Carl Erskine obit

Erskine, who threw 2 no-nos and fought for human rights, dies at 97

 

He was not on the list.

Carl Erskine, who pitched in five World Series for the Brooklyn Dodgers, passed away at Anderson Community Hospital in his hometown of Anderson, Ind., early Tuesday morning. He was 97.

Over his 12-year career, spent entirely with the Dodgers, Erskine went 122-78 with a 4.00 ERA, earning an All-Star nod in 1954 and helping the Brooklyn Dodgers win the World Series in '55. During his career, Erskine threw a pair of no-hitters and delivered an iconic and then-record 14-strikeout complete-game performance in Game 3 of the '53 World Series against the Yankees.

"Carl Erskine was an exemplary Dodger," said Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten. "He was as much a hero off the field as he was on the field – which given the brilliance of his pitching is saying quite a lot. His support of the Special Olympics and related causes, inspired by his son Jimmy – who led a life beyond all expectations when he was born with Down Syndrome, cemented his legacy. We celebrate the life of 'Oisk' as we extend our sympathies to his wife, Betty, and their family."

Carl Daniel Erskine was born on Dec. 13, 1926, in Anderson. His father, Matt, taught him to throw the curveball for which he would be known during his career, according to his SABR biography. After becoming one of the most decorated pitchers in Indiana, Erskine and the Dodgers had mutual interest, but the two sides couldn't come to a deal with Erskine serving in the Navy during World War II. Once the war ended, Erskine signed with the Dodgers at the age of 19.

Erskine was called up by the Dodgers three years after signing, and when he arrived in their clubhouse, his stall was next to Jackie Robinson's. The two quickly developed a friendship. Given Erskine's upbringing and his desire for racial equality, he never hesitated to support Robinson, who battled bitter racism and social injustices after breaking the game's color barrier in 1947.

Two years ago, Erskine shared a story with the Los Angeles Times about one particularly powerful interaction with Robinson during their early days as teammates.

"In Brooklyn, I came out of the clubhouse one day, and there was an area where wives and family members could wait. When I came out of the clubhouse, Rachel and little Jackie [Robinson's son] were there. I just walked over, the natural thing to do, and talked with them for a few minutes. The next day, Jackie said he wanted to thank me for what I did. I said, 'I didn't pitch yesterday.' He said, 'No, you walked over to talk, out in front of the crowd, to talk with Jackie and Rachel.' I was almost embarrassed. I said, 'Jackie, don't thank me for that. Shake my hand for a well-pitched game.' That was a natural thing for me to do. But he was impressed by that.

"I had a lot of good buddies growing up, Black kids in my neighborhood, and I never had any problem at all with that. Jackie asked me one day, 'How come you don't have any problem with this black and white thing?' I said, 'My best friend growing up, from 10 years old on, was Johnny Wilson, a Black young man in my neighborhood. So that never was an issue with me, and it never will be.'"

An integral part of several pennant-winning Dodgers teams in the 1940s and '50s, Erskine was the last living player who was part of the famed "Boys of Summer," chronicled in Roger Kahn's revered 1972 book. But he wanted to be remembered as much more than a baseball player. Erskine dedicated his life to fighting for human rights, especially serving as an important voice for educational opportunities and for the Special Olympics.

That passion for Erskine grew once his son, Jimmy, was born with Down Syndrome. Jimmy was given a short life expectancy, but would go on to live until 2023, dying at the age of 63.

In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, which included fighting for human rights, racial equality and his fierce fight for the special-needs community, Erskine was honored by the Hall of Fame with the 2023 Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to an individual "for their extraordinary efforts to enhance baseball's positive impact on society."

Following his retirement as a player, Erskine returned to his native Indiana. For the 1960 season, he worked as a color commentator for Saturday-afternoon telecasts of major league games on ABC, teaming with play-by-play announcer Jack Buck. He coached for the college baseball team Anderson College for 12 seasons, including four Hoosier Conference championships, and his 1965 squad went 20–5 and reached the NAIA World Series. He had 18 players named to All-Conference teams, and three named as All-American.

Erskine also became a leader in the community, participating in numerous organizations and businesses, including rising to the presidency of the Star Bank of Anderson, Indiana, before easing back to the role of vice chairman of the board. He was devoted to his son Jimmy, who was born with Down syndrome. He lived at home and held a job nearby at the Hopewell Center for people with developmental difficulties.

To commemorate Erskine's accomplishments both as a Dodger and as a citizen, a 6-foot (1.8 m) bronze statue was built in front of the Carl D. Erskine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center. Erskine also donated part of his land to the Anderson Community School System to build a new school, which was named Erskine Elementary. In 2002, Erskine Street in Brooklyn was created and named after him. In 2010, he was awarded the Sachem Award by Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana, the state's highest honor which is given to recognize lifetime achievement of citizens of Indiana.

Erskine served as a member of the advisory board of the Baseball Assistance Team, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping former Major League, Minor League, and Negro league baseball players through financial and medical difficulties. Additionally, the Carl and Betty Erskine Society was formed by Erskine in order to raise money for the Special Olympics in which he was involved for more than 40 years.

In 2023, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced that Erskine will be awarded the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to charity and his work towards the Special Olympics.

Erskine died in 2024, the last surviving member of the "Boys of Summer" Brooklyn teams of the 1950s.