The Washington times., 1934-02-26
BY GINO SIM


"Red" Morgan, top.notch
local bowler. since 1920, might
have made a name for himself
in local tennis circles if he had
followed his early interest in that
game.
Red" was the No. 1 player on
the Central High School tennis
team of 1918, and he and George
Shoemaker were runners-up for
the D. c. junior doubles cham
pionShip that year, bowling to
netmen who gained wide fame
later, Hal Fowler and Mariana
Erana.
Shoemaker continued his tennis
career to become one of the city's
ttnest doubles players. but the
Quckpin game had wooed Morgan
away from the courts.
Though still crack bowler. i'll
k1ealth has forced Morgan into
retirement for the past three
gears, from which he occasion
ally issues to roll in a major
sweepstakes or fill in on a league. |
Ewing herman Morgan
showed his innate patriotism by
making his appearance on earth
On July 4, 1900.
Attends Central High
He attended Central High, TAX
ing a general course. He went
but for the football team, but
was too light to make it, so he
turned to tennis and did so we'll
that he was given the No. ! spot
ON the team.
Red was also something Of a
Baseball player, getting a tryout
for third base with one Of the
Blue Rid, League teams.
After graduating. gan
worked in the office Of Major
Daniel Donovan, on the selective
draft board. He enlisted in the |
Navy and spent thirteen months
cruising around the West Indies.
Out Of the Navy. he sought a
chance to fulfill his life dream,
q bank presidency, and obtained
o position as a bank clerk and
he has been that ever since. He
worked several years with the
National City Bank Of New York
and is now employed in a local
bank.
Morgan took his first shot at
the headpin in the old Arcade
League in 1917, and Immediately
attracted citywide attention by
setting the high-average pace.
He finished among the first ten
IN his first season in the District
league. 1920-21, and he has been
up near. the top each year he has
bowled in it. Three years ago he
placed fourth and the next year
he landed in fifth place. He also
carried splendid averages in the
National Capital League.
On Several Winners
Red was on several District and
National Capital pennant winners,
Including Curb Cafe, Convention
Hall, Rendezvous, and Parkway.
Morgan achieved his greatest
honor when he and George
Friend captured the National
Doubles crown in 1929. Two years
later he was sixth in the National
hll-eventS and his powerful 403
set gave him and Jack Whalen
second money in the National
doubles.
In 1929 he and "Shag" Rawlings
won the w. c. D. A. doubles and
Morgan lost out for the all.events
when he fouled on the third strike
nf a triple-header. He was also
beaten out of the singles crown
several years later when someone
topped his 405 set on the last
night of the tournament.
"Bozo'' Bitunyac, the duckpin
wizard who is keeping Richmond
fans agog with his trick shooting
and who will appear here Satnr-
day against Ollie Pacini, was
"Red's" opponent at lead-off in
the famous Pittsburgh Washing
ton match Of ten years ago.
BOWled in Orpheums
During the time he was en-
ployed in New York he bowled
with Phil Spinella's famous
Brooklyn Orpheurns and in one
match he rolled against the Con-
Vention Hall All-Stars, of Wash
jngton, e team whose lineup he
had previously graced.
Red" missed equaling Ray
ohapin'S 434 record set in the
National Capital League by one
pin back in 1925 while rolling
with the Belmonts.
Three years ago he finished |
second to that other famous red.
headed bowling star, Walter
ic'Eustace") Megaw, in the Poto
mac Sweepstakes, and the next
year he placed third in the
first Washington Times Dixie
Sweepstakes.
Morgan set an all-time sweep
stakes high set mark in the last
Dixie when he rolled 1911.
At present he is filling in &C.
casionally on the Occidental
team, District League leader and
defending champion. He went
with the team on its recent tour
Of New England.