Edit filter log

'{{short description|American pool player}} {{infobox pool player |name=Earl Strickland |image= Earl Strickland.JPG | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|06|08}} | birth_place =[[Roseboro, North Carolina]] | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | sport country = {{USA}} | professional = 1981 | major wins = | other wins = |world champ = [[9-Ball]] (1985, 1988, [[WPA World Nine-ball Championship|1990]], [[WPA World Nine-ball Championship|1991]], 1994, [[2002 WPA World Nine-ball Championship|2002]]) | nickname = Earl "the Pearl" Strickland | highest ranking = 1 }} '''Earl''' "'''the Pearl'''" '''Strickland''' (born June 8, 1961 in [[Roseboro, North Carolina]]) is an American professional [[Pool (cue sports)|pool]] player who is considered one of the best [[nine-ball]] players of all time. He has won over 100 championship titles and over 50 major titles. In 2006 he was inducted into the [[Billiard Congress of America]]'s [[BCA Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]].<ref>[http://www.bca-pool.com/cgi/site/framegate.cgi?url=http://www.bca-pool.com/industry/hof/hof.shtml&cat=i Earl Strickland inducted into Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070331000000/http://www.bca-pool.com/cgi/site/framegate.cgi?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bca-pool.com%2Findustry%2Fhof%2Fhof.shtml&cat=i |date=March 31, 2007 }}</ref> He is also known as one of the sport's most controversial players for his outspoken views and his sometimes volatile behavior at tournaments. ==Career== Strickland started playing pool at the age of 8. After intensive practice, he entered his first professional tournament aged 16. Strickland rose to national prominence in 1983 with a victory in [[Lake Tahoe]].<ref>"USA Dominates World Nine-ball", ''Pool & Billiards Magazine'', May 1990.</ref> This was followed in 1984 by the [[Caesars Palace]] Pro Billiard Classic in Las Vegas. According to sources, Strickland played "like a polished gem." He was beginning to be a dominant force on the tournament trail and recognized as a future world champion. He had the "skill, endurance, patience, temperament, and tenacity of which champions are made."<ref>"Earl 'The Pearl' Strickland Wins Another Caesars Event," page 11, ''The National Billiard News'', October 1984. Retrieved May 18, 2007</ref> Because of his dominance, Strickland was named ''The National Billiard News'' Player of the Year in 1984.<ref>"Pot Shots" by Bruce Venzke, page 5, ''The National Billiard News'', February 1986. Retrieved May 19, 2007</ref> He won the [[1988 World Open]] championship, after a momentous final confrontation between himself and [[Mike Sigel|Mike 'Captain Hook' Sigel"]]. A 45-second shot clock was used to monitor each shot because the tournament was being recorded for broadcast for a seven-week series. At the conclusion, Sigel commented he could feel the pressure of being clocked. Strickland, on the other hand, said they "could have made it only 30 seconds between shots, and it wouldn't have mattered."<ref>"Brunswick's World Open on T.V. Features the Best," ''Pool and Billiard Magazine'', pages 27-28, July 1888</ref> At the 2004 Derby City Classic, a week-long multiple tournament event held every January in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], Strickland was one of six competitors in a [[nine-ball]] ring game. Veteran [[Grady Mathews]], when introducing Strickland, says that when Strickland is in the house, "A hush ensues, and there is an expectation" due to his brilliant shot-making capabilities and unpredictable behaviour.<ref name="youtube.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeeXvz9mIkk |title=Billiard Club Network, 2004 Derby City Classic, Louisville, Kentucky |access-date=2016-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418064015/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeeXvz9mIkk |archive-date=2016-04-18 |url-status=live }}</ref> ==Awards and accolades== Strickland is a multiple winner of the prestigious Billiards Digest [[Player of the year award|Player of the Year Award]] in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988, including Billiards Digest Player of the Decade for the 1980s. His career highlights of six world Nine-Ball titles & five wins at the [[U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship]]s (tied with [[Shane Van Boening]] for the most all time). Strickland is the only [[List of WPA World Nine-ball champions|WPA World Nine-ball Champion]] ever to win the event in consecutive years. He was also an ever-present player for the American team in the annual [[Mosconi Cup]] tournament, from its inauguration in 1994, up until 2009, winning it a record nine times along with [[Johnny Archer]]. Strickland once ran 11 consecutive racks against Nick Mannino during the first PCA tournament in 1996 where there was a stipulation that anyone who could {{Cuegloss|Break and run|break and run}} 10 racks would win [[United States dollar|US$]]1,000,000.<ref name="BDMag200604Story6">[http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/apr_06/story_6.php "Earl, According to Earl"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501200746/http://www.billiardsdigest.com/current_issue/apr_06/story_6.php |date=2007-05-01 }}, ''Billiards Digest'' magazine (online edition), April 2006; Note: The million-dollar prize seemed to be a very safe stipulation because runs that high are quite rare especially in formal tournament play; there have been no similar promotions since.