Greatest challenge match game bowler

[daryld]

This is a story most do not know and maybe not interested. Jimmy Mellilo was born in Brooklyn in 9-19-1882. He sub one night for a Smith in 1898 and average 195 (he was a pinboy). He quickly won recognition as the best juvenile bowler from the Police Gazette. He bowled under the name Jimmy Smith (easier to remeber) In 1901 he was invited to Chicago by Promoter Nick Bruck. He took on all comers and won every match. In 1903 he bowled Bill Wernicke at Randolh Lanes and needed a strike in the final game to win. He left a 10 pin but a constuction company was dynamiting next door and the shock waves knock it over. In 1905 he bowled against Johnny Voorhies, top bowler of New York, and beat him. He beat him again later. The Brooklynn Eagle started a tournament which he won for 7 years (like the Newsday}. He won two ABC Allevents with 1919 in 1911 and 1915 9 years later. Ray Bock of Milwaukee sponsored him on a tour from 1916 to 1924.He rolled 12000 games an averaged 205 on all types of shots. During this time accurate records were kept between 1922 to 1923. He rolled 703 games including 16 300s and averaged 211. He won all his matches except an exhibition in Denver against Florette McCutchon (Hall of Fame women bowler.) He was recognized as the reigning world champion from 1905 until 1922. Smith lost his title in a 115 game match to Jimmy Blouin (run by Louis Peterson (Peterson Classic}. Billy Sixty described Smith asa graceful bowler with a high backswing who could adjust his speed and used his wrist shooting from outside.

[damnlefty]

In 1917, Jimmy Smith and Count Gengler came to Staten Island to bowl a match against two of SI's best, a guy named Alvero Boera, and his friend Jimmy Conroy. Boera and Conroy won a 2 out of 3 match, then Boera beat Smith head to head. The scores were not listed.

[daryld]

That is a very interesting story. Boera must of been very tough. 1917 was when Smith was bowling well. I think they were touring together. Gengler was probably not at his paek since his best days really came at the beginning of Smith's career. Gengler eventually got a match with Smith and lost. Gengler also destoyed Blouin and hi father (Blouin eventually took Smith's World Championship title in Petersen's match game classic 116 games.

[Zoo Master]

Welcome daryld, great stories, keep them coming.

check out
www.actionbowlers.com/daryld.htm

[damnlefty]

Al Boera is credited with bowling the 1st 300 game in Staten Island, although it was in open play. This was in March of 1917.

[daryld]

:)Well with today's technology it seems harder to dominate in match play. Watching Sean Rash few weeks ago seems almost unbelieveable how powerful his style is. Talking to another bowler who seems to be bowling well in regionals, local scratch and league play. He said he could not throw long enough as he had physcial limitations. Norm Duke had physical problems along with illness. Today's game is much different then those early years when endurance and consistancy was the most important. Even with the great amount of games bowled by the pros, they have to throw so hard to generate the dominant ball action that it is very difficult to last. In match play today no one seems to have an edge like we saw in the era's from Smith to Carter. Don Carter threw at around 13 to 14 mph while today many bowlers hit up to 18 mph and higher. Parker was bowling in a pro am and this junior lefty from White River Jct. , Vermont threw strike after strike (they get strikes in the 3, 6, and 9) and blasted around 870 for 3 with a ball speed of over 20 mph. Parker said "Glad he's not bowling in the tournament". How do you throw a banking hook at over 20 mph. Equipment and styles have certainly changed the game.

[arod]

What's your source for these matches in another lifetime?