Posted on 01/06/2012 2:07:18 PM PST by NormsRevenge
MIAMI (AP) — Don Carter, the bowling great with the unorthodox style who flourished as a genuine sports celebrity during the game's golden age on TV, has died. He was 85.
Carter died at his home in Miami on Thursday night, the Professional Bowlers Association said Friday. He recently was hospitalized with pneumonia complicated by emphysema.
Carter, known as "Mr. Bowling," was the game's original superstar. He became his sport's most recognizable name at a time when alleys were thriving across the country and bowling was starting to assert itself as a fixture on television. Carter was a leading force in the formation of the PBA in 1958 and became a charter member of the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975.
He had a style all his own as he took his steps to the line. With his stooped shoulders and cocked elbow, he made a deep knee bend as he unleashed the ball as if pushing it toward the pins.
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"Don was the greatest bowler of his era," Bluth said. "There was no one like him."
He also did something that no one in baseball, football or golf ever did. He became the first athlete in American sports history to sign a $1 million marketing endorsement contract, with bowling ball manufacturer Ebonite in 1964.
"It is impossible to put into words what Don Carter meant to the PBA and the sport of bowling," PBA Commissioner Tom Clark said. "He was a pioneer, a champion and will never be forgotten."
The 6-foot, 200-pound Carter bowled five 800 series, 13 perfect games and six 299s in sanctioned play. He practically held a monopoly on bowling honors. He was voted Bowler of the Year six times (1953, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1962).
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What a great broadcaster-Chris Schenkel.
My dad says that Andy Varipapa was the best bowler ever.
Oh my, talk about a blast from the past. Born and raised in St. Louis —had known Don Carter and Ray Bluth most of my life. Good friends of my dad’s.
My dad bowled several nights a week (mom was bowling widow). Dad not good enough for pro, but had a bowling average well over 200 most of his life. Dad worked to get the Bowling Hall of Fame started. Spent many nights in a bowling alley, smelling the burgers on the grill....
Dad won a lot of trophies —learned to hate ‘em as it was my job every Saturday morning to dust the damn things... :-)
PJ
I gave up bowling for pool. I’m pretty good at it.
Great video. Wonder how many men watching a bowling tournament wear a suit and tie these days???
When Chuck Norris bowls the pins fall over to get out of the way.
RIP.
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