Strickland "Is an Embrassment"

Earl Strickland may or may not have mental problems,but he most certainly has no class.I'm sure there are thousands of AZB forum contributors who would vouch for the fact that anyone behaving like him in their regional pool bars or tournaments would very quickly find themselves at their local hospital casualty department with a face that even their mother would not recognise.

Regrettably,the increase in frequency and distastefuleness of his off-table antics seem to be in direct proportion to the decline in his on-table ability.

If televised pool ever decides to follow the WWF blueprint for success there may be a further cameo role for him to play,but if some of his excuse making supporters are correct in that he has uncontrollable mental disorders he may not even be able to follow those scripts.

IPT should give him a stern warning and two strikes.One more and he's history.
 
Blackjack said:
I'm not surprised. My point is that there are people that intentionally go out of their way to piss Earl off.

lol
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I vaguely remember this.Early or mid 90s Rafael Martinez was backed by a backer from Cinicinatti, Ohio for a short period of time.In one of the tour stops of PBTA Rafael was playing Earl. Rafael`s backer sitting in the bleachers has agravated earl all the way with his loud,provocatory utterences and my friend Scott Smith did not do anything about it .
 
vagabond said:
I vaguely remember this.Early or mid 90s Rafael Martinez was backed by a backer from Cinicinatti, Ohio for a short period of time.In one of the tour stops of PBTA Rafael was playing Earl. Rafael`s backer sitting in the bleachers has agravated earl all the way with his loud,provocatory utterences and my friend Scott Smith did not do anything about it .
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This is one of the incidents I am referring to - AKA "the rack boy" chants. Possibly Earl has PTSD.
 
Even before Earls antics got to where they are now, people did not have the respect for him they should have. From his 'ban the jump cue' comments about certain players, to his outbursts at the table the last several years, he has developed a negative public opinion for himself. Earl is definately one of the best 9 ball players who has ever lived. And I would go to say he is the purist 9 ball player living. Time wise he fell into a slot where even though he was the best player, he did not have that dominating image guys like Sigel or Mosconi had in their hay day. And I think that bothered him, and I dont blame the guy.
You look at him today, and see a foul tempered hot head who is looking to explode....... I think he was made that way by public opinion and the way he was treated by other players. Earl is so passionate about the game, it comes out with anger when he feels he is being disrespected. Again, I dont blame the guy.
Im not making excuses for him, or trying to play down what he says and does. I just feel that Earl deserves respect, he gave his opponents respect up until he stopped receiving it himself. He still gives respect to those who give him some.
And as far as people egging him on, you better believe they do. Ive seen other players and people in the stands do it to him time and time again, from flashing cameras to smart remarks..... if you know a person gets mad when you do or say stuff like that to them.... you get what you give in return.
Love him or hate him, he is one of the best 9 ball players of all time.
I just hope this isnt the legacy he leaves if and when he leaves the game behind. He deserves better than that.
Chuck
 
Blackjack said:
In the end, Earl is Earl and he makes no excuses for that. If that response irritates you, talk it over with Earl personally. Everybody knows his temperment, if he explodes he explodes. Its no worse than some of the things I've seen others do that are just as bad (Reid VS Viera) does anybody remember that? lol
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I remember the Reid vs Viera altercation. Viera was banned from the Open as I recall because of it, correct?

As you said, Earl is Earl when it's all said & done. His outbursts at competition are no big secret. At the same time however, it is amusing to me when hardly anyone thinks to chastise those who deliberately choose to aggravate him. One notable example I can think of was during the Masters 2001 tournament. Some spectators in the audience were, in my opinion, absolutely & deliberately aggravating the living crap out of Earl during his semi-final match with Efren. In the finals when Earl played Efren again, someone was yelling & acting like a crazy person. I want to say it was Alex but I can't recall the name off-hand.

Personally, I like Earl. He's treated me respectfully & with courtesy when our paths have crossed in the past & likewise I have treated him respectfully & with courtesy. I seem to elicit a smile from him too when we've talked & it's a genuine smile, not a fake one.

It's too bad that the only Earl-isms (for lack of a better term) that get discussed on the pool forums at any length are his outbursts in tournament competition. I think it would be nice to see the courteous side of Earl get some publicity from the fans, more than it currently gets.
 
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JoeyInCali said:
Really?
Watch the video of the straight-pool match between Efren and Rempe in Portlan d Maine.
You can hear Earl go bonkers screaming on top his lungs at a ref over an argued call.
Ask the pros what they think of Earl.
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hey my friend,
I will be stupid to deny those things that really happened.

I was saying that Earl never physicall assulted any one and where as Mosconi ( according to the book I read)did Physically beat up the Tournament director. in LosAngeles.I guess Gulfport Doc made his comment based on his knowledge of that kind of things about willie.I do not think Gulfport Doc was putting the Focus on Mosconi and it should not be considered as trashing willie and Doc`s focus was on Earl.
I do not have to ask any pros about Earl.Infact I know about Earl more than many pros.
 