</ref> [[Jimmy Mataya]], who was present at the event, witnessed Strickland's last shot, a tough [[nine-ball]] {{Cuegloss|Combination shot|combination}} in which Earl showed no fear and "fired it in with authority" to win the prize.<ref name="youtube.com"/> Up to that time, no one had ever run 10 racks of 9-ball in a row during a professionally sanctioned event. The feat has never been duplicated in a tournament since. This Million dollar Challenge event was a kickoff for the new tour, which Earl Strickland, [[C.J. Wiley]], and others helped to build. He won it on the first day of the event and the very start of the brand new tour association (PCA). The insurance company backing the event refused to pay and lawsuits were filed. Two and one half years later, the insurers were forced to pay up. Unfortunately, due to expenses of the legal battle, Earl received less than $1,000,000 and the resulting negative publicity around it led to a very premature demise of the new PCA tour. Earl was very gracious about the money, but sorely disappointed that the new tour got off to a bad start. The scandal and a feud with the already existing feud with the Professional Billiards Association fearing lost revenues and television contracts spelled doom and led to a quick demise of the new tour. For<!--The use of "for" not "in" is intentional here; was not published until 2/2008--> 2007, he was ranked #6 in ''Pool & Billiard Magazine''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s "Fans' Top 20 Favorite Players" poll.<ref name="PBM Feb. 2008 2">{{cite magazine |title=The Survey Says...: ''Pool & Billiard Magazine''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 22nd Annual Player and Fan Poll |magazine=Pool & Billiard Magazine |date=February 2008 |volume=26 |issue=2 |issn=1049-2852 |publisher=Sports Publications |location=[[Summerville, South Carolina]]|page=14}}</ref> ==Controversy== ===World Pool Championship=== Strickland has engaged in exchanges with fans, players, referees, and tournament officials. His [[2003 WPA World Nine-ball Championship]] match with [[snooker]] star [[Steve Davis]] was particularly notorious. Before the match, Strickland had given a particularly charged interview with a [[Sky Sports]] reporter, in which he complained that fans had been disrespectful to him (booing when his name had been broadcast over the PA), and that the event "revolves around Davis" (the event was organized by [[Matchroom Sport]], which was headed by Davis' manager [[Barry Hearn]], while Sky's coverage had featured Davis heavily to win an audience in the UK). He also appeared upset that [[Sky Sports]] had shown numerous replays during the buildup to the match of Davis beating him in the previous year's [[Mosconi Cup]], the match which settled the event in favour of Team Europe. During the match, Strickland entered the arena visibly downbeat, and after beginning the match in a quiet mood, Strickland soon began to engage in heated verbal arguments with fans and then referee [[Michaela Tabb]]. TV microphones caught him using foul language to one member of the crowd, then telling Tabb to "shut up" when she reprimanded him. In response, Davis made use of his entitlement to take a break in the match. (Davis admitted later that the timing of this was intentional, leaving Strickland to the mercy of the crowd.) During the gap, Strickland put his fingers in his ears to block out the crowd's support for Davis, to the derision of the crowd, who mocked the gesture, and cheered loudly for Davis whenever Strickland took his fingers out. Late in the match, he responded to Davis' missing of an easy shot by sharply leaping out of his chair, fists aloft, shouting to the crowd "Yeah! He dogged it!" When Davis took a second break, Strickland loudly complained that players were only entitled to a single break, telling the crowd "He's Steve Davis, he can do what he likes," another reference to his belief that Davis's status at Matchroom Sport afforded him special treatment. <!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Strickland and McCready.JPG|thumb|right|Earl Strickland and [[Keith McCready]] competing in 2004 Joss Northeast [[Nine-ball]] Tour Season Finale exchanging quips during the competition, as [[Karen Corr]] looks on]] --> Strickland's tirade against Davis, the crowd, and the rules of the event, continued through the main part of a post-match interview, before visibly calming and apologizing for his behaviour.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mount St Earl Erupts, Wins! |url=http://www.billiardsdigest.com/tournaments/display_article.php?article_id=352&tournament_id=10|author=Mike Panozzo |date =July 19, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212070029/http://www.billiardsdigest.com/tournaments/display_article.php?article_id=352&tournament_id=10|archive-date=February 12, 2012}}</ref> After admitting regret over his reactions during the encounter with Davis, Strickland entered the arena for his next match carrying a bunch of flowers which he gave to Tabb by way of an apology, and proceeded to play in a much calmer manner for the remainder of the event.