Mike Sigel made me laugh

alstl

alstl

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I forgot about the match last night and it was already underway when I tuned in, 4-2 Efren. Sigel kept saying Efren was struggling but I only remember seeing him miss one shot in the next few games and that was a two way shot where he left the kid only a long kick shot and Efren wound up with ball in hand and ran out. When I went to bed Efren was up 9 or 10 to 2 and was running out from everywhere. Wish I could struggle like that.
 
I'm gonna get flamed-torched for saying this on here, but I'm gonna come out and say I really enjoy Mike Sigel's commentary. Many people on here think he's an arrogant asshole who only talks about himself and downs people when they make errors.

I think we easily forget that Mike Sigel beat-up the planet for many decades at nearly every game - ESP 14.1. He commentates how he thinks--- playing error-free. Hopkins once told me, "NOBODY beat Sigel more than Sigel beat them."

That's a pretty heavy comment coming from an individual where only a few select people on earth can even carry his jock-strap.

I'm just saying I think we dislike his style because we might perceive him as not being able to back up his legend-talk because he got trounced by Efren in the IPT and Mike didn't really set the world on fire in the IPT. I watched Mike play nearly perfect at the world 14.1 two years ago and didn't lose a match until Danny beat him in the knock-out round (I think the score was 150-147).

I guess I'm just saying 8-ball may not be Mike's forte - he can still play 14.1 with anyone. If he pumps himself up with legend talk while commentating, one only has to look at his "scoreboard" to see he has every right to. Just my humble, minority opinion.

Thanks in advance for not flaming me.
 
Wont flame that SpiderWebComm, it is bang on. Alot of people here are far too young to remember Sigel and his dominance of pool or regret the choice he made a long time ago while at the top of the game to simply quit. The older players all know the reality of Sigel, players like Strickland, Archer, Hall, Rempe, and yes Reyes would not say half of the shit that people on this board so freely cough up. They know how good he really was and likely see his exit from the game as a loss for pool and a slight win for them as it made the last 15 years a little easier.
 
I also agree with spider. Also, didn't Sigel come out of retirement several years ago and enter (and win!) a senior 9-ball tournament, after having not played for years! That also showed how dangerous he continues to be.

As far as his commentating, I think it is for the most part entertaining. You have to admit he has a unique personality.
 
He may be a world beater yes, but is someone who alienates half ur audience really a good choice as a commentator? I don't know what KT's obsession with sigel is. I'm sure they could've got someone better for the king of the hill match white Ewa and I'm positive they could've got a more likable person to commentate.
 
I do have to agree with you somewhat Spidey.After all, Efren says Mike is the best player ever.:eek: That's gotta mean something.I just wish he would'nt come across as a pompous Ass.If you know what I mean.
 
No flame at all. Mike was a GREAT champion. But being a commentator is a different skill altogether and as a commentator...he needs the 6 and the break...including the fact that it took him about 20 years to figure out than Mr. Reyes's first name does not end in an "m". (-:

EfreN's only struggle was to figure out how to stall enough to prevent totally humiliating the young man.

Regards,
Jim
 
jimmy-leggs said:
I do have to agree with you somewhat Spidey.After all, Efren says Mike is the best player ever.:eek: That's gotta mean something.I just wish he would'nt come across as a pompous Ass.If you know what I mean.
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I do know what you mean. I happen to think his cocky banter is pretty funny. It's all in what you like.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
I'm gonna get flamed-torched for saying this on here, but I'm gonna come out and say I really enjoy Mike Sigel's commentary. Many people on here think he's an arrogant asshole who only talks about himself and downs people when they make errors.

I think we easily forget that Mike Sigel beat-up the planet for many decades at nearly every game - ESP 14.1. He commentates how he thinks--- playing error-free. Hopkins once told me, "NOBODY beat Sigel more than Sigel beat them."

That's a pretty heavy comment coming from an individual where only a few select people on earth can even carry his jock-strap.