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rackmsuckr said:
I posted about his bizarre behavior yesterday, in the IPT section in the thread where I posted all the pictures. He really does need a warning and perhaps some counseling.
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DEPAKOTE or WELBUTRIN will not affect ones' ability to play nearly as much as PROZAC or LITHIUM. I'm not a doctor, however I've tried all of these bi-polar balancing agents, and the WELBUTRIN has done the best job for me.

I'm a huge Earl fan, and I sincerely hope he checks into this option. Being out there far too many times myself, and what it has cost me in my career, I'd be willing to bet Efren wouldn't come back from 17 games behind as he did in Hong Kong years ago had Earl been aware of the simple balancing help available.
 
I am not a psychiatrist, but I do think Mr. Strickland does have some sort of mental issues? I have watched him play a number of times in person, and on DVD. His actions under pressure, or when a fan, or opponent digs him. He may miss a shot, and he just acts like screw it, hurry up and beat me! He seems to react some what out of control, and he lashes out, or seems to qive up. I heard him in DCC last January, lash out at some fans, it was not professional and it seemed abit scary. The way he reacted, seemed he was out of control of his emotions. "Earl get some help" you are too great a player to go down, because of your emotional outbursts.
 
stricklands behavior seems encouraged by the IPT.

There cant be any good guys unless someone is a bad guy.
 
Timberly said:
This was posted in the IPT section but I think it's worth posting here too...


I keep seeing people say "Earl is Earl" and everyone should expect it and walk away. Could someone please tell me why everyone else (players & paying spectators) should have to walk away while it's perfectly ok for Earl to show his ass.

I rarely read any of the Earl threads because it's always the same... most are turned off by him & don't agree with him but there's always a few that make every excuse in the world and think what he does is perfectly ok. It's going on in two different threads in the main forum right now. It just amazes me how people will come up with lamest excuses to not hold him accountable for his actions.... amazing! :eek: :rolleyes: :mad:


Couldn't have said it better myself. Well said Craig.
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For what it worth,pool in general has a very dark side and for those who feel what earl does is repulsive are intitled to there opions,but pool is NOT anywere near major league footbal,baseball,basketball,golf,whatever. I've been around pool for 30 years and its never changed,can KT change it,well,he's had his problem with the law before so maybe he can get thru to earl,sort of like that show "Scared Straight" .Its different in Asia and Europe,they have No other athletes so billiards is big,but in the US,its playing venue is usually in a bar or poolhall,neither of them have a great reputation with there surrounding business's. Thats why so many dont find earl a problem, they've seen this behavior just about every time they go out and play. Banning Earl from the IPT would be a mistake,his mouth will make the tv ratings double! If you watched the first IPT on OLN it wasnt about pool because they didnt show much,it was about the stuff that goes on off the table.Earls out and the main story is still EARL
 
earl would be more embarassing if he were to wear a wig, but for some reason I find the idea funny.

Like Marv Albert former annoucer for the knicks. The antics could never end.
 
Maybe Nick's family thought he needed some help. He drew a goose egg ("0" wins) for the entire round.
 
cuedoctor said:
......Its different in Asia and Europe,they have No other athletes so billiards is big........
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Ignorance must indeed be bliss especially when all neatly wrapped up in a stars and stripes flag.

No athletes in Europe or Asia? Pool "big" in Europe? These contentions are beyond being mere absurdity and it is mind boggling to think that anyone with the ability to type could believe it to be true.This forum isn't big enough to give you evidence to the contrary that would fill an airport hangar.

The fact that only 3 out of 103 Americans reached the last 18 is obviously disappointing,as is the fact that the most lasting memory of any American player in the tournament appears likely to be Earl Strickland's outbursts.However there is no justification for inventing outrageous nonsense like there being "no athletes" in Europe or pool being "big" in Europe.There certainly are and it certainly isn't.
 
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3 out of 103 statiscally on a world scale seems pretty standard.
 
RiverCity said:
Even before Earls antics got to where they are now, people did not have the respect for him they should have. From his 'ban the jump cue' comments about certain players, to his outbursts at the table the last several years, he has developed a negative public opinion for himself. Earl is definately one of the best 9 ball players who has ever lived. And I would go to say he is the purist 9 ball player living. Time wise he fell into a slot where even though he was the best player, he did not have that dominating image guys like Sigel or Mosconi had in their hay day. And I think that bothered him, and I dont blame the guy.
You look at him today, and see a foul tempered hot head who is looking to explode....... I think he was made that way by public opinion and the way he was treated by other players. Earl is so passionate about the game, it comes out with anger when he feels he is being disrespected. Again, I dont blame the guy.
Im not making excuses for him, or trying to play down what he says and does. I just feel that Earl deserves respect, he gave his opponents respect up until he stopped receiving it himself. He still gives respect to those who give him some.
And as far as people egging him on, you better believe they do. Ive seen other players and people in the stands do it to him time and time again, from flashing cameras to smart remarks..... if you know a person gets mad when you do or say stuff like that to them.... you get what you give in return.
Love him or hate him, he is one of the best 9 ball players of all time.
I just hope this isnt the legacy he leaves if and when he leaves the game behind. He deserves better than that.
Chuck
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Earl deserves no respect....NONE,NADA,ZIP. His game,at one time, was world class. It's understandable how many would respect his game.

