Edit: Nevermind
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Earl's version of what happened at SBE.
- Thread starter bfdlad
- Start date
Edit: Nevermind
Yes, but that is a terrible comparison because Earl isn't saving millions with his stroke.
I won't make excuses for his unpredictable personality outside of the table. Keep in mind that he didn't ask to be put in a position of adoration by pool fans....it just happened because he won over and over again. I can't tell you that I would be warm and charming every single time people wanted to take a picture with me because I have never been in that position before and certainly not for well over a decade straight.
Thats my point. If we wouldn't cut someone who saved millions of lives slack for acting like that, why consistently defend someone who does simply because of their natural talent for a game? I just don't, and not sure I can, understand the constant defense of someones actions like this. What exactly would it take for Earl fans to say "Ok, thats too far"?
Errr you didn't read my post. I said "Yes" I would admire that person regardless of their personality deficiencies.
Do I think Earl should be given a pass, or special treatment during tournaments? The answer is absolutely not. I would prefer that at the start of a tournament everyone is notified that you will be given one warning and one only. If you get a warning on day one you can get your butt booted out on day 3 if you act up. This would go regardless of whether or not you are in the money or not and you would forfeit your prize.
How that pro acts outside of a tournament is of no issue to me, or anyone else. They don't make enough money to have it be an issue. Can you imagine just how stressful it can be to worry about all the bills you have and have all of that hinge on how well you do in a tournament? Keep in mind that you walk out to the public to deal with people up close and personal afterwards no matter how good or bad you do.
It's one thing to be great and unbeatable. It is an entirely different thing to be great and grasping.
Sorry, its late and i'm tired as hell. Thats my fault.
Yes I can, its called life and lots of people are worrying about bills on less than minimum wage in this economy. Most do not use this as an excuse to degrade and demean others. Maturity is a great thing.
Earl will always be admired for his accomplishments. Those of us who idolized him for the way he plays will always be Earl fans on that level. I am not a fan of his behavior and never will be. I have seen it first hand what he does to his opponents and to the spectators and it's frankly embarrassing and uncomfortable for everyone when it happens.
No one likes to play Earl. For two reasons, they know Earl is capable of running out the set at any time and two they don't know which Earl is going to show up. Tension is there even before the match begins.
I am one of the people who hopes that Earl finds a way to control himself and just play. In 1990 or 91 I watched him win a World Championship in a style I have never seen since. Just totally dominating and in control. I said, that's the kind of player I want to be and I tried. Fell far short except in the temper and wackiness department unfortunately. But even today I'd give just about anything to have Earl's skill.
People can be admired and exalted for their accomplishments and they should be. But when it comes to competition they should be treated like everyone else and if they can't fade the heat then they should get out of the game.
I personally believe that Earl could make a comfortable living going around the world and giving private lessons. I know that given the opportunity it would be worth $500 to $1000 for me to spend a few days training under a legend exclusively. I think he is torturing himself trying to compete when he is so clearly upset by the game as it is today. The game will not change for him so he should get out of it and move to the next phase in his career.
He might find that it's pretty cool when people are willing to pay you to vent for two or three days.
No one likes to play Earl. For two reasons, they know Earl is capable of running out the set at any time and two they don't know which Earl is going to show up. Tension is there even before the match begins.
I am one of the people who hopes that Earl finds a way to control himself and just play. In 1990 or 91 I watched him win a World Championship in a style I have never seen since. Just totally dominating and in control. I said, that's the kind of player I want to be and I tried. Fell far short except in the temper and wackiness department unfortunately. But even today I'd give just about anything to have Earl's skill.
People can be admired and exalted for their accomplishments and they should be. But when it comes to competition they should be treated like everyone else and if they can't fade the heat then they should get out of the game.
I personally believe that Earl could make a comfortable living going around the world and giving private lessons. I know that given the opportunity it would be worth $500 to $1000 for me to spend a few days training under a legend exclusively. I think he is torturing himself trying to compete when he is so clearly upset by the game as it is today. The game will not change for him so he should get out of it and move to the next phase in his career.
He might find that it's pretty cool when people are willing to pay you to vent for two or three days.
Well said.
Regardless of Earl's behavior and your feelings about him, I don't believe it is professional of you to make these comments public.
I agree completely. Efrin was late to his match in Vegas and for every 5 minutes that went by, he was penalized one game. He finally arrived, but the match started with him having 4 losses. This is the way you run a tourney NO MATTER WHO THE PLAYER.
