I loved watching Mike when he was part of the USA Weber Cup team. I also met him and bowled with him when he came to Madison Heights bowl at Maldon Essex, as one of Dom Barrett's guests at a special event, when Dom had the pro shop there in 2010. I was also lucky to meet and bowl with Bill O'Neill and Mika Koivuniemi at the event. Such really amiable fun guys, all of them. Alas, Bill is the only one of these three still competing seriously now. Would love to watch Mike back on tour again.
I love how he keeps his head so stable in the same position while casually swinging his ball like 3 feet over his head. He must’ve been in incredible shape!
Good Vid. I ran in a similar circle of friends of his in the college days at St.Johns, but wasn’t friends with him directly. Never really crossed his path specifically, but the dude was amazing to watch. He was like a modern version of Weber, minimum effortless motion w maximum output of results, which is such a hard thing to do. He def could have won at least 10-15 and been in that Bill O’Neil range, but it’s such a grind and I hear he’s a bit of an academic, so I’m sure he made the right choice. Still, would be cool if he popped up at some point to bowl some events and I’m sure he’s still got it.
@@Topnikko Yeah he was a few years into his pro career and he was just house bowling because it was in Queens NY and all the area hitters were in that league.
The tour is tough and grueling even for the best players and it's not very affordable either. I think he could've been one of the best on tour if he had stayed with it, but it was nice to see that swing of his back in the day, so effortless and consistent.
Yep. The number 1 bowler in the world doesn't even win a million a year while bench warmers in other sports who never even touch the field do. Tough way to earn a living.
The one thing about him I always admired was the fact he was able to hook the entire lane with effortless power, but also pipe it straight up the boards. That made him a winner.
Great video, I always wondered what he was up to. I'm sure the money from the MBA Career is much better then the average winnings as a bowler. That being said, I really admired his swing, very smooth like you said. Thanks for posting these often.
1) Wished he stayed on tour, loved his bowling style. I even simulated his form because I love Pete Weber and his Fagan”s backswing 2) Even switched to sarge Easter grip like Fagan did, I still used it when this grip on some of my bowling balls
Great video. Good analysis. What a great game he has. Always wished he would return. Maybe he'll kick butt on the senior tour. They guy had the makings of another Norm Duke.
This guy was special…do not take that lightly he was a special breed. He’s my favorite bowler of all time his timing, backswing and just pure effortless raw power w / max revs, dude did major damage in the PBA and his career was cut way short. Just like Barry Sanders why do the best have the shortest careers? Lol
I miss seeing Mike Fagan on tour but personally I don't blame him for retiring at his prime and leave it at that. Also, there are other things more important and I'm sure he made the right choice and did not regret it.
It was my understanding that he left to get his degree, and then he eventually got back into bowling on the business side of things, now running a bunch of centers.
The King of Swing had a buttery swing! I believe he was one of the first to follow through across his face, which was taboo along with his high backswing!
Question you should be asking does his job make 6 figures.....plus raising a family and always traveling isn't the greatest homelife. He gave up fame for stability.
I think he would have won another four or five titles at least but I suspect that between getting his MBA and life itself he might be in a place he likes and bowling is secondary now to everything else.
not everyone wants to travel 2/3 of the year. Seems like He has different priorities. Looks like he chose to have more of a "normal life" and focus on family. nothing wrong with that! Sometimes i wonder what kind of life some of these pro sports players have at home it has to be tough on a family being on the road all the time and focusing so much attention on work.
I would point out his wife may have something to do with his withdrawal. Watch her face after he won the Masters then watch her face on every telecast he made after that. Made you wonder if he had eyes in the back of his head. I sure hope he returns.
@@1USACitizen192 She is an extrememly accomplished bowler herself and worked in the bowling industry for years. She's not the reason by a long shot. When you have a family and travel 250+ days a year to make a living and there is an alternative path that allows you to make a similar income or more without leaving your family, that can really take the fun out of tour life.
Thanks for the vlog. I always wondered what happened to this remarkable bowler. Unfortunately, there is just not enough money in the Tour to keep a lot of top bowlers in the game. Unless you are Belmo or E.J. Tackett you will likely need some other revenue source to make a decent living. I doubt that we will ever see him the tour again--Sad.
With the talent that was and is out there since the time he retired, l would say that he would have been hard pressed to win more than 3 or 4 more titles. He might have gotten 5 more wins, but that would be the most, l would think.
Mike Fagan quickly realized that it's nearly impossible to earn a decent living in the PBA. He can easily earn more in a normal job with his skills and education.
I know Mike. Dude was unreal. But he did the smart thing. There is no money in bowling anymore. His talent was unbelievable. Always been good. But very smart to get out of a dead sport
I always wondered this as well but i thought that Fagan was trying to open up his own law firm and that's why he retired. I know the money he won was used to go towards that business and education
Why would he want to.. I am pretty sure the PBA isn’t in a better place than it was back then. I believe they used to have a much bigger schedule back then.
