Earl Strickland
David A Sapolis
In regards to Eric's opinion of Mr. Strickland, May I remind everybody of
the skills that have propelled Earl Strickland into the levels of nine ball
greatness. Sure, Earl loses his temper, throws tantrums, says things he
shouldn't, but remember, he does this when he's pumped up for competition.
Earl wants to win. He's no Dennis Rodman, nor have I ever seen him do what
Romanowski did (spit in someone's mouth). Earl is a good guy once you get
to know him. When you understand how bad Earl hates to lose, you can
appreciate his attitude. I have been fined, kicked out of leagues,
blackballed, talked about, all for reasons that I have later regretted.
Earl is arguably the best nine ball player on the professional tour.
Surely he deserves whatever fine comes to him...But let's not forget how
Earl won world championship after world championship during the largest
growth spurt in the history of pocket billiards. Earl stood tall and
played flawless pool through the entire "Color of Money" -generated influx
of new, hungry players. Many of Earl's critics would give their left arm
to possess half of Earl's ability. Earl's a great player, let's not do to
him what the ladie's tour did to Jean Balukas.
D. Sapolis
El Paso, Texas
sdb...@aol.com
SnookerUSA
>
>to possess half of Earl's ability. Earl's a great player, let's not do to<BR>
>him what the ladie's tour did to Jean Balukas. <BR>
><BR>
>D. Sapolis<BR>
>El Paso, Texas<BR>
>sdb...@aol.com<BR>
></HTML>
Funny. . . Jean didn't do a fraction of what Earl get's away with. . . . .
Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
-Mark Kulaga
è
žžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžž
http://www.assemblylineproducts.com
žžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžž
Deno J. Andrews
SnookerUSA wrote:
> Funny. . . Jean didn't do a fraction of what Earl get's away with. . . . .
> Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
>
> -Mark Kulaga
I agree...And I think his act is not only childish, but very bad for
pocket billiards. I was talking with a friend of mine about behavior of
billiard players being better than most pool players. He then reminded
me of a shark of the worst kind committed by a former world 3 cushion
champion.
In Sang Lee's international 3 cushion tournament in New York a few years
back, the master himself( sang lee ) was getting his butt kicked by
Semih Sayginer. In fact, Semih was about to break a world record at the
time for scoring ? points in like 12 innings...or something very close
to that. He went down on his shot, and sang lee who was directly behind
him held his cue at the end. He then stretched and held his cue tip
above Semih's head without him seeing it. He made a motion like he was
going to hit him in the head with it which sent the packed house
laughing wildly. Semih didn't know what was so funny, he thaught
everybody was laughing at him. Needless to say, he didn't break the
record. By the way, you can see this exchange on ACCU-STATS!
I guess my point is that all of us who tour, do things sometimes that
are wrong or bad. In sang lee's case, I must say it was the only time I
had ever seen him act unlike a champion. But he still did it, and I
wont forget it. In earl's case, he does it time and time again. For
this...he should be eliminated from playing in high-profile
tournaments. He is a bad example for the young fans of the game. What
he does gives the impression that it's OK to act like an ass-wipe. It's
not, so he should learn to control himself, or contain his game in the
proper place. I think he belongs in a ratty old, drooling rail-bird
filled, old cloth, rails burned from cigarettes, halfway house pool
room. By the way, this is edited from where I really think he should
go.
Don't get me wrong, I have made an ass out of myself in a number of
tournaments. I have since learned my lesson and refuse to act less than
professional. Why, you ask? Because it's important to set that kind of
example for the next generation of players.
Deno
SnookerUSA
>Don't get me wrong, I have made an ass out of myself in a number of<BR>
>tournaments. I have since learned my lesson and refuse to act less than<BR>
>professional. Why, you ask? Because it's important to set that kind of<BR>
>example for the next generation of players. <BR>
>Deno<BR>
></HTML>
Deno,
When are we going to get together and shoot some 3-c?
Soon I hope.
Mark
Tom Bellhouse
Deno J. Andrews wrote:
>
> SnookerUSA wrote:
> > Funny. . . Jean didn't do a fraction of what Earl get's away with. . . . .
> > Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
> >
> > -Mark Kulaga
> I think he belongs in a ratty old, drooling rail-bird
> filled, old cloth, rails burned from cigarettes, halfway house pool
> room.
(snip)
> Deno
Gee, Deno, that sounds like the places I played in when I was a kid.