I'm just saying I think we dislike his style because we might perceive him as not being able to back up his legend-talk because he got trounced by Efren in the IPT and Mike didn't really set the world on fire in the IPT. I watched Mike play nearly perfect at the world 14.1 two years ago and didn't lose a match until Danny beat him in the knock-out round (I think the score was 150-147).

I guess I'm just saying 8-ball may not be Mike's forte - he can still play 14.1 with anyone. If he pumps himself up with legend talk while commentating, one only has to look at his "scoreboard" to see he has every right to. Just my humble, minority opinion.

Thanks in advance for not flaming me.
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I'm right there with you. I think he makes it as interesting due to his insight and ability and he is kinda funny.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
..... but I'm gonna come out and say I really enjoy Mike Sigel's commentary. Many people on here think he's an arrogant asshole who only talks about himself and downs people when they make errors.

I think we easily forget that Mike Sigel beat-up the planet for many decades at nearly every game - ESP 14.1. He commentates how he thinks--- playing error-free. Hopkins once told me, "NOBODY beat Sigel more than Sigel beat them."

That's a pretty heavy comment coming from an individual where only a few select people on earth can even carry his jock-strap.

I'm just saying I think we dislike his style because we might perceive him as not being able to back up his legend-talk because he got trounced by Efren in the IPT and Mike didn't really set the world on fire in the IPT. I watched Mike play nearly perfect at the world 14.1 two years ago and didn't lose a match until Danny beat him in the knock-out round (I think the score was 150-147).

I guess I'm just saying 8-ball may not be Mike's forte - he can still play 14.1 with anyone. If he pumps himself up with legend talk while commentating, one only has to look at his "scoreboard" to see he has every right to. Just my humble, minority opinion.
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That was a pretty good post.

Just because Sigel may not be at the top of his game right now does not mean that all his knowledge of the game is also gone. He was one of our sports all time greats, so he does carries some weight when he talks pool.

He's not my favorite commentator, but after Grady, Billy & Danny D, I put him on the second & same level as Varner, Hall, Vickery & Jerry Forsyth. Personally, I like hearing commentary from the pro players while watching pool. Accu-Stats has very much spoiled me in that regard.

One more tid-bit about Sigel....Remember the story that Grady tells about Sigel making a great escape from a seemingly impossible saftey and, upon making the shot, Sigel pointed a finger at his head and said "With all this knowledge, just call me Mr N." Grady then correctly pointed out that knowledge starts with a "K".....:)
 
including the fact that it took him about 20 years to figure out than Mr. Reyes's first name does not end in an "m". (-:

I believe Nick Varner should be similarly enlightened....
 
rikdee said:
including the fact that it took him about 20 years to figure out than Mr. Reyes's first name does not end in an "m". (-:

I believe Nick Varner should be similarly enlightened....
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But THAT'S what makes all them unique...they each have their own idiosyncracies. How about Hopkins saying the word "Shnookered"?
Varner starting every single new sentence with "Well,...." They all have their own style and personally, I like it when they commentate just as if you they were seated next to you in the stands and just making conversation about the game.
 
Terry Ardeno said:
But THAT'S what makes all them unique...they each have their own idiosyncracies. How about Hopkins saying the word "Shnookered"?
Varner starting every single new sentence with "Well,...." They all have their own style and personally, I like it when they commentate just as if you they were seated next to you in the stands and just making conversation about the game.
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I'll tell ya what... if you want the RIDE of your lifetime, sit behind Sigel at a tournament and act as his corner-man. He'll talk to you the way he commentates. If you see him heading to a match, grab a seat close by. You won't regret that experience.
 
SpiderWebComm said:
I'll tell ya what... if you want the RIDE of your lifetime, sit behind Sigel at a tournament and act as his corner-man. He'll talk to you the way he commentates. If you see him heading to a match, grab a seat close by. You won't regret that experience.
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Grady calls that much sought after position "being Sigel's YES man.":) Just keep nodding your head in approval when he's entering the second half of each paragraph spoken between shots!:)

I was honored to be Earl's "yes" man several times at Valley Forge. Once, when he was playing Evgeny Stalev, I had to time my nods just right so that Evgeny didn't see them!:eek: I like Stalev a lot and in between matches, he sat with me a few times. Between my poor Russian and his poor English, we still had a hoot! I still like Earl over Evgeny, but I don't feel comfortable rooting for either one of them when they played each other because both have always been great to me. Especially Earl, who has more than gone out of his way to be kind to me. He thanked ME for being his fan!?! To me, Earl will always be pool royalty.
 
