Remove Earl from the Mosconi Cut team?

[ironman]

yes, tony just put the hammer down and knocked out Rodney. Bandwagon or not, I just don't see Earl being able to compete as effectively as others. Talent? Yes. But Fast Eddy had talent and Fats had character (in "The Hustler"). Character beats talent everytime. Its pretty sad to say that the only reason you are on the team is so that the folks in England can watch you freak out. Certainly, no one in the US was watching this live.

tim

That was a movie and not real life with real life pressure on. Movies have never captured that and never really tried to. Pressure will burst a water pipe.

I'm not an Earl fan by any means of the imagination, but in a pressure packed situation he does try and stand tall. This means a lot to him and make no mistake he wants to win. SUre his behavior is disappointing and embarrassing to most, but he does bring something to a team who seemingly plays very tight in this arena. Peole handle aressure differently, but these are tough circumstances.

Funny things happen when one is appointed to represent a country and I can only dream how it would feel to be given a shirt which has USA on it. Nobody wants to lose and nobody wants to be the balme for a loss. This type of pressure makes balls bigger and pockets smaller.

I just wish would understand that a game is only a game if two people play. Most learn this around age 15 and get the hell over it. He may never.

 

[stikapos]

This is Earl. He once told me that if he practiced 8 hours a day for a month, there was no one in the world that could beat him. Probably correct. Still, whenever he doesn't have the best of it, he mentally checks out, instead of staying in it and making his opportunity work for him. Nine ball is a horrible judge of talent at the top levels in the short term. But that said, there is just no reason to give up on any match.

tim

 

[McKinneyMiner]

If I was Earl I would try to hook up with Michaela

If I was on the Mosconi Cup team I would act even worse than Earl just so Michaela would have to come over and "discipline" me for being the naughty boy I am...

How can anyone stay in a fighting mood with her calmly and reassurringly trying to get order restored?

Thank you ma'am may I have another I say...

 

[jimmy-leggs]

Him handing Peach his ass doesnt mean anything either,he can beat the best in the world still,he isnt washed up yet.

Quote"he can beat the best in the world still"
Then why has'nt he?

 

[jimmy-leggs]

I think alot of people who bash Earl and think he is washed up would be jumping on the bandwagon if he started to win tourneys like he used to.

Not in this lifetime.I respect the game of pool and pro players....He does'nt respect either.He thinks the sport OWES him.

 

[easy-e]

Which is why a guy like Schmidt should be on the team. What was his high run....like 200 and change ??
tim

Both John Schmidt and Earl have straight pool runs of 400+.

 

[stikapos]

If I was on the Mosconi Cup team I would act even worse than Earl just so Michaela would have to come over and "discipline" me for being the naughty boy I am...

How can anyone stay in a fighting mood with her calmly and reassurringly trying to get order restored?

Thank you ma'am may I have another I say...

This is probably the best comment of the thread! She is quite striking in person.

tim

 

[Rick S.]

Quote"he can beat the best in the world still"
Then why has'nt he?

I do believe he has....real recently too.

Darryl Peach IS the current 9 Ball World Champion. I do believe they played in December. And you know the results.......

I consider a world champion to be a "best in the world" don't you?

Rick S.

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

I've talked to Tony Robles about the Mosconi Cup and the first thing he mentions is Earl Strickland and how amazing a teammate he is. I mean, I don't know much about how the team is selected but what I do know is, it's not every day the pros get to play in a team format so it's a great experience for many of them when they do.

Since Tony is so quick to tell this story, I'll take the liberty of assuming he wouldn't mind it being posted here.

At the Mosconi Cup, each team is given their own practice room. Tony and Earl were there and Earl says to Tony, "C'MON TONY, LET'S WORK ON YOUR BREAK!" and proceeds to rack the balls for Tony. This went on for about 20 minutes or so with Tony breaking and Earl just racking when Charlie Williams walked in and said, "Wow, you know you've got it good when you've got Earl Strickland racking for you!" Everyone in the room busted out laughing.

When Tony tells the story, it's very funny but at the same time, Tony tells it with a gleam in his eye. Earl Strickland may not be the ambassador-type but he brings a lot to the Mosconi team. His intensity becomes the team's intensity and that's a lot of fun for these guys.