Where is this place you're recommending? Might like to check it out myself!
Best regards,
Tom (drooling rail-bird) Bellhouse
Laura Friedman
SnookerUSA wrote:
. .
> Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
I don't know Earl personally. But I've seen him play, in person, for
years, both during and before tournaments. I also know people (players
and billiard writers) who speak to him on a regular basis. From what
I've heard and seen, there is no WAY it's an act.
Laura
HIG9BALL
All of you would be running to get Jimmy Connors Autograph ect.
As bad as it may sound all sports need a showman,bad boy,Character to get it
going. I don't condone bad sportsmanship however Earl has been and will be
great for this sport. Tell me don't you really love to watch him.so would non
pool players if it was presented right. As far as an act--- NO way that's Earl.
TRATUS1
On ESPN, not too long ago, I saw Earl lose in the final match. The winner
extended his hand but Earl refused to shake it-it was a cold, dark moment for
the pool world.I have great respect for Earl's game but I don't like the way he
dresses-he should be wearing a black hat.
Sherm Adamson
This match was discussed here before and it was proven that Earl did
indeed shake hands with Rolf Souquet (sp?). Rolf, as soon as he pocketed
the winning 9-ball shook hands with Earl. He then took his "bows" and
came back to Earl, who was in the process of taking his cues apart and
was in a hurry to "get outta' Dodge". This was the picture that was
featured at the end. I blame the camera people and Editorial staff for
the controversy.
;^)
Sherm
--
Sherm Custom Cues
3352 Nine Mile Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
Shop (513) 553-2172 Fax (513) 553-0417
e-mail, sher...@iac.net
http://www.iac.net/~shermcue
(Webpage Under Construction)
Jim Meador
David A Sapolis wrote:
>
Many of Earl's critics would give their left arm
So, If I was twice as good as Earl, I could run around and spit on all
the fans. If I was three times as good, I could beat up a few with my
cue stick. Heck, four times as good, and I could kill a couple.
Reyes is not a bad player (120 to Earl's 117 in the big one), but he
does not act like a rabid animal when he plays.
Earl is among my favorite players. He is among the greatest in terms of
skill. But his behavior should be adjusted. I believe he is sharking,
period.
--
:o)
Jim Meador
Billiard World Web Site
<http://www.billiardworld.com>
Mike Hu
Sharking? Perhaps, but I don't think so. More like sore loser.
Expects to play his best (dead stroke) all the time. Disillusioned, one
can say. Or one can also say hasn't grown up, yet, and IMHO, never
will...
Tom Hranowsky
Mr. Strickland's conduct was utterly despicable at the World 9-Ball
Championship. It is certainly not the venue to display prejudice, or one's
racist predilections. He berated his opponent for his inability to speak
English, and invited him and his fellow countrymen to return, by boat, to
their native land. I can tell you that Mr. Strickland was within a hair of
being disqualified from this match for unsportsmanlike conduct. The reasons
why he wasn't? Mr. Strickland was actually lucky that his opponent could
not understand what he was saying, if he had, Mr. Strickland would have been
disqualified without a moments deliberation. I would have had to view his
comments as a form of sharking; to his opponent, Mr. Strickland's words were
nothing but sound and fury. I also felt that the sport could definitely do
without the type of negative controversy such a ruling would have caused.
Let's not forget the whole world was watching the event. Players are
expected to behave with a sense of decorum. They represent their countries
and organizations, and also serve as ambassadors to the sport. I walked away
from that match feeling embarrassed to be an American. Anyone who condones
this type of behavior needs to reexamine their values; competitiveness is
not license. Earl's appalling conduct was not restricted to the table. I
have heard, from very reliable sources, that Mr. Strickland delivered a
palm-open salute, and loud 'Zeig Heil', to a group of assembled German
players in the Hotel bar. This loathsome conduct is an embarrassment not
just to every American, but to every pool player in the world.
