I like Earl, but he'll always be a sore loser. Always has and always will.

[Black-Balled]

this is an interesting post, jay, however, a bit confusing from a medical perspective....hmmm, if i was a doctor how would i diagnose this situation?

Maybe, just maybe, his demons (who need medication) are bi-polar, which cause a reaction that could be diagnosed as being an idiot servant by the antics that aren't amusing which lead to car crashes and meltdowns, however, he's in denial about these "maladies". Hmmm, this indeed sounds complex.:groucho:

I guess the obvious diagnosis is he needs a pharmacist, an alchemist, a physiatrist, an ambulance, and a priest :thumbup:

That to me isn't even the amazing part, despite all these "maladies" he still beats the best players in the world playing pool any given day on a 5/10.

hahaha!!!!

 

[MOJOE]

Do you guys really believe a person is justified to throw another person to the ground for a pat on the back in an act of condolence?

Absolutely not.. Not everyone is as bold in real life as they are behind their computer.. Some may be though! I do tend to keep my hands to myself unless I know someone rather well. YMMV

 

[Rhale100]

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

I think, after a warning or two minor fines and suspensions from events would have made a huge difference along the way. There were never any consequences for Earl when he treated people abusively. In addition, he was never asked or expected to apologize to those he'd mistreated, and even that would have made a big difference.

Hard to imagine what punishing him now for past offenses would accomplish. He's a lost cause, and pool, which failed to dissuade his deplorable conduct, will have to tolerate him.

Earl may be a lost cause but that doesn't mean that we have to continue to tolerate his misconduct. If Earl's misconduct occurs during a tournament or match, it should be up to the tournament director/organizer/referee to penalize him as he/she sees fit.

 

[Taco]

Earl may be a lost cause but that doesn't mean that we have to continue to tolerate his misconduct. If Earl's misconduct occurs during a tournament or match, it should be up to the tournament director/organizer/referee to penalize him as he/she sees fit.

He did get disqualified from a big tournament a year or two ago, but mostly his behavior is tolerated. A shout-out to the TD who had the balls to DQ him. But because it's Earl, and he's one of the all-time great players, he's usually cut a lot of slack.

But still, he's done more than his fair share to bring the game down to the level of professional wrestling.

 

[Sloppy Pockets]

Ah, I see. Let me rephrase my thoughts.

There are three kinds of pool people in this world:

1. Pool purists
2. Action enthusiasts
3. And those who don't give a hill of beans about what interests Nos. 1 and 2.

There, I fixed it.

Actually, you didn't fix anything. The world still works the way it works, no matter how you rephrase it.

Besides, my point was that Earl's antics aren't responsible for the pool industry being in the toilet, it's just that pool is a hell of a lot harder than playing Nintendo games. Most kids today want the easy route to everything. Guitar Hero, Virtual Pool, Gran Turismo... they make every kid a champion in his own mind.

So, how to get group #3 to give a shit about the interests in groups 2 and 3? How about the players giving a little back to the community they expect to support them?

Free clinics at local pools halls in small towns like mine. Community service work, like teaching the game to at-risk teens. Dozens of other things players could get off their asses to do that would increase public awareness of world-class players, instead of them constantly whining about how underpaid they all are.

As far as I can see, all of the hard work is being done by folks like those at NYC Grind (and many other small ventures), working for peanuts or for free just to promote the game. Christ, they can't even get good players into the commentary booth half the time.

Anyway, as far as Earl goes, I've been a huge fan for almost 30 years. Much of that time I wasn't even playing the game, but I knew he was one of the greatest ever. I have only recently had the (dis) pleasure to watch him play in person. I was there at Steinway when he started smashing his stick on the floor and accusing Hatch and Archer of cheating... with the Magic Rack of all things.

I have to say, it is a lot harder to endure a live display of his infantile behavior than it is on TV or a YT clip. I was gonna go back this Tuesday to watch him play Shane on the 10' table again, but I'm passing on that experience. That's going to cost the owners about $100 worth of food and beer I dropped there last Tuesday. Maybe Steinway could give him his walking papers, citing his misconduct and the revenue it is costing them. That might be a wake-up call for him, or at least a signpost to guide him in the future.

Doubt they'll do that, though.