Just some food for thought - When you guys create pool teams, are you always looking for the guys winning the most at the moment or does that sense of team mean more to you?

 

[jimmy-leggs]

I do believe he has....real recently too.

Darryl Peach IS the current 9 Ball World Champion. I do believe they played in December. And you know the results.......

I consider a world champion to be a "best in the world" don't you?

Rick S.

I'll give you that,but when was the last time he was in contention for any pool tournament.Its been AWHILE.

 

[easy-e]

I'll give you that,but when was the last time he was in contention for any pool tournament.Its been AWHILE.

He won the One Pocket tournament before the US Open in September. Pretty strong field too.

 

[Rick S.]

At the Mosconi Cup, each team is given their own practice room. Tony and Earl were there and Earl says to Tony, "C'MON TONY, LET'S WORK ON YOUR BREAK!" and proceeds to rack the balls for Tony. This went on for about 20 minutes or so with Tony breaking and Earl just racking when Charlie Williams walked in and said, "Wow, you know you've got it good when you've got Earl Strickland racking for you!" Everyone in the room busted out laughing.

When Tony tells the story, it's very funny but at the same time, Tony tells it with a gleam in his eye. Earl Strickland may not be the ambassador-type but he brings a lot to the Mosconi team. His intensity becomes the team's intensity and that's a lot of fun for these guys.

That's the whole truth and nothing but the truth!

It was the same story again this year. I can't begin to tell you how many racks I saw Earl rack for team mates in the practice room.

If you want to know the truth, Earl was the ONLY guy in the practice room most of the time. (not during matches) He practiced practically non stop the whole 5 days.

Earl wants to win....period.


Rick S.

 

[stikapos]

I've talked to Tony Robles about the Mosconi Cup and the first thing he mentions is Earl Strickland and how amazing a teammate he is. I mean, I don't know much about how the team is selected but what I do know is, it's not every day the pros get to play in a team format so it's a great experience for many of them when they do.

Since Tony is so quick to tell this story, I'll take the liberty of assuming he wouldn't mind it being posted here.

At the Mosconi Cup, each team is given their own practice room. Tony and Earl were there and Earl says to Tony, "C'MON TONY, LET'S WORK ON YOUR BREAK!" and proceeds to rack the balls for Tony. This went on for about 20 minutes or so with Tony breaking and Earl just racking when Charlie Williams walked in and said, "Wow, you know you've got it good when you've got Earl Strickland racking for you!" Everyone in the room busted out laughing.

When Tony tells the story, it's very funny but at the same time, Tony tells it with a gleam in his eye. Earl Strickland may not be the ambassador-type but he brings a lot to the Mosconi team. His intensity becomes the team's intensity and that's a lot of fun for these guys.


Just some food for thought - When you guys create pool teams, are you always looking for the guys winning the most at the moment or does that sense of team mean more to you?

So why not just make him the coach ?? And give him the appearance money.

BTW, I saw the website with the 400 ball run for earl. Funny, he never won a US Open, nor do I recall him ever playing or being in contention.

When the history of 9 ball is written, Earl should be mentioned as perhaps the best there ever was. His world championship match against Varner is the stuff of legends. I asked him once, "why did you keep on rotating your cue to the same place during the match ?" He replied, "I had a chunk of my tip missing." Just amazing.

But today, he'll be the first to admit he's not the player he once was.


tim

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

BTW, I saw the website with the 400 ball run for earl. Funny, he never won a US Open, nor do I recall him ever playing or being in contention.

Are you talking about the US Open Straight Pool or 9ball? He won the US Open 9ball five times.

Winning the US Open Straight Pool is probably the trickiest thing to do in pool since they only have it when this particular comet is passing the sun and nobody can remember exactly which comet it is!

 

[SpiderWebComm]

He is the ONLY reason I watch it.

Exactly what he said.

 

[Druid]

Earl is a gem in the game. His behavior does not bother me. He is one of the most exciting players in the game to watch. He shoots fast and draws a lot of fans to the game. He is good for the sport weather you like him personally or not. There are many other players I would want off the Mosconi cup roster long before Earl, including Morris.

