Earl Anthony was one of the greatest bowlers of all time, who won 43 titles and six Player of the Year awards on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour. He was also the first bowler to earn over $1 million in prizes and to increase bowling’s popularity in the United States. However, his life came to a tragic end on August 14, 2001, when he died from head injuries sustained from falling down a flight of stairs at his friend’s home. How did this happen and what was the impact of his death on the bowling world? Here is a brief overview of Earl Anthony’s cause of death and legacy.
The Fatal Fall
According to Wikipedia, Earl Anthony was staying at his friend Ed Baur’s house in New Berlin, Wisconsin, where he was scheduled to play golf and attend a charity event. Baur, who worked for the American Bowling Congress, found Anthony dead at the bottom of a flight of steps in the morning of August 14, 2001. The local coroner found through the autopsy tests that Anthony had a heart attack, but the precise time of it could not be determined. His death was officially caused by a traumatic blow to the head as a result of his fall down the stairs.
Anthony had a history of heart problems, as he suffered a heart attack in 1977, which sidelined his career for a while. He also smoked heavily until he quit after his first heart attack, but he occasionally relapsed into the habit. He was known for his stamina and enthusiasm for life, as he always challenged himself to be the best at whatever he did. He once said that he needed to go for all he could because he never knew when it was over.
The Shocking News
The news of Earl Anthony’s death shocked and saddened the bowling community and his fans. Many tributes poured in from his fellow bowlers, friends, and admirers. Some of the notable ones are:
Walter Ray Williams Jr., who surpassed Anthony’s record of 41 titles in 2006, said: “He was my idol growing up. He was the guy I wanted to be like.”
Pete Weber, who tied Anthony’s record of 10 major titles in 2013, said: “He was one of my heroes. He was one of the reasons I started bowling.”
Dick Weber, another bowling legend and Anthony’s rival and friend, said: “He was one of the greatest bowlers ever. He had a great touch, a great release, and a great mind.”
Mike Aulby, who won seven major titles and was mentored by Anthony, said: “He was like a second father to me. He taught me so much about bowling and life.”
Barry Sparks, who wrote a biography of Anthony titled Earl: The Greatest Bowler of All Time, said: “He was a rebel with a cause among pioneers. He revolutionized the sport with his style and charisma.”
The Lasting Legacy
Earl Anthony left behind a legacy that is hard to match in the bowling world. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers ever, if not the greatest. He holds several records and achievements that attest to his dominance and excellence on the lanes. Some of them are:
He won 43 PBA Tour titles, including 10 majors (six PBA National Championships, two Firestone Tournament of Champions titles, and two ABC Masters titles).
He won six PBA Player of the Year awards (1974-76, 1981-83), more than any other bowler.
He was the first bowler to earn over $100,000 in a season (1975) and over $1 million in career earnings (1982).
He won seven PBA Senior Tour titles after turning 50 in 1988.
He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1986 and the USBC Hall of Fame in 1988.
He was voted as the Greatest Bowler in American Bowling Congress’ first 100 years by Bowling Magazine readers in 1999.
He was ranked as the No. 1 bowler of all time by The Sporting News in 2002.
Earl Anthony also contributed to the sport as a TV commentator, a coach, a promoter, and a philanthropist. He was known for his calm demeanor, smooth delivery, accurate shot-making, and clutch performance. He inspired generations of bowlers with his skill and passion. He once said: “Bowling is not a game of how but a game of how many.” Earl Anthony showed how many he could achieve in his remarkable career and life.
