Randy Pedersen

Randy Pedersen
Pedersen in 2017
Born	(1962-05-28) May 28, 1962 Shallotte, South Carolina
Occupation	Sports commentator and former professional Ten-pin bowler
Years active	1980-
Spouse(s)	Becky
Children	2

Randy Pedersen (born 1962) is a professional bowler and color analyst for ESPN's coverage of the PBA Tour, also filling that same role on CBS Sports Network telecasts of the PBA Tour. During the present season, he works alongside play-by-play announcer Dave Lamont (ESPN) and Dave Ryan (CBS Sports Network), having previously worked with Rob Stone, Lon McEachern and Mike Jakubowski. Pedersen grew up in Southern California, but relocated to Clermont, Florida in the early 1990s, where he has resided ever since. He and his wife Becky have two children: a son, Chad and a daughter, Savannah.

Bowling career

As a bowler, Pedersen has won 13 PBA titles, with his last coming at age 40 in the 2002 Pepsi Open. That title pushed him over the $1 million career earnings mark, making him the 24th millionaire in PBA history at the time. Most dominant from the mid-1980s to early 1990s, Pedersen captured the prestigious PBA National Championship crown in 1987 for his first and only major title.

At the same time, he is also known for two of the worst breaks in PBA Tour history. Both came in major tournaments, and both times he lost by one pin. He lost the 1995 Touring Players Championship, 237-236 to veteran Ernie Schlegel when, needing a strike on the first ball of the tenth frame to win, he left a single 8-pin standing on what appeared to be a perfect shot.^[1] That match is also remembered for Schlegel's joyful spirited but unprofessional reaction while Pedersen fell down onto the approach, covering his face in pain in a thrill-of-victory-agony-of-defeat moment. Pedersen also lost the 2005 Tournament of Champions (and the PBA Tour exemption that would have come with it) after he left the 7-pin on the tenth frame fill shot during the semi-final against Norm Duke, losing 256-255.

Randy was ranked #35 on the PBA's 2008 list of 50 Greatest Players of the last 50 years. He was elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in October, 2010, and was inducted with the 2011 class on January 22, 2011.^[2]

Randy joined the PBA50 Tour (formerly PBA Senior Tour) in 2013, and on May 16 of that year he won the very first tournament he entered: the PBA50 Dayton Classic.^[3]

Television and film

Off the lanes, Pedersen has had great success behind the microphone as a TV analyst since joining ESPN in 2001; Pedersen earned the position after getting his start in broadcasting as a lane-level reporter on ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour. He also worked for Fox Sports Net for a brief time in 2000.

Pedersen has been lauded for his extensive knowledge of the game, associated bowling lingo and catch phrases (see below) as well as his sense of humor. He had a small part in the 1996 comedy movie Kingpin along with several other professional bowlers, and has a cameo appearance in the 2006 bowling documentary A League of Ordinary Gentlemen.

Randy-isms

• "Dead flush perfect!":
• "He absolutely pured it."

(above two describing a perfectly-rolled strike, with all 10 pins going into the pit)

• "Bartender, make it a double!!"
  (sometimes shouted when a player throws back-to-back strikes)
• "Bad mammal!"
  (Pedersen uses this term either to describe a bowler on a hot streak, or serious pin carry when a less-than-perfect shot takes out all ten pins)
• "Nothin' left but pin shrapnel!"
• "Shreds the rack!"
• "That was filthier than a truck stop restroom!"
  (above three have been used to describe a powerful strike)
• "Winner winner, Chicken dinner!"
  (referring to the winner of a match)
• "Give me some coffee to go with that sweet roll"
  (referring to a nicely rolled strike shot)
• "That one went out for a burger and fries, and came back with steak and a baked potato"
  (referring to a shot that rolls out close to the gutter and hooks back for a pocket strike)

Pedersen once commented on his role as PBA Analyst on ESPN telecasts. He said, "I want to convey to the viewing public that they are watching the best bowlers in the world. It's my job to explain what makes them that good, as well as provide other information that 'Johnny 150 average' doesn't already know. One thing I learned is if you can bring enthusiasm to the table, sometimes it doesn't really matter what is coming out of your mouth. The viewing audience senses the enthusiasm." ^[4]

References