DECEMBER 2014 -
9
PIN ACTION: in a word - Entertaining
According to the sub-title, it is about “Small-time gangsters, high-stakes gambling,
and the Teenage hustler who became a bowling champion”. Gianmarc Manzione’s
new book about Ernie Schlegel’s hustling days and pro career, and bowling’s early
darker days in the streets of New York is fascinating and interesting . . . a delightful
read
By Jim Goodwin, for the Bowling News Network
You can‟t make this stuff up.
Actually, you could make it up, but „mostly‟ true stories are often better than fiction.
Readers who don‟t know anything about bowling in the years before professional
tours dominated the sport may find the tales in Pin Action a little far-fetched. We
would too if we had not witnessed some of the antics of the time and heard some of
stories and ones similar in other parts of the country.
Manzione, the former feature writer for the United States Bowling Congress‟ web-
site Bowl.com turned Central Florida College Creative Writing Professor turned
Bowlers Journal Editor went to great lengths to find and talk to the colorful charac-
ters he brings to light in Pin Action, just when they were on the fringe of being for-
gotten. He didn‟t just accept tall tales at face value; he confirmed them and added
details from many sources. A section of “Notes” in the back of the 225 page book
describes the process he used to procure the nuances of the stories – refreshing
that he lets the reader in on his trials and secrets, and it adds to his already estab-
lished credibility as a superb writer and superior story teller.
Pin Action‟s primary character is the unflappable Ernie Schlegel. Few who know
Ernie would argue that he has been the most colorful and sometimes puzzling char-
acter in bowling; perhaps in all of sports. He had the mouth of Muhammad Ali and
the dress and daring of Evel Knievel; not coincidental that he admired both in his
younger years, the book tells us. Now 70, Schlegel finally found a writer in Manzi-
one worthy of his ability to make life and bowling a true adventure story.
While reading Pin Action, I caught myself smiling and sometimes grinning from ear
-to-ear at Manzione‟s detailed descriptions of characters with names like Fish Face,
Psycho Dave, Iggy Russo, Freddy the Ox, One Finger Benny, Bobby Pancakes,
Tony Sideweight, Bernie Bananas, Goldfinger, and many more. After rolling a 300
game several years ago, Manzione‟s NY neighborhood buddies even tagged him
with an appropriate moniker – Shakespeare.
A police sketch artist would love to sit down with Manzione, and chances are some
of Pin Action‟s more sinister gents may have such a sketch on file with the NYPD.
Manzione‟s facial descriptions are worthy of a Batman movie script, and his later
depictions of Schlegel‟s Bicentennial Kid costumes and even Cathy Schelgel‟s
wardrobe worn on many professional bowling television shows might have been
written by America‟s Top Model fashion editors.
Another aspect of the book reflects Manzione‟s deep respect for the game and for
non-bowling readers. When describing such things as pin carry and bowling ball
surfaces and dynamics, he takes the time to explain the concepts to novice bowling
aficionados . . . always with a positive spin on the sport.
True blue bowlers will also enjoy this book, finding mentions of pro heroes like
Johnny Petraglia, Mark Roth, Bo Burton, Mike McGrath, Earl Anthony, Larry Lich-
stein, Bobby Jacks, Mike Limongello, Billy Hardwick, and many more woven into
both the up and down career of bowling‟s most fascinating player.
New Yorkers will be pleased to read stories about guys like Kenny Barber, Richie
Hornreich and Steve Harris. Barber was a key source, and provided Manzione
enough material for to write a sequel.
Manzione‟s exciting and candid account of the 1995 PBA Touring Players Champi-
onship, with Schegel against Randy Pedersen is a far better treat than just watching
the video. He calls it “The Last Great Action Match,” and he makes it live up to the
name.
Ernie Schlegel is one of those bigger than life people that we both love and hate . .
. but no one ever forgets. Manzione delves deep into Schlegel‟s well publicized life
struggles, defiant determination, devotion to his wife in good times and bad, and
passionate way of thinking. The result gives all who read this incredible book a true
understanding of not just one multi-faceted man, but of what it sometimes takes for
any athlete in any sport , or anyone else, to follow and achieve their dreams.
In the end, we have to respect Schlegel for doing it his way, and we have to sin-
cerely thank Gianmarc Manzione for writing a story that needed to be told.
Gianmarc Manzione
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