Hubbry Logo
Randy PedersenRandy PedersenMain
Open search
Randy Pedersen
Community hub
Randy Pedersen
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Randy Pedersen
Randy Pedersen
Randy Pedersen
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Randy Pedersen (born May 28, 1962) is an American sportscaster and former professional bowler as a member of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). He is currently a color analyst for PBA Tour broadcasts on CW Sports and CBS Sports Network/CBS, formerly filling that same role on Fox, ESPN and CBS Sports Network in previous seasons. During the most recent PBA Tour season, he worked alongside play-by-play announcers Rob Stone, Dave Ryan, John Fanta and Dave LaMont, having previously worked with Lon McEachern and Mike Jakubowski. In 2026, he will team with Rick Allen on The CW. Pedersen grew up in Southern California, but relocated to Clermont, Florida in the early 1990s. He has resided in Florida ever since. He and his ex-wife Becky have two children: a son, Chad and a daughter, Savannah.

Key Information

Pedersen is a member of the PBA and USBC Halls of Fame.

Bowling career

[edit]

As a bowler, Pedersen won 13 PBA Tour titles, with 11 of them coming in a ten-season stretch between 1986 and 1995, when he was one of the top players on tour. Pedersen captured the prestigious PBA National Championship crown in 1987 for his first and only major title. He won three titles in the 1989 season, but was beaten out for PBA Player of the Year honors by Amleto Monacelli, who won four titles that year.

Pedersen won his last PBA Tour title at age 40 in the 2002 Pepsi Open. That title pushed him over the $1 million career earnings mark, making him the 24th career millionaire in PBA history at the time. He made it to the final match of the 2003 PBA Tournament of Champions, but lost the title to Patrick Healy Jr.

Pedersen is also known for having suffered from 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 Bayer-Brunswick Touring Players Championship to veteran Ernie Schlegel by a 237–236 score. Needing a strike on the first ball of the tenth frame to have a chance to win, Pedersen left a solid 8-pin standing on what appeared to be a perfect 1-3 pocket shot.[2] That match is also remembered for Schlegel's reaction to the shot. In a thrill-of-victory/agony-of-defeat moment, Schlegel ran around in front of the crowd with his fists raised yelling, "I don't believe it! One for the old people!", while Pedersen fell down onto the approach and covered his face in disappointment. Pedersen was also knocked out of the 2005 Dexter Tournament of Champions after he left the 7-pin on his tenth frame fill shot to close out the semifinal against Norm Duke, losing 256–255.

Among his 34 career top-five finishes, Pedersen made it to the final match 17 times, compiling an impressive 13–4 record in those matches.[3]

Pedersen 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.[4]

Pedersen 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.[5]

In November 2024, Pedersen was elected to the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame. He was officially inducted with the 2025 class in a ceremony at the USBC convention on May 7.[6]

PBA Tour titles

[edit]

Major titles in bold text.

  1. 1986 AC-Delco Classic (Union City, California)
  2. 1987 Toledo Trust PBA National Championship (Toledo, Ohio)
  3. 1987 Fair Lanes Open (Washington, D.C.)
  4. 1988 Senior/Touring Pro Doubles Championship w/Carmen Salvino (Cheektowaga, New York)
  5. 1989 AC-Delco Classic (Torrance, California)
  6. 1989 Budweiser Classic (Miami, Florida)
  7. 1989 Oranamin C Japan Cup (Tokyo, Japan)
  8. 1990 Quaker State Open (Grand Prairie, Texas)
  9. 1993 Billy Vuckovich III Memorial Fresno Open (Fresno, California)
  10. 1994 Greater Harrisburg Open (Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania)
  11. 1995 Ebonite Kentucky Classic (Louisville, Kentucky)
  12. 1999 Indianapolis Open (Indianapolis, Indiana)
  13. 2002 Pepsi Open (Springfield Twp., Pennsylvania)

PBA50 Tour titles

[edit]
  1. 2013 PBA50 Dayton Classic (Dayton, Ohio)

Television and film

[edit]

Off the lanes, Pedersen joined ESPN in 2001 as a TV analyst and has had great success behind the microphone; Pedersen earned the position after getting his start in broadcasting as a lane-level reporter on ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour, in addition to working on Fox Sports Net for a brief time in 2000. Pedersen remained as the bowling analyst on ESPN through the termination of their PBA contract in 2018. He began working for Fox Sports in 2019 when the PBA Tour moved its TV broadcasts to Fox Sports networks. He has also served as analyst on selected PBA Tour broadcasts hosted by CBS Sports Network.

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 (he was placed right next to Woody Harrelson) along with several other professional bowlers, and has a cameo appearance in the 2006 bowling documentary A League of Ordinary Gentlemen.

Famous phrases

[edit]

Pedersen is notable for using various phrases used to describe different occurrences during PBA events. They include:

  • "Dead flush perfect!"
  • "He absolutely pure'd it."

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

  • "Nothin' left but pin shrapnel!"
  • "Pulls the string on all 10 of 'em there."
  • "Shreds the rack!"
  • "That was filthier than a truck stop restroom!"

(above four have been used to describe a powerful strike)

  • "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)
  • "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)
  • "That 6 pin just slapped the 10 pin silly!" (referring to a strike that could have been a solid 10, but the 6 pin goes off to the sidewall and hits the 10, knocking it down)
  • "The 10 pin gets sent to the blue tent" (comparing a 10 pin taken out by a strong "messenger" pin to an NFL player being sent to the concussion protocol tent)
  • "Hey, 10-pin...Get outta my face!" (another way he comments on a strong messenger pin taking out the 10-pin)
  • "He's cooler than a polar bear's feet" (describing a player who calmly makes a clutch shot under pressure)
  • "Are you kidding me?" (reacting to a seriously bad break on a great shot)
  • "It's wetter than an otter's pocket out there" (referring to an "out of bounds" area on the lane near the gutters that has so much oil, the ball will not hook back)

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." [7]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Randy Pedersen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Randy Pedersen is an American former professional bowler and current television color analyst for the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour on FOX Sports. Pedersen competed on the PBA Tour from 1984 to 2003, amassing 13 titles, including one major championship at the 1987 PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio, where he defeated finalists David Ozio, Marshall Holman, and Amleto Monacelli. His career highlights include a career-best three titles in 1989, earnings exceeding $1 million (ranking him 24th among PBA millionaires), and a No. 35 ranking on the PBA's 2008 list of the 50 Greatest Players in history. He secured his first PBA win at the 1986 AC-Delco Classic in Union City, California, and his final Tour title at age 40 in the 2002 PBA Pepsi Open in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Pedersen also won a PBA50 Tour event in his debut at the 2013 Dayton Classic and was elected to the PBA Hall of Fame in 2010 (inducted in 2011), and inducted into the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Hall of Fame in 2025. Transitioning to broadcasting, Pedersen joined FOX Sports as a color analyst for PBA coverage in 2001, following an earlier stint as a lane reporter on ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour and a brief role with FOX Sports Net in 2000; he holds the second-longest tenure as a PBA TV analyst behind Nelson Burton Jr. Known for his engaging style, bowling lingo, catchphrases, and humor, he has appeared in films such as Kingpin (1996) and Greedy (1994).

Early life and education

Upbringing

Randy Pedersen was born on May 28, 1962, and grew up in . He was immersed in a region where bowling centers were common community hubs, fostering early interest in the sport among local . Pedersen's introduction to came at age 12 during his formative years through participation in junior leagues, a widespread youth program that provided structured opportunities for beginners to develop skills and enthusiasm for ten-pin . This early exposure ignited a lifelong passion, as the sport quickly became a central part of his recreational activities and social life. As he entered his teenage years and transitioned to high school, Pedersen's involvement with bowling continued to grow, laying the foundation for his future pursuits in the sport.

Education

Pedersen attended Catholic High School in , where his interest in , which had begun during his childhood, continued. Although specific details on his participation in school sports or activities are limited, he graduated from the institution in 1980, marking the end of his formal . In his early adulthood, Pedersen married Becky, and the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Savannah Cassidy Pedersen, born on February 29, 1996, in . They later had a son, Chad. Pedersen and Becky later divorced. The family resided initially in before relocating to in the early , settling first in Pembroke Pines and eventually in Clermont before moving to Orlando in the 2020s, where Pedersen has lived as of 2024.

