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Tribute to Carl Erskine, RIP

“I’ve had pretty good success with Stan Musial by throwing him my best pitch and then backing up third!” -Carl Erskine

The past few weeks have been very trying for those of us who love baseball history. We’ve recently seen the passing of Bud Harrelson, Jerry Grote, Ken Holtzman, and Whitey Herzog. They’ve been occurring in such rapid succession, I’ve hardly had time to compose decent tributes. 

And now the baseball world was again saddened to learn this past Tuesday, April 16, of the passing of Carl Erskine, age 97, the last surviving member of the Dodgers’ Boys of Summer Brooklyn teams. Notwithstanding the modest, self-effacing quote above, Carl Erskine was an outstanding major league pitcher and was a mainstay of the Dodgers’ pennant-winning teams of the 1950s. From 1951 through 1956, he won 92 games while losing only 58, helping the Dodgers to four pennants and World Series appearances.

Carl Erskine’s Career

The Anderson, Indiana native played twelve seasons (1948-1959), all with the Dodgers. Over his career, the right-handed “Oisk” posted a 122-78 record (.610), with a 4.00 ERA, 981 strikes outs, 71 complete games, and 14 shutouts. He pitched two of the National League’s seven no-hitters during the 1950s. He was a member of the Dodgers’ 1955 World Series champions and went 2-2 in 11 post-season games.

Erskine had a breakout year in 1953, going 20-6, with a 3.54 ERA, 187 strikeouts, and 16 complete games. His .796 winning percentage led the National League that year, helping the Dodgers win the National League pennant. In Game Three of the 1953 World Series, he set a World Series record with 14 strikeouts in a single World Series game, including striking out the side in the ninth inning. He earned his only All-Star selection the following year, 1954, as he went 18-15, with career highs of 37 starts and 200.3 innings.  

His Role in the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World”

Carl Erskine had a memorable, if often overlooked, role in one of baseball’s most historic events: the Bobby Thomson “Shot Heard Round the World” in the third and final game of the 1951 playoff series between the Dodgers and Giants. Not many fans remember that Erskine was warming up in the bullpen with Ralph Branca in the ninth inning with a tiring Don Newcombe on the mound. On the recommendation of pitching coach Clyde Sukeforth — who thought Branca had better “stuff” that day — manager Charlie Dressen brought in Branca instead of Erskine to pitch to Thomson. As is well known, Bobby promptly homered to win the third playoff game, giving the Giants the 1951 pennant. Over the years, Carl had a ready quip whenever anyone ever asked him about the incident:

“The best pitch I ever threw was the curveball I bounced in the Polo Grounds bullpen in 1951.”

Carl’s Life: Much More Than Just a Fine Ballplayer

After his baseball career ended, he was active as a business executive and civic leader following his return to his hometown of Anderson, Indiana. He became deeply involved with the Special Olympics and other charities aimed at helping people with developmental difficulties such as his son Jimmy, who was born with Down syndrome.

Carl Erskine spent his post-baseball career participating in many civic organizations to help his community and those in need. He received numerous awards honoring his role as both an accomplished ballplayer and a dedicated citizen and humanitarian:

• A bronze 6-foot statue of him has been erected in front of the Carl D. Erskine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center in Anderson, Indiana.
• Erskine Street in Brooklyn has been named in his honor.
• The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum awarded Erskine the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to charity and his work towards the Special Olympics
• Erskine Elementary School was named in his honor after he donated land to the Anderson Community School System to build a new school.
• 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.
• The Carl and Betty Erskine Society was established to help raise money for the Special Olympics, in which he was involved for more than 40 years.
• He was 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.

In 1960, he worked as a color commentator on ABC Saturday afternoon games alongside Jack Buck. He later served as baseball coach for Anderson College for 12 seasons. Under his leadership, Anderson won four Hoosier Conference championships, with his 1965 squad going 20–5 and reaching the NAIA World Series.

The Dodgers Release a Statement

Upon his death, Dodgers president and chief executive officer Stan Kasten released the following statement:

Carl Erskine was an exemplary Dodger. 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 Erskine, RIP

I think we can all agree that few ballplayers accