Toledo has played host to some great bowling tournaments over the years, and fans have witnessed some extraordinary performances. One such performance was during the Blade Traveling Classic in 1976. In the first week of March, Johnny Pezzin rolled back-to-back 300 games at Miracle Lanes. To get there, Pezzin rolled 33 consecutive strikes and had an 859 series, which was the highest ever rolled in Toledo bowling history. Both feats were sanctioned by the American Bowling Congress. Could he make it 34 in a row? The next week, on March 11, 1976, The Blade Traveling Classic shifted to Imperial Lanes. A jammed gallery of curious onlookers, family and friends, and Blade photographer Dick Green, turned up to see if the incredible streak would continue. But the pressure was tremendous, and Pezzin popped a 4-6-10 split with his first ball, and failed to pick up any of them in an open first frame. He did not throw a strike until the sixth frame. He bowled a 188 in that first game, and ended the evening with a 581 series.
THE BLADE/Dick Green
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