Fao all professional players!!

I can't speak for the pros, only for myself. I enjoy pool in all it's various forms, the good, the bad and the ugly. Tournament pool, money games, pool in far away places and pool in historic places. I like it all, even if occasionally someone on here pisses me off. I can take it as well as give it :cool:. Yes, pool is not always pretty, and it's not always pretty on here either. But guess what, that's how life is, unless you live in a guilded cage. If you can't handle the give and take of an AZ thread I'd suggest you stay on YouTube.

Pool has been a mainstay of my adult life, a form of recreation and a source of income for the last 45 years. Why would I not embrace an opportunity to interact with people who share my interest in the game. Early on, I found AZ helpful to me in promoting various events I was working on. It was only after several years posting in the tournament section and on the various calendars that I discovered the Forums. I'm glad I did.

I typically come on here at least once or twice a day to see what's going on in the pool universe, sometimes posting my opinions and more often finding nothing I wish to share. For me AZ is a diversion from the many other areas of my life that I'm involved in, like helping out with the grand kids, attending to various rental properties, spending time with family and friends and taking care of all the little tasks that come with maintaining a home and running a business out of it. I guess you could say that I'm semi-retired since I rarely work more than a few hours a day. That gives me time to visit AZ more often than others I'm sure.

So yes, AZ is an aspect of my life that I enjoy, so why not. There have been times when I haven't visited this site in days and weeks. But the thought of leaving (that's always amused me when someone announces they're leaving - WHY?), has never crossed my mind. If I want to leave, I just do. I don't have to be here if I don't want to be. I don't come on here when I'm busy with other things. No big deal, I've never felt like I have a commitment to be here.

I happen to like the freedom that a forum like this has. You can post or not post. You can come when you want and leave when you want. Much like the poolrooms I hung out in for so many years. Maybe that's why I like AZ. It's always open 24 hours a day, like an all night poolroom :smile:. I can even book a little action here once in a while, and might even get paid if I win. :D

Well you get the picture. Why more pros don't utilize this facility I'm not sure. I expect it's because they're busy out there trying to make a living and don't have the time or energy. I can fully understand that. I used to shoot pool 10-14 hours a day, so how much time would I have to spend on the internet. I didn't have time for movies, dating, going out to eat, ANYTHING! I was a poolroom rat! If they had the internet back then, I would have been the last one to use it.

Anyway, thanks for hanging out in the AZ poolroom with me. I hope we can make a game one day. Sad to say I rarely play anymore. I guess you could say I'm a semi-retired pool player too. For whatever reason seems the only time I get a "jones" to play is when I'm walking down a side street in Manila and I see one of those hole-in-the-wall poolrooms. Something stirs in my blood and I have to go in there and challenge someone. I love it!
 
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I am reminded today of a statement that used to be touted frequently, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

This may be a defensive statement, but I'm not so sure it's accurate. Words do matter.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, oh, Lord, my strength and my redeemer. -- Psalm 19, Verse 14

Don't ever forget who you are. -- Keith McCready

Never allow anyone to have control over the thermostat of your soul, because whoever controls the thermostat will control the temperature. -- Dr. Howard Thurman
 
It would be an interesting list, a who's who of pros that have posted here.

It would be nice if the rest of us treated them reasonably when they do make an appearance here. I'm not saying that they have to be coddled or babied, but simply treated with respect. If you have a disagreement, state it respectfully, and say it that way. (There are a couple who have posted here that have said or done things that I wasn't thrilled with, but I won't go out of my way to hurl crap at them when they stop by here. I was glad to see them spending any time at all with us.) Of course I'd like to see that type of interaction between all of us who post here in general, but even moreso with "the pro's. They don't have to be here, and it is a treat for them to stop by and share with us.

I seriously doubt we'll see a bigger level of participation by the pro's, simply because of the fact that we have some folks here that have no desire to act like adults, and use the anonymous nature of the internet to stir up crap. The pro's really don't need to subject themselves to it. Sad, really.

Beyond the names apready mentioned.... Mike Dechaine and John Brombeck (sp?) post here, and Shawn Putnam used to have his own sub-forum here, even before the ABP issues. Chris Bartram may or may not consider himself "a pro", but he plays up there with them in the tournaments I've paid attention to, so I consider him to be in that group. Ray Martin posts occasionally.

Any others?
 
