Mosconi cup and EARL
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nathandumoulin said:Mika took accountability for losing the pairs match beforehand, saying that he felt that he was to blame for the loss. I seriously doubt many players would have taken responsibility like that.....especially not Earl.
Anyway, I respect your opinion....not everyone has to like him. I just wanted to point out that he's not the villain that your post made him out to be.
One strength that Mika has is that he's extremely competitive. Some guys who lose in the finals of a televised and recorded U.S. Open by a score of 11-0 never recover from that. Mika has, and his confidence is sky high right now, as someone else mentioned.
I don't recall calling him a villain, but I have seen him on more than one occasion, years apart, snub fans who wanted to chat with him, ignore others requesting an autograph or photo and generally, conduct himself as a primadona. Even some of his friends walking with him told him to lighten up, but he stayed his smug self.
He's had his fair share of run ins with other pros as well, not just the fans.
He's been a terrible loser in the past. Surely you know the stories as well as anyone else.
His taking accountability is to be commended, for sure. Maybe he's growing up some more and mellowing out. With a more mature attitude, he's sure to garnish more fans. What's not to like about his game?
sjm said:
Nice call, SJM.
And how about AZB's well liked and respected Markus Juva? Talented, friendly and humble. Who could not root for either Marcus or Markus? :smile:
Why so many excuses for Earl?
Why does everybody make excuses for Earls behavior? I don't get it. Why is Mika on the team this year? Maybe because he's a strong ass player who is playing good right now and will win matches for Europe, it has nothing to do with his behavior, antics, or crowd draw. The best players are on the European team and we have Earl getting drilled and giving the crowd the finger, nice. The only thing that could have topped that off would have been Archers kid squealing "I love you daddy" during Earls match. I guess as long as the Europeans are having a good time it doesn't matter who pays the price or who is on our team.JCIN said:
EAAAAAAAAAAAAARLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
YEAH BABY!! YEAH!!! GOT GET'M EARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!
YEAH BABY!! YEAH!!! GOT GET'M EARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!
excellent point
marcus is an absolute gentleman, very approachable, and a pleasure to talk to! Basically the exact OPPOSITE of Mika IMO
marcus is an absolute gentleman, very approachable, and a pleasure to talk to! Basically the exact OPPOSITE of Mika IMO
sjm said:
Drilled????
So he lost a short race to 5 to the current US OPEN winner.... So what ? He barely got to table because Mika played exceptional. I bet Drago understands why Earl's there... from up 4-1 to losing 5-4 is what I would call "getting DRILLED" IMO
Earl is still a WORLD CLASS player regardless of that match. As far as excuses. I'd like to see just about ANYONE other than Earl play at that level with HUNDREDS of people openly and loudly rooting against them. Most of them (including myself) probably couldn't make a ball with those kinds of obvious wishes for ill will.
I guarantee you, no one on the European team has to like it playing Earl anywhere, any race, or any game(except snooker of course
)
I respect Earl just for showing up KNOWING what kind of treatment he's going to get. IMO he should have given them the double finger :grin:
makes for great TV though wouldn't you say? LOL
So he lost a short race to 5 to the current US OPEN winner.... So what ? He barely got to table because Mika played exceptional. I bet Drago understands why Earl's there... from up 4-1 to losing 5-4 is what I would call "getting DRILLED" IMO
Earl is still a WORLD CLASS player regardless of that match. As far as excuses. I'd like to see just about ANYONE other than Earl play at that level with HUNDREDS of people openly and loudly rooting against them. Most of them (including myself) probably couldn't make a ball with those kinds of obvious wishes for ill will.
I guarantee you, no one on the European team has to like it playing Earl anywhere, any race, or any game(except snooker of course
) I respect Earl just for showing up KNOWING what kind of treatment he's going to get. IMO he should have given them the double finger :grin:
makes for great TV though wouldn't you say? LOL
bumpypickle said:
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This is kind of old(1999), but definitely worth the read. And totally relevant to the topic, I might add.
http://www.azbilliards.com/interviews/earl1.html
http://www.azbilliards.com/interviews/earl1.html
devindra said:
Not put together :grin: .
ugotactionTX said:
Although Im obviously a Mika fan, I have to agree. Ever since Earl got back in shape and has been healthy, his game has improved significantly. Earl is no slouch. I wont go as far as to say that the old Earl is back, but man, he certainly has his moments. That comeback against Drago is proof of that.
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srs314
shooterville.com
Terry Ardeno said:
I would like to tell two stories here to explain my view on these two players.
I was at a CPA tournament in Vegas where they also had a pro event. Mika was playing challenge games with the league players on a special table the had setup in the league tournament area. It was free to meet and play him. I was a lower level player at the time and had never played someone of his talent before.
Anyway to make a long story short I win the first game, mostly becuase he helps me the whole way through the rack. When I win he says to me, "well I guess I have to beat to get the table back eh" and he racked the balls.
Very cool experience for me, he left me with a great impression of him as a player and a person.
At the same tournament I'm watching the pro tournament at the top floor of one of the towers in the Riviera. Earl is playing Marcus Chamat who is new to these big events at the time.
