remarks. First off, you don't know for sure if he is bi-polar for sure, and to categarize him as such is wrong. Even if he is, why the big deal? I happen to be bi-polar, and classified, laughingly, as a manic depressive. Yes, I take meds daily, and lead a perfectly normal life.

If you haven't been there, done that, don't make assumptions you shouldn't ....

Yes, I take meds daily, and lead a perfectly normal life.

That is the differance between you and Earl, you have the ability to realise that you have a problem, and Earl doesn't. My question is simple how would your disability effect you without medication?

 

[bobroberts]

Earl reminds me of Phil Helmuth the poker brat.The only difference is when Phil throws a tantrum its because the opponent screwed up.
It is classless to do regardless.
I think Earl is bordering on tragic,:frown:

 

[wjpjr]

I think he needs to find a new shrink, and get back on his medication or at least have it increased. I have always loved to watch Earl play, but his antics are getting very very old, he is not child or a teenager any longer. Lets face it there is really nothing wrong with Earls Game, but his mental issues have gotten worst and wrost over the years, and this personality problem is destroying a great player.:frown:

I would think if he sat down and watched tapes of when he was really really
a great player it would help bring back some mojo . And yes , we are all getting old . Sure he can't run with these young guns and that has to have an effect on him ! I would just like to see him age like a fine wine instead of turning to vinegar. Earl is my age at it sucks to not see like I use to or not be as fast as I use to ect ect... Good or bad Earl has had a big effect on pool as we know it today !
Like others that care for Earl and his well being I hope he finds peace in what ever he dose. If he don't quit making fools of people that back him , buy him in Calcutta's and try to help. He's going to take a hard crash real soon !

 

[wahcheck]

even after all this time......

Didn't I read somewhere that the demise of the old Camel Pro Tour was at least partly due to the fact that Earl walked out on a semifinal or final match?
Yes, there's been quite some history of this stuff, and I'm sorry to see it still happening. However, I agree with all those citing his talent, as I know I would definitely attend any tournament happening in this area if I heard he would be there to compete.

 

[NoBull9]

I got the chance to speek wth Earl friday.He certainly can come across as insaine.Anway's he seamed to be in a joking mood and was showing a few of us a stroke shot.He signed a few autographs,and just cut up a bit. Through out the room there where flyers about a pool room and Wade Crane lessons.Well between shots and before the turniment.I gave a flyer to Earl and asked if he had taken lessons from Wade.His reply,are you asking me if took lessons from Wade.I replied with Yes.He smiled and said yes a fifty thousand dollar lesson sum years back.He was certainly entertaining and he never showed his ass until in match play.

 

[stick8]

earl

I NEVER had a problem with Earl, even last year in Phoenix. He knows he can't get away with that stuff when I'm working an event. I dealt with him many times in the 80's and 90's when he was still at the peak of his game. I respect Earl and his abilities, but there is a place I draw the line as a TD, and Earl knows that. Let's just say we respect each other.

I bump that JAY as i ran tournys a long while and you cant let the players run it!!! i blame a lot of earls act on TD they should not let him go so far , now bash a old man!!!

 

[Grumpy]

With all due respect I saw him do the same thing in the early 80's he has always done that kind of stuff. Around 1980 I saw him quit a local player who got ahead of him like 5 to 0 in a race to 11. He just got pi$$ed because all the spectators in the pool room were rooting for the local player. Earl just started insulting the spectators and finally quit saying something like "Are you happy now, he won". People started calling him names and he left forfeiting his next match never to return. Earl is and has always been a complete F'n obnoxious "JERK". To be honest, I am surprised he doesn't do it more now. People usually become more nut's as they get older. He was nut's 30 years ago.

Earl has always shown a lot of class,
unfortunately all too often it is all 3rd class.

 

[ccn7]

I'm an Earl lover and pround of it. To me its kinda like a marriage you take him for better or worse, sickness and in health, richer and poorer and all the other stuff. Earl is one of the greatesr player of our life time

 

[Fast Davie NC]

While I think Earl does cross the line of good sportsmanship on occasion, I think much of it is because he takes his game so seriously, demands perfection from himself, and doesn't always get it. When that happens, he gets frustrated, and his emotions take over.

Talk to him when he isn't in competition, and he is a very nice guy.

Some people are very emotional, and Earl is one of them. His outbursts are his way of releasing the frustration when he isn't playing up to his personal standards.

It doesn't justify his actions, but it does make them in some ways more understandable.

Steve

Well Said! I agree 1000% Take a look at Pro Tennis!