lol i dont know, the earl i meet about a year ago was funny as hell. i hung out with him, johnny and mark for about 3 days
Earl walked out @ GCCS
- Thread starter wjpjr
- Start date
when Earl is good nobody notices
When Earl goes somewhere and just plays his game it isn't fodder for the gossip mill so it is rarely mentioned. If mentioned that is all. When he doesn't behave even at a fairly minor event we get multiple threads and page after page of posts talking about him. If I just read AZB I'd think Earl needed locking in a cage. He isn't a saint but I suspect he isn't nearly the sinner folks would think just reading AZB either.
Hu
When Earl goes somewhere and just plays his game it isn't fodder for the gossip mill so it is rarely mentioned. If mentioned that is all. When he doesn't behave even at a fairly minor event we get multiple threads and page after page of posts talking about him. If I just read AZB I'd think Earl needed locking in a cage. He isn't a saint but I suspect he isn't nearly the sinner folks would think just reading AZB either.
Hu
When people drive 1/2 way across the United States to see top shelf players play they don't want to get there to watch Some one quit !!
Everyone keeps drawing an analogy with other sports. How about if Tiger woods got behind 5 strokes on Sunday and quit on the 9th hole ??
How would they like him then ??
Earl needs to learn to suck it up and play like a gentleman when things get tough ! Either that or retire before being banned from playing in pro events all together
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I agree with your post Hu. Every time I've been around Earl, he's been super. First time I ever asked him for a photo together, he said "Sure, let's take a couple." Afterwards, when I thanked him, he THANKED ME for being a fan! Several times after that, he signed the pictures we already took and readily posed for new ones. These autographed pics of Earl now hang in my pool room next to Shannon, Grady, Nick, etc. He's persoanable and polite and excitable. He's not perfect, but neither are none of us. I'm sure glad all my faults aren't bantyed about on these forums.
Nonetheless, it has gotten to the point where it seems that Earl is showing more & more of his negative side than the "good Earl". After the day is over, he's still my 1st favorite active player. But I do wish he would concentrate more on his image now that his career in the winner's circle is winding down.
So you are saying Earl's opponent was sharking him and he got fed up with it? Or did the guy just need to take a leak a couple of times? We all know Earl likes to play fast and if his opponent was stalling to throw off Earl's game then I understand why he got fed up with it and walked out, that's something the T D should take care of. If the guy just took a quick leak a couple of times then Earl over reacted.
This thread seems to have a life of its own. Let's just accept the fact the Earl has a mercurial personality; sometimes hot, sometimes cold. He has a wonderful charming side to him that endears him to some and another dark side that is bewildering to say the least.
Like all of you, I like the good Earl and detest the other Earl. He is the "Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde" of pool. I don't know if he will ever corral the demons that lie within him. I'm just glad I got to see him play pool at his peak. It was a treat to watch someone so brilliant at this game. That is the Earl I choose to remember.
Like all of you, I like the good Earl and detest the other Earl. He is the "Dr. Jekyl, Mr. Hyde" of pool. I don't know if he will ever corral the demons that lie within him. I'm just glad I got to see him play pool at his peak. It was a treat to watch someone so brilliant at this game. That is the Earl I choose to remember.
As I understand it, he has not had his head together his whole life. No reason to think his course will deviate.
When I played Earl...
It was in 2007 US OPEN in Virginia. Earl is a perfectionists to the highest level when it comes to the equipment. During our match he complained from beginning to end of the match. He did not like the great number of players who were NOT SMASHING THE RACK ON THE BREAK. He also, did not like the black stains on our particular table in a certain spot. He did not like that the tables were not all heated and same temp like they are in 3C billiards...I have heard him complain of this many times in the past...
My weak break did not help the situation and I was trying my best to Smash Em but a weak break was all I had at the time...
He did complement me when I played some good safeties on him and he even clapped for me for all to see...He also clapped when I got out on some games on him..
He was pulled aside and told to quit talking to the crowd while we were in our match. I was not the one to complain about him as I knew who I was playing and full aware of his personality and sportsmanship record...
At one point if you really want to know ...the score was 6-5 in his favor and Earl did end up defeating me 11-5....He complemented me many times during our play and was friendly at the end with his handshake... He did lose his next two matches and left for home I believe...
Earl really wants those tables all to be heated and play exactly the same in every way...
thanks again,
Mr. J.
