Andy Varipapa

[DeedsResearcher]

Andy used to say "A real bowler hits where he aims". How true! One time, he set 2 pins just far enough apart so the ball could go between them without touching either pin. He had about 1/4 of an inch to spare on either side of the4 ball. Two out of three times he would put the ball between the pins and not hit either of them!

[volcomlver96]

Islipbucaneers. I am also related to him! Is ur last name Varipapa? Mine is.

[volcomlver96]

My name is Austin Varipapa and this is like my great great uncle or something like that I swear on my life. My dad told me about how his grandfather watched him or something.

[bowlingxxxxxxxxxxxx]

where is the International Bowling Muesuem & Hall Of Fame

[2t9j0bowler300]

@bowlingxxxxxxxxxxxx It used to be in St. Louis, but has since moved to Arlington, TX.

[edmicca]

I grew up on Long Island in the 1950's a couple of towns away from Andy Varipapa. On Saturday afternoon I'd watch bowling with my father on our 12" black and white TV and was mesmerized by Andy's abilities. So I wrote him a letter asking for an autograph. He sent me a very nice letter which I still have almost 60 years later.

[MikeHL78]

Think for a moment about the people the History Channel talked with here who were in awe of what Varipapa could do. Petraglia, a Triple Crown winner. Pappas, a Firestone winner. Hall of Fame players by any measure. If people as skilled as those 2 just marvel at Varipapa's skills, I think that says an awful lot.

[brian1969a]

6:02, Petraglia "cheats" on the back row spare...there's two extra pins behind the 8 and 9.

[miharu1987]

amazing!!! i would loved to of met him... i wish my skills were as great as his.

[Kyleee3]

my grandpa bowled with him!

[AllJeffdunhamvideos]

no he didnt!!

[Kyleee3]

i swear

[pcardinal30]

Thanks for this wonderful video!

[islipbuccaneers]

Believe it or not, Andy Varipapa is my great-great-grandfathers cousin. I can't believe that I am related to a person that is so great

[bowlchamp411]

kool

[TheBrassHole]

@islipbuccaneers He is my great grandfathers cousins sisters brothers godfathers twice removed double cousin... I can't believe that I am related to a person that is so great

[pjvanhouten]

WOW!

[RicardusVincencius]

My dad saw him give an exhibition in the 50's, and he would always tell the story of how he met Andy Varipapa, the greatest bowler ever, and I thought I'd never get to see footage of him. I discovered this on accident. Amazing.

[drrjv]

He probably was the greatest bowler of all time. Who could bowl left handed, have wrist problems and continue bowling just as good with his right hand! That is apparently how he learned to do trick shots with two hands!

[slkaiser69]

@drrjv I did just that. I bowled professioonally from fifteen yrs. old. I was born left handed but as was the habit, was changed to right. This is no longer done. Anyway, I averaged about 220 right handed, bowled Regional OPBA in Portland, OR in about 1984 or 85, placed 11th out of 165. I stroked everybody else cranked. I should have won averaging about 245 but my finger was bleeding in the hole. Anyway, one year arthritis in rightr hand, switched to left. Averaged about 210 left hand.

[slkaiser69]

@drrjv I did just that. I bowled professionally from fifteen yrs. old. I was born left handed but, was changed to right. This is no longer done. Anyway, I averaged about 220 right handed, bowled Regional PBA in Portland, OR in about 1984 or 85, placed 11th out of 165. I stroked, everybody else cranked. I should have won averaging about 245 but my finger was bleeding in the hole. Anyway, one year arthritis in rightr hand, switched to left. Averaged about 210 left hand.

[stevefoxwong]

how he did the shot in 3:44 the ball throw to the right and hook left, then the ball reach breakpoint and hook back right.

[NipkowDisk]

Andy Varipapa was truly one of the greatest- if not THE greatest- bowlers of all time. Immensely talented. Thanks for uploading this!!!