Professional bowling career

PBA Tour career

Randy Pedersen began competing on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour in 1984, with his first full season in 1985, when he competed in 24 events that season and earned $21,708 while advancing to match play five times. His debut performance included reaching the semifinal match of the 1985 PBA Tucson Open, where he lost to David Ozio. Pedersen secured his first PBA Tour title in 1986 at the AC-Delco Classic and went on to win 13 titles overall between 1986 and 2002, with 11 of those victories occurring during his peak stretch from 1986 to 1995, establishing him as a consistent top competitor. Among his achievements in that era was the 1987 PBA National Championship, his lone major title. Over his career, he recorded 38 top-five finishes across 580 tournaments, finished in the top 20 for earnings six times, and ranked in the top 20 for scoring average eight times. Pedersen captured his final PBA Tour title at age 40 in the 2002 Pepsi Open, a victory that elevated his career earnings beyond $1 million and made him the 24th bowler to reach that milestone. He retired from full-time competition on the in 2006 after more than two decades, citing knee injuries sustained after the 2006-07 season.

PBA50 Tour career

After retiring from the main PBA Tour following the 2006-07 season due to knee injuries requiring multiple surgeries, Randy Pedersen took a six-year hiatus from professional competition. He returned to the professional ranks in 2013 at age 51 by entering the PBA50 Tour, the senior circuit for bowlers over 50, marking a successful adaptation to age-restricted events where his veteran technique and mental resilience proved advantageous against fellow Hall of Famers. Pedersen approached his PBA50 participation on a tournament-by-tournament basis as a part-time competitor, focusing on selective events that aligned with his schedule. In his debut, he demonstrated strong form by qualifying for and advancing through the stepladder . His overall performance on the tour included consistent cashes and deep runs, highlighting his ability to maintain high averages and precision in senior formats despite the time away from full-time play. By 2014, he had earned a spot in another championship match, the PBA50 South Shore Open final. Pedersen's PBA50 tenure contributed to his career-long reputation for reliability, with rankings and earnings reflecting solid results in a limited schedule of appearances through the mid-2010s before he stepped away from senior tour competition around 2018.

Titles and honors

Pedersen secured 13 titles on the over a career spanning more than two decades, with 11 of those victories occurring between 1986 and 1995 during his peak years as one of the tour's top competitors. His lone major championship came at the 1987 in , where he defeated in the final match to claim the $38,000 first-place prize and his second career title. A standout achievement was his 2002 victory in Springfield, Pennsylvania, defeating Barnes in the championship round; this win not only marked his 13th and final title but also elevated his career earnings beyond the $1 million milestone, reaching a total of $1,158,351. On the PBA50 Tour, Pedersen added to his legacy with a single title at the 2013 PBA50 Dayton Classic, defeating John Gant in the final to secure the $7,500 top prize just months after returning to competitive play following a six-year hiatus. Among his most memorable near-misses were two heartbreaking one-pin losses in major tournaments. In the 1995 Bayer/Brunswick Touring Players Championship, Pedersen entered the 10th frame of the final match against Ernie Schlegel needing a followed by six pins to win, but he left a stone 8-pin on his first shot, resulting in a 236–237 defeat that denied him a major title. Ten years later, in the PBA Dexter Tournament of Champions semifinal, he fell to 255–256 after failing to convert a corner pin on his final shot amid reported fan interference, once again missing out on a major by a single pin. Pedersen's accomplishments earned him significant recognition within the bowling community. He was ranked No. 35 on the PBA's 2008 list of the 50 Greatest Players in its first 50 years, acknowledging his consistency with 38 top-five finishes and 200 match-play appearances across 580 events. Elected in October 2010 and formally inducted the following year, he joined the PBA Hall of Fame in the Performance category, honoring his 13 titles and status as a three-time Bowlers Journal First Team All-American. In 2025, Pedersen was selected for the Hall of Fame in the Superior Performance category, with his induction ceremony taking place on May 7 during the Convention in , capping a career that also included strong showings like runner-up finishes in four additional finals.