It was in 2007 US OPEN in Virginia. Earl is a perfectionists to the highest level when it comes to the equipment. During our match he complained from beginning to end of the match. He did not like the great number of players who were NOT SMASHING THE RACK ON THE BREAK. He also, did not like the black stains on our particular table in a certain spot. He did not like that the tables were not all heated and same temp like they are in 3C billiards...I have heard him complain of this many times in the past...
My weak break did not help the situation and I was trying my best to Smash Em but a weak break was all I had at the time...
He did complement me when I played some good safeties on him and he even clapped for me for all to see...He also clapped when I got out on some games on him..
He was pulled aside and told to quit talking to the crowd while we were in our match. I was not the one to complain about him as I knew who I was playing and full aware of his personality and sportsmanship record...
At one point if you really want to know ...the score was 6-5 in his favor and Earl did end up defeating me 11-5....He complemented me many times during our play and was friendly at the end with his handshake... He did lose his next two matches and left for home I believe...
Earl really wants those tables all to be heated and play exactly the same in every way...
thanks again,
Mr. J.
In a way Earl makes me think of the hero of my boyhood, Ted Williams, but in other ways not. Ted would throw tantrums, even once throwing his bat into the stands that hit an older lady in the head (the bat slipped out of his hands - he didn't mean to throw it at the crowd). The tantrums were the result of his being mad at himself for striking out, being fooled by the pitcher. Like Earl, he was a high strung person who demanded perfection from himself. He got close to that goal.
But, to my knowledge, Williams never showed disrespect for the opposing pitcher. In fact, he studied them much closer than other players did, which is a way of showing respect. And I never saw him argue with an umpire, though he gave them dirty looks when he thought they blew a call. Finally, he never held up the game by stepping out of the box to throw dirt on his hands or waste time in other ways - he just stayed there, bat on this shoulder, staring at the pitcher and waiting [by the way, HBO has a new documentary on Williams tomorrow (Wednesday) night].
I can understand a high strung perfectionist displaying anger at himself, but it's hard to forgive Earl's displaying disrespect for his opponent and referees. All that said, I don't doubt that he's a nice guy away from competition.
But, to my knowledge, Williams never showed disrespect for the opposing pitcher. In fact, he studied them much closer than other players did, which is a way of showing respect. And I never saw him argue with an umpire, though he gave them dirty looks when he thought they blew a call. Finally, he never held up the game by stepping out of the box to throw dirt on his hands or waste time in other ways - he just stayed there, bat on this shoulder, staring at the pitcher and waiting [by the way, HBO has a new documentary on Williams tomorrow (Wednesday) night].
I can understand a high strung perfectionist displaying anger at himself, but it's hard to forgive Earl's displaying disrespect for his opponent and referees. All that said, I don't doubt that he's a nice guy away from competition.
My vote is pool genius. He was up my way last year with Johnny. Very entertaining!!!!! Chatter box!!!!
He made me laugh, but as I looked around the room when he was talking about all pool matches should have an automatic 20 second shot clock, I could see some people were not amused. Very uncomfortable looks on peoples faces. The way he was telling his story and views were definately putting some people off.
I look at Earl as a one of a kind type player, and a genius!!!!
Just like alot of other gifted people, most of them are VERY different. Not the norm. And Earl is definately not the norm.
Other side of the coin is, Earl maybe should realize his responsibility of being a superstar in this sport, and showing by example more.
Just my 2 cents
My vote is pool genius. He was up my way last year with Johnny. Very entertaining!!!!! Chatter box!!!!
He made me laugh, but as I looked around the room when he was talking about all pool matches should have an automatic 20 second shot clock, I could see some people were not amused. Very uncomfortable looks on peoples faces. The way he was telling his story and views were definately putting some people off.
I look at Earl as a one of a kind type player, and a genius!!!!
Just like alot of other gifted people, most of them are VERY different. Not the norm. And Earl is definately not the norm.
Other side of the coin is, Earl maybe should realize his responsibility of being a superstar in this sport, and showing by example more.
Just my 2 cents
That's my negative with Earl. He does realize it. And....doesn't give two shits. He feels he's above it. I'm surprised someone hasn't put him into a gutter at least once. You should have seen him in the eighties and early nineties.
After reading this thread and many others it seems there are two very definable camps, those that like Earl and those that don't like Earl. You can also name the two groups "those who haven't played Earl" and "those who have played Earl".
I doubt that there are very many that have played him and still have a high level of respect for him, his game is his game but when his personality shows up during your match it throws things off kilter just a wee bit.
I doubt that there are very many that have played him and still have a high level of respect for him, his game is his game but when his personality shows up during your match it throws things off kilter just a wee bit.
