Mosconi Cup 'Conspiracy' ????
- Thread starter Rick S.
- Start date
Shawn Putnam is in the "Ask the Pro" section of this forum, but he has not posted there in a year or two.
However, he has posted in the Wanted section of this forum about the Putnam brand of cues a lot recently this year, which may provide a little information about them.
Younger players enjoy different features about a cue than old-school players. I know Allen Hopkins and another player I know well use a ton of english on their shots, requiring cues with a little "whip" action. This isn't desirable for some players. I think that is what Shawn was referring to when he said he had a stiff joint that Earl may not like.
Older players like the heavier cueballs, and the new kids on the block prefer the red-dot. I better stop here before we get into a red-dot/blue-sot debate about if either is heavier than the other. :embarrassed2:
Just so you know, there's 11 Mosconi Cup ranking events, and so far, 4 have been played.
Guess who is in the lead as of March 15, 2011?! :thumbup:
Source: http://www.azbilliards.com/racetomosconi.php [Retrieved 4 April 2011]
Guess who is in the lead as of March 15, 2011?! :thumbup:
Source: http://www.azbilliards.com/racetomosconi.php [Retrieved 4 April 2011]
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LOL! Actually, I was quite surprised to realize there was a big difference in cueballs, as expressed by some players. For instance, they claim the red-dot cueball is lighter than the blue-dot cueball. I've seen 'em both and can't tell the difference one bit.
Me personally, I grew up playing with a weighted larger cueball. I guess they call that a "mud ball."
Playing a tournament event don't mean the better player is on top. Make that a race to 100 and match those guys up I think you will see a different story on who the real leader(s) of the pack are there.
LOL! Actually, I was quite surprised to realize there was a big difference in cueballs, as expressed by some players. For instance, they claim the red-dot cueball is lighter than the blue-dot cueball. I've seen 'em both and can't tell the difference one bit.
Me personally, I grew up playing with a weighted larger cueball. I guess they call that a "mud ball."
I agree 100% and am in the same boat as you. Maybe that would mean we are getting "old"? lol.
Hear, hear, and tap, tap, tap.
I will say this, though. Matchroom Sports, out of all the pool entities on the face of the earth, is genuinely concerned about the betterment of the sport. They listen to the pool public and make adjustments in an effort to demonstrate equality. I really admire them a lot.
This ranking system they are using today is a heck of a lot better than it used to be. I like the fact that they keep trying to perfect the system and listen to others. They're not behind a closed curtain like the Mighty Oz. These people "get it," unlike other so-called "governing bodies" of professional pool.
I called Shawn out on his commentating during the match.His reply was this isn't ESPN and i don't have to be politically correct.
He also kept saying he liked Earl as a person but not a player.
Earl has his demons but man up and try to understand that instead of criticizing him throughout the match.
It was JA who was dropping the F bombs not Earl.
Pool needs characters like Earl, instead of the boring ones like Shawn.
He also kept saying he liked Earl as a person but not a player.
Earl has his demons but man up and try to understand that instead of criticizing him throughout the match.
It was JA who was dropping the F bombs not Earl.
Pool needs characters like Earl, instead of the boring ones like Shawn.
Man, I can make a mudball dance on a field of green. :dance::dance::dance:
Hear, hear, and tap, tap, tap.
I will say this, though. Matchroom Sports, out of all the pool entities on the face of the earth, is genuinely concerned about the betterment of the sport. They listen to the pool public and make adjustments in an effort to demonstrate equality. I really admire them a lot.
This ranking system they are using today is a heck of a lot better than it used to be. I like the fact that they keep trying to perfect the system and listen to others. They're not behind a closed curtain like the Mighty Oz. These people "get it," unlike other so-called "governing bodies" of professional pool.
You are correct from all I have seen them promote. I have been very happy with their events as a fan and from past experiences watching I am sure I will be in the future. On another note it is interesting to see young gun Mike Dechaine on that list. He is definatly a force and if I am not mistaken he has the better of Thorsten in tournaments. Would be quite interesting to see him on that roster.
When Earl started his 138 ball run, he was playing pretty loose and just free stroking. Did anyone else hear Putnam say softly "What a dumb*** shot"? From that point on, I could care less about Putnam and just wanted him off the commentator mic.
