Mika Immonen is the best player in the world right now. There..... I said it. He has had an astonishing run, this year, and deserves to revel in the spoils. Mika has shown himself to be a worthy champion, of steely nerves, and unflappable determination. His current domination of the sport is comparable to what Tiger did, in a few of his first seasons, on the PGA tour. Yet we all know, unfortunately, that Mika's earnings this year, amount to chump change in the world of professional sports. This is very unfortunte, and is illustrative of the lackluster sponsorship of the game today. There are more people playing than ever before. The billiards industry is thriving, these days. Pool leagues in America contribute, immensely, to the beer and liquor industry, and these corporate giants turn away from the sport. Testament to that, is the fact, that a poor nation like the Phillipines, can host the world's richest event. What we need in America.............and the time is right........ is for some beneficiaries of the popularity of billiards............ beer companies, liquor companies and billiard corporations (Brunswick, where are you?) to embrace, and act as pillars of the game. Without shame, and unconditionally........they should do this. Let these guys win something. They deserve it. Gone are the days of a gladiator sport, in smokey pool rooms, where great players fell by the wayside, by attrition. These dedicated players deserve so much more than that. All of us, especially here in the US, should show solidarity, to that end, and help elevate the game to the pinnacle it deserves. Mika, certainly, deserves more. I am sending emails to ESPN, Sports Illustrated and USA Today, so that they may take notice, and publish what this man has done this year. I urge all of my fellow enthusiasts to do the same. Hats off to Mika!!!!!