Broadcasting career

Television analysis

Randy Pedersen began his broadcasting career as a lane-level reporter on ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour, followed by a brief role with FOX Sports Net in 2000. He became a color analyst for ESPN's coverage of ( telecasts in 2001. His role involved providing expert analysis drawn from his extensive professional experience, including insights into player strategies, lane conditions, and match dynamics. Pedersen's transition from competitor to commentator was seamless, leveraging his on-lane perspective to enhance viewer understanding during live events. Pedersen continued in this capacity throughout the ESPN era, which spanned nearly two decades, before the PBA Tour's shifted to in 2019, where he assumed the position of lead color analyst. On and FS1, he delivers play-by-play insights, conducts bowler interviews, and offers real-time commentary on high-stakes moments, contributing to the network's coverage of regular-season tournaments and majors. Over more than two decades in the role, Pedersen has become a staple of PBA telecasts, pairing with play-by-play announcers such as Rob Stone on and earlier with Matt Devlin during the ESPN years. His involvement extends to special programming, including the PBA LBC National Championships Clash, which premiered in December 2023 and continues as part of the ongoing broadcast schedule into 2025. These events highlight Pedersen's ability to blend historical knowledge with contemporary analysis, maintaining the sport's accessibility for audiences across networks.

Film appearances

Randy Pedersen made a cameo appearance as a professional bowler in the 1996 sports comedy film Kingpin, directed by the Farrelly brothers, where he portrayed one of the opponents defeated by the protagonist Roy Munson (played by ) during a regional scene. In the 2015 ESPN 30 for 30 Short documentary The Bad Boy of Bowling, Pedersen appears as an interviewee, providing insights into the career and personality of fellow PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, often referred to as the "bad boy" of professional bowling.

Famous phrases

Randy Pedersen has popularized several signature catchphrases during his tenure as a PBA broadcast analyst, infusing broadcasts with enthusiasm and humor that resonate with fans. One of his most iconic phrases, "Dead flush perfect!", is used to celebrate an ideal where all ten pins cleanly enter the pit, originating from Pedersen's energetic on-air commentary that vividly captures the precision and power of a flawless shot. This expression emerged in the early 2000s as Pedersen transitioned into broadcasting, quickly becoming a staple in PBA telecasts to highlight exceptional ball reaction and bowler skill. Another hallmark phrase, "Winner winner, Chicken dinner!", serves as a celebratory exclamation for match victories, adapted from the common to add a lighthearted, triumphant flair to post-win moments. Pedersen frequently employed it during Fox Sports-era PBA events starting in 2001, evolving it into a recurring motif that punctuates high-stakes finishes and reinforces the excitement of competition. These phrases have significantly shaped the , embedding themselves in fan vernacular and enhancing engagement by making telecasts more memorable and relatable. By 2025, they continue to influence media references and online discussions within the bowling community, fostering a sense of shared excitement and tradition among viewers.

References

  1. https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/bios/on-air/randy-pedersen
  2. https://bowl.com/usbc-hall-of-fame/hall-of-famers/randy_pedersen
  3. https://www.pba.com/players/randy-pedersen
  4. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-15-sp-1003-story.html
  5. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1996/03/27/local-pro-pedersen-just-one-of-the-guys/
  6. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1996/05/08/first-granddaughter-joins-family-of-boys/
  7. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1993/07/30/bucking-for-promotion-hollywoods-randy-pedersen-one-of-the-pbas-top-bowlers-says-the-game-must-do-better-introducing-its-stars-to-the-public/
  8. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/05/18/pro-bowlers-association-playoffs-kissimmee-kyle-troup-jesper-svensson-david-krol/
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-psZb3vWR4
  10. https://www.bowlingdigital.com/bowl/node/12143
  11. https://www.californiabowlingnews.com/assets/052313.pdf
  12. https://www.pba.com/about/broadcast-team
  13. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2014/08/07/pba50-south-shore-open-results-2/
  14. https://www.flobowling.com/articles/6245614-no-8-pin-this-time-for-randy-pedersen
  15. https://mcubed.net/bowling/zzrandypedersen.shtml
  16. https://www.pba.com/pba-tour/pba50-tour/all-time-tour-titles
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V30VWxSTarI
  18. https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2005/04/11/jaros-captures-pba-champions/28840561007/
  19. https://bowl.com/news/five-inductees-to-be-enshrined-in-usbc-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025
  20. https://bowl.com/news/mceachern-joins-pba-broadcast-team
  21. https://www.bowl.com/news/mceachern-joins-pba-broadcast-team
  22. https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/blog/2018/08/21/rob-stone-returns-play-play-announcer-fox-sports-telecasts-2019-go-bowling-pba-tour
  23. https://www.ranker.com/list/notable-announcer_s%29/reference?page=4
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGCbO8qzLP0
  25. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0670003/
  26. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/62617/15-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-kingpin
  27. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4520448/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.