And the ABP brain trust controlled the team the last time around and look how well that worked out.
Sorry to say it guys, but this pick tells me Earl probably has no shot.
Mosconi Cup USA Team
- Thread starter upstateAL
- Start date
And the ABP brain trust controlled the team the last time around and look how well that worked out.
Sorry to say it guys, but this pick tells me Earl probably has no shot.
I for one was hoping it would happen this year....
You,Earl,Buddy,Sigel, and Nick would have been something to see for sure.
I mean, it is the 20th.
Earl seems the obvious choice. I hope they make it. I would be extremely disappointed to find out Earl was not picked.
He has been playing fantastic, has the best win % in Mosconi competition, and seems to be making a positive adjustment to his attitude and life in general. Let's see the Pearl!!
KMRUNOUT
He has been playing fantastic, has the best win % in Mosconi competition, and seems to be making a positive adjustment to his attitude and life in general. Let's see the Pearl!!
KMRUNOUT
:grin-square:
The opposite is the truth. Corey is virtually always seen at the four Derby City Classic events, the three Southern Classic events, and the US Open 10-ball, but Dennis doesn't plays in these super-tough field events. He has won nothing of note for a couple of years, and has far less table time against the top international players than Corey. The case for Hatch is a very weak one.
The opposite is the truth. Corey is virtually always seen at the four Derby City Classic events, the three Southern Classic events, and the US Open 10-ball, but Dennis doesn't plays in these super-tough field events. He has won nothing of note for a couple of years, and has far less table time against the top international players than Corey. The case for Hatch is a very weak one.
If people feel they can do the Mosconi Cup better, then stop talking and start walking. Put your money where your mouth is.
Who are any of us to dictate to Barry Hearns how he should run the Mosconi Cup? If he wants to put Ichabod Crane in for the last spot on Team USA, then so be it.
What some may not understand is that the USA is privileged to be a part of the festivities. Arguing about my dog is bigger than your dog is childish, but I guess it makes for good forum fodder.
Who are any of us to dictate to Barry Hearns how he should run the Mosconi Cup? If he wants to put Ichabod Crane in for the last spot on Team USA, then so be it.
What some may not understand is that the USA is privileged to be a part of the festivities. Arguing about my dog is bigger than your dog is childish, but I guess it makes for good forum fodder.
If people feel they can do the Mosconi Cup better, then stop talking and start walking. Put your money where your mouth is.
Who are any of us to dictate to Barry Hearns how he should run the Mosconi Cup? If he wants to put Ichabod Crane in for the last spot on Team USA, then so be it.
What some may not understand is that the USA is privileged to be a part of the festivities. Arguing about my dog is bigger than your dog is childish, but I guess it makes for good forum fodder.
hmmm, last time I peeked, no one was dictating anything to anyone. We, as pool fans, are just opining about whatsagoingon. That's what fans do.
And actually the USA is not privileged to be participating -- our country is an integral part of the Ryder Cup riff that is the MC. IOW, you need the US and the Euros or you have no such animal as the MC in the first place.
Lou Figueroa
If people feel they can do the Mosconi Cup better, then stop talking and start walking. Put your money where your mouth is.
Who are any of us to dictate to Barry Hearns how he should run the Mosconi Cup? If he wants to put Ichabod Crane in for the last spot on Team USA, then so be it.
What some may not understand is that the USA is privileged to be a part of the festivities. Arguing about my dog is bigger than your dog is childish, but I guess it makes for good forum fodder.
Jam, I get what you are saying but it's normal to debate decisions like this. People do it all the time whether it's their favorite team's decisions about draft picks or trades, politics, religion...yada yada. It's natural and actually comes from us all wanting what we each think is best for the team. We always come together when the time comes & we will all be there rooting!. :thumbup:
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I understand that for sure. :smile:
The Mosconi Cup is an event that Barry Hearns puts on for the United States and European pro pool. He pays each team member a big chunk of change just for showing up, win or lose. It is, indeed, a privilege to be a player in the prestigious Mosconi Cup.
Because of the bitterness of a few I read on this forum in the past few days, mainly because a player they deemed better than who Barry Hearns chose, it left a sour taste in my mouth. Of course, I am very patriotic when it comes to rooting for the hometeam, but the words written by some of the forum members kind of makes me think Barry Hearns would be better off having a different Mosconi Cup, like Team Asia vs. Team Europe.
The Mosconi Cup is a gift of high-quality play at its finest, and the electricity in the crowd is what makes it special. Yes, the United States is PRIVILEGED to be a part of the big show. Barry Hearns could end the Mosconi Cup after 20 years and come with a different vehicle to spend his money.
The European pool culture, to include Britain I know, treasures their pro players and respects their skill set. The American pool culture, as exhibited on this forum quite often, thinks American pro players are the scum of the earth and homeless bums. Pro players are pariahs, and their words are not welcome on a pool forum. The American pool culture believes nobody asked them to be a pro player, so the state of affairs in pool is exactly what they deserve. Pro players are often ridiculed and made fun of. All charity events, free product to fans, photos ops and autographs, et cetera, are never remembered or highlighted. Anything negative that happens to an American pro is supposed to be illustrative of all American pros.
There's a saying in life that if you can't love yoruself, then how can you expect anybody else to love you. Well, that's kind of how I see professional pool in the United States with the American pool culture. Not too many in the American pool culture even like professional pool, much less love it. Because of that, there's no BCA Open. The BCA has turned it back on pro pool. There is no professional tour, and the pool happenings that welcome attendance of pro players is diminishing, as is the lot of American professional players. It's been on a downward spiral for sometime now. :frown:
Long live the Mosconi Cup and Barry Hearns. Thank you for the greatest show in pool in the world, bar none!