Doesn't he still own a lot of old balls that he might like? I'm sure he'd be bummed about going on the national tour next year and not being allowed to use any.
I didn't hear a definitive answer to the question. I learned he went to get an MBA, but left the door open to return. So, he never did "retire." The narrator only speculates that he won't return after all, and that's it. Beyond that, it's just a recap of his career/style. This was short on facts and long on conjecture--all in all a clickbait waste of time.
![[UA] Team Vitality проти NAVI | IEM Cologne 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wttO1zVRTC0/mqdefault.jpg)
I never really noticed too much about his backswing because I only ever noticed how still he kept his head. His focus and concentration were amazing.
I met Fagan in Minnesota and he's an awesome guy. He doing very well. He now owns several bowling alleys and recently had his second child.
Not several
@@alexmerel9924how do you know buddy
He retired because he could make a lot more money in business than in bowling without living out of suitcase and being away from his family.
Seems to me Mike Aulby did the same thing as well.
I loved watching Mike when he was part of the USA Weber Cup team. I also met him and bowled with him when he came to Madison Heights bowl at Maldon Essex, as one of Dom Barrett's guests at a special event, when Dom had the pro shop there in 2010. I was also lucky to meet and bowl with Bill O'Neill and Mika Koivuniemi at the event. Such really amiable fun guys, all of them. Alas, Bill is the only one of these three still competing seriously now. Would love to watch Mike back on tour again.
I love how he keeps his head so stable in the same position while casually swinging his ball like 3 feet over his head. He must’ve been in incredible shape!
Good Vid. I ran in a similar circle of friends of his in the college days at St.Johns, but wasn’t friends with him directly. Never really crossed his path specifically, but the dude was amazing to watch. He was like a modern version of Weber, minimum effortless motion w maximum output of results, which is such a hard thing to do. He def could have won at least 10-15 and been in that Bill O’Neil range, but it’s such a grind and I hear he’s a bit of an academic, so I’m sure he made the right choice. Still, would be cool if he popped up at some point to bowl some events and I’m sure he’s still got it.
Bowled with him in scratch singles at Van Wyck Lanes NYC (RIP Van Wyck).
@@mykalhenry recently?
@@Topnikko 20 years ago LOL
@@mykalhenry Gotcha. I would think that if he bowled anywhere now someone would take a video of it.
@@Topnikko Yeah he was a few years into his pro career and he was just house bowling because it was in Queens NY and all the area hitters were in that league.
Fagan was amazing. I miss him. Such a great bowler. So much to learn from him given his limited time on tour.
Mikes a smart guy. He knew what he wanted to do after he accomplished his bowling career 👍 I’d still like to see him bowl at times
Fagans ball in the air is practically a planet in space, love that swing!!
The tour is tough and grueling even for the best players and it's not very affordable either. I think he could've been one of the best on tour if he had stayed with it, but it was nice to see that swing of his back in the day, so effortless and consistent.
Yep. The number 1 bowler in the world doesn't even win a million a year while bench warmers in other sports who never even touch the field do. Tough way to earn a living.
Fagan vs Tackett. Make it happen! 😊
The one thing about him I always admired was the fact he was able to hook the entire lane with effortless power, but also pipe it straight up the boards. That made him a winner.
Great video, I always wondered what he was up to. I'm sure the money from the MBA Career is much better then the average winnings as a bowler. That being said, I really admired his swing, very smooth like you said. Thanks for posting these often.
Easily one of THE best physical games we'll ever see.
I really do miss seeing Fagan on the tour. I hope he returns.
He was and arguably still is my bowling-idol. Wish PBA can invite him in for an event competition of some sort. Bowling scene troumedously miss him.
I remember watching this guy on the telecast a long time ago, didn't know he quit the tour though
I miss him, Mika, Brian Himmler and a lot of other great guys who weren’t on there for too many years
1) Wished he stayed on tour, loved his bowling style. I even simulated his form because I love Pete Weber and his Fagan”s backswing
2) Even switched to sarge Easter grip like Fagan did, I still used it when this grip on some of my bowling balls
Great video. Good analysis. What a great game he has. Always wished he would return. Maybe he'll kick butt on the senior tour. They guy had the makings of another Norm Duke.
This guy was special…do not take that lightly he was a special breed. He’s my favorite bowler of all time his timing, backswing and just pure effortless raw power w / max revs, dude did major damage in the PBA and his career was cut way short. Just like Barry Sanders why do the best have the shortest careers? Lol
I miss seeing Mike Fagan on tour but personally I don't blame him for retiring at his prime and leave it at that. Also, there are other things more important and I'm sure he made the right choice and did not regret it.
It hurts my shoulder to see him bowl. 🤔 Betcha he's chillin'.
