even the commentators (one of which played in the event) said it was embarrasing to the sport what earl did and that he should be fined.
Once again Earl shows his lack of class, what a disgrace
- Thread starter corvette1340
- Start date
Regarding post #124, it's up to the tournament director and the referee to enforce the rules when players engage in unsportsmanlike conduct. Apparently, the referee didn't think that Earl's conduct was blatant enough to merit a warning or a foul.
The image that pool has would improve considerably if the referees enforced the rules when players engage in unsportsmanlike conduct.
I do more than most.
If you have a few hours, give me a call sometime and I'll give you several examples to back up my original post.
Thats one of the biggest UNDERSTATEMENTS I have seen on these boards :wink:
Earl, the full story
I wanted to give some info based on being there, and talking to Earl both after the Corteza match (first loss), 1 hour prior to williams match, and again right after it.
After Corteza match:
Earl was very very pissed and called LVC a douche. He said ha sat there quietly through 6 racks and didnt move a bit, but when he got up to shoot LVC was wiping his hands , getting water, moving all over in his line of view (in his opinion to shark him). He thought it was classless and when he left the table he said LVC smirked at him and said something (paraphrasing here) "hmm, nice...". He also accused LVC of "wiping his hand oils into the rails and putting chalk on the table". He doesnt like most pinoys he admitted, and I know for a fact they all dont like him.
Also, there was a large group of people who came in and every time LVC won a game they taunted Earl. He also was VERY upset over the soft break and slow play.
Prior to Williams match:
Earl said "ill be out of the tournament soon", so you knew he was still in a less than stellar mood. He then rattled on about the game sucking for us fans and that people should have to play a shot clock, and break em hard. He went into detail about a ton of small facts abotu how it would make the game better.
After Williams match:
He really lost it in front of a group out at the smokers pole. He was carrying on about the game being wasted on slow play and lack of respect. Some fans egged him on and goaded him, so it turned into a rant about golf not having people hit the ball soft off the tee, then into a rant about how he is broke and is noones hero.
My perspective:
I was extremely excited as I arrived Thursday morning and saw he was on the winners side. No matter your feelings on Earl, noone wants to pass up a chance to see his high gear if he is in the right frame of mind.
When he was talking it was intelligent points, but made by someone who seems irrational. I felt sad more then anything. Earl could still be beating the crap out of everyone, but like other people with a gift, they have things that keep them from fulfilling their potential. That is a scary thing to think that with all he won, how much better could he be...
WHile I agree with him on many of his points (no jump cues, power break, shot clock) all would make it a better spectator sport and apply more pressure to the player, it is just not reasonable to play against people by your own ruleset, and expect the same from them. There are rules they play within, and if a soft break works then you should use it too. If you want change, fight for it by winning and being a logical voice.
You can't be "broke" as he says he is, handicapping yourself, and hoping for the good ole days.
Sorry for all the extraneuos stuff, but I thought I would share what he said and put it into the context he was giving it.
Oh, one last thought... After watching him bsically play "speed pool" in many of his racks, I would agree with him when he also stated "noone, and I mean noone will play me in my type of game, balls out, fast, and powerful, noone can touch me then". Unfortunately, he is more right than he knows. Not only will noone play him that game, but noone will play that game in any setting anymore. The game has changed, but Earl has not.
I wanted to give some info based on being there, and talking to Earl both after the Corteza match (first loss), 1 hour prior to williams match, and again right after it.
After Corteza match:
Earl was very very pissed and called LVC a douche. He said ha sat there quietly through 6 racks and didnt move a bit, but when he got up to shoot LVC was wiping his hands , getting water, moving all over in his line of view (in his opinion to shark him). He thought it was classless and when he left the table he said LVC smirked at him and said something (paraphrasing here) "hmm, nice...". He also accused LVC of "wiping his hand oils into the rails and putting chalk on the table". He doesnt like most pinoys he admitted, and I know for a fact they all dont like him.
Also, there was a large group of people who came in and every time LVC won a game they taunted Earl. He also was VERY upset over the soft break and slow play.