Funny thing was that after that doubles match, Hatch went over to give Earl a big bear hug. Earl wasn't looking too pleased about it, but I'm pretty sure he didn't dare say "Don't effn touch me" to Dennis.:wink:

 

[JAM]

Must be a slow day in pooldom.

Why on earth would anyone blame Earl for the lack of luster in pool? Gimme a break!

So what if he doesn't like to be touched. Maybe the problem with pool is that railbirds think they have the right to walk up to a player and touch them willy-nilly. I know me personally, if I was at a golf tournament, I would never think of walking up to Tiger Woods or Jack Nicholas and giving them a pat on the back. Sheesh! :grin-square:

The amount of chatter this one pat on Earl's back has generated is almost laughable.

I get it, the amateurs, social shooters, and league players don't give two sh*ts about professional pool.

Professional pool players who are colorful are the scum of the earth, according to pool purists, and is what is keeping pool in the doldrums.

Earl can do what he pleases at the end of a tournament. He doesn't owe anything to anyone. The American pool culture continues to rip apart Earl Strickland and players like him, so why should those players give a crap about the American pool culture. It is what it is.

Pool continues to die a slow and ugly death in America. I'm just thankful that I got to see it shine during pool's golden years. You-all get to post on forums about what Earl should and should not have done.

 

[poolguy4u]

Huh?

He did get disqualified from a big tournament a year or two ago, but mostly his behavior is tolerated. A shout-out to the TD who had the balls to DQ him. But because it's Earl, and he's one of the all-time great players, he's usually cut a lot of slack.

But still, he's done more than his fair share to bring the game down to the level of professional wrestling.

:dance:



Sorry but professional wrestling is way above and ahead of the game of pool. Spectators, sponsorship, and it's on TV every week.

Seems like Cuetec is the cue to use...Earl, Shane, Allison...all great champions.

Got to be the Cue!:thumbup:

 

[Taco]

I know me personally, if I was at a golf tournament, I would never think of walking up to Tiger Woods or Jack Nicholas and giving them a pat on the back. Sheesh! :grin-square: (

But Jack and Tiger they walk up to fans and shake their hands, or give them high-fives. It's part of the game.

The amount of chatter this one pat on Earl's back has generated is almost laughable.
(

Completely agree.

Earl can do what he pleases at the end of a tournament. He doesn't owe anything to anyone. (

He can do whatever he pleases. That's his call. But, as in any sport, the fans are the ones who pay their rent. If there weren't any fans who buy tickets, etc., they'd have no livelihood, so he does owe them something, if nothing more than common courtesy.

 

[Taco]

I know that but I personally don't want to see pool devolve into farce, like wrestling is, no matter how lucrative it might be.

 

[JAM]

But Jack and Tiger they walk up to fans and shake their hands, or give them high-fives. It's part of the game.



Completely agree.



He can do whatever he pleases. That's his call. But, as in any sport, the fans are the ones who pay their rent. If there weren't any fans who buy tickets, etc., they'd have no livelihood, so he does owe them something, if nothing more than common courtesy.

I don't agree that Earl owes the fans anything. They certainly don't pay Earl's rent.

The payouts in pool today are not enough to sustain a full-time pro. We all know that. Industry members support industry members. Fans are few and far between for professional pool. We all know it. Professional pool is the stinking, rotting fish in the water that everybody smells and wants to keep whining and moaning about how much it stinks. Once the fish is removed, people will wonder what happened to all the fish, those American pros.

Earl is doing what he's gotta do to survive. It's 50, going on 51, no family, no loved ones in his corner. He does have a few loyal friends, thank goodness. I wish he'd quit playing, truth be told. Pool is cruel to its own, and Earl, the highest ranking AMERICAN champion in my lifetime, is the butt of cruel jokes and continues to be talked about as if he's no good. It's quite sad, really.

 

[poolguy4u]

He can do whatever he pleases. That's his call. But, as in any sport, the fans are the ones who pay their rent. If there weren't any fans who buy tickets, etc., they'd have no livelihood, so he does owe them something, if nothing more than common courtesy.

:shakehead:

Pool is much different. The players put up their own money or a sponsor enters them into a tournament. The prize fund is not from the fans.

Now if there is a charge to watch a tournament, that money will go other places but not to the players.