 

[av84fun]

Thats the reason pool is where it is in the rankings of sponsorships in sports. who would want some egghead like that endorsing their product. You should really consider upgrading your hero worship.---Smitty

Your remark ignores the entire career as a tennis pro and his career as a sports commentator of John McEnroe.

I assume you would have had the same opinion regarding him and you would have been equally wrong.

Jim

 

[av84fun]

I've talked to Tony Robles about the Mosconi Cup and the first thing he mentions is Earl Strickland and how amazing a teammate he is. I mean, I don't know much about how the team is selected but what I do know is, it's not every day the pros get to play in a team format so it's a great experience for many of them when they do.

Since Tony is so quick to tell this story, I'll take the liberty of assuming he wouldn't mind it being posted here.

At the Mosconi Cup, each team is given their own practice room. Tony and Earl were there and Earl says to Tony, "C'MON TONY, LET'S WORK ON YOUR BREAK!" and proceeds to rack the balls for Tony. This went on for about 20 minutes or so with Tony breaking and Earl just racking when Charlie Williams walked in and said, "Wow, you know you've got it good when you've got Earl Strickland racking for you!" Everyone in the room busted out laughing.

When Tony tells the story, it's very funny but at the same time, Tony tells it with a gleam in his eye. Earl Strickland may not be the ambassador-type but he brings a lot to the Mosconi team. His intensity becomes the team's intensity and that's a lot of fun for these guys.


Just some food for thought - When you guys create pool teams, are you always looking for the guys winning the most at the moment or does that sense of team mean more to you?

Excellent post Jude. I recently played some with Tony at the house of a mutual friend. He said be abaondoned his quick, jabby warm up stroke routine and went to a VERY slow back final warm up stroke.

He was breaking like a CHAMP. I wonder of Earl gave him that tip.

Regards,
Jim

 

[SlickRick_PCS]

Earl is a gem in the game. His behavior does not bother me. He is one of the most exciting players in the game to watch. He shoots fast and draws a lot of fans to the game. He is good for the sport weather you like him personally or not. There are many other players I would want off the Mosconi cup roster long before Earl, including Morris.

There is no doubt about Earl being the greatest shotmaker in the sport. But see here, Druid, would you like somebody getting under your skin when you're performing on serious pressure or talking to other people very loudly when you're on the table? That's called sharking and I for one despise this form of action when you're on the table. I always maintain respect for another opponent when they're on the table and not go in front of their line of shot or make abruptly immature jestures. Respect is the name of the game, and if somebody had to go from the team is should be Earl. Who cares if he's another John McEnroe or whatever. Intimidating is called sharking and that just ruins the image of what this sport should really become.

To all those that want Morris out, think again. What we really need is John Schmidt, J. Bergman, or any young up-and-risings in the scene. It's pretty simple: bring on the young bloods (with young nerves and what-not), make them get into a REAL pressure game (Mosconi Cup obviously), get them experienced enough so that they "taste the blood" whether they win or lose, and then make them come back around again so that they could already know the experience and get more comfortable when they come around. Being the best (skillwise) is great, but I know there's absolutely one out there that can definately be a mild-mannered Earl Strickland out there. My $.02.

 

[worriedbeef]

one thing that gets me about all the people jumping on their high horse and moaning about his behaviour. saying it's childish and immature and he needs to grow up - well why are you getting so worked up about it then??

you're commiting the very same sin that Earl is doing - getting worked up over nothing. you say earl is just a big baby - yet some use the most harsh insults and labels towards him which is if anything worse! hardly a reasonable reaction to 'childish' behaviour is it?

The way some people react to Earl's 'childish' behaviour is more childish in itself.

I do believe the team needs a shake up, but Earl needs to stay. not only is he an amazing player, but he probably wants to win the mosconi cup and be the best player there MORE than anybody else in the event. that I am sure of. which should count for something in itself.

Corey should perhaps be dropped. not only has he not been in form of late, but he doesn't appear to be the most motivated player around.

I liked Jay's idea of Dennis Hatch on the team though! He'd be great!