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"Who was the best bowler ever?"
This is a question that is continually talked about in each and
every Sport. Not only is it continually talked about, but it is
also continually argued.
Usually, there is no clear-cut answer and the reasons for that are
many. The most common reason is that you must consider "eras". Every
"era" is different for several reasons, and the main ones usually
are: equipment, the competition and the environment.
Discussions (arguments - conversations) about "who" was (is) the
best bowler "ever", continue in our sport as well. It seems that
wherever you turn, or whatever website "chat-room", "message board"
or "discussion group" that you go to, has some conversation of this
nature.
I am sure that you have your own opinion about this, as well. I
do, too.
Before getting into that, I must explain that I have had the luxury
of watching the greatest bowlers in the world perform against each
other on an almost daily basis for over 30-years, which has helped
me to offer my opinion. Obviously, there were great bowlers (before
my time) that I have never seen perform. In a way, I wish that I
did. I would have loved to seen Ned Day, Hank Marino, Jimmy Smith,
Junie McMahon and many of the other old-time greats, compete.
The only reasonable way that I can have an opinion, is to tell you
about "who" I have seen, watched and studied. So, having said that,
my opinion is based on my observations of just having watched (and
known) the PBA bowlers - who are generally accepted as being the
greatest bowlers in the world.
As previously mentioned, all of the "eras" are different. Below
are my choices as the best bowlers of each "era". (Note: I have
limited each "era" to 5-players (which was very hard to limit to
only 5), and they are listed in alphabetical order).
| 1950's |
1960's |
1970's |
- Don Carter
- Ray Bluth
- Dick Hoover
- Bill Lillard
- Dick Weber
|
- Don Carter
- Billy Hardwick
- Harry Smith
- Dave Soutar
- Dick Weber
|
- Earl Anthony
- Marshal Holman
- Don Johnson
- Dick Ritger
- Mark Roth
|
| 1980's |
1990's |
2000's |
- Earl Anthony
- Mike Aulby
- Brian Voss
- Wayne Webb
- Pete Weber
|
- Parker Bohn
- Norm Duke
- Brian Voss
- Pete Weber
- WR Williams
|
- Chris Barnes
- Norm Duke
- Brian Voss
- Pete Weber
- WR Williams
|
Well, there you have it. That's "my" opinion. And, as "they" say,
opinions are like noses - everybody has one.
Before the arguments start, let me explain my opinion.
Exactly how do you pick the "best"? You must have a formula. Reasonable
people have one.
Here is mine:
A bowler must possess several outstanding "basics" to be considered
great. In alphabetical order, they are:
A). Accuracy
B). Knowledge
C). Longevity
D). Power
E). Repeatability
F). Shot-making ability
G).Strong Mental Game
H).Versatility
With those "basics" being itemized, we can now go forth with what
we originally set out to do, and that is to pick WHO is/was the
BEST.
First, we will pick those All-Time greats from each of the "eras"
to make up the Top-5, and we will list "them" in alphabetical order.
ALL-TIME GREATS:
Earl Anthony (80's)
Don Carter (50's)
Mark Roth (70's)
Dick Weber (60's)
WR Williams (90's)
WHO WAS/IS THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL?
In my opinion, it was: Earl Anthony.
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