Chamat is up in the match, Earl wins a game and Chamat is racking. Earl is standing beside him while he racks. When he lifts the rack Earl says it's no good. So Chamat racks again lifts the rack and waits for Earl to check it. Instead of saying it's no good Earl takes his hand and rolls all the balls to the other end of the table. Chamat gathers the balls and puts them in the rack and asks Earl if he would like to rack for himself.
Earl says "you lost the game, racking is your job!"
Needless to say Scott Smith racked the rest of the way.
I always give people a chance no matter what others say about them, but in my personal experience with these two players Mika is far more of a professional.
Earl is Earl and many if not most times he is very honest. He wears his emotions on the outside.
Someone mentioned Mika taking blame for the doubles loss. Earl and other pros have done the same many times. Earl often goes on and on about how he dogged a shot or that he stinks.
Watch almost any sport and its common language.
I thought it was funny that Mika was struggling to come up with anything personable and funny to say during his interview after the match. It was like watching a penguin try and fly.
If Mika doesnt think he got lucky then i dont know what to say... He broke and received shots... Earl did not... Mika also got lucky enough to see a five ball after not drawing enough for shape.. he spun around the ball making a "good shot" that could have went badly...
Mika also played exactly like a professional should play. He didnt do anything that special in pocketing, safes or kicks. He had shots and performed then well.
Mika deserved the win and I believe the announcers told us that Earl told Mika this...
Earl is an easy target and probably the only target there. I thought he was doing real well until someone yelled something to him.. he changed
noticeably after that and became classic Earl.
I wish I could watch the rest.. USA is coming back baby :thumbup:
Someone mentioned Mika taking blame for the doubles loss. Earl and other pros have done the same many times. Earl often goes on and on about how he dogged a shot or that he stinks.
Watch almost any sport and its common language.
I thought it was funny that Mika was struggling to come up with anything personable and funny to say during his interview after the match. It was like watching a penguin try and fly.
If Mika doesnt think he got lucky then i dont know what to say... He broke and received shots... Earl did not... Mika also got lucky enough to see a five ball after not drawing enough for shape.. he spun around the ball making a "good shot" that could have went badly...
Mika also played exactly like a professional should play. He didnt do anything that special in pocketing, safes or kicks. He had shots and performed then well.
Mika deserved the win and I believe the announcers told us that Earl told Mika this...
Earl is an easy target and probably the only target there. I thought he was doing real well until someone yelled something to him.. he changed
noticeably after that and became classic Earl.
I wish I could watch the rest.. USA is coming back baby :thumbup:
srs314 said:
Thanks for posting this. This is the Mika I know. And I've known him since he first started coming over here in the mid 90's. Scandinavian people have a different way of relating to others than we do. They tend to be a little more standoffish and slower to warm up to someone. That is just their nature. But once you are their friend, you have a friend for life.
Mika had to learn American customs and was very uncomfortable the first few times he was here. He preferred to focus on his pool game to the exclusion of meeting people and socializing. After all that was why he came here, to be a professional pool player. That is still why Mika will occasionally not have time for his fans. He is at a tournament for one reason, TO WIN! Just like any other professional athlete he must focus on doing what he needs to do to prepare for his next match. Pleasing the fans must come second.
That does not mean Mika does not appreciate his fans. Like you said he is very good with them when the time is right. I happen to like Mika and consider him a friend. I'm glad to see him playing over here full time. He is a great player and a true sportsman. We are fortunate to have him competing on our shores. His play in the recent U.S. Open was outstanding and showed courage and a big heart. Even though I am his friend, he barely had a moment for me between matches. I didn't mind because I knew where he was at. He was only thinking of one thing, WINNING!
And contrary to what people think, I like Earl too. Much more than you can imagine. That is why I get so upset when he acts bad. He is like my kid brother getting in trouble again. He will not act that way at a tournament I run. He knows that "his big brother" Jay will get all over him if he does. Earl is the single most talented 9-Ball player I ever saw. When he controls his personal demons, he is still a threat to beat anyone. Unfortunately that is not always the case.
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srs314
shooterville.com
What?
I was shocked to read this.
Most of the time Earl makes himself this target his antics over the years may have cost him support even at tournaments in the USA.
Could you imagine Shane or Archer acting like this? Seems crazy, but it's acceptable in this case because you can say "it's just Earl being Earl"?
In my opinion what he said before the tournament (link below) is fine and to call out the other team and maybe put them a little off their game is ok too.
http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=47
Where I draw the line is the things he does during a match that are disrespectful to his opponents or the people watching.
Everybody in the world knows what Earl has done in pool as far as titles and accomplishments, unfortunately he will be remembered more for his antics and poor sportsmanship.
Sad but true.
frankncali said:
I was shocked to read this.
Most of the time Earl makes himself this target his antics over the years may have cost him support even at tournaments in the USA.
Could you imagine Shane or Archer acting like this? Seems crazy, but it's acceptable in this case because you can say "it's just Earl being Earl"?
In my opinion what he said before the tournament (link below) is fine and to call out the other team and maybe put them a little off their game is ok too.
http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=47
Where I draw the line is the things he does during a match that are disrespectful to his opponents or the people watching.
Everybody in the world knows what Earl has done in pool as far as titles and accomplishments, unfortunately he will be remembered more for his antics and poor sportsmanship.
Sad but true.
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