Earl Anthony is the most prolific champion in PBA history. His 41 titles exceed Mark Roth by seven. Anthony’s record is on par with Lou Gehrig’s 2,130 consecutive game streak, Roger Maris’ 61 home run total, and the 1954 Cleveland Indians’ season victory total of 111. Records show that Cal Ripkin shattered the consecutive game streak by a bunch, Mark McGwire destroyed Maris’ record by nine, and the 1998 New York Yankees put the Indians’ team record to rest.
Most bowling experts assume Anthony’s record may be the only unattainable mark on the PBA books, particularly in view of the incredible talent that has emerged from the amateur ranks. It has further toughened competition, thereby giving Anthony’s record added assurance of survival, with one exception: Walter Ray Williams Jr.
For example, among active players, Roth, Anthony’s closest pursuer, is seven titles short, and it is questionable that he can close the gap at this stage of his career.
Mike Aulby, the only three-time ABC Masters champion and the only player to have annexed every major championship, will need an additional 16 titles to catch Earl.
Pete Weber, the one player predestined to supplant Anthony as the greatest title-holder of all time, possessed all the talent to achieve this goal. However, Pete squandered away several peak years, opting the road of self-destruction before again taking advantage of his God-given talent ... perhaps too late to overcome the legendary Pearl.
Now, at the peak of his career, Walter Ray Williams Jr. has placed himself in a most enviable position for surpassing Mr. Anthony.
Williams has all the tools to succeed in this endeavor. He lives a very modest life. He is well conditioned. He is extremely competitive. He is smart. And, last but not at least, he has the perfect type of game to accomplish this goal. Placing everything in perspective, Walter Ray’s lifestyle is simple—no smoking, no drinking, no carousing.
He has strong hands and legs. He has tremendous hand-eye coordination, attested by six world titles in his favorite sport, horseshoe pitching. Walter Ray is one of the greatest competitors in the game. He cherishes clutch situations and seldom, if ever, fails to cash in on an opportunity to put away an opponent.
Williams is extremely smart: He knows how to play the lanes. He knows how to change speeds. He knows angles and uses them to his greatest advantage.
Walter Ray’s most precious commodity, however, is his type of game; it is reminiscent of the great Don Carter’s approach to the sport. With a degree in physics, Williams subscribes to the theory, The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. He executes in true Carter tradition: nothing fancy, no circling the ball to cover numerous boards, and straighter and direct to the pocket, with just enough power to carry the 5- and 10-pins. He applies end-over-end rotation, has pinpoint control, and is a deadly spare shooter.
There is one comparison that closely parallels Williams’ career with that of Earl Anthony: Both have had numerous second-place finishes, possibly indicating a weakness. Not so: Both have lost championship matches by virtue of television formats that, on many occasions, penalize the leaders.
The numerous second-place finishes merely aid to authenticate their lofty perches in professional bowling ranks.
Walter Ray, 39, has 29 titles to his credit. He has garnered 23 titles in the last six years, with seven titles in 1993, two in 1994, one in 1995, five in 1996, three in 1997, and five in 1998 … an average of approximately four championships a season.
Barring any physical problems or unforeseen difficulties, Walter Ray can conceivably overtake Anthony in three-to- four years when he will be 42 or 43 years old. In view of his meticulous lifestyle and conditioning preparation, he will be in excellent position to become the all-time champion.
Anthony, who won his last regular PBA championship at age 45 at Peoria, Ill., in 1983, performed on the lanes until age 59, winning seven titles on the PBA Senior Tour.
To further substantiate Walter Ray’s total domination of the PBA Tour, here is his record for the 1998 season:
· Titles (five): 1st
· Earnings without incentives: $236,900.
· Earnings with incentives: $313,900.
· Average (new record): 226.13.
· Points leader: 1st.
· Cashes (20 in 26 tournaments): 2nd.
· Championship round appearances (10): 1st.
· Match play appearances (18): 1st.
· Championship round record (9-5): 2nd.
· Match play percentage (.596 / 224-150-10): 1st.
I predict that during or possibly before the year 2003, an introduction of bowlers at PBA Tournaments will include these words: "The PBA’s most prolific champion, Walter Ray Williams Jr."
PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.