It was my understanding that he left to get his degree, and then he eventually got back into bowling on the business side of things, now running a bunch of centers.
The King of Swing had a buttery swing! I believe he was one of the first to follow through across his face, which was taboo along with his high backswing!
Simple... There was no money in the PBA at the time. Would love to see the king of swing back!!!
there still isn't money in the pba
Question you should be asking does his job make 6 figures.....plus raising a family and always traveling isn't the greatest homelife. He gave up fame for stability.
@@robertcuratolo5339 Only a few people make 6 figures a year on the PBA tour. Most are making way less than that.
Michael Fagan, the "Kang of Swang"! 😂
I think he would have won another four or five titles at least but I suspect that between getting his MBA and life itself he might be in a place he likes and bowling is secondary now to everything else.
i cant imagine what it must have been like to have seen this guy start week 1 of league with this back swing.
not everyone wants to travel 2/3 of the year. Seems like He has different priorities. Looks like he chose to have more of a "normal life" and focus on family. nothing wrong with that! Sometimes i wonder what kind of life some of these pro sports players have at home it has to be tough on a family being on the road all the time and focusing so much attention on work.
I would point out his wife may have something to do with his withdrawal.
Watch her face after he won the Masters then watch her face on every telecast he made after that. Made you wonder if he had eyes in the back of his head.
I sure hope he returns.
She probably wanted to go clubbing and dancing every night, not PBA style bowling. That is for sure.
@@1USACitizen192 She is an extrememly accomplished bowler herself and worked in the bowling industry for years. She's not the reason by a long shot. When you have a family and travel 250+ days a year to make a living and there is an alternative path that allows you to make a similar income or more without leaving your family, that can really take the fun out of tour life.
He made the right decision. If your heart isn't fully in it the tour life is just going to grind you down.
He retired because he signed to play a support role (Alan Harper) in Two and a half Men...
That zero head movement is legendary and almost creepy!
I hope he returns for sure
He was fun to watch for sure. Don't think he would come back to bowl with string pins.
Thanks for the vlog. I always wondered what happened to this remarkable bowler. Unfortunately, there is just not enough money in the Tour to keep a lot of top bowlers in the game. Unless you are Belmo or E.J. Tackett you will likely need some other revenue source to make a decent living. I doubt that we will ever see him the tour again--Sad.
Probably could have won 31 to 32 titles. He was just entering his prime.
With the talent that was and is out there since the time he retired, l would say that he would have been hard pressed to win more than 3 or 4 more titles. He might have gotten 5 more wins, but that would be the most, l would think.
10-13 titles power game now gotta get the ball and hook it ala ej belmo etc
Mike Fagan quickly realized that it's nearly impossible to earn a decent living in the PBA. He can easily earn more in a normal job with his skills and education.
Like butter.
Bowling has no money in it, that's the answer
Bingo
This is a great vid I was wondering where did mike fagan go
I know Mike. Dude was unreal. But he did the smart thing. There is no money in bowling anymore. His talent was unbelievable. Always been good. But very smart to get out of a dead sport
I always wondered this as well but i thought that Fagan was trying to open up his own law firm and that's why he retired. I know the money he won was used to go towards that business and education
He won the World Championship in 2014. Gary Faulkner JR won in 2015.
I can kind of see him bowling the PBA 50
Aka professional bowling doesn’t pay well enough. It ain’t worth it .. most make more as an amateur than PBA
I enjoyed his game. Bowling is a great sport. Love it, but don't quit your day job. 😂
Why would he want to.. I am pretty sure the PBA isn’t in a better place than it was back then. I believe they used to have a much bigger schedule back then.
pba sucked then and sucks now lol
His swing is awesome but I am always wondering where he's looking.
It looks like he's looking down the lane at the breakpoint..!!
The downlane markers more than likely.
Mike fagan didn't win the world championship in 2015 it was gary Faulkner.
He could have won like Norm Duke. I think he left the game because of the politics that he saw coming.
Doesn't he still own a lot of old balls that he might like? I'm sure he'd be bummed about going on the national tour next year and not being allowed to use any.
I would guess that Mike Fagan wouldn't have any problems getting a contract with one of the bowling ball companies if he was to return.
@@781David I can imagine he'd have nice discounts, but that doesn't take away from having something you like a lot that you can't use.
I didn't hear a definitive answer to the question. I learned he went to get an MBA, but left the door open to return. So, he never did "retire." The narrator only speculates that he won't return after all, and that's it. Beyond that, it's just a recap of his career/style. This was short on facts and long on conjecture--all in all a clickbait waste of time.
don't mention two hand bowling changing the game , you might be right.
3:54. 7- ???
With an MBA degree would allow him to achieve financial independence.
Did he not believe in moving right?
Your commentary and video are not sync'd
Looks like a Pete Weber copy.
I’m not 100% sure.
Not only a talented and under appreciated bowling talent but also an approchable, likeable person as well. 🎳