Prior to Williams match:
Earl said "ill be out of the tournament soon", so you knew he was still in a less than stellar mood. He then rattled on about the game sucking for us fans and that people should have to play a shot clock, and break em hard. He went into detail about a ton of small facts abotu how it would make the game better.
After Williams match:
He really lost it in front of a group out at the smokers pole. He was carrying on about the game being wasted on slow play and lack of respect. Some fans egged him on and goaded him, so it turned into a rant about golf not having people hit the ball soft off the tee, then into a rant about how he is broke and is noones hero.
My perspective:
I was extremely excited as I arrived Thursday morning and saw he was on the winners side. No matter your feelings on Earl, noone wants to pass up a chance to see his high gear if he is in the right frame of mind.
When he was talking it was intelligent points, but made by someone who seems irrational. I felt sad more then anything. Earl could still be beating the crap out of everyone, but like other people with a gift, they have things that keep them from fulfilling their potential. That is a scary thing to think that with all he won, how much better could he be...
WHile I agree with him on many of his points (no jump cues, power break, shot clock) all would make it a better spectator sport and apply more pressure to the player, it is just not reasonable to play against people by your own ruleset, and expect the same from them. There are rules they play within, and if a soft break works then you should use it too. If you want change, fight for it by winning and being a logical voice.
You can't be "broke" as he says he is, handicapping yourself, and hoping for the good ole days.
Sorry for all the extraneuos stuff, but I thought I would share what he said and put it into the context he was giving it.
Oh, one last thought... After watching him bsically play "speed pool" in many of his racks, I would agree with him when he also stated "noone, and I mean noone will play me in my type of game, balls out, fast, and powerful, noone can touch me then". Unfortunately, he is more right than he knows. Not only will noone play him that game, but noone will play that game in any setting anymore. The game has changed, but Earl has not.
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jdlough
Jim
Not defending Earl, really,
But all the stories about "racking the balls off the table" were overblown.
He sank the 1 sloppy, but left a horrible shot on the 2. He forgoed the safety and missed a Very tight cut shot on the 2 (from about 3" away). The table was WIDE open. He rapped the 6 into the side pocket in disgust and conceded.
Everyone within a 3 mile radius would have let the game go on and hope for a brain fart from his opponent, but Earl was just too pissed at himself.
At first, I was pissed at Earl, for ending the show early, but 2 days later, this and his discussion afterward about his feelings about the modern pool world are still in my mind. Like many, I thought he was a nut. Thinking about what he says, though, I think he is right about the 'dumbing down' trend of the game.
Believe it or not, seeing and lisening to him, I have come to believe he is a man with astounding integrity, and for him to even play with what he believes the game has become (slow play, soft-breakers, lint pickers, jump gadgets, etc), I understand his feeling of him against the world.
The more a player doesn't play like Earl, the more boring the game is.
So, in a mostly uneventful week, he made an event.
Earl, thanks for the memories. I will see you next year.
Illegitimi non carborundum (Don't let the bastards grind you down)
Phidget, I just read your post. We must have been right next to each other in the smoking area. You said it better. It felt kind of noble, but sad. (Or as my wife said, "Don't make eye contact!"
But all the stories about "racking the balls off the table" were overblown.
He sank the 1 sloppy, but left a horrible shot on the 2. He forgoed the safety and missed a Very tight cut shot on the 2 (from about 3" away). The table was WIDE open. He rapped the 6 into the side pocket in disgust and conceded.
Everyone within a 3 mile radius would have let the game go on and hope for a brain fart from his opponent, but Earl was just too pissed at himself.
At first, I was pissed at Earl, for ending the show early, but 2 days later, this and his discussion afterward about his feelings about the modern pool world are still in my mind. Like many, I thought he was a nut. Thinking about what he says, though, I think he is right about the 'dumbing down' trend of the game.
Believe it or not, seeing and lisening to him, I have come to believe he is a man with astounding integrity, and for him to even play with what he believes the game has become (slow play, soft-breakers, lint pickers, jump gadgets, etc), I understand his feeling of him against the world.
