Bowling History, The Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia
Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia – The Story of Richie Hornreich
I grew up with Richie Hornreich. Richie is one of the best action bowlers of all-time, and could have been one of the best bowlers of all-time. His major problem was, he hated motels and traveling. He also hated the pace of a PBA event. He would always tell me, “At home I’m bowling for $1,000 a game. Out here I have to bowl for three days to win $1,000.” After only three weeks on tour, he packed it in and went home. To give you an idea of how great he was, Richie won everything there was to win as a junior bowler. He accomplished so much by the age of 16, he was invited as an amateur to compete in the World’s Invitational. It was one of the biggest tournaments around at that time. Nearly 200 entrants competed and only 16 made the finals. This was the year that Jim St. John won and introduced the bowling world to the “gutter shot.” Richie had never played outside the 2nd arrow. So here he was playing the gutter for the first time in his life, and at the age of 16, he made the finals (the top 16). By Richie choosing not to bowl on tour, the bowling world missed watching one of the games greats. Therefore, it’s my privilege to tell a story about Richie off the lanes.
When I got back from Vietnam, Richie met a girl and they fell in love. It was a turbulent relationship, but you could see how much they cared for each other. So they decided to get married. I was the best man and a good friend of ours, Red Bassett, was in the bridal party. In the church at the alter, instead of repeating after the priest, they decided to read a card that the priest was holding. The final sentence that Richie had to read was, “I will respect my marriage vows.” Maybe Richie was nervous because when he got to the last word, instead of pronouncing vows (like the word cows), he pronounced it like a bow from a bow and arrow set. This could have passed with a chuckle, but Angela kneeling at the alter turned to him and said, “The word’s vows Richie.” Richie responded, “Vows (like cows)…vows (like the bow and arrow)….what’s the difference.” The priest’s eyes looked at the ceiling. I turned and looked at Red, and I asked him “What’s the over, under?”. Red said, “2 years.” That night at the reception when it came to the part when the bride cuts the cake, Angela cut a piece too big for Richie’s mouth, and smeared it all over his face. Richie then cut a piece the same size. He held Angela’s head and tried to put the piece of cake in her mouth. Angela knocked the piece of cake off the fork onto the floor. I looked at Red.He said, “One year!”. They actually lasted 2 1/2 years.
I see Richie a couple of times a year. Once every year we have a reunion with all of the guys from the lanes that grew up together. Every time we do, it’s like being in the Bruce Springsteen song “Glory Days.” When we feel like crying, we start laughing, talking about “Glory Days.” This year remembering Richie’s wedding was one of the best of all. As I said, I see Richie a couple of times a year. Red moved to Houston and is doing well, but I want all of them to know….Richie, Red, Bubbles, Frankie, Pickles, Bobby, Vinny and Mikey and all the rest… those days were GLORIOUS!!
cento anni’…Johnny Petraglia
Bowling Memoirs by Johnny Petraglia – My Most Embarrassing Moments
I’ve had embarrassing moments in life, we all have. Just a couple of mine are [...]
2 Comments
Mar
Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia – Randy Pederson & The Broken Bed
Many folks have heard this story, but it’s time to put it in print. Every [...]
1 Comments
Feb
The Time Parker Bohn III Lost His Cool – Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia
For those of you that have watched Parker Bohn bowl, you know he’s one of [...]
10 Comments
Jan
Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia – The Great Chris Schenkel
When the PBA was on top, it was number one in its time slot for [...]
1 Comments
Dec
The Eccentric Mark Roth – Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia
Okay, I think it’s time I wrote something about Mark Roth. Actually, I could write [...]
7 Comments
Nov
Winning Team Gold at the World Championships
I recently had the honor of representing the USA in the World Championships. It was [...]
Oct
The Legend of Bert Goodman – Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia
When I first got into league bowling, the big leagues in my area were the [...]
2 Comments
Sep
Bowling Memoirs of Johnny Petraglia – Saturday Afternoon Pot Bowling in 1963
When I was 16 there were great pot games at my home lanes. About 30 [...]
Aug
Balls
Shoes
Bags
Accessories
Apparel
Deals
John you made us proud when we were kids and you continue to make us proud with your accomplishments and the way you carry yourself. Thanks for staying Johnny P.
Bobby G
Great article. It s always nice to see successful people that remember and respect their past and their old friends. You were and always will be one of the good guys.
Hi Johnny,
Great story
Will print and show Richie when I get home.
(He is not a computer person)
My question is was Richie a right-handed or left-handed bowler?
Richie is right handed.
Hi Johnny,
Don’t quite remember the “cows” “vows” but thanks for the mention. You were a great friend to Richie in those your turbulent years.
Respectfully,
Angela
Will Richie contact me. I was known as “Jerry the Bowler”?
Can’t wait to do lunch with you and Kathy. What hAppened to all those years?
I met you thru your son jr here in Vegas but I must say you sir are a class act and from all your accomplishments the greatest of all time . And my inspiration to carry myself at competitions and be an example not a problem!
Hi Johnny,
Met you many years ago at College Lanes in College Point, Queens. After bowling I recall you had people rolling eggs across the floor in the bar with a spoon? Or something crazy like that. Am I crazy, or am I remembering this right? You were a lot of fun and a class act.
Tony