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Barry Hearn is the figurehead and a very creative part of the tv shows that he produces.. But invariably he turns up on the final day of an event, a privilege that he has surely earned.
Meanwhile the show goes on courtesy of Luke Riches and Sharron Tokley. This pair have a long track records with Matchroom. Sharron has spent over 30 years co-ordinating events and Luke has been the inspired media director for more than 15 years.
The humor and personality of Master of Ceremonies John McDonald do much to add to the event and the dynamic duo of referees Michaela Tabb and Nigel Rees are a 'must have' pair. All in all, a pretty bunch of Unsung Heroes.
Meanwhile the show goes on courtesy of Luke Riches and Sharron Tokley. This pair have a long track records with Matchroom. Sharron has spent over 30 years co-ordinating events and Luke has been the inspired media director for more than 15 years.
The humor and personality of Master of Ceremonies John McDonald do much to add to the event and the dynamic duo of referees Michaela Tabb and Nigel Rees are a 'must have' pair. All in all, a pretty bunch of Unsung Heroes.
Qualifying for the Mosconi Cup used to have significance. Players worked hard on their games all year long and made sure to attend the events to win points towards qualifying.
The last few months leading up to the Cup were always exciting. Everyone speculated as to who would make it in. The players fought hard for the spots. Earning a spot was a justifiable reward for an exemplary performance year.
Now, none of that matters anymore. It's purely an entertainment show riding on it's own coat-tails of something that was once legitimate.
The last few months leading up to the Cup were always exciting. Everyone speculated as to who would make it in. The players fought hard for the spots. Earning a spot was a justifiable reward for an exemplary performance year.
Now, none of that matters anymore. It's purely an entertainment show riding on it's own coat-tails of something that was once legitimate.
Not only that, but it takes away any opportunity an unknown might have of making the team regardless of how well they've performed.
Past accomplishments shouldn't be a factor.
Having Hatch and possibly Earl on the team, when combined they haven't won over 30k in tournaments this year, is a joke.
jascorpion
New member
I would like to say that I would love to have Earl on Team Usa this year. He brings a lot of fire to the team. Earl has been playing well of late. Even though Matchroom does ask for my opinion on the selections but they make the final decision because it is their show and what a great show it is. As for Dennis Hatch's selection I think he was a wonderful pick. Not only is he a great player but he is a great team player which is what is needed in the Mosconi Cup. JAM, you make some great posts on here and I can tell that you are very patriotic. I love that. Every American player is deserving to be on this team but there is only 5 spots and we have to send our best 5 to have a chance of winning. It not always about who plays the best but its who brings all the aspects to the team. Let's go kick some European asses!!! GO USA!!!
Have to agree with this. For me, the two prime examples of the value of players qualifying for their squads were Oscar Dominguez and Nick Ekonomopolous, neither of whom would be likely Matchroom picks yet both went on to play some stellar pool under the lights.
Contrary to an opinion in another thread, I feel this year's selection process totally plays into the hands of Team Europe.
Very well spoken - agree 100%
Yes, it's a TEAM event!
I tend to agree. Having captained/coached a quite a number of championship team, I know how important team chemistry is. Control of emotions is a big part of this.
I was a little troubled by the "someone who is young" thing, though. I see a number of very strong "young and hungry" players out there who I doubt would be good team players. Playing for oneself and playing for a team are very different things.
There are some pretty fine "older" players out there with team experience.
Personally, I'd take Buddy for my team before I'd take Earl. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sit down with Earl and talk pool, and I love to watch him play, but when I do, I sometimes have to turn off the sound, or even stop watching altogether when he falls into his paranoiac tantrums.
I also understand of course, that conflict, arguments and even fighting sells. I don't doubt there are many out there who'd love to see Earl start a fight, with Dennis and Rodney backing him up. That might be good for sponsors, but I'm not convinced it's all that good for pool.
I tend to agree. Having captained/coached a quite a number of championship team, I know how important team chemistry is. Control of emotions is a big part of this.
I was a little troubled by the "someone who is young" thing, though. I see a number of very strong "young and hungry" players out there who I doubt would be good team players. Playing for oneself and playing for a team are very different things.
There are some pretty fine "older" players out there with team experience.
Personally, I'd take Buddy for my team before I'd take Earl. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to sit down with Earl and talk pool, and I love to watch him play, but when I do, I sometimes have to turn off the sound, or even stop watching altogether when he falls into his paranoiac tantrums.
I also understand of course, that conflict, arguments and even fighting sells. I don't doubt there are many out there who'd love to see Earl start a fight, with Dennis and Rodney backing him up. That might be good for sponsors, but I'm not convinced it's all that good for pool.
I agree with this sentiment completely. It is "the points race" that kept many players participating in events, in order to qualify. It is something that provides continued interest. You see that in NASCAR, and to a lesser degree in golf and tennis. Players/drivers continue to participate and "play hard" through the season to hopefully be invited to the big money event at the end of the year. The Mosconi Cup used to provide that, too.
(Of course, pool players doing what pool players do, we had the example a couple years ago of a very prominent player all but laying down for his friend in the finals of a tournament, so the friend could get the Cup points. No doubt chopping the money. This will always be a problem with pro pool.)
That having been said, The Mosconi Cup is first and foremost a TV event. I will not complain about how they do things, so long as they arent trying to stack the deck against one side or the other. To do well on TV, it needs sizzle. I get that.
Good luck, Team USA!
remember, the guy told you he wanted ratings........earl will give you that better than the other choices. so, should we consider him "in" then?