At first I was put off by Shawn's comment that he (and possibly others) would not play if Earl made the team. However, he did go on to say something to the effect of: Hey, I'm just telling you guys what the word on the streat is. If you don't want to hear it, that's fine, but some people want to hear what is going on.
After he said that, I wasn't so upset, because I AM one of those who want to know what's going on in the pool world. If every pool stream was commentated by Jimmy Weich (sp?) and targeted to the masses, who really know nothing of the game or it's players, I would not buy any streams or DVDs. Wether I like it or agree with it or not, I DO want to hear what the gossip is, who did what, who challenged who, who air-barreled who, etc, etc. These streams are one of the ways that I can keep up with what is happening with the many characters across the country that I may never meet, but am still interested in, so I do not fault Shawn for inserting some personal opinion into the commentary, wether I agree with his opinion or not.
And by the way, I wouldn't be so quick to place Johnny as the mastermind behind the "conspiracy." Although we did get to hear him pee, and share a personal comment about how much money they are poised to make on bonus ball with Nick V, due to him forgeting that his mic was still on, we should remember that these comments were Shawn's, not Johnny's, and he alone should own them.
The MC is a great tradition, and a fun event to watch. If Earl made the team and some chose to sit out, that would be a shame, but it's a free country and we each make our own decisions. Earl can definitely be a jerk at times, but I thought he was reasonably well behaved this weekend, and he certainly played some top knotch pool. Johnny was a complete gentlemen and both players delivered a great match. Frankly, with all of the "bad blood" marketing and YouTube videos, I thought we might see some moves pulled on BOTH sides, but they kept it clean and did their talking with their skills on the table. Kudos to both players for a great show.
After he said that, I wasn't so upset, because I AM one of those who want to know what's going on in the pool world. If every pool stream was commentated by Jimmy Weich (sp?) and targeted to the masses, who really know nothing of the game or it's players, I would not buy any streams or DVDs. Wether I like it or agree with it or not, I DO want to hear what the gossip is, who did what, who challenged who, who air-barreled who, etc, etc. These streams are one of the ways that I can keep up with what is happening with the many characters across the country that I may never meet, but am still interested in, so I do not fault Shawn for inserting some personal opinion into the commentary, wether I agree with his opinion or not.
And by the way, I wouldn't be so quick to place Johnny as the mastermind behind the "conspiracy." Although we did get to hear him pee, and share a personal comment about how much money they are poised to make on bonus ball with Nick V, due to him forgeting that his mic was still on, we should remember that these comments were Shawn's, not Johnny's, and he alone should own them.
The MC is a great tradition, and a fun event to watch. If Earl made the team and some chose to sit out, that would be a shame, but it's a free country and we each make our own decisions. Earl can definitely be a jerk at times, but I thought he was reasonably well behaved this weekend, and he certainly played some top knotch pool. Johnny was a complete gentlemen and both players delivered a great match. Frankly, with all of the "bad blood" marketing and YouTube videos, I thought we might see some moves pulled on BOTH sides, but they kept it clean and did their talking with their skills on the table. Kudos to both players for a great show.
MATAYA! Why don't you drag out somebody older? I don't think in his prime he was top 10.
Nick
Nick
That may have actually been Earl that you heard, talking about himself. He made comments about himself "under his breath" similar to that a few times during the match. We were able to hear them because both players were wearing mics during the match.
I agree. No need to go into details but I believe some of the effort to keep Earl off the team is a way to get someone else that free cash. There are people who have made the Mosconi cup team whose past is far darker than Earl's.[/QUO
I also agree with Al and JAM.
The team should come from the ranking list...
..get away from the 'it's not who you know.....' bullshit.
This way the major tournaments get supported which betters the game.
But if it came to a poll like they had a couple years ago...
..Earl's enemies might not like the results.
I've gotta say it again...
..Earl has given to this game far more than he has detracted.
..sure he's got feet of Clay...but so did Mohamed Ali...
...and look what he did for boxing
Maybe they can get themselves a paper route and make them a little
money.
Gotta let know, it won't be Mosconi Cup type money and the work is harder.