 

[poolguy4u]

I know that but I personally don't want to see pool devolve into farce, like wrestling is, no matter how lucrative it might be.

Pool is boring to watch. It really needs more characters like Earl and Mike. Bring back a shot clock and pushing out and shooting again.

Just look at the fans Emilly Dudley is bringing into pool. I don't think it's because of her pool playing...I think it's because she looks so good doing it. She is a really nice person.:thumbup:

 

[PoolSharkAllen]

:dance:



Sorry but professional wrestling is way above and ahead of the game of pool. Spectators, sponsorship, and it's on TV every week.

To elevate pool back up to the state of professional wrestling, pool needs wrestling personalities like Hulk Hogan, King Kong Bundy and George "The Animal" Seale.

Earl and Mike D. and Allison all need to work on their pile-drivers and body slams.

 

[poolguy4u]

To elevate pool back up to the state of professional wrestling, pool needs wrestling personalities like Hulk Hogan, King Kong Bundy and George "The Animal" Seale.

Earl and Mike D. and Allison all need to work on their pile-drivers and body slams.

I can just imagine seeing them as the managers. Earl would really be funny!

 

[Taco]

I don't agree that Earl owes the fans anything. They certainly don't pay Earl's rent.

The payouts in pool today are not enough to sustain a full-time pro. We all know that. Industry members support industry members. Fans are few and far between for professional pool. We all know it. Professional pool is the stinking, rotting fish in the water that everybody smells and wants to keep whining and moaning about how much it stinks. Once the fish is removed, people will wonder what happened to all the fish, those American pros.

Earl is doing what he's gotta do to survive. It's 50, going on 51, no family, no loved ones in his corner. He does have a few loyal friends, thank goodness. I wish he'd quit playing, truth be told. Pool is cruel to its own, and Earl, the highest ranking AMERICAN champion in my lifetime, is the butt of cruel jokes and continues to be talked about as if he's no good. It's quite sad, really.

His day job these days is house pro at Steinway Billiards. He wouldn’t have gotten the job if he were Joe Nobody and didn’t have fans. And he would get a lot fewer students if he were Joe Nobody. When you throw in his tournament winnings, paid for by sponsors and fans buying tickets, I still think the fans are paying his rent, unless he’s homeless.

Nobody said he’s no good. IMO, what’s quite sad is that he’s never learned to behave in a remotely civilized fashion. He’s one of the all-time great players but I don’t think his behavior is good for the image of the game.

 

[JAM]

His day job these days is house pro at Steinway Billiards. He wouldn’t have gotten the job if he were Joe Nobody and didn’t have fans. And he would get a lot fewer students if he were Joe Nobody. When you throw in his tournament winnings, paid for by sponsors and fans buying tickets, I still think the fans are paying his rent, unless he’s homeless.

Nobody said he’s no good. IMO, what’s quite sad is that he’s never learned to behave in a remotely civilized fashion. He’s one of the all-time great players but I don’t think his behavior is good for the image of the game.

If Earl had Tourette syndrome and cursed at people with no warning, what would you think then?

 

[jay helfert]

This is an interesting post, Jay, however, a bit confusing from a medical perspective....hmmm, if I was a doctor how would I diagnose this situation?

Maybe, just maybe, his demons (who need medication) are bi-polar, which cause a reaction that could be diagnosed as being an idiot servant by the antics that aren't amusing which lead to car crashes and meltdowns, however, he's in denial about these "maladies". Hmmm, this indeed sounds complex.:groucho:

I guess the obvious diagnosis is he needs a Pharmacist, an Alchemist, a Physiatrist, an Ambulance, and a Priest :thumbup:

That to me isn't even the amazing part, despite all these "maladies" he still beats the best players in the world playing pool any given day on a 5/10.

Look CJ, I'm not a psychiatrist and neither are you. But it's pretty obvious that Earl has some fairly severe mental issues that afflict him. People like you and Jam are not doing him any favors in my opinion by placating him and reminding us of how great a player he WAS! Carry on guru. :smile:

 

[TCo]

I don't think you can get on anyone for lashing out that short after a loss, and a tough one. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of the outburst but is this a bit more critical because it's Earl?

 

[JAM]

I don't think you can get on anyone for lashing out that short after a loss, and a tough one. I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of the outburst but is this a bit more critical because it's Earl?

The nail's been hit!