What is next for Mike?

[ironman]

Mike has been shot off his throne I for one believe his pool playiing days are over, and that is by choice. Mike was a great champion and played it for what is was worth. Mike doesn't seem inspired to make the "big comeback" at 50 plus years old and probably too smart to try.
I'm just curious as to what his role with the IPT will be.

 

[bandido]

Mike has been shot off his throne I for one believe his pool playiing days are over, and that is by choice.
Mike was a great champion and played it for what is was worth.
Mike is and will always be a great champion. Not any present or future tournament outcome can take away the title "champion" and respect that goes with it.
Mike doesn't seem inspired to make the "big comeback" at 50 plus years old and probably too smart to try.
He does seem physically and mentally ill-prepared to play at a level that people are used to seeing him at. I think that he's more inspired to get IPT off the ground with a very good possibility of raising the sport's status.I'm just curious as to what his role with the IPT will be.

He'll probably be the bridge between the business and athletic aspect of IPT. JMO

 

[Cane]

What's next

Hard to say, but I figure Mike will play the next 2 years on the IPT and I think he'll surprise everyone with how high he finishes in the field in 2006 and 2007. I sure don't put it past him to snap off one of the tournaments. Actually, I think the KOH position is a tough one to be in, regardless of age or talent. A lot of players will get "settled in" and relaxed and play better pool as a tournament progresses. Mike went into the final tournament cold and Efren was definitely tournament hot!

Personally, I think there are several of the old guys (I can say that, they're MY age) that will do well. I really hope Mike is one of them.

Later,
Bob

 

[ironman]

Hard to say, but I figure Mike will play the next 2 years on the IPT and I think he'll surprise everyone with how high he finishes in the field in 2006 and 2007. I sure don't put it past him to snap off one of the tournaments. Actually, I think the KOH position is a tough one to be in, regardless of age or talent. A lot of players will get "settled in" and relaxed and play better pool as a tournament progresses. Mike went into the final tournament cold and Efren was definitely tournament hot!

Personally, I think there are several of the old guys (I can say that, they're MY age) that will do well. I really hope Mike is one of them.

Later,
Bob

Maybe, But, I just see it as Mike thinking that it is time to move on.
The man I agree is/was a great champion and is deserving of respect and fame. He did though decide to quit and did so many years ago. Once one gives this game up, the battle to come back is far more difficult than before.
I just think he will move on and see the comeback as a move he just doesn't have the energy for.
He will stay involved though. The man is not dumb by any sense of the imagination. But, how?

 

[jsp]

Maybe, But, I just see it as Mike thinking that it is time to move on.
The man I agree is/was a great champion and is deserving of respect and fame. He did though decide to quit and did so many years ago. Once one gives this game up, the battle to come back is far more difficult than before.
I just think he will move on and see the comeback as a move he just doesn't have the energy for.
He will stay involved though. The man is not dumb by any sense of the imagination. But, how?

Isn't money the reason why he gave up pool in the first place? Now that the IPT is finally here, there is significant prize money to be won. Just look at the total first place prize money for the next 2006 season...1.25 million dollars!!...and that is the prize money ONLY for first place! Isn't that enough motivation to get your skills back on track?

And personally, even if money isn't the issue, I think Mike has too much pride and ego to finish his career the way he did against Efren. Deep down, Mike still thinks he's the best pool player of all time and he wants the world to know it. He wants a second chance to prove himself. And BTW, he's only a few years older than Efren, and I believe he's still younger than Parica. You'll definitely see him again, and I won't be surprised if he makes a significant impact on the 2006 season. Cuz now, he has motivation.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

I envision him as the IPT's version of Alan Hopkins.

 

[ironman]

Isn't money the reason why he gave up pool in the first place? Now that the IPT is finally here, there is significant prize money to be won. Just look at the total first place prize money for the next 2006 season...1.25 million dollars!!...and that is the prize money ONLY for first place! Isn't that enough motivation to get your skills back on track?

And personally, even if money isn't the issue, I think Mike has too much pride and ego to finish his career the way he did against Efren. Deep down, Mike still thinks he's the best pool player of all time and he wants the world to know it. He wants a second chance to prove himself. And BTW, he's only a few years older than Efren, and I believe he's still younger than Parica. You'll definitely see him again, and I won't be surprised if he makes a significant impact on the 2006 season. Cuz now, he has motivation.

You make an intresting point JSP. He did get spanked pretty good and I doubt if that is going to be easy to swallow. I know Mike is a great talent, and I don't doubt his Heart or competitve spirit at all.
He is only one year older than Efren and I thought Jose told me in Nov. that he was 54, but not sure. Over the years though, this game can do funny things to a persons attitude about the game. Some just seem to wake up one day and just seem to have lost the inspiration to maintain that mental sharpness required. I spent many years on the road with two guys who were tremendous talents and suddenly it was just over. Like in many sports, they just lost that one step. At first it really frustrated me because I thought they just became lazy. Now, at 54 I have a much better understanding. When you reach a point where you only play this game for the money, It is not nearly as much fun, and twice the work.
I make no attempt to discredit Mike or doubt any of his talents or abilities. Honestly, he's a great player, and I wish him well.

 

[SlimShafty]

If Mike had chosen a few other events to play in leading up to this he would have done better, it would seem he didn't get into the flow of things until too late. But we must not forget Efren is most likely the best player today, players don't need to be in the top 5 or even 10 to be competitive, just because the top player of today beats you soundly doesn't mean you give up, or are washed up. Manalo beat lots of top players soundly last week.

I think the time in-between the IPT events could be a problem for lots of players, I'll bet most will continue to compete, if for anything to just stay competitive. You just can't practice, there is something about competition that keeps you in-stroke. Mike will need some more serious competition to prepare, I remember his last comeback, it started off shaky.

On a side note, if I was Mike, I would take some of my winnings and try to get some side action with some of the top active players today before the next event. Nothing beats some serious money action when your not just trying to make money but trying to keep your own

Mike is no less a top player because of this defeat, lots of players start out slow in tournaments, even Efren started his first round robin slow.

I think he still has gas in the tank and I look for him to be in the top 10 in the next event.

 

[bobroberts]

I thought Mike wasnt tournament tested and it would hurt him but he had an amazing run of bad rolls for him to run the racks.When things did start to turn he looked better then I expected.

 

[eg8r]

What is next for MIke?.

Next is for him to put his ego aside and start practicing in a similar environment he will be competing. Not so much as practicing at the Convention Center, but rather practicing against some real opponents with real pressure. Charlie is local, how about the two of them match up with their own money.

eg8r

 

[Celtic]

Mike screwed up royally by not preparing for this event by entering some of the other pro tournaments before the King of the Hill. With a free entry into the US Open it is shocking that he did not play in it simply for the experience and practice alone.

He figured he could come in from the cold 10 after 10 years out of competitive pool and simply pick up where he left off? Not too bright of him. You need to compete on a regular basis and get battle hardend in order to compete against the best players in the world. Mike Sigel in the 80's and in his prime was playing alot of events and staying battle ready and getting tons of pressure game experience during the entire time as he played event after event.

If I were him I would be entering ever tournament with a decent pro level field I could find to get back that tournament game that is lost when all the experience you have in the last 10 years is playing your billionaire level C playing buddy races to 9 for $100.