SnookerUSA
><BR>
> Mr. Strickland's conduct was utterly despicable at the World 9-Ball<BR>
>Championship. It is certainly not the venue to display prejudice, or
>racist predilections. He berated his opponent for his inability to speak<BR>
>English, and invited him and his fellow countrymen to return, by boat, to<BR>
>their native land. I can tell you that Mr. Strickland was within a hair
>being disqualified from this match for unsportsmanlike conduct. The
>why he wasn't? Mr. Strickland was actually lucky that his opponent could<BR>
>not understand what he was saying, if he had, Mr. Strickland would have
>disqualified without a moments deliberation. I would have had to view his<BR>
>comments as a form of sharking; to his opponent, Mr. Strickland's words
>nothing but sound and fury. I also felt that the sport could definitely
>without the type of negative controversy such a ruling would have caused.<BR>
>Let's not forget the whole world was watching the event. Players are<BR>
>expected to behave with a sense of decorum. They represent their
>and organizations, and also serve as ambassadors to the sport. I walked
>from that match feeling embarrassed to be an American. Anyone who
>this type of behavior needs to reexamine their values; competitiveness is<BR>
>not license. Earl's appalling conduct was not restricted to the table. I<BR>
>have heard, from very reliable sources, that Mr. Strickland delivered a<BR>
>palm-open salute, and loud 'Zeig Heil', to a group of assembled German<BR>
>players in the Hotel bar. This loathsome conduct is an embarrassment not<BR>
>just to every American, but to every pool player in the world.<BR>
><BR>
><BR>
><BR>
></HTML>
I don't know what to say to this!
I think Earl may need some help.
I'll tell you one thing.... his opponent in the World Nine Ball Champ's,
was an awesome player. . .a true joy to watch, and I would prefer to
discuss that aspect of that particular match.
And I just did, so.....
:O)
-Mark Kulaga
Gary Ives
On 6 Jan 1998 15:38:39 GMT, snook...@aol.com (SnookerUSA) wrote:
>>
>>to possess half of Earl's ability. Earl's a great player, let's not do to<BR>
>>him what the ladie's tour did to Jean Balukas. <BR>
>><BR>
>>D. Sapolis<BR>
>>El Paso, Texas<BR>
>>sdb...@aol.com<BR>
>></HTML>
>
>Funny. . . Jean didn't do a fraction of what Earl get's away with. . . . .
>Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
>
>-Mark Kulaga
>è
>žžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžž
>http://www.assemblylineproducts.com
>žžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžžž
If you've seen Earl in person I really doubt that you would think it
an act.
Gary
JSilverFox
>Funny. . . Jean didn't do a fraction of what Earl get's away with. . . . .
>Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
>
>-Mark Kulaga
Mark,
I don't think it is an act. There are a number of people, (ie. Marshall Holman
in bowling), that just hate to lose, especially when they make a stupid mistake
or their opponent gets a lucky break, that sets them off. I believe that these
people's temperment and their will to win combine to make this volitile
reaction. This of course is just my humble opinion and it, along with 50 cents
can get you a cup of coffee!!
John Thompson
Laura Friedman
JSilverFox wrote:
> I don't think it is an act. There are a number of people, (ie. Marshall Holman
> in bowling), that just hate to lose, especially when they make a stupid mistake
> or their opponent gets a lucky break, that sets them off.
All true. It is not an act.
I would like to add, however, that Earl is consciously interested in
entertaining the audience and putting on a show. I've heard him
complain that some of his competitors are as exciting as watching paint
dry. I think he has yet to find the right balance.
Laura
R Givens
In article <19980106153...@ladder02.news.aol.com>,
snook...@aol.com (SnookerUSA) wrote:
> >
> >to possess half of Earl's ability. Earl's a great player, let's not do to
> >him what the ladie's tour did to Jean Balukas.
> >D. Sapolis
> >El Paso, Texas
> >sdb...@aol.com
>
> Funny. . . Jean didn't do a fraction of what Earl get's away with. . . . .
> Personally. . .I think with Earl it is an act. . . . I really do.
>
> -Mark Kulaga
Jean Balukas is NOT barred from play. She was fined a couple of hundred
dollars for an incident and she refused to pay.
Jean Balukas can come back and play anytime she pays her fine. People
offered to pay the fine for her and she rejected that.
I think Jean Balukas got burned out and just used this as an excuse to quit.
R Givens
Bob Jewett
R Givens (rgi...@sirius.com) wrote:
: Jean Balukas can come back and play anytime she pays her fine. People
: offered to pay the fine for her and she rejected that.
No, the fine was forgiven and everyone was hugging a couple of years
ago at the BCA Trade Show. There was some hope that she would return
soon to the tour, but that hasn't happened.
Bob Jewett
Brown Dog
HIG9BALL wrote:
>
> Hell why don't you second rate pool players try to play as good as old Earl.
