1970 PBA Firestone TOC: Final: Dick Ritger vs Don Johnson-1

[20alphabet]

@sammydavisjrsr You have absolutely hit the nail on the head. The fact that this particular posting currently has little over 4,000 views shows the state of bowling today. When these great champions were developing the execution of the game to the art form they never had any idea the governing body would someday approve cheating. To compare the records of the champions of this era to the current crop of buffoons using equipment and pins illegal back then is absurd. Apparently the public agrees.

[sammydavisjrsr]

Two of the greatest bowlers in one of the greatest matches of all time. The world will never see such fine gentlemen with such near-flawless technique compete in bowling again. With what the BPAA controlled USBC has done to the game the best you can expect now is a couple of loudmouths with attitude trying to select the right ball for the oil-pattern. Just very sad.

[rosewoodfretboard]

The sign posted outside Riviera Lanes in Akron, Ohio, before its annual staging of the Firestone Tournament of Champions once read, "Through these doors walk the greatest bowlers in the world." That was true, and on Saturday afternoons from 1965-96, ABC Sports brought the greatest to our living rooms. But, you know, the action on the lanes was only part of it. The other half of the magic was the broadcasting grace and gentlemanly charm of Chris Schenkel. He was, without a doubt, the greatest.

[altfactor]

While ABC adopted their current black "ball" logo with the stylish lower case "a", "b", and "c" letters around 1962 or so, the network changed it to a white ball with a red "a", a blue "b" and a green "c" in the mid-sixties when it converted to color, reverting back to the prior logo in the early 1970's.

[steelydanbowler]

One of my favorite matches ever.

[Mshomebuilder]

Don Johnson went on to be one of the best bowlers ever. After that, he went on to be one of the best instructors ever. R.I.P. Koko.

[spiderlarry]

Funny, after just three strikes, Welu starts talking about them being "alive" for 300. Very premature to say that.

[zebnkee]

Match Summary

Johnson = Luck

Ritger = Bad luck

[ilovesteelydan]

Is that Carmen Salvino off to the right? In the red shirt sitting down? Kinda looks like him.

[irishpogi]

That was Carmen

[spiderlarry]

I hadn't seen the entire match since I watched it live at the age of 12. Johnson really was fortunate on those 4-pins he tripped. Ritger had some bad luck or it would have been an even more exciting finish. Best televised final match in bowling history, I think.

[earnhardtlivesE]

i wonder how heavy that ball is that don is using

[20alphabet]

Don always used a 16lb ball.

[earnhardtlivesE]

nice pants don

[parkit56]

Was this the where the finals were held on two AMF lanes? I remember a Cougar automobile sitting off to the left with spotlights on it. Johnson was throwing his caramel Whit Dot and Petraglia was using a Brunswick Black Diamond. This was an arena-type setting. Does this sound like a tournament you've seen or remember? Any help would be appreciated.

[parkit56]

Can you find the videos for the '72 Firestone?

There was also a tournament where Don Johnson was bowling on a pair of lanes at Madison Square Garden. I think it was the Cougar Open. Petraglia also made the finals. Any chance of finding that video? Thanks for the post.

[irishpogi]

The event that you're referring to is the 1972 BPAA US Open. That tournament was held at Madison Square Garden's bowling center. Don won that event from the top seed. Unfortunately I do not have that telecast. Thanks for inquiring.

[dcbandnerd]

In glorious color! :-D

Thanks for the video.

[Curtie555]

somebody finally posted this! thanks irishpogi!