Author Topic: It was hard to read this and not cry. (Read 4123 times)

Magic Carpet · « **on:** July 20, 2004, 12:46:52 AM »

http://tampatrib.com/sportsnews/MGB660ONSWD.html

My god PBA give this man a job, a big paying job.
Ron Clifton

MTFD24 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:06:15 PM »

If you want to see the feelings of the PBA Seniors, just take a jump over to the PBA website and read their boards. Some great stories by Litchco and Co., and some revealing truths about how the PBA treats the Past Greats.

Just think about Tom Baker and how he could have also easily been doing what Roth is doing this summer. Roth is not alone, bowling has never been a sport that one could retire from at age 45-50, and live their life out comfortably. There certainly is not the monies there as in most sports.

We at the "old ages" of 45 plus can still bowl somewhat competitively, and successfully. But how many at 45 plus can still be competitive in football, baseball or hockey. Possibly golf, but that too is becoming a more difficult. At least in golf they have a Seniors Tour that is successful.

We have MANY MANY seniors that are in their late 60's, 70's, and 80's that still bowl regularly in leagues, and not only Senior Leagues. Other than a few in tennis, and in golf where do you find this>

IMHO, bowling is truly a great sport, unfortunately it does not command the dollars professionally.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

MarvinsSkeleton · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:21:56 PM »

Great post MTFD24. I am only 23 years old, but I really appreciated that post.
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-Corey
What, like the back of a Volkswagen?

Fluxuateher · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:39:22 PM »

Why should he be given a high paying job? Like the story says, bad management of his money along with bad personal choices have left him a little tapped out, no pun intended. Unfortunately, bowling stars are not big celebs with the rest of the world so he isn't going to get one of those big money face jobs at some casino like old ball players and boxers do. Bowling doesn't have any place to absorb these guys into a job that pays well, even the PBA. Its not much different with other sports really. Lots of big name players end up selling insurance or trying to run a business of some sort. Lots end up losing their money early too. It is a shame, no doubt about it!

But look at it from his side. He has no regrets, he enjoyed his time up to now, he doesn't seem all that bothered.

JOE FALCO · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:40:04 PM »

Thanks RON .. wish there was something we could do .. have any ideas??
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Hit them light and watch them fight
J O E - F A L C O

a_ak57 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:44:24 PM »

Flux, I'm guessing he probably makes $7.00 an hour....whether he needs $100,000 a year or not, I think anyone should have a better job than "that counter person at the bowling alley", especially a legend. It's like Dr. J reffing a junior league basketball game...
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-Andy

DanH78 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:49:13 PM »

I read the article to mean he is managing the bowling center, not making $7/hour. The center managers up here do pretty good for themselves.

He sounds like he's happy, he's still participating in the sport that he loves, both on and off the lane. And he has a good wife (at least that's what the article says)

How many people on this board enjoy their work?

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2004, 04:58:48 PM »

Divorce in this country will turn a rich man poor, a strong man weak, a winner to a wimp. Ladies feel the power pulse!

Today's new class of criminals = divorced men who's income has declined.

I feel his pain.

REgards,

Luckylefty

mrbowlingnut · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:08:07 PM »

I always read about sports stars or movie stars and people feel that these greats are entitled to make more money than the rest of us. I have run my company since 1988 and have competed against office depot the whole time in existence, so am i or you any different that these famous athletes or movies stars who made the money and then blew it. I give to charity all the time and never ask for recognization so why is it a big deal to get media exposure for the big names to do the same thing?? Mark Roth was like most of us he made it spent it wisely and sometimes foolishly but does anyone owe him a job?? I doubt it unless he loaned a friend money and the friend owes him a favor same as you or me really. Most sports stars are a joke they are paid huge amounts of money to play a sport they should be grateful i nor you owe them anything, so stop thinking these people are anything but people and if you believe otherwise then get there addresses and send mark roth your money and i am sure he would send it back.

Would it not be smarter to have a pension fund like a workers union so they can stop complaining that the PBA owes them a living??? I am sure if they had better player managers than they currently have it would be run as a real union or business. So when i ran my business badly are any of you going to provide me with a job??? I know the answer and that is why we must plan ahead and get educations for our children and make sure it stops here. Stop idolizing these sports stars and maybe they will not get 20 million a year too throw a ball. This is my opinion and i value yours as i hope you value mine so let the slamming begin!!

Edited on 7/20/2004 5:07 PM

smash9 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:08:41 PM »

Great article, Ron, thanks for sharing. Yeah, I'm old enough to remember Roth when he was a rookie -- the brash banger from New York...Hey, what's wrong with a little attitude?

JOE FALCO · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:20:11 PM »

Reminds me of JOE LEWIS .. best fighter to step in the ring .. with all the money he made at the end he had NOTHING! These guys just run into people who take advantage of them. You don't have to be EINSTEIN to be a fighter or a BOWLER .. have to be given a TALENT .. with bad advise some of these people gladly go along with it and wind up with NOTHING! Some how or other the SPORT they participate in has to take care of them .. no different then the job I work at .. should take care of me!
--------------------
Hit them light and watch them fight
J O E - F A L C O

mumzie · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:34:45 PM »

I bowled a Sr pro am here a couple of years ago, and one of the pros I bowled with was Mr. Roth.
It was really cool. I mentioned the "1977 (or 78?)Bowling Spectacular" that was held in 1977 - collegiate national championships, amateur national championship, and professional mixed doubles all under one roof the same week. I was there for the collegiate tournament - he was there to bowl doubles.
When I told him that I was there with San Jose State, his response was "yeah, I remember you ladies. You could really throw a bowlin' ball."
I was soooooo thrilled!!!
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All things are difficult
before they are easy.
---- Thomas Fuller

intergalactic · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2004, 05:36:31 PM »

The only time I've seen him throw a ball was in king pin

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A man who asks a question is a fool for 5 minutes a man that doesn't is a fool for a lifetime.

MTFD24 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 20, 2004, 06:05:41 PM »

Mark Roth had made several appearances at Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga, NY, both at several regular PBA stops, and again in the 80's during the Senior Touring Players Doubles Tournament. As usual, he was gracious to the fans, and fun to watch.

The point I attempted to earlier, is that it there is no money to be made by the "former" stars of our beloved sport, as there is in some others. And the monies made during their "glory days" was nowhere near other sports. So, they come back to the "normal" life. Oft times those bowlers did not acquire an education, so they do not have the "skills" to obtain higher paying positions. This is especially true if looking outside the bowling industry for employment.

Wouldn't it be nice to have the sponsors, and the PBA, promote these fantastic bowlers. Personally, I wish they would hold some Senior events close by so I could attend.

I don't believe anyone is going to say anyone OWES them anything, but it would be nice to offer them a chance to continue in the sport, at somewhat of a lucrative level.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games
24 is not my age, IQ, or bowling average, but my firematic number, at least I think that what it is

9orbetter · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2004, 06:09:18 PM »

Great article... A bowling treasure
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We all can hit the pocket,just carry the damn corners

Author Topic: It was hard to read this and not cry. (Read 4123 times)

Magic Carpet

It was hard to read this and not cry.

MTFD24

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MarvinsSkeleton

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Fluxuateher

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JOE FALCO

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a_ak57

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DanH78

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LuckyLefty

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mrbowlingnut

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smash9

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JOE FALCO

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mumzie

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intergalactic

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MTFD24

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9orbetter

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