Written by: John Petraglia, Jr.
As far back as I can remember, people have been asking me the same question: “Isn’t it hard being the son of a hall of fame athlete?” I must admit that there have been some times where the pressure of the last name has gotten the best of me, but for the most part, I have been able to withstand it. As the years roll on, however, I will also tell you that I would not trade in my family, or family name, for anything else in this world. Every once in a while, something happens that reminds me of just how special my father is. A prime example would be the capacity crowd that gathered to watch my father and I bowl against each other in match play at this year’s Mark Roth Geico PBA Plastic Ball Championship contested in Babylon, NY. You want to talk about an eye opener? I cannot even begin to tell you the last time I saw that many people in a bowling center at 9am!
Father and son recently bowled against each other during the 2010 Geico PBA Plastic Ball Challenege.
Recently, another occurrence took place to reinforce the fact that I have one of the greatest ambassadors the sport of bowling has ever seen as my father. I attended Bowl Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center this past week, and after two grueling flights, found myself waiting in line for a cab to the Orleans. I was holding my credit card in my left hand, because it was important to specify that you were paying by card rather than cash. A gentleman by the name of Sean happened to notice the card, and advised me to hop in his taxi, seeing as how his car had credit card capabilities.
As the ride began, Sean asked me if I was visiting Las Vegas for business or pleasure. Although it is hard to avoid pleasure in Vegas, I explained that I was traveling on business, and proceeded to tell him that I worked with a bowling corporation by the name of Brunswick. He quickly responded with the following: “Brunswick!? Well, of course I know about Brunswick, I used to watch bowling when I was a kid!” He started to laugh and discuss the greats of the past, such as Dick Weber, Don Carter, and Carmen Salvino, just to name a few. And then, he stated his all time favorite bowler to watch as he was growing up. I bet you can guess what name he said!
I tried as hard as I possibly could to stay modest, but eventually my ego had gotten the best of me, and I continued to tell him my full name. The cab almost came to a screeching halt! Sean was in absolute awe, and could not believe that he was driving the son of one of the greatest bowlers in PBA history to his hotel. I cannot begin to tell you what a feeling it is to know that somewhere across the United States, there are people such as Sean who have grown up loving my father for his talent on the lanes, as well as his contributions and soft spoken demeanor off the lanes.
The cab fare from McCarran Airport to the Orleans Hotel totaled approximately $23.00 plus the $2 airport fee. As I was about to swipe my card, Sean turned around and said: “Absolutely not Johnny, this one is on me.” I couldn’t believe it. In this day and age, with our struggling economy, this gentleman had the heart to give me a free ride. People like Sean are what makes this world a truly wonderful place, and I truly believe that he treats every person the exact same way that steps into that car. Before he left, I made sure to give him an exceptional tip, took his phone number, and thanked him once again for his service.
It is moments like those mentioned above that make me realize how blessed I really am. Sure people will talk about you if you come from a well known family, I believe it’s just the nature of the beast. But when you have a father who everybody genuinely views as a legend in the sport of bowling, and a true class act off the lanes, we all know the truth in the end. Will I ever win 14 PBA titles? A Triple Crown? Bowl a televised 300 for $100,000? Be inducted into the PBA, USBC, Italian American, and Staten Island Hall of Fames? Probably not! But one thing is for sure: My father has, and I am damn proud of it. People like that cab driver in Vegas reinforce that day in and day out, and it never gets old.