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Farewell to a legend Holman remembers Anthony as 'best ever' By FRANK SILOW Medford Hall of Fame bowler Marshall Holman was shocked about learning the news of Earl Anthony's death Tuesday evening. In Atlantic City for a celebrity golf tournament, Holman said he first heard of Anthony's passing when he tuned into ESPN's SportsCenter. "I had no idea Earl was ill," Holman said in a telephone interview. Holman said Anthony "looked great" when he last saw him while doing a senior Professional Bowler Association telecast in Portland about two months ago. "Earl Anthony, Mark Roth and myself were all in the top of our games in the late '70s and early '80s," said Holman. "I considered him a friend of mine." Holman has no qualms about Anthony's place in bowling history. "He simply was the best ever," said Holman. "Anybody who competed against him for as many years as I did knows he was the best. He has all the records to prove that. "That made it that much more special if you had the opportunity to succeed against him." Holman said two things separated Anthony from other bowlers. "Earl had an incredible will to succeed," said Holman. "It really didn't matter if he was playing a round of golf or out to win a bowling championship. He was very focused. "Also he was very good controlling the speed of his ball. That enabled him to do things on the left side of the lanes that other bowlers couldn't do." Holman said because Anthony was a left-hander they differed in style, but he learned some intangibles from the all-time great bowler. "What influenced me was the way Earl went about his business," said Holman, "and I patterned myself after him that way. Of all the things Earl did that I input into my game, that was it." Reach reporter Frank Silow at 776-4480, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.