Earl Strickland
Earl Strickland, known as Earl the Pearl, is a famous American pool player and is generally considered one of the best Nine Ball players of all time. He has also had the moniker "Million Dollar Man" because he once ran eleven consecutive racks during a tournament where there was a stipulation that if anyone could break and run ten racks they would win $1,000,000. This was a very safe stipulation because runs that high are extremely rare especially in formal tournament play. There have been no similar promotions like this since.
Strickland was born on June 8, 1961, in Roseboro, North Carolina. He started playing pool aged nine and after serious practice, he entered his first pro tournament aged 15. Five years later he turned professional. Strickland is a multiple winner of the prestigious player of the year award and his career highlights include wins at; U.S. Open, World Open and Challenge of Champions as well as being an ever-present key player for the USA team in the annual Mosconi Cup tournament.
Strickland most recently took part in the tournament in 2005 which took place 15-18 December in Las Vegas.
Strickland is known for his whole-hearted approach to the game, which often crosses the edge into becoming confrontational. A notable example came in the 2003 World Pool Championship held in Cardiff, Wales. Strickland had a number of run-ins with fellow players, referees and the audience. This included challenging one spectator to a fight during a match with former World Snooker Champion Steve Davis,shouting "Justice!" in the same match when Davis made a fluke error and shouting at female referee Michaela Tabb to "shut up". However to many this has endeared him to fans as one of the true characters of the game.
Strickland was named to the BCA Hall of Fame in 2006 -- despite the fact that his sportsmanship has, in many cases, been questionable. Facing elimination, in one of 2006's world pool game, he humiliates his silent opponent verbally and ending the game by saying "Fxxk you" to his opponent. The associate has warned him not doing it again or he will be disqualified.
Career Titles
- 2003 Viking National 9-Ball Championship
- 2002 World 9-Ball Championship
- 2000 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1999 Camel Shooters 9-Ball Open
- 1999 Camel Riviera Hotel Pro 8-Ball Open
- 1997 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1995 PBT Eastern States Memorial 9-Ball Championship
- 1994 PBT Glass City Open 9-Ball
- 1994 PBT World 9-Ball Championship
- 1993 PBT Florida Flare Up
- 1993 PBT Western Open
- 1993 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1992 MPBA Los Angeles Open
- 1992 MPBA Sands Regency XVI 9-Ball
- 1991 MPBA McDermott Masters 9-Ball
- 1990 MPBA Lexington All-Star 9-Ball
- 1990 MPBA Sands Regent XI 9-Ball
- 1988 PBA Tara Open
- 1988 PBA Brunswick World Open
- 1988 PBA Shoals Classoc
- 1988 PBA Lexington All-Star 9-Ball
- 1988 PBA Augusta Classic
- 1988 PBA Greater Greenville Open
- 1987 PBA Bowling Green Open
- 1987 PBA Tara Open
- 1987 PBA Sands Regent 9-Ball
- 1987 PBA Charlotte Open
- 1987 PBA Fall Classic
- 1987 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1986 Bowling Green Open
- 1986 Citrus Open
- 1985 Ohio State Open
- 1985 Clyde Childress Open
- 1985 Charlotte Open
- 1985 Akron Open
- 1985 West Virginia Open
- 1984 Red's 9-Ball Open
- 1984 McDermott Masters
- 1984 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championship
- 1984 Caesar's Palace Classic
- 1983 Caesar's Tahoe 9-Ball