A large percentage of the pros that have come on here over the years only came because they needed something. To get staked, sell something, get MC votes, and other sefl serving things. Not all of them, but most. Flame away...it is what it is. Johnnyt
 
macguy said:
I looked at I think everything he wrote and I can't find anything negative in his posts or responses. What exactly are you talking about? He hasn't posted in 6 years.
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I didn't say Earl was negative. I said he was driven off by negativity directed towards him. There are many negative posts and references about Earl that he did not respond to.
 
rayjay said:
I didn't say Earl was negative. I said he was driven off by negativity directed towards him. There are many negative posts and references about Earl that he did not respond to.
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So what, if you don't like critics then don't read the reviews. I never saw anything directed at him when he posted on here, he was treated with complete respect. Most all people on here are fans for his skills even the critics, but when people talk about his antics these are legitimate topics and people have opinions.

Lets be honest, none of us would like to hear what other people may say about us behind our backs in everyday life be it friends, fellow workers, whoever. The problem is, when you are a public person it isn't done behind your back. It is best ignored unless you have very thick skin. Regarding As far as Earl responding to some of the threads, he would have to be a complete moron if he engaged his critics. It is the worst thing to do by any public person going back to Harry Truman's daughter incident.
 
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macguy said:
So what, if you don't like critics then don't read the reviews. I never saw anything directed at him when he posted on here, he was treated with complete respect. Most all people on here are fans for his skills even the critics, but when people talk about his antics these are legitimate topics and people have opinions.

Lets be honest, none of us would like to hear what other people may say about us behind our backs in everyday life be it friends, fellow workers, whoever. The problem is, when you are a public person it isn't done behind your back. It is best ignored unless you have very thick skin.
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Truer words have never been spoken. Being a celebrity ain't all that it's cracked up to be, whether it's good or bad.

There is something to be said about being an unknown entity and enjoying privacy.

In pooldom, being a pool celebrity doesn't offer much benefit by way of compensation; in reality, they're not celebrities at all.

When you're in the public eye as a celebrity in today's world, you can't even pick your nose without somebody snapping a picture and posting it on TMZ for millions and millions of views to see.
 
macguy said:
So what, if you don't like critics then don't read the reviews. I never saw anything directed at him when he posted on here, he was treated with complete respect. Most all people on here are fans for his skills even the critics, but when people talk about his antics these are legitimate topics and people have opinions.

Lets be honest, none of us would like to hear what other people may say about us behind our backs in everyday life be it friends, fellow workers, whoever. The problem is, when you are a public person it isn't done behind your back. It is best ignored unless you have very thick skin. Regarding As far as Earl responding to some of the threads, he would have to be a complete moron if he engaged his critics. It is the worst thing to do by any public person going back to Harry Truman's daughter incident.
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I can see how that would apply to other people, but Earl is different. People belittle him like he has no value. It may not be in the thread, but its never ending in other threads. So much of it, I'm starting to think he is actually a jackass.
 
JAM said:
Truer words have never been spoken. Being a celebrity ain't all that it's cracked up to be, whether it's good or bad.

There is something to be said about being an unknown entity and enjoying privacy.

In pooldom, being a pool celebrity doesn't offer much benefit by way of compensation; in reality, they're not celebrities at all.

When you're in the public eye as a celebrity in today's world, you can't even pick your nose without somebody snapping a picture and posting it on TMZ for millions and millions of views to see.
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It seems to be a pattern where people like to build someone up then tear them down. I don't even think it has anything to do with jealousy it is more like sport people engage in an exercise of power.

Sports figures are different though, they were not created by the public, they created themselves and their achievements and skill are their own that no one can take away. It has nothing to do with money or rich and famous, it has to do with the skills they have can not be bought or inherited, stolen or faked.

Like them or not, they are the real deal. I think that is why we admire sports figures, even if we had some of their natural skills would we be willing to make the sacrifices they have made for their achievements? I don't think so.

I would hope people on here when they criticize pro players do so with proper objectivity and not out of jealousy.
 
C.Milian said:
I can see how that would apply to other people, but Earl is different. People belittle him like he has no value. It may not be in the thread, but its never ending in other threads. So much of it, I'm starting to think he is actually a jackass.
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He is an interesting and controversial topic in pool and most of the stories are true. Much of what he has done that people like to point to were done in front of a lot of witnesses. At least when he is in public, he certainly doesn't seem to care what people think.
 
Earl is a peculiar egg that's for sure. Love him or hate him deep down inside everybody loves him. Different folks have different strokes :p but the main reason everybody loves Earl???