IF you guys like commentary, how bout this.....

bout 10 years ago I was playing in a 14.1 tourney at my home room the cue corner. I had to play Jack Calovito, and Allen Hopkins, Danny Barouti, and Mike Sigel sat table side to sweat the match.:eek: I swear I have never been so nervous EVER! While Jack would shoot they would coach me on why Jack was shooting certain patterns, and once I calmed down I ran 3 or so racks to save a little face. I lost, but I don't care who watches me now after that wrecking crew!:D

Nothing like Mr. Calovito racking and Mike, Danny and Allen waiting for me to butcher a break ball....LOL not to mention everyone you know at your home room watching.

After I lost I had to go back behind the counter to help and Jack came in for a coffee.....he said, hey, we just played?....I said yea, now I gotta work cause you busted me outta the tourney!!...he laughed...very cool guy!
 
After 30 minutes of Mike pimping himself and Kevin pimping his books I muted the sound and enjoyed the match. I sure wish I was Austin. Way cool to get to play Efren at 14.
 
I watched sigel play alot in the 80's. With out a doubt he was the best tournament player for wins in 9ball & straight pool. However my hat goes off to Buddy hall. Was the very best all around player i am talking about the cash & tournaments, won the biggest pay outs in 9ball tournaments in the day. Buddy held up to pressure better than any player out there. He beat efren 2yrs ago at the derby. Buddy had more top finishes in tournaments than sigel. Get your old Billiard Digest out! Just ask sigel about buddy hall. :) He beat them all for the cash not to mention his string of 1hole tournaments. Buddy can play straight too just didnt care for the game. I hear he has a high run in the 300s. :)
 
SpiderWebComm said:
I'm gonna get flamed-torched for saying this on here, but I'm gonna come out and say I really enjoy Mike Sigel's commentary. Many people on here think he's an arrogant asshole who only talks about himself and downs people when they make errors.

I think we easily forget that Mike Sigel beat-up the planet for many decades at nearly every game - ESP 14.1. He commentates how he thinks--- playing error-free. Hopkins once told me, "NOBODY beat Sigel more than Sigel beat them."

That's a pretty heavy comment coming from an individual where only a few select people on earth can even carry his jock-strap.

I'm just saying I think we dislike his style because we might perceive him as not being able to back up his legend-talk because he got trounced by Efren in the IPT and Mike didn't really set the world on fire in the IPT. I watched Mike play nearly perfect at the world 14.1 two years ago and didn't lose a match until Danny beat him in the knock-out round (I think the score was 150-147).

I guess I'm just saying 8-ball may not be Mike's forte - he can still play 14.1 with anyone. If he pumps himself up with legend talk while commentating, one only has to look at his "scoreboard" to see he has every right to. Just my humble, minority opinion.

Thanks in advance for not flaming me.
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I wasn't trying to be hard on Sigel, it's just that Efren was running out from everywhere and Sigel said he was out of stroke. Maybe he was out of stroke before I started watching but he was vintage Efren for the time I watched. I enjoy Sigel's commentary and sometimes I learn from what he is saying although he does have an ego as big as Jeremiah Wright.
 
its hard to commentate when its a lopsided match and you have to make it exciting, i like mike, i have spoke to him about biz a few times-never pool. He is a funny guy.
 
I fell out of my seat when Sigel stated " Did you see him tickle those two balls?" ... anyone else catch that?... and some of his drawings... almost as bad as Jeanette !!!!!
All in all ... pretty enjoyable match.. I wish Austin could have strung a few more .. but he showed that he can..
 
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