Many of us have known discrimination of one type or another. Growing up as a minority you basically had a stereotype pasted to your forehead and not many people could look beyond that. As pool players we're labeled "shark" or "hustler" and that all walks hand in hand with the thought that all pool players are gamblers and alcoholics or worse. Never mind that some our biggest American Heroes have had problems that make pool players look like angels. Pete Rose and Michael Jordan have their own issues or that Babe Ruth had some habits that could kill a horse and Ty Cobb was a known bigot. There are more paternity suites in the NFL, NBA, MLB than you can shake a stick at. Rapists, Drunks, Gang members, fathers of multiple children from multiple women, these are just some of the issues that plague major sports. But still, they continue to turn out "Roll models", "Heroes", and huge profit. Pool can't even afford to always pay it's event winners.
Back to the discrimination thing - some years ago I was a reasonably high level athlete. But as , I competed I blew out knees, and ankles, had different surgeries, and it was apparent that I had to find a different way to be competitive if I still wanted to be so I was introduced to pool. I had been playing for several months and getting better and one day I was listening to a local sports talk show hosted by (now national personality) Craig Carton and the topic was, "Name some great players in their respective sport that never became world champions". They talked about some Race car drivers, golfers, even bowlers. So I called and (I thought cleverly) mentioned Rudolph Wanderone. He asked who that was, and I told him Minnesota Fats. He came right back at me that pool was not a sport and how could I be so ignorant to think so and he went on and on for a minute or two. After I hung up he talked about how pool was an even to see who could soak up the most cigarette smoke or drink the most cheap beer and other such things, but pool could in no way be considered a sport, not even as much as a game of beer ball was in the park on the weekend. I really felt like poop. I do, however, thing he was speaking for the general public. It's just how we're seen.
Wouldn't it be great if a major media personality took time and covered an event or two, or if Team USA for the Mosconi Cup were to appear on Good Morning America. It would be great if it could happen as a bit more than a novelty.
Oh, and I still think Craig Carton is a dick
'The Gambling Game is the Teacher' 
