Pro Bowlers Tour - 1981 Long Island Open - Final match highlights

Going for a three-peat at the Long Island Open, tournament leader Earl Anthony's bowling glove breaks just as he's stepping up in the 10th frame in need of strikes to get back in the match against Gil Sliker. Anyone who's ever bowled with a wrist-support knows how unnerving this can be. What ensues is classic Earl. Chris Schenkel on play-by-play. Nelson Burton, Jr. on color. Garden City Bowl, Garden City, NY. April 11, 1981.

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[BowlingOldies]

This is an especially good example of why I always wished ABC would move its cameras up higher (the cameras looking at the pins from behind the bowler's back), so the player couldn't block our view.

[Newport40s]

Sliker's eyes must've lit up when he saw Earl break his wrist strap at the top of the 10th needing to double. Great finish by Earl. Gil never had much luck. Gil's wife was smokin' hot too!

[20alphabet]

Uh, and then... ?

[dunnzo228]

I just remember Bo Burton and/or Mike Durbin always talking about Pete Weber and Dick Weber and others (I think) choosing to start second when they lead a tournament to put the pressure on the other guy to get a double in the tenth if they need it. If memory serves, these guys would even do this if their finishing lane was considered tougher. It's an interesting theory, and I think it might have served Pete pretty well over his career.

[jhoff1234]

I don't think it's so much the start second and finish first thing. You want to start on the tougher lane so you can be on the better lane for the 10th. Whoever starts first will start left lane and finish on the right lane.

All things being equal, if my opponent is a righty, I want to make him finish on the right lane. If he needs a 10 pin in the 10th, it's harder on the right lane with the ball return position. (see Mika Koivuniemi 2011 US Open)

[Rick St. Pierre]

Who said that Earl never showed any emotion???

[Rick St. Pierre]

Good point. Sliker always had a habit of bowling well enough to lose...

[dunnzo228]

Great match and a good example of why the tournament leader always chooses to start second and finish first in the title match.