Mosconi Cup USA Team

[KoolKat9Lives]

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!!!

Sorry Johnny, you should not be allowed to post. Just kidding. Good post - appreciate the comments related to creating a team for this competition/production tuned in by millions globally.

I, nor anyone not in the mix know all factors that the Matchroom biz MUST take into account to put together the largest annual spectacle in pool. We can debate their decisions all we want, but it's silly in my opinion to flat out say "they're doing it wrong".

KK9, aka Matt <-- stoked to attend The Open, but is stir crazy waiting to attend THE CUP!!!!

 

[lfigueroa]

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.

I disagree. Making the team is still significant.

And it still takes hard work. But, the difference is that players now need to work on the whole package. To make the team, and the MC competition to succeed, players have to be able to perform and bring a personality. The MC is not about soulless robots, no matter how often they run out. (If that's what you need, there's plenty of that out there.) That's why a guy like Hatch, who wears his heart on his sleeve, rouses his team, the crowd, and fans, and can perform in the pressure cooker that is the MC, gets an invite.

The MC is a different kettle of fish from other "competitions" in that it is part competition and part performance art. IOW, it has to have an *entertainment* factor, or it's not good TV. And there's nothing wrong with that, it's just a different thing and the sooner we all accept that the happier everyone will be

It will still be top-flight pool.

Lou Figueroa

 

[peteypooldude]

I disagree. Making the team is still significant.

And it still takes hard work. But, the difference is that players now need to work on the whole package. To make the team, and the MC competition to succeed, players have to be able to perform and bring a personality. The MC is not about soulless robots, no matter how often they run out. (If that's what you need, there's plenty of that out there.) That's why a guy like Hatch, who wears his heart on his sleeve, rouses his team, the crowd, and fans, and can perform in the pressure cooker that is the MC, gets an invite.

The MC is a different kettle of fish from other "competitions" in that it is part competition and part performance art. IOW, it has to have an *entertainment* factor, or it's not good TV. And there's nothing wrong with that, it's just a different thing and the sooner we all accept that the happier everyone will be

It will still be top-flight pool.

Lou Figueroa

I totally agree with this. Good post

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

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!

Well, as for the dropping the USA from the Mosconi Cup, I doubt that will happen. Let's face it, for Europe just doesn't get any better than the prospect of beating the USA. I just don't think playing Asia would create the same rivalry or excitement. Besides, Barry isn't concerned with whether US fans deserve the event. He's more interested making money, and there's nothing wrong with that. As long as it's doing that, it's here to stay.

If I were BH I would keep the Mosconi Cup (assuming it's profitable) and create another event - the Pinoys against the rest of Asia. Now that seems like a rivalry just waiting to be exploited. Then perhaps have an event to pit the winners of these two competitions against each other for the title of Grand Poobah of the pool world. This way he's expanding his enterprise.

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

Matchroom is a business. Making business decisions requires answering questions like:

- should we select Steve Straighteyes from Licthenstein who won 12 of the last 15 tournaments, or Daz from England who only won 3? Hmm, which will get more views?


Ohh, nevermind.

The Golden Rule

 

[JAM]

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!!!

I'm looking forward to it in December for sure. Can't wait! :happydance::happydance::happydance:

USA, ALL THE WAY!

 

[FranCrimi]

I disagree. Making the team is still significant.

And it still takes hard work. But, the difference is that players now need to work on the whole package. To make the team, and the MC competition to succeed, players have to be able to perform and bring a personality. The MC is not about soulless robots, no matter how often they run out. (If that's what you need, there's plenty of that out there.) That's why a guy like Hatch, who wears his heart on his sleeve, rouses his team, the crowd, and fans, and can perform in the pressure cooker that is the MC, gets an invite.

The MC is a different kettle of fish from other "competitions" in that it is part competition and part performance art. IOW, it has to have an *entertainment* factor, or it's not good TV. And there's nothing wrong with that, it's just a different thing and the sooner we all accept that the happier everyone will be

It will still be top-flight pool.

Lou Figueroa

Sure, for a TV show that is meant for entertainment, I agree. That's what it is now. But once something becomes totally subjective like that, it loses credibility as a legitimate competition.

We know now that the Mosconi Cup is a private entertainment event. Regardless of what the promoter claims the criteria is, we know that management has the final say as to who plays and who doesn't.

I wonder why the WPA even continues to sanction it, or do they?

 

[lfigueroa]

Sure, for a TV show that is meant for entertainment, I agree. That's what it is now. But once something becomes totally subjective like that, it loses credibility as a legitimate competition.

We know now that the Mosconi Cup is a private entertainment event. Regardless of what the promoter claims the criteria is, we know that management has the final say as to who plays and who doesn't.

I wonder why the WPA even continues to sanction it, or do they?

No -- because it is subjective it does not lose credibility as a legitimate competition.

Let me ask you: does an invitational event loses credibility as a legitimate competition? Does a gambling match between champions other than the top two in the US and Europe lose credibility as a legitimate competition? Does an Open event, which shuts out entries at a certain number, lose credibility as a legitimate competition? Somewhat obviously, they do not.

The MC is a legitimate competition and, if feedback from past participants is any indicator, the players selected to represent want to win in the very worst possible way, which is more than can be said of many "legit" events, what with savers and dumps.

The players on these teams are all champions and are going to play their hearts out. What's not to like?