Keep in mind that we get what we give. Has earl ever shown respect to his opponent? If he respected the game would he act the way he does? At this point he is nothing more than an a$$hole with enormous talent to play pool. If earl doesn't change his ways the passage of time will continue to erode his talents leaving nothing more than an a$$hole.
 
memikey said:
Ignorance must indeed be bliss especially when all neatly wrapped up in a stars and stripes flag.

No athletes in Europe or Asia? Pool "big" in Europe? These contentions are beyond being mere absurdity and it is mind boggling to think that anyone with the ability to type could believe it to be true.This forum isn't big enough to give you evidence to the contrary that would fill an airport hangar.

The fact that only 3 out of 103 Americans reached the last 18 is obviously disappointing,as is the fact that the most lasting memory of any American player in the tournament appears likely to be Earl Strickland's outbursts.However there is no justification for inventing outrageous nonsense like there being "no athletes" in Europe or pool being "big" in Europe.There certainly are and it certainly isn't.
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OK.out of SI list of the top athletes of the last century how many were from Europe,Asia,or in this case UA. Are you really trying to say pool is not #1 in Asia? And isnt snooker REALLY big in the UK? Compared to any sport in the usa I'm sorry to admit pool has got to be close to dead last behind texas hold'em! Maybe I streched it when saying there were no athletes in these other countries but pool takes about zero athletisism.Its a game,and it is not that popular here because of the seedy elements associated with it. There was a kid from NY who was a great player and I believe it was inside pool who recently did a article on him.He quit pool and his first poker tournament won over 2 million dollars and when asked why he quit pool he said basically it was not a life he wanted to live. Unless KT and the IPT can last,that will not change.Have a nice day:)
 
Has earl ever shown respect to his opponent?
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Yes, he is very respectful to those who respect him, problem is not alot of the newer crop of players do. Most have never faced his best game. His game is not where he wants it.... but he can still unpack it and run rack after rack on whoever. As for the eccentric stuff (the taped cue, the gloves and the visor) I cant even fathom what the hell he is thinking with that stuff...... :D
Chuck
 
RiverCity said:
Yes, he is very respectful to those who respect him, problem is not alot of the newer crop of players do. Most have never faced his best game. His game is not where he wants it.... but he can still unpack it and run rack after rack on whoever. As for the eccentric stuff (the taped cue, the gloves and the visor) I cant even fathom what the hell he is thinking with that stuff...... :D
Chuck
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I saw Earl play Hillbilly at us open and the Hillbilly was doing all the talking and sharking and earl just played his game. I saw Danny Bas. beat earl also at the us open and Danny let out that huge roar after sinking the last ball to close it out and Earl just loved it,Danny showed Earl respect and Earl was glad to go over and shake his hand. Earl in person is nothing like what many think and he's a gentlemen ever time I have chatted with him.He has shown his ass.I'll admit that,but the BS he puts up with from some of his co players is rediculous sometimes.
 
cuedoctor said:
OK.out of SI list of the top athletes of the last century how many were from Europe,Asia,or in this case UA. Are you really trying to say pool is not #1 in Asia? And isnt snooker REALLY big in the UK? Compared to any sport in the usa I'm sorry to admit pool has got to be close to dead last behind texas hold'em! Maybe I streched it when saying there were no athletes in these other countries but pool takes about zero athletisism.Its a game,and it is not that popular here because of the seedy elements associated with it. There was a kid from NY who was a great player and I believe it was inside pool who recently did a article on him.He quit pool and his first poker tournament won over 2 million dollars and when asked why he quit pool he said basically it was not a life he wanted to live. Unless KT and the IPT can last,that will not change.Have a nice day:)
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I don't think you can take the SI as a very objective and authoritative list of the top athletes in the world. SI is targeted at the US audience and certainly considers US popular sports first. Also, if you think it is a game and not a sport, what difference does it make?

Pool is FAR from number 1 in Asia. A Chinese friend and I were discussing this in Shanghai over a game of 8 ball the other day and he said that until very recently, pool in China was a game of the gamblers and the low class and is just now starting to grow in popularity and acceptability. It is a little more popular in Japan and Korea, but certainly far behind other sports.

Much more popular in Asia are soccer, table tennis, badminton, volley ball, swimming, cricket, rugby, basketball, sumo wrestling, karate and the martial sports, etc. In China the most popular games are mahjong, go, Chinese checkers, all sorts of card games, etc. Pool is very low on the totem pole of sports or games.

This is off of the subject of Earl, but as an American living and playing in Asia, I wanted to correct this misinformation.

Cuedoctor - have you ever been to Europe or Asia?
 
Europe,but not asia.And it sounds like pool in china is about the same here. Enlighten me,name some very talented athletes beside Yo Ming(?)the center for Houston in the NBA(pretty far from china).Please do not include ping pong,chinese checkers,or any board game players.:D Take it easy,just having some fun,thats what this board is for sometimes:p Well,if I have insulted some foreigners,I apologize,I'm an american
 
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