> You don't seem to mind all the Phillippino's with thier shirts and coats
> pronouncing we are from the Phillippines but you cringe at old Earl being all
> out to be Pro American!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH YA let's call it Racist that will shut
> everbody up.
There's a difference between <being a world class player, man, and a
true American> and <being a world class player, snot-nosed whiner, and a
sorry example of sportsmanship.> The Phillipinos are patriotic of their
country, yes, but damn proud to be here in America on the pro
circuit...I can guarantee you. I've seen many pro events and never have
I seen a Phillipino player carry on the way Earl has at times,
especially toward the fans.
HIG9BALL
Gene
>This match was discussed here before and it was proven that Earl did
>indeed shake hands with Rolf Souquet (sp?). Rolf, as soon as he pocketed
>the winning 9-ball shook hands with Earl. He then took his "bows" and
>came back to Earl, who was in the process of taking his cues apart and
>was in a hurry to "get outta' Dodge". This was the picture that was
>featured at the end. I blame the camera people and Editorial staff for
>the controversy.
>;^)
>Sherm
>--
> Sherm Custom Cues
> 3352 Nine Mile Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45255
> Shop (513) 553-2172 Fax (513) 553-0417
> e-mail, sher...@iac.net
> http://www.iac.net/~shermcue
> (Webpage Under Construction)
DDDDIIITTTTOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I remember the whole thread on that maych.
I saw it the same way on T.V. I dont think
he meant to be a jerk?????
GeneD
edu...@iamerica.net (Houma,La)
"aceofspades" Chessmaster 5000 online
" I am not only prepared to retract any statements deemed offensive,
but to also under oath, deny that I ever said them"
" When the going gets weird....the weird turn pro"---Hunter S. Thompson
Gary Robinson
Chapman234
>
>Hell why don't you second rate pool players try to play as good as old Earl.
>You don't seem to mind all the Phillippino's with thier shirts and coats
>pronouncing we are from the Phillippines but you cringe at old Earl being all
>out to be Pro American!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH YA let's call it Racist that will
>shut
>everbody up.
Lets go with Nazi sympathiser, ignorant white trash and xenophobic arsehole.
MSBPromo
Strickland is truely one of the greatest 9-Ball players there is, but let's
face it if you were playing an opponent with an attitude like Strickland's you
wouldn't enjoy the game.
Just because you're a great player does not give you the right to be
disrepectful and I believe that with an attitude like his he is disrepectful to
the other players, spectators, fans and so on. Players such as Archer, Reyes,
Varner, Rempe and so on and so on do not have to act up to be great players,
Strickland should be the same way.
If you ever talk to Earl you will see that what he wants most in the world is
to be respected, well I say "Respect and you will be respected".
Mario
David A Sapolis
SnookerUSA <snook...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19980110204...@ladder02.news.aol.com>...
>
> dear Mr. SnookerUSA
> Hasn't this story been harped on and exaggerated enough?
The next thing I'll here is that Earl tattooed a swastika on his forehead
after his loss to Ralf Souquet at the Challenge of Champions. All of these
good losers and good sports that I hear waving their banners on this
newsgroup seem to be strangely absent at the the pool rooms and the
tournaments that I've attended. I have horror stories of many top players
that have burst into temper tantrums, but choose not discuss them in this
forum. Furthermore, nothing at all would ever cause me to be embarrassed
for being an American, no matter what anybody does or says. I thought this
was a newsgroup for pool players about the sport of pool. Some are using it
to crucify others who are not present to defend themselves. I've seen the
tape of Earl and his comments (Which were obviously uncalled for) but I've
read and heard about 21 different versions of the story which get more
twisted and colorful each time they are repeated. The world of pool is in
a downward spiral, instead of seeing how we can beat each other down,
criticize each other, & get rich off of each other, let's try to see what
we can add to the game to make it better. If we concentrate as much on the
positives of the game as much as we openly display and harp on the
negatives, perhaps pool can keep it's head above water. Also, FYI, Efren
Reyes, Francisco Bustamante, Jose Parica, Leonardo Andam, and Rodlpho Luat
all can speak and understand English better than I can speak and understand
Tagolag. The same goes for the Chinese players. Advising that Earl was
lucky that his opponent couldn't understand him, is misdirected. His
opponent should be praised for not reacting to Earl's verbal assault, not
celebrated for what you call "his ignorance of the english language." One
other thing to keep in mind, whenever you point a finger at someone else,
you have four others pointing back at you. This happened moths ago, let's
get over it already!