Lou Figueroa

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

I don't think the WPA would sanction the event, it's not an actual tournament and there are no individual place standings to even be considered a rankings event.

 

[BeiberLvr]

The players on these teams are all champions and are going to play their hearts out. What's not to like?

I don't like that some people want an entertaining team, and don't understand that entertainment alone isn't enough to bring home a win.

 

[peteypooldude]

The only thing I don't like about the MC is that we can't use 7 or 8 players . No that would not be in our favor but I would get to see ALL the Top Americans play.
I hope this doesn't come off wrong but In my opinion 7 or 8 spots are about what we can fill as far as our best

 

[lfigueroa]

I don't like that some people want an entertaining team, and don't understand that entertainment alone isn't enough to bring home a win.

The teams will all be composed of top-flight players. Soooo, you will be getting great pool and some entertainment.

Don't like it... don't watch it... problem fixed.

Lou Figueroa

 

[BeiberLvr]

The teams will all be composed of top-flight players. Soooo, you will be getting great pool and some entertainment.

Don't like it... don't watch it... problem fixed.

Lou Figueroa

I will watch, and I'll enjoy it regardless of the outcome.

What you don't seem to understand is that picking the team based on popularity does not give the USA their best chance of winning.

 

[lfigueroa]

I will watch, and I'll enjoy it regardless of the outcome.

What you don't seem to understand is that picking the team based on popularity does not give the USA their best chance of winning.

I don't recall anyone saying it was based on popularity. Really it's more of a combination of factors. And frankly, I don't believe it's about best chances either -- it's about creating an exciting contest. IOW, as I said earlier: the logical choice for BH and the MC is an even match, a coin toss that goes down to the last nail biting game.

It's like why some matches generate so much more interest than perhaps a title defense. Something like Harriman v Schmidt, or maybe Bartram v Geno, or even Lou v John. There's just something about the match up that makes it intriguing.

Lou Figueroa
usually bad blood

 

[oldplayer]

apparently we are down to 2 players, corey or earl.....so let's invite 100 pool fanatical onlookers into a pool room, there are going to be only 2 matches that day...corey is going to play someone on table "A" and earl is going to lay someone on table "B:....forgetting about any personality conflicts, just pure talent and pool shooting.......on which table are most of the 100 onlookers going to be surrounding? duh....:shrug::thud:

 

[PINKLADY]

the List was posted 2+/- months ago, @ 2-3 other threads. and is correct.

 

[FranCrimi]

No -- because it is subjective it does not lose credibility as a legitimate competition.

Let me ask you: does an invitational event loses credibility as a legitimate competition? Does a gambling match between champions other than the top two in the US and Europe lose credibility as a legitimate competition? Does an Open event, which shuts out entries at a certain number, lose credibility as a legitimate competition? Somewhat obviously, they do not.

The MC is a legitimate competition and, if feedback from past participants is any indicator, the players selected to represent want to win in the very worst possible way, which is more than can be said of many "legit" events, what with savers and dumps.

The players on these teams are all champions and are going to play their hearts out. What's not to like?

Lou Figueroa

"Legitimate" is an interesting word. It generally means 'legal or official.' Things that start out as legitimate can certainly turn bad, such as players dumping during a tournament.

But in order for something to be legitimate all the way through, it has to start out with legitimate criteria. Some invitationals can be legitimate based on their criteria, such as invitationals based on ranking points.

Gambling match ups are gambling match ups. I wouldn't classify them as official while some others may.

Open events like Turning Stone offer players months worth of time to enter. Problems occur when certain players don't get around to entering and then are upset that they've been closed out. It's totally understandable that an event like that has to close out at a certain number of players due to time constraints. In fact, most events do.

However, privately owned events where all players are picked by the promoter are certainly not official, therefore they can not be considered legitimate.

 

[lfigueroa]

"Legitimate" is an interesting word. It generally means 'legal or official.' Things that start out as legitimate can certainly turn bad, such as players dumping during a tournament.

But in order for something to be legitimate all the way through, it has to start out with legitimate criteria. Some invitationals can be legitimate based on their criteria, such as invitationals based on ranking points.

Gambling match ups are gambling match ups. I wouldn't classify them as official while some others may.

Open events like Turning Stone offer players months worth of time to enter. Problems occur when certain players don't get around to entering and then are upset that they've been closed out. It's totally understandable that an event like that has to close out at a certain number of players due to time constraints. In fact, most events do.

However, privately owned events where all players are picked by the promoter are certainly not official, therefore they can not be considered legitimate.

Your logic is flawed by your definitions. Yes, "legitimate" can mean a number of thing *to include* a contest where the opponents have a sincere desire and commitment to win. That would be a legitimate contest or competition. To the best of my knowledge the MC meets that criteria in spades. That the participants in this case are all super elite pool players doesn't hurt. That they are picked by BH is irrelevant.

Lou Figueroa

 

[KMRUNOUT]

I will watch, and I'll enjoy it regardless of the outcome.

What you don't seem to understand is that picking the team based on popularity does not give the USA their best chance of winning.

Actually, I have heard lots of talk that Earl is "good for ratings". This of course would be "popularity". But Earl also has the best record of any American in MC play. These facts very much contradict your claim.

KMRUNOUT

 

[xplor]

For the final member of the team we take Stephen Lee.