Who is the greatest bowler of all time? Don Carter? Dick Weber? Earl Anthony? Junie McMahon? These are the names most mentioned in backroom debates.
Of course, older bowling fans will always argue on behalf of stars of the past. Younger observers will undoubtedly make pitches for contemporary stars. Carter, Weber, and Anthony are near unanimous choices by those who have followed the game dating back to the early 1960s.
McMahon, regarded by many observers as the ultimate performer, established himself as one of the smoothest, most graceful, and most talented bowlers of all time. His powerful strike ball, his aggressive style, and his fierce competitive spirit was unparalleled. Regretfully, I was never afforded the opportunity to observe this legend of the lanes. McMahon was cut down at the peak of his career, a victim of a stroke. However, four of my close friends, Tom Kouros, Frank Esposito, Chuck Pezzano, and Bill Lillard, all have endorsed McMahon as good, if not better, than anyone who ever stepped up on the approach.
Personally, Bill Lillard overwhelmed me, the affable Texan who possessed the most powerful strike ball I have ever witnessed. Lillard could hook a ball on ice uphill, using a rubber ball with a conventional grip. Modern players are afforded juiced-up urethane balls with core replacements that border on illegality to generate revolutions. Lillard achieved this power through hand position, pinpoint timing, and incredible leverage. Not too surprising, in a poll conducted by ABC's Bowling Magazine by a panel of bowling writers, Lillard was selected as one of the 20th century's Top 20 players.
From time to time, polls have been taken for selecting all-time superstars. Don Carter, Dick Weber, Earl Anthony, and Mark Roth are always mentioned. Unquestionably, the future will include Walter Ray Williams Jr., Mike Aulby, and Parker Bohn III. Williams and Aulby, the only player to have won all five major tournaments, (U.S. Open, PBA National, Touring Players Championship, Tournament of Champions, and the ABC Masters) also were included in the century's Top 20. Carter and Weber dominated in the 1950s-60s, while Anthony and Roth showed the way in the 1970s-80s.
But, somewhere in between, a place must be reserved for Don Johnson. During a span between 1965 and 1975, nobody can match the titles, averages, pressure bowling, and charisma of Don Johnson. For example, consider the following:
In all, Johnson earned more than $70,000 in 15 Firestone Tournament of Champions. He won it once, finished second three times, and placed fifth once. The $70,000 earned in the T of C competition is rather deceiving inasmuch as the top prize in this coveted crown was only $25,000.
Years ago, at a PBA tournament in Merritt Island, Fla., Kevin Shippy, then PBA public relations director, presented Dave Davis and Johnny Petraglia to the audience for a question and answer session. This was a common practice at tournaments prior to the position round while scores were tabulated and bowlers assigned to their respective lanes. The proverbial question arose, Who is the greatest bowler you ever saw? Dave Davis heaped praise on Earl Anthony, Don Carter, Dick Weber, Billy Hardwick, and Mark Roth as the top performers of his era; yet, his unequivocal choice as the greatest clutch performer ever was "The Kokomo Kid," Don Johnson. Johnny Petraglia did not dispute the choice.
As I sat stunned and surprised, I was taken back by Davis' comment and my oversight of Johnson's remarkable career. Whoever coined the phrase, You can't see the forest for the trees, undoubtedly had me in mind. Granted, Don Johnson was included among the 20th century's Top 20 bowlers, but somehow, Johnson's name has been overlooked by many supposedly knowledgeable observers and veterans of the game.
I, perhaps, may be the guiltiest of all. In addition to our close personal relationship, Don was a member of the Columbia bowling ball staff for many years and is credited with the tremendous impact and popularity made by polyester balls. Don revolutionized the game when he dominated the PBA Tour with a caramel-colored Columbia White Dot in the 1960s-70s era.
Don Johnson was called the greatest clutch performer in PBA history by no less an authority than Harry Golden, PBA's tournament director for over 25 years. It was a statement shared by Dave Davis, Johnny Petraglia, and many other PBA members of Johnson's era. Johnson's career was cut short by injuries to his bowling hand. We'll never know how much more he may have enhanced his illustrious career, but one thing is sure: If Don had been physically able, I feel certain that, by virtue of his mental toughness, sheer determination, and unparalleled competitive spirit, Don would have undoubtedly added titles and enriched his bank account.
Now a resident of Las Vegas, Johnson has retired as one of the most respected instructors in the game. Don coached bowlers from throughout the world at his former teaching headquarters at nearby Charleston Heights Bowl.
ABC and PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy is a past president of the Bowling Writers Association of America.