D. Sapolis
sdb...@aol.com
Lucky
Don't spread this around, but I heard from a cousin of mine that knows
one of Earls neighbors that he actually had some performance enhancing
surgery that allows him to play like an iron willie on legs. Of course
the downside of this operation was a similarity to steroid use, the
increased temper, you know, a left side vs. right side kind of thing.
Don't spread this around.
Gody K. Cul
Redeye
The fact of the matter is that Earl Strickland is human, as are the rest of
us. I consider myself a pretty good sport and a fairly laid back person in
general, and I think that if you were to talk to anyone who knows me or plays
with or against me, they would agree. However, that is not to say that I have
never lost my cool. On the contrary, I have made a complete ***hole of myself
on a few occasions. To make matters worse, I have never shot under the kind of
pressure that I would imagine thousands of dollars and hundreds of live
spectators and television cameras create. I think that if anyone claims that
they have never lost their cool, they are either lying, have selective
memories, or are about 10 times more evolved than me.
What causes these outbursts? Who knows. I believe that much of the time they
have little to do with the actual game, which acts merely as a catalyst.
Perhaps the player had a really bad day, or has some serious problem on his
mind. Sometimes it seems that it really is the game, or serious of games, that
is the cause and not the catalyst. Perhaps the player is performing several
levels below his ability and is becoming severely frustrated; I know that this
has happened to me, and in such cases my anger has been directed mostly at
myself. Most such times, I have kept my cool, but a few times I have lost it
and slammed my cue or mouthed a string of profanity. This kind of outburst is
not really directed at the opponent, but is socially unnacceptable
nevertheless. Then there are some people who just seem to be unable to deal
with losing; sometimes this helps them accell by driving them to play better.
In almost all cases, this temperment causes other players and observers to
consider such a player to be a jerk, regardless of his/her temperment away from
the table.
The problem is that Mr. Strickland (I don't know him personally, so I'll
address him as such) seems to loose his cool much more often than his peers.
Does he have that inability to accept loss? I don't know. I do know that when
I have acted like a jerk, I have always slunk back to the pool hall in shame
the next day, apology on my lips for all the rest of the regulars (and
especially my opponent at the time of my outburst) who, rightly so, are ready
to ask me why I acted like such a moron. I wonder if Mr. Strickland has such a
gauge; perhaps he makes no apologies because nobody else demands them.
In any case, my point here (I know I had one somewhere...) is that I agree that
Mr. Strickland's outbursts should be denounced and that an attempt should be
made to change his habit of losing his cool. How? I'm not sure; I think the
people who are closest to him should pressure him, and perhaps the governing
bodies of the tournaments should exert some pressure. However, I don't think
that personal attacks on his character are necessary or appropriate. He may be
overly competative at the table, and the most well adjusted guy you ever met
away from it.
Just some miscellaneous ramblings.
--
Dave
SnookerUSA
David A Sapolis wrote:
D,
Why don't you quote my exact posts?
I never mentioned anything about NAZI's etc. . . .nor did I specify or
embelish anything Mr. Strickland said.
All I ever stated was "I witnessed his outbursts on several occassions" and it
was uncalled for! then later when speaking to the man he seemed quite well
mannered and had a pleasant conversation, during of which I will add now,
I asked for his autograph, and since he didn't have any photos, he got up and
then got one for me!.
I never called him any names ever! you are quoting the wrong person!!!!
PLEASE research who posted what an then quote them!
You sir owe me an apology and need to retract this post.
john walkup
SnookerUSA wrote:
> > get over it already.
>
> Why don't you quote my exact posts?
> I never mentioned anything about NAZI's etc. . . .nor did I specify or
> embelish anything Mr. Strickland said.
>
> All I ever stated was "I witnessed his outbursts on several occassions" and it
> was uncalled for! then later when speaking to the man he seemed quite well
> mannered and had a pleasant conversation, during of which I will add now,
> I asked for his autograph, and since he didn't have any photos, he got up and
> then got one for me!.
>
> I never called him any names ever! you are quoting the wrong person!!!!
> PLEASE research who posted what an then quote them!
>
> You sir owe me an apology and need to retract this post.
>
> -Mark Kulaga
You sure like playing the victim. Can you ever engage in discussion
withouthunting for insults just so that you can sulk and demand apologies?
John