The more a player doesn't play like Earl, the more boring the game is.
So, in a mostly uneventful week, he made an event.
Earl, thanks for the memories. I will see you next year.
Illegitimi non carborundum (Don't let the bastards grind you down)
Phidget, I just read your post. We must have been right next to each other in the smoking area. You said it better. It felt kind of noble, but sad. (Or as my wife said, "Don't make eye contact!"
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Kind of a funny post here. Earl is the one who started the trend in jumping balls rather than kicking or masse'ing them. He does in fact use a jump cue himself. And a break cue naturally. There is also no one in pool who brings more gadgetry to the table then Earl. Let's see - finger extensions for God knows what, wrist and arm braces, upper arm and leg weights, plus all kinds of exotic wraps on his playing cue.
Yes, Earl plays fast and breaks hard. That makes him like about fifty to a hundred other good players. In that respect he is no different than them. The only thing that really makes Earl any different is his conduct at the table. If you want to call the players who exhibit better behavior boring, than so be it. I have my own opinion about that as well.
And as for your mention of Earl against the world. I have a different name for that too - paranoia.
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jdlough
Jim
Jay,
You are totally right, it was a funny kind of post. I am somewhat ambivalent about Earl. A week ago, it was easy. I thought he was an a$$hole. Now, I don't know. I've seen his rants in the smoking area for 4 years now. I started listening this year. (Maybe as a smoker, I need a smoking hero?) This year, the slow-play was excruciating. I paid in expenses and lost work about $3K to be here this week as a spectator, and was mostly stunned into submission by slow play. (Great final, though!)
Now, I'm not too sure about Earl. I may be a sucker, but now I'm maybe seeing tragic, heroic? At least he is consistent in his actions and beliefs. Maybe I'm just getting old, and understand him better.
"Yes, Earl plays fast and breaks hard." I think that may have hurt him. He was so annoyed at the slow play that he make a point of quick play, and lost a bit of considering-time.
I may be wrong, but my understanding was that he was great jumping with a normal cue. He would masse. He could always kick. Then the jump cues came along, he disdained using one, but now uses one occasionally just to keep up with the tech advantage? I don't think he even had a jump cue at this open.
And the tape, weights, etc? I can see his reasoning there too. They are things he is doing to himself, or to a NORMAL cue, within the rules. No 'new' type of cue.
His goofy cues strike a chord with me. I golf. I make my own clubs. My putter has a huge oversized grip. (Like Earl, I don't want to feel my hands on the club/cue) {The best putters putt with their shoulders}. I put about 14oz of lead down the shaft of my face-balanced putter shaft. It's so heavy, it swings slow and true. It's goofy, but within the rules. In golf, I think those "belly-button" putters or "long-shaft" putters should not be allowed. They no longer 'look' like a golf club. Neither do the jump cues look like a pool cue.
I would not be at all surprised in the coming years to see cues with fatter grips.
I am not saying that Earl is not a nut. I think he might agree. I do think the pool world would lose something without him.
You are totally right, it was a funny kind of post. I am somewhat ambivalent about Earl. A week ago, it was easy. I thought he was an a$$hole. Now, I don't know. I've seen his rants in the smoking area for 4 years now. I started listening this year. (Maybe as a smoker, I need a smoking hero?) This year, the slow-play was excruciating. I paid in expenses and lost work about $3K to be here this week as a spectator, and was mostly stunned into submission by slow play. (Great final, though!)
Now, I'm not too sure about Earl. I may be a sucker, but now I'm maybe seeing tragic, heroic? At least he is consistent in his actions and beliefs. Maybe I'm just getting old, and understand him better.
"Yes, Earl plays fast and breaks hard." I think that may have hurt him. He was so annoyed at the slow play that he make a point of quick play, and lost a bit of considering-time.
I may be wrong, but my understanding was that he was great jumping with a normal cue. He would masse. He could always kick. Then the jump cues came along, he disdained using one, but now uses one occasionally just to keep up with the tech advantage? I don't think he even had a jump cue at this open.
And the tape, weights, etc? I can see his reasoning there too. They are things he is doing to himself, or to a NORMAL cue, within the rules. No 'new' type of cue.