He's the total package and entertaining to boot. Don't get me wrong he can go overboard with it at times but its Earl!! Whatca gonna do :rolleyes::lol:
 
JAM...IMO, you're STILL considered one of the good guys...er, girls! :thumbup: I enjoy your posts, and your once-in-a-while efforts to get Keith to post too! Most of us miss you when you're gone...and happy to see you come back and visit!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

JAM said:
I At one time, I was considered a good guy on AzBilliards. I enjoyed interacting with the forum.
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macguy said:
He is an interesting and controversial topic in pool and most of the stories are true. Much of what he has done that people like to point to were done in front of a lot of witnesses. At least when he is in public, he certainly doesn't seem to care what people think.
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At least he's honest about not liking the way things are done. With so much BS going on, I kinda like guys like Earl around. Myself, am scared of violent folks, and those who have mastered the art of pretending to be a nice person. Earl isn't mothergoose but at least he isn't one of the aforementioned.
 
RunoutJJ said:
Earl is a peculiar egg that's for sure. Love him or hate him deep down inside everybody loves him. Different folks have different strokes :p but the main reason everybody loves Earl???

He's the total package and entertaining to boot. Don't get me wrong he can go overboard with it at times but its Earl!! Whatca gonna do :rolleyes::lol:
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One thing though, people like to talk about McEnroe and make comparisons but they are not valid. I think people liked watching McEnroe go nuts it was some kind of perverse entertainment to them. Earl is different, it really makes people uncomfortable when he is doing what he does sometimes, no one enjoys it. You cringe for him when you see him out of control and wish he would stop.

I was at a local tournament once where he was playing a local good player.
The local got ahead of him like 7 to 3 in a race to 11. Earl had missed a few balls and then once again didn't get out. He raked the balls down the table and took his cue apart and fortified. Then he began belittling the local player in front of the audience and his family who had come to see him play the match. Earl said things like, "Your the best, I can't beat you, your the greatest player I have ever seen, and so on some much worse.

This was all prompted by the local player being cheered on by his friends and the crowd because he was playing so well and winning. I doubt anyone who witnessed that display ever would be a fan of Earls again. He has such a history of this a lot of people no longer want to give him a pass just because he can play.
 
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C.Milian said:
At least he's honest about not liking the way things are done. With so much BS going on, I kinda like guys like Earl around. Myself, am scared of violent folks, and those who have mastered the art of pretending to be a nice person. Earl isn't mothergoose but at least he isn't one of the aforementioned.
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If you saw his act in person a few times (You may have) you should or would feel different. Or if his usually uncalled for venom was directed at you or a friend. This has nothing to do with the politics of pool, it is the person he can become when he plays at times and the innocent people who he has no problem offending be they opponents or the audience.
Once seen it is very difficult to defend.
 
...and yet, while Earl is certainly no angel (and I don't personally 'give him a pass' on some of his outlandish behavior)...he remains, perhaps, the best 9-ball player EVER! Personally there are lots of us here who would like nothing better than to watch Earl win another US Open title! I know I would! GO EARL!!! :grin:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

macguy said:
One thing though, people like to talk about McEnroe and make comparisons but they are not valid. I think people liked watching McEnroe go nuts it was some kind of perverse entertainment to them. Earl is different, it really makes people uncomfortable when he is doing what he does sometimes, no one enjoys it. You cringe for him when you see him out of control and wish he would stop.

I was at a local tournament once where he was playing a local good player.
The local got ahead of him like 7 to 3 in a race to 11. Earl had missed a few balls and then once again didn't get out. He raked the balls down the table and took his cue apart and fortified. Then he began belittling the local player in front of the audience and his family who had come to see him play the match. Earl said things like, "Your the best, I can't beat you, your the greatest player I have ever seen, and so on some much worse.

This was all prompted by the local player being cheered on by his friends and the crowd because he was playing so well and winning. I doubt anyone who witnessed that display ever would be a fan of Earls again. He has such a history of this a lot of people no longer want to give him a pass just because he can play.
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Well Earl causes his own demise by going on Tilt!! If you are a true champion you shouldn't let the small crap bother you!!! I think most players do shit on purpose just to get into Earl's head!! Wanna be a cry baby about getting beat by somebody playing their best game then QUIT!!! I would love it if he came at me with that crap he said to that kid!! Maybe ill break out a batting helmet and shin guards and ask to raise the bet. Im sure he would love that!!!
 
macguy said:
If you saw his act in person a few times (You may have) you should or would feel different. Or if his usually uncalled for venom was directed at you or a friend. This has nothing to do with the politics of pool, it is the person he can become when he plays at times and the innocent people who he has no problem offending be they opponents or the audience.
Once seen it is very difficult to defend.
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I'll have to see it to believe it. Lol, that's funny. Guess this world has gotten to the old dog. It wouldn't surprise me if granny sitting in the bleacher is an evil-doer....Earl owes her nothing. I've always had pleasant experiences with Earl. Some of the guys I play with that has played with Earl says he is a cool person. It's the nice guys that really creeps me out.
 
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