Earl
I like watching him the most of all the pro players. I do think he is not playing with a "full deck" as the saying goes. Some of his actions are embarrassing even for me as a fan. I hope that he gets the help that he needs.
I like watching him the most of all the pro players. I do think he is not playing with a "full deck" as the saying goes. Some of his actions are embarrassing even for me as a fan. I hope that he gets the help that he needs.
I was thinking more along the lines of John Mcenroe...
Love him or hate him, people still talk about him. This thread is a good example. Are there any short "Earl" threads on AZ?
I think Earl might be the most famous (or infamous) living pool player. One way or the other, he still fills seats and draws viewers. Is this good or bad for pool? I don't know. But I'm still tuning in to watch.
Earl may never win any sportsmanship awards but he hasn't clubbed any baby seals...or killed a man with his bare hands yet. As far as I know.
I think Earl might be the most famous (or infamous) living pool player. One way or the other, he still fills seats and draws viewers. Is this good or bad for pool? I don't know. But I'm still tuning in to watch.
Earl may never win any sportsmanship awards but he hasn't clubbed any baby seals...or killed a man with his bare hands yet. As far as I know.
jkbales
John Bales
I agree with all of this. I'd wandered down to table 12 because Earl was playing a match there. I've seen Earl play and when he's good, he's great. Even if his game is off there's a chance for some entertainment. He was matched up against a player I didn't know, Jamison Neu.
It was a very good match. Earl started off quiet but then he began making comments about slow players, no shot clocks and such. This was apparently left over anger from his match with Tony Crosby, nothing to do with the current match. Jamison handled it all perfectly. Didn't get rattled, didn't let it get to him, he just bantered back at Earl and made his shots.
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Do you honestly believe that? I mean HONESTLY, think about it very carefully, do you really think that Earl Strickland is happy and leads a content life and all of the crap he does is just because he likes attention? If you really think that I am guessing you are a very poor judge of character and have difficulties assessing a persons emotional state. One thing is certain, you are most definately not an authority with the proper expertise to decide if Earl has a Bi-Polar mental issue or not, not in the slightest so your opinion on that matter is most definitely moot.
Yes I do and he has cashed in on it too.
There are things that I wish I could tell you guys about Earl but I just can't. However, if I did some of you would understand some of what is going on and why he sometimes is a little crazy, mean, bad tempered etc. I know there are a couple of people here on the forums that know Earl VERY well and I am sure they could tell you some of the same things. Hell I work with Earl, I have spent hours in a minivan with him while on the road and I have seen all kinds of sides to him. Do not get me wrong here Earl and I get into it all the time for one thing or another. But the other side alot of you do not see. I am going to give you a example that may or may not mean anything at all to you about the other side of Earl. We arrived at a hotel one time there was a skinny little stray cat out side meowing at us. The cat didn't look good at all and we all commented on it.
a couple hours go by and I need to speak with Earl so I go to his room. he opens the door and there is the cat he says "Quick close the door no pets allowed in here" He has set up a bowl of water and 5 cans of tuna lines upfor the cat. He has a kind heart Iguess is the point I am making and is not always the A Hole you think. Howerver by his own admission he can be a A- Hole alot. There is much more to this this guy than most of you know and to a point I can understand. RickS who posts here regularly can attest. I have not had the conversation with him but he is one of Earls best friends and I am also sure that he has wanted to smack him in the face a time or two. Someone else said Genius and madman. Its true. If he was a painter and was a genius in that department and every now and then threw a fit people would say "Oh he is an artist" I guess you can get away with being borderline in any other profession.
Last thing, I know I am sticking up for him here but I am also sometimes disgusted with his behaviour and the negative he has brought on the spot at times.
a couple hours go by and I need to speak with Earl so I go to his room. he opens the door and there is the cat he says "Quick close the door no pets allowed in here" He has set up a bowl of water and 5 cans of tuna lines upfor the cat. He has a kind heart Iguess is the point I am making and is not always the A Hole you think. Howerver by his own admission he can be a A- Hole alot. There is much more to this this guy than most of you know and to a point I can understand. RickS who posts here regularly can attest. I have not had the conversation with him but he is one of Earls best friends and I am also sure that he has wanted to smack him in the face a time or two. Someone else said Genius and madman. Its true. If he was a painter and was a genius in that department and every now and then threw a fit people would say "Oh he is an artist" I guess you can get away with being borderline in any other profession.
Last thing, I know I am sticking up for him here but I am also sometimes disgusted with his behaviour and the negative he has brought on the spot at times.
