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Earl: The Greatest Bowler of All Time
Veteran bowling writer Barry Sparks of York, Pa., has authored the first comprehensive biography covering the life and accomplishments of PBA legend Earl Anthony.
“EARL: The Greatest Bowler of All Time,” is Sparks’ 293-page compilation of more than 100 interviews with people who crossed paths with Anthony and includes more than two dozen vintage photos from Anthony’s career. Anthony, who held the PBA Tour titles record with 43 for several years before being surpassed by Walter Ray Williams Jr. (47), was selected as the PBA’s greatest player in the 2009 celebration of the 50 Greatest Players in PBA history.
Earl Anthony is one of sport’s most amazing success stories. He didn’t start bowling until he was 21. He didn’t go on the PBA Tour full-time until he was 31, an age when many athletes’ careers are ending. Yet, he forged a dominating PBA career that included 43 titles and three Player of the Year Awards. Arguably the greatest star to have every bowled, this book is in tribute to him.
“EARL: The Greatest Bowler of All Time,” is Sparks’ 293-page compilation of more than 100 interviews with people who crossed paths with Anthony and includes more than two dozen vintage photos from Anthony’s career. Anthony, who held the PBA Tour titles record with 43 for several years before being surpassed by Walter Ray Williams Jr. (47), was selected as the PBA’s greatest player in the 2009 celebration of the 50 Greatest Players in PBA history.
Earl Anthony is one of sport’s most amazing success stories. He didn’t start bowling until he was 21. He didn’t go on the PBA Tour full-time until he was 31, an age when many athletes’ careers are ending. Yet, he forged a dominating PBA career that included 43 titles and three Player of the Year Awards. Arguably the greatest star to have every bowled, this book is in tribute to him.
293 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 29, 2019
There was a time when bowling was one of the most popular sports on television. Every Saturday a tournament would be shown in which the five finalists would compete in a single-elimination tourney, leading to a championship match at the end. For a period in the 1970's, viewers would often see Earl Anthony, a man who didn't take up the sport until he was 21, dominate the field week after week. Veteran sportswriter Barry Sparks has written a biography on Anthony as a tribute to the bowler's legendary status.
Among the many accomplishments Anthony had during his career was becoming the first bowler to earn over $100,000 in a season in 1975. This was during a time when bowlers often had to compete for small purses during non-televised tourneys and often would be incurring expenses out of their own pocket if they did not perform well enough to earn cash. Sparks' commentary on the life of a bowler, and specifically that of Anthony early in his career, paints a great picture of the nature of the sport and its participants during that time.
Life away from the lanes was also nicely portrayed by Sparks as the reader will get a great understanding of how Anthony was basically a quiet individual, happy with his simple life and wanting to help others. On the lanes, it is a different story – except for the quiet part. He did complain enough when he felt that there were conditions that made it difficult for him and others, such as when there was a belief that the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) were making lane conditions more difficult for left handed bowlers than for right handers. It should be noted that two of the most successful bowlers at the time – Anthony and Johnny Petraglia – were both southpaws.
While the book does seem to be a slow, methodical read at times and requires careful attention by the reader to follow along, this is a very good read. Readers like me who remember watching the bowling telecasts on cold Saturday afternoons in the winter will especially want to read this account of whom the PBA has called its greatest bowler.
I wish to thank Mr. Sparks for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
Among the many accomplishments Anthony had during his career was becoming the first bowler to earn over $100,000 in a season in 1975. This was during a time when bowlers often had to compete for small purses during non-televised tourneys and often would be incurring expenses out of their own pocket if they did not perform well enough to earn cash. Sparks' commentary on the life of a bowler, and specifically that of Anthony early in his career, paints a great picture of the nature of the sport and its participants during that time.
Life away from the lanes was also nicely portrayed by Sparks as the reader will get a great understanding of how Anthony was basically a quiet individual, happy with his simple life and wanting to help others. On the lanes, it is a different story – except for the quiet part. He did complain enough when he felt that there were conditions that made it difficult for him and others, such as when there was a belief that the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) were making lane conditions more difficult for left handed bowlers than for right handers. It should be noted that two of the most successful bowlers at the time – Anthony and Johnny Petraglia – were both southpaws.
While the book does seem to be a slow, methodical read at times and requires careful attention by the reader to follow along, this is a very good read. Readers like me who remember watching the bowling telecasts on cold Saturday afternoons in the winter will especially want to read this account of whom the PBA has called its greatest bowler.
I wish to thank Mr. Sparks for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...
January 16, 2020
Review written by James M. Murr - January 16th 2020.
Shouldn’t there have been a biography of the greatest bowler ever? Surprisingly there wasn’t. Barry Sparks, however, knew there should be, and in his recently published book, “Earl, The Greatest Bowler of All time,” we now see why his story is well worth telling.
Sparks, as his publisher informs us, is well qualifier to write this book. He has written two other biographies: “Frank ‘Home Run’ Baker: World Series Hero and Hall of Famer” and “Rick Riodan.” He’s also covered bowling for York County (PA) daily newspapers for more than 30 years.
Those not familiar with the technical aspects of bowling will learn a lot about this sport in this book, and there are some interesting behind the scenes details revealed regarding the actions of The Professional Bowlers Association and ABC television. This book will be of interest, not just to bowlers, but lovers of all sports.
Learning about how and when Earl got started bowling, gaining insights as to the keys to his success and how he coped with adversity, are just a few of the reasons I found the book a fun read. Anthony’s life and bowling record is thoroughly documented with statistics and photographs, and clearly shows why nearly all his peers regard him as the greatest bowler of all time. He, like all of us, had flaws, but there is much to admire. I found myself thinking about him long after completing this book and I enjoyed it very much. I believe anyone who reads it will feel the same.
Shouldn’t there have been a biography of the greatest bowler ever? Surprisingly there wasn’t. Barry Sparks, however, knew there should be, and in his recently published book, “Earl, The Greatest Bowler of All time,” we now see why his story is well worth telling.
Sparks, as his publisher informs us, is well qualifier to write this book. He has written two other biographies: “Frank ‘Home Run’ Baker: World Series Hero and Hall of Famer” and “Rick Riodan.” He’s also covered bowling for York County (PA) daily newspapers for more than 30 years.
Those not familiar with the technical aspects of bowling will learn a lot about this sport in this book, and there are some interesting behind the scenes details revealed regarding the actions of The Professional Bowlers Association and ABC television. This book will be of interest, not just to bowlers, but lovers of all sports.
Learning about how and when Earl got started bowling, gaining insights as to the keys to his success and how he coped with adversity, are just a few of the reasons I found the book a fun read. Anthony’s life and bowling record is thoroughly documented with statistics and photographs, and clearly shows why nearly all his peers regard him as the greatest bowler of all time. He, like all of us, had flaws, but there is much to admire. I found myself thinking about him long after completing this book and I enjoyed it very much. I believe anyone who reads it will feel the same.
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