Again, it is 15 minutes late after the match is called, not scheduled. This match was delayed because of the previous match so it wasn't called yet. But I agree with what you are saying that nobody should get an exception to this rule, it just didn't apply in this case from what I read.
Dave
I don't post very often, and only when a topic really sparks my interest. This one has lured me in.
What I'm curious about is the TD's account of the story. I was there when Earl got kicked out but was too far to hear what was actually said. I guess what I don't understand is this... Frank talks about all the rude and disruptive things that Earl was doing but the reason he kicks him out is when Earl says "You have to call him?". THAT was the reason? All the other things he said or did were forgivable, but because Earl asked THAT question he was kicked out? Am I the only person that finds this strange?
I'm definitely not defending Earl but I am however questioning Frank's decision making.
And now that I'm on the topic. Who is this guy? A comedian, really? This is who we have to run a professional pool event. If he was just a host or announcer maybe I would understand. But a tournament director, that's a joke. Does he even play pool? What qualifies him to make pool-related decisions whether it be about the rack or hit calls? This guy was no very professional and if anything he was a distraction. After he kicked Earl out, he gets on the mic to explain the situation to everyone, which took over 5 minutes, while there are matches in progress? I don't know, maybe I'm crazy but it seemed to me that this guy was abusing his position during the event while also doing some self-promoting.
What I'm curious about is the TD's account of the story. I was there when Earl got kicked out but was too far to hear what was actually said. I guess what I don't understand is this... Frank talks about all the rude and disruptive things that Earl was doing but the reason he kicks him out is when Earl says "You have to call him?". THAT was the reason? All the other things he said or did were forgivable, but because Earl asked THAT question he was kicked out? Am I the only person that finds this strange?
I'm definitely not defending Earl but I am however questioning Frank's decision making.
And now that I'm on the topic. Who is this guy? A comedian, really? This is who we have to run a professional pool event. If he was just a host or announcer maybe I would understand. But a tournament director, that's a joke. Does he even play pool? What qualifies him to make pool-related decisions whether it be about the rack or hit calls? This guy was no very professional and if anything he was a distraction. After he kicked Earl out, he gets on the mic to explain the situation to everyone, which took over 5 minutes, while there are matches in progress? I don't know, maybe I'm crazy but it seemed to me that this guy was abusing his position during the event while also doing some self-promoting.
Banks
Banned
Exactly.. I can accept that he may have valid excuses here or there, but!
If he's going to go around acting like a jerkoff everywhere he goes, then he's going to get treated like one. Just another example of crying wolf.. he keeps throwing a tantrum when he's just pissy, how the hell is somebody suppose to know when it's a real problem that he's complaining about?
No wonder the guy has to play pool.. no damn company I've ever been at would keep this guy around longer than his first whine.
Maybe he's just a big baby and needs more naps.
Just for the record, Efren was penalized 2 games (not 4) at the US Open 10 Ball. He started the match down 2-0 after losing one game at the 5 minute mark and the 2nd one after ten minutes. He arrived before the 15 minute forfeit deadline so the match was played. Under the rules the most games you could lose to the clock was two because at the 3rd five minute mark (15 minutes) you forfeit the match. But yes, I agree this is how it should be handled regardless of who is involved. The thing is, this really has nothing to do with Earl's situation because Earl wasn't the one late to the match. And even if these same guidelines were in place at the SBE, Earl had been tossed (rightly or wrongly) before his opponent would have been subject to forfeit for being late.
All of this was just the icing on the cake. The first two warnings came in his match against Parica. IMO, that's when he sealed his fate in this tournament. He called the TD a fool for everyone to hear. After that I'm sure Frank was just looking for an excuse to get rid of him.
Koop - will still watch Earl anytime he is playing
Koop - will still watch Earl anytime he is playing
No, it simply means the rack is tilted, or not straight, i.e. the 9 and and back ball (in a 9 ball rack) are not lined up directly behind the 1 Ball on the spot line going from the foot spot to the middle diamond on the foot rail. In a ten ball rack there is no back row ball directly behind the 10 ball but if the rack is tilted the 10 won't be directly on the spot line behind the one and the back row will not be parallel (in other words it will be tilted) to the foot rail.
Is it even remotely possible that the TD was actually a fool?
It wouldn't be the first time that someone has been crucified for speaking the truth if that's the case.
Well IMO he is right about that at least, but he becomes his own worse enemy by the way he reacts to it. Damn shame, what a skilled player he is.