This talking about spots on the Mosconi Cup. If you were in charge of picking the team, would you pick Earl to represent the US?
Would you want him?
- Thread starter ShootingRazbone
- Start date
This talking about spots on the Mosconi Cup. If you were in charge of picking the team, would you pick Earl to represent the US?
yeah, the guy can be very entertaining but when he's representing the country, and he brings a decent chance of flipping out at the given event, not so sure thats a good idea.
I voted FOR Earl.
His good points far out-weigh the bad.
I wonder how many players with 6 World titles and 5 US Open titles
would not want him on the team.
And I wonder how many players who could attract more spectators
would not want him on the team.
I agree that Earl is still an amazing player, but the Mosconi Cup isn't just about how well you play. Being a team event, the overall attitude of the team and moral contribute greatly to their success.
Earl may bring a good game, but his attitude sours the experience for the others. It's not fair to the other four (especially if a first timer like Dechaine gets in) to cheapen something they have worked for and earned by allowing Earl to show his ass.
Earl may bring a good game, but his attitude sours the experience for the others. It's not fair to the other four (especially if a first timer like Dechaine gets in) to cheapen something they have worked for and earned by allowing Earl to show his ass.
Until there is some sort of real qualifier system, I vote he's in.
And those others who would 'choose to not play if Earl does'? Well that is like saying you don't want to win the lottery coz of the taxes.
And those others who would 'choose to not play if Earl does'? Well that is like saying you don't want to win the lottery coz of the taxes.
Team chemistry most important
Granted, Earl's high gear is probaly still as good as anyone's. But, this is a team event, and imo the possible affects of a potential flame out have to be considered. If it happens his teammates would likely be distracted and maybe not play their best after that. On the other hand, it would likely only piss the other side off and make them want to win even more than they already do. That is why my vote would be no.
Granted, Earl's high gear is probaly still as good as anyone's. But, this is a team event, and imo the possible affects of a potential flame out have to be considered. If it happens his teammates would likely be distracted and maybe not play their best after that. On the other hand, it would likely only piss the other side off and make them want to win even more than they already do. That is why my vote would be no.
And I bet just as many others would step up and play in a heartbeat if those guys (JA, Putnam, et al) don't wanna go.
I am hoping Earl goes, and lights it up for all the world to see. One more time.
I'll take hatch over Earl anyday. He is better with the crowd, makes shots just as easily as Earl, better safety play, exciting to watch and has a better character.
Despite Earl being a phenomenal player and having a impressive record, he is a ***** and he gives classier USA players a bad name. Sorry Earl, you've earned it.
Despite Earl being a phenomenal player and having a impressive record, he is a ***** and he gives classier USA players a bad name. Sorry Earl, you've earned it.
The Mosconi cup is 9-ball races to 6, right? If I tune into an event like that (and I do enjoy watching the cup, btw) you can rest assured it's not because I think the pool is going to be extremely captivating. Yes, I know these guys are going to play great pool, but the format of the event leaves it wide open to uncontrollable circumstances - luck is a huge factor. The better player or team can easily lose a race to 6 if the balls don't break well for them, as we all know.
What I tune in for is to see a handful of professionals (who are ordinarily trying to take each others heads each week) get together and function as a team to make a solid representation of the USA. I want to see kinsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie from both teams. The excitement is in watching the cooperation, the celebration for the wins, the support for the losses, and the momentum flow from match to match.
Earl is a great player - no doubt one of the best ever, and any player of his caliber would normally be a welcome teammate. But the negativity he brings has a detrimental affect on the team at times, which for me (and some of the other Mosconi Cup players apparently) overrides the benefits he brings to the team. I personally think there are several players who would be more of an asset to the team than Earl. So what if Earl could give them the 8 and rob them - I'll take the great team player who plays a ball under Earl every day.
Aaron
What I tune in for is to see a handful of professionals (who are ordinarily trying to take each others heads each week) get together and function as a team to make a solid representation of the USA. I want to see kinsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie from both teams. The excitement is in watching the cooperation, the celebration for the wins, the support for the losses, and the momentum flow from match to match.
Earl is a great player - no doubt one of the best ever, and any player of his caliber would normally be a welcome teammate. But the negativity he brings has a detrimental affect on the team at times, which for me (and some of the other Mosconi Cup players apparently) overrides the benefits he brings to the team. I personally think there are several players who would be more of an asset to the team than Earl. So what if Earl could give them the 8 and rob them - I'll take the great team player who plays a ball under Earl every day.
Aaron
My thoughts are that I do not want a carnival side show act representing the USA in any competition, whether it be golf, tennis, soccer, or pool. Earl has immense talents still but he would be a detrimental addition to the team. Give me 5 players who can function together as a team, pull someone up when they are down etc over a talented clown any day
Mike
Mike
The guy has mental problems. Why would you want him to represent our country?
^^^ This. I agree with Bruce, and I voted No for this reason. While I'm a die-hard Earl fan, and I find myself gravitating towards his match table when spectating at tournaments, the Mosconi Cup isn't solely and exclusively about achievements or ability at an individual level. It's about a TEAM effort. How the pieces and parts (read: team members) work together as a team? How well does that machine work to achieve a goal?
Team America doesn't need a divisive person like Earl destroying the team mechanics or our team's professionalism in full view of the world. While Earl's antics may be fun to watch when he's playing as an individual at a tournament (he's representing HIMSELF, afterall), I find it quite embarrassing that he would be representing our country, in a team, in front of the world.
But then again, my ex-military "no one individual is more important than the team" MO might be coming to the surface in this one.
-Sean
Does anyone have a link to the statistics for individual player's Mosconi Cup records?
I'm not sure, but I think Earl's overall win / loss record would stand against anyone who has ever played in the event.
Does anyone else remember his chicken dance against Nick Van Den Berg in '03? Classic!
Several memorable Earl quotes from that year regarding that match include:
"Yeah well, let's see if he plays as good as me in 20 years."
"Make him break from the box and he'll break his hand."
I vote for Earl if he's playing well enough to deserve the spot.
I'm not sure, but I think Earl's overall win / loss record would stand against anyone who has ever played in the event.
Does anyone else remember his chicken dance against Nick Van Den Berg in '03? Classic!
Several memorable Earl quotes from that year regarding that match include:
"Yeah well, let's see if he plays as good as me in 20 years."
"Make him break from the box and he'll break his hand."
I vote for Earl if he's playing well enough to deserve the spot.
Joelh
Registered
If you go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosconi_Cup
The references have the links to the results for each match.
From a quick tabulation:
Strickland has an overall team record of 9-3-1.
Of all the matches he was involved in (both singles and doubles), his record is 36-22.
His singles record is 14-11.
Compared to Archer:
His overall team record is 9-4-1.
From all of his matches: 37-32
His singles record: 14-11.
BTW, I voted Yes. Strickland steps up in big matches. I don't really believe that anyone of the possible Mosconi Team considerations would really turn down a guaranteed 5-figure payday because of their dislike for Earl Strickland.
As far as team camaraderie goes, winning will take care of that. In the words of John Madden, "Winning is a great deodorant."