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(NOTE: A few months ago we did
a story about Earl Anthony, titled: "Ruthian". We have received
some e-mails from readers who want to hear more about him, so here
is another).
EARL
THE difference between the 'good players', the 'very good players'
and the 'great players' is the 'mental game'. What exactly is that
mysterious thing called the 'mental game'? Many of the 'good' and
'very good' players possess similar physical talents to the 'great
players', but often fall short with their accomplishments. Simply
put, the 'physical game' (in any sport) is how the athlete performs
based on their overall talent, ability, potential, skills and preparation.
The 'mental game' is a totally different animal. This element of
the 'package' is HOW the athlete thinks. We have all heard about
how the great players are the ones who work the hardest. 'They'
are the first ones to practice and the last ones to leave. But,
there is a lot more to it than that. Desire, dedication, determination,
self-control, focus, concentration, confidence, self-esteem, positive
thinking, goals, visualization, knowledge and a host of other things
must be mastered.
ONE time Earl was being interviewed after one of his early victories
by a bowling reporter. It was in the early 70's, and the reporter
wanted to be controversial about the lefty-righty situation that
had run rampant in the late 60's. He said to Earl, "This victory
establishes you as one of the best lefties on Tour. Are you happy
with that assessment?" Earl looked him right in the eye and said,
"I don't know anything about that, my goal is to be the best bowler."
THERE was another time that showed exactly how the man thought.
It was 1974 and he had just been named the Bowler of the Year. A
press party was arranged and the award was being presented to him
in his office at the bowling center. The wall was cleared and the
photographer was going to take a picture of Earl putting up the
plaque. Earl was standing toward the corner of the wall with the
plaque, and someone in the crowd told Earl to put the plaque in
the center of the wall. Earl said no, 'THIS' one is going 'HERE',
and the rest of them will go across the wall!!!
(He was right, the other 5 Bowler of the Year Awards eventually
filled up that entire wall).
PREVIOUSLY, I had written a series of books that I had called: Final
Phase. They were small instructional books (more like pamphlets)
designed to help bowlers learn about the great Sport of bowling.
I interviewed Earl for one of the books and posed the following
question:
"Earl, in my opinion, you were the greatest bowler in the world.
You totally dominated the Tour for more than ten years. What do
you feel was the 'formula-for-success' that you enjoyed?"
His answer was: "In my opinion, success is the result of hard work,
dedication, intelligence, selfishness and some luck. How hard you
work and how much you are willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals
will determine to a great degree your level of success. Natural
talent is a wonderful gift, and to be the very best you must have
a lot of God-given talent. However, you must work hard to develop
it. To be a winner, also takes a strong mind. You must be able to
focus your concentration level, to a fine point and achieve a level
of confidence in your ability that is unshakable under the most
extreme pressure. Most winners develop an aire of arrogance that
is a by-product of the confidence that they have in their ability.
The reason I was successful was my ability to understand and develop
my mental game and the endless hours of practice on my physical
game. There was also a certain amount of 'fear-of-failure' that
was tempered by a small degree of courage that I used as a motivator
to let me continue to fight for my goals despite many setbacks and
a willingness to put bowling and my desire to be the very best above
all other things in my life."
THOSE 3-interviews alone, tells you volumes about why I thought
he was the very best. I still get the 'chills' and the 'goose-bumps'
when I read those words.(PLEASE NOTE: This story (and more) about
Earl Anthony, along with over 40-stories about other PBA stars (and
the Tour) are on the CD; "The Tour Would Be Great "IF" You didn't
Have To Bowl." This set of: 3-CD's are on sale on this website.
For more information: CLICK
HERE.
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