His goofy cues strike a chord with me. I golf. I make my own clubs. My putter has a huge oversized grip. (Like Earl, I don't want to feel my hands on the club/cue) {The best putters putt with their shoulders}. I put about 14oz of lead down the shaft of my face-balanced putter shaft. It's so heavy, it swings slow and true. It's goofy, but within the rules. In golf, I think those "belly-button" putters or "long-shaft" putters should not be allowed. They no longer 'look' like a golf club. Neither do the jump cues look like a pool cue.
I would not be at all surprised in the coming years to see cues with fatter grips.
I am not saying that Earl is not a nut. I think he might agree. I do think the pool world would lose something without him.
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reminds one of the testy american chess player bobby fischer. when you have talent like that its just a feeling of disgrace to have people see you at anything but your best. sometimes we can only live that best in our mind, long after the real talent is gone.
jdlough
Jim
I would agree but I saw it close up. The talent is NOT gone. It's fierce, wicked, and mostly makes your want to ask, "How the F*** did he do THAT?"
fatter grips
"Fatter grips" are one of the reasons very old house cues are sought to convert. There was a lot of meat in your grip hand with the old cues, some felt almost like the big end of a baseball bat. You can whittle them down a good bit and still have a full sized modern grip. Getting that feel back with the light cue might be a good reason to wrap the grip area. I have long suspected that Earl isn't at all crazy for wrapping the grip.
The primary reason for jump cues in my opinion was so that the rest of the world could catch up with what Earl was doing with a full cue.
I'm not exactly an Earl fan but then there are very few people I would say I am a fan of if any, "fan" is just a shortening of "fanatic". One thing I do admire about Earl, you never have to wonder where he stands about anything! In this world that often seems like it is full of mealy-mouthed overly PC people that is refreshing in itself.
Hu
"Fatter grips" are one of the reasons very old house cues are sought to convert. There was a lot of meat in your grip hand with the old cues, some felt almost like the big end of a baseball bat. You can whittle them down a good bit and still have a full sized modern grip. Getting that feel back with the light cue might be a good reason to wrap the grip area. I have long suspected that Earl isn't at all crazy for wrapping the grip.
The primary reason for jump cues in my opinion was so that the rest of the world could catch up with what Earl was doing with a full cue.
I'm not exactly an Earl fan but then there are very few people I would say I am a fan of if any, "fan" is just a shortening of "fanatic". One thing I do admire about Earl, you never have to wonder where he stands about anything! In this world that often seems like it is full of mealy-mouthed overly PC people that is refreshing in itself.
Hu
Earl had his jump cue at the Open and used it. I can assure you of that. The reason for the many three hour matches was more about the racking wars that were taking place, than about slow play. At least an hour of each match was spent racking the balls. Loser racks just doesn't work well here.
Do you remember the croquet style putters they were using on the Senior Tour for a while? They did get banned.
I sat with Earl at a Las Vegas tournament 6-7 years ago. He went on and on about pool and politics of pool and this and that. I was so into his ranting i went out and offered to buy him a drink so i could listen more. He is vocal for sure
I sat with Earl at a Las Vegas tournament 6-7 years ago. He went on and on about pool and politics of pool and this and that. I was so into his ranting i went out and offered to buy him a drink so i could listen more. He is vocal for sure
I betcha he didn't take you up on his drink offer. He gave it up some time ago. Nice of you to offer though, imagine how his tune would be after he's blowing a .20!! :thumbup:
Yeah, I believe it was Sam Snead that came up with that one. Actually I don't think the putter itself was banned, but they instituted a rule that you could not straddle the line of the putt. After this rule Snead continued to use the putter for a while side saddle. It never caught on.
I think Earl will get it together and come back strong. There's a rumor that Lisa is behind him with moral support and if she steps in to help Earl's mental game I think he has a good chance to win big tournaments again. Everyone knows he has the talent to win BIG......
James
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careful. First hand accounts of his miserable conduct seem to get berated or overlooked by all the Earl fanboys of old.
