1895 Camino Del Rio South
Day won election as the second Bowler of the Year, on the basis of successfully defending his match-game title in a 90-game challenge from Crimmins. Afterward, Day entered the U.S. Navy for wartime service, surrendering the title to the BPAA. Schwoegler then won the 1942-43 All-Star Tournament and assumed the title. The top ten vote getters were–
1. Ned Day, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . . . 133
2. Connie Schwoegler, Madison . . . . . 131
3. Buddy Bomar, Dallas . . . . . . . . . . 103
4. Nelson Burton, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . 93
5. Joe Norris, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
6. Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . . . 74
7. Frank Benkovic, Milwaukee . . . . . . . 43
8. Marty Cassio, Rahway, NJ . . . . . . . . 42
9. Andy Varipapa, Brooklyn . . . . . . . . . 33
10. Walter Ward, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . 32
Bowling literature is enjoying an embarrassment of riches. In August I told you about a marvelous reference book, the Historical Dictionary of Bowling. Now we have another great bowling book of a different type–Gianmarc Manzione’s Pin Action.
The book follows the career of the one-and-only Ernie Schlegel, from his “teenage hustler” beginnings, through his glory days on the PBA Tour, and on to today. The early chapters on the New York action scene of the 1960s are particularly vivid. Here is gritty story-telling at its finest.
Pin Action is published by Pegasus Books. It’s available from the usual sources, or you can check out the publisher’s website–
http://www.pegasusbooks.com/books
This is the book you want to take with you on your next bowling road trip, to get you into the mood. I could tell you more about Pin Action, but I’d rather go back to reading it through a second time. Go buy your own copy!
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In 1942 the National Bowling Writers Association established an annual Bowler of the Year award. The award was to be on a seasonal basis, the first one covering the period September 1, 1941–August 31, 1942. The final results were announced in December. All-Star Tournament winner Johnny Crimmins polled the most votes, beginning a tradition that the All-Star champ was usually elected Bowler of the Year. The top ten vote-getters are listed below.
1. Johnny Crimmins, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . 69
2. Joe Wilman, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3. Nelson Burton, St. Louis . . . . . . . . . . . 39
4. Russ Gersonde, Milwaukee . . . . . . . . . 16
5. Tony Sparando, New York . . . . . . . . . . 8
6. George Young, New York . . . . . . . . . . . 7
T7. Walter Ward, Cleveland . . . . . . . . . . . 5
T7. Ed Winchester, Philadelphia . . . . . . . . 5
9. Joe Norris, Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
10. Joe Falcaro, New York . . . . . . . . . . . . 3