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mr. Congeniality: 2003 World Championships |url=http://www.billiardsdigest.com/tournaments/display_article.php?article_id=353&tournament_id=10 |work=[[Billiards Digest]] |author=Mike Panozzo |date=July 19, 2003 |access-date=May 7, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927014739/http://www.billiardsdigest.com/tournaments/display_article.php?article_id=353&tournament_id=10 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Davis would go on to liken his match with Strickland to his 1980s snooker matches against [[Alex Higgins]], another player noted for his combination of impressive play and enigmatic behaviour. ===Mosconi Cup=== At the [[2006 Mosconi Cup]], which took place at [[Rotterdam]], [[Netherlands]] between December 7 and 10, the audience was loud, cheering and blowing horns when rooting for Team Europe. During a match with [[Nick van den Berg]], someone shouted from the audience for Strickland to "shut up" since he had continued talking while opponents were taking their shots. The noise was so intense that referee [[Michaela Tabb]] warned spectators they could be thrown out of the arena if they persisted.<ref>[http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=41 "Van den Berg Wins a Classic"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210115405/http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=41 |date=2008-12-10 }} 2006 Mosconi Cup, Rotterdam, Netherlands, December 7–10, 2006</ref> Strickland broke his cue out of frustration during his match against [[Thomas Engert]], smashing it against the floor after a failed attempt at a shot. He replaced the broken shaft and went on to win the match 7–4.<ref>[http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=31 MosconicCup.com article] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060724200355/http://www.mosconicup.com/article_detail.asp?article_id=31 |date=2006-07-24 }} December 2006 "Strickland Smashes Cue and Still Wins"</ref> One year later, the [[2007 Mosconi Cup|2007]] Mosconi Cup in [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] saw Strickland complain strongly about the "misbehavior" of European players and fans, reaching its peak in a particularly bad-tempered clash between himself and reigning world champion [[Daryl Peach]] where the referee (again Tabb) had to separate the two amid fears their animosity might turn violent. Whereas most matches in the event were followed by live TV interviews with both players, Strickland refused to participate, while the normally mild-mannered Peach stated "Strickland is the scum of the Earth, everyone knows that." Given the opportunity to retract the statement moments later by the interviewer, he declined. The next year, [[2008 Mosconi Cup|2008]], saw the event played in [[Portomaso]], [[Malta]]. Strickland's opening night match again saw him repeatedly argue with European fans in the crowd, and also repeatedly comment aloud that the table was playing too easily. In a post-match interview, he stated that it was bad for the sport if the public sees top players in a high-profile event using a table that was clearly playing more easily than a standard club table. When the crowd gave a mixed reaction to his comments, he turned to the spectators and attempted to rally them by calling "Do you want to see us have an easy time out here? Or do you want to see these guys shit on themselves?" Presenter [[Andy Goldstein]] immediately apologised to viewers, an action that prompted Strickland to further argue that such language is acceptable, citing [[Tiger Woods]] as a fellow sportsman who has used such language on TV without being challenged. Asked about the possibility of banning Strickland from future events for his behaviour, Matchroom Sports founder [[Barry Hearn]] stated he would always want Strickland to participate in the firm's events, since his presence "guarantees drama and unpredictability." Strickland, though, would be dropped by the United States team for the [[2009 Mosconi Cup]] and was not selected again for the next three years before returning to the team in 2013. At the [[2021 Mosconi Cup]] Strickland became the oldest player to be selected at the age of 60, but was forced to withdraw on the eve of the tournament after being in close contact with a case of [[COVID-19]] on his flight to London, and UK rules specifying unvaccinated people must isolate in this situation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mosconi Cup: Earl Strickland out of annual 9-ball pool event due to possible exposure to COVID-19|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/snooker/news/12243/12488861/mosconi-cup-earl-strickland-out-of-annual-9-ball-pool-event-due-to-possible-exposure-to-covid-19|access-date=2021-12-08|website=Sky Sports|language=en}}</ref> ==Titles and achievements== {| |valign="top"| * 2018 Maryland State 9-Ball Bar Table Championship * 2017 German Pool Masters * 2017 Maryland State 10-Ball Bar Table Championship * 2013 [[Turning Stone]] Classic * 2012 Empire State 10-Ball Championship * 2012 Ginky Memorial Open Division * 2010 [[Steve Mizerak]] Championship * 2010 US Bar Table 8-Ball Championship * 2007 Carolinas Open One Pocket Division * 2006 [[Billiard Congress of America Hall of Fame]]<ref name="HOF">{{cite web |url=https://bca-pool.com/general/custom.asp?page=30 |title=Hall of Fame Inductees, 2002-2010 |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=bca-pool.com |publisher=Billiard Congress of America |access-date=5 March 2020}}</ref> * 2005 [[Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup (MVP)]] * 2005 [[2005 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 2004 [[2004 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 2003 [[2003 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 2003 World Pool Trickshot Championship * 2003 Joss Tour 9-Ball * 2003 Viking National Nine-ball Championship * 2002 '''[[WPA World Nine-ball Championship]]'''<ref name="HOF" /> * 2001 [[2001 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 2000 [[Billiards]] Digest Player of the Year * 2000 [[U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship]] * 2000 [[2000 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 2000 [[United States]]-[[Philippines]] 9-Ball Challenge * 1999 [[1999 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 1999 Camel Shooters Nine-ball Open * 1999 Camel Riviera Eight-Ball Open * 1998 [[1998 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 1997 [[U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship]] * 1997 [[World Pool Masters]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.matchroompool.com/world-pool-masters/#history |title=World Pool Masters: History |author=<!--Not stated--> |website=matchroompool.com |publisher=Matchroom Sport |access-date=5 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831040942/http://www.matchroompool.com/world-pool-masters#history |archive-date=31 August 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> * 1997 [[1997 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 1996 PCA - Runs 11 racks of 9-ball to win $1,000,000 * 1996 [[1996 Mosconi Cup|Mosconi Cup]] * 1995 PBT Eastern States 9-Ball Championship * 1994 PBT Glass City Open Nine-ball * 1994 '''PBT World Nine-ball Championship''' * 1993 [[U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship]] * 1993 PBT [[Florida]] Flare Up * 1993 PBT Western Open * 1993 PBT Glass City Open Nine-ball * 1992 Akron Open * 1992 Can-Am Challenge 9-Ball Championship * 1992 MPBA McDermott Masters 9-Ball Championship * 1992 MPBA [[Los Angeles]] Open 9-Ball Championship * 1992 MPBA [[Sands Regency]] Reno Open * 1991 '''[[WPA World Nine-ball Championship]]'''<ref name="HOF" /> * 1991 MPBA McDermott Masters 9-Ball Championship |width="5%"| |valign="top"| * 1990 MPBA Lexington All-Star Nine-ball * 1990 MPBA [[Sands Regency]] Reno Open * 1990 '''[[WPA World Nine-ball Championship]]'''<ref name="HOF" /> * 1990 [[Billiards]] Digest Player of the Decade- 1980s * 1990 Capital City Open * 1989 Cue Time Classic Championship * 1989 Akron Open * 1988 [[Billiards]] Digest Player of the Year * 1988 PBA Tara Open * 1988 PBA World [[J. M. Brunswick|Brunswick]] 9-Ball Open * 1988 PBA Shoals Classic * 1988 PBA Lexington All-Star Nine-ball * 1988 PBA Augusta Classic * 1988 PBA Greater Greenville Open * 1988 Akron Open * 1988 Ohio State Open * 1988 South Carolina Open * 1987 [[Billiards]] Digest Player of the Year * 1987 [[U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship]] * 1987 North California Fall 9-Ball Classic * 1987 Joe Farhat Open * 1987 PBA Bowling Green Open * 1987 PBA Tara Open * 1987 PBA [[Sands Regency]] Reno Open * 1987 PBA Charlotte Open * 1987 PBA Fall Classic * 1987 Akron Open * 1986 Bowling Green Open * 1986 Citrus Open * 1986 North California Fall 9-Ball Classic * 1985 [[Billiards]] Digest Player of the Year * 1985 Challenge Match vs. ([[Mike Sigel]]) * 1985 Tar Heel Open * 1985 Ohio State Open * 1985 Clyde Childress World 9-Ball Open * 1985 Charlotte Open * 1985 Akron Open * 1985 West Virginia State Open * 1984 [[Billiards]] Digest Player of the Year * 1984 [[U.S. Open Nine-ball Championship]] * 1984 Red's Nine-ball Open * 1984 McDermott Masters 9-Ball Championship * 1984 Caesar's Palace Classic * 1984 Akron Open * 1983 [[Caesars Tahoe]] Nine-ball Championship * 1982 Dayton Nine-Ball Open |} ==See also== * {{portal-inline|Biography}} * {{portal-inline|Cue sports}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * {{Commons-inline}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090917093056/http://www.internationalpooltour.com/Players/Bio_Strickland_Earl.aspx "Earl Strickland, Player Profile"], ''InternationalPoolTour.com'' {{Navboxes |title=Earl Strickland in [[Mosconi Cup]] |list1= {{1996 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{1997 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{1998 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{1999 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2000 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2001 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2002 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2003 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2004 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2005 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2006 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2007 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2008 United States Mosconi Cup team}} {{2013 United States Mosconi Cup team}} }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Strickland, Earl}} [[Category:1961 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American pool players]] [[Category:Sportspeople from North Carolina]] [[Category:People from Roseboro, North Carolina]] [[Category:WPA World Nine-ball Champions]]'