Pba legend johnny petraglia never forgets his roots as a

Skip Ad. He became a top player in his teen years, eager and ready to join the PBA. He claimed his first PBA championship in the Ft. Smith Ark. The lean and lithe left-hander had his career interrupted for a couple seasons when the Armed Forces sent him to Vietnam. He came back to fulfill his early promise and meet and surpass all of the goals and aspirations he had for himself.

The Winter Tour of will be remembered as the highlight of the Petraglia era.

A Manalapan Township resident

He finished the segment with three consecutive titles, all earned from the top-seeded position, climaxed by the Firestone Tournament of Champions title. Open with a score in the title game and three years later pulled off one of his most dramatic triumphs, striking out in the ninth and 10th frames to secure the PBA National Championship, his 14th title and one that completed the cycle of major tournament victories.

Additional titles included the Brunswick World Open in and the Long Island Open, where he thrilled the home-area rooters with a game during the nationally televised finals. Petraglia's contributions and activities off the lanes have been just as impressive as his competitive prowess. He served as president of the PBA in and has been involved in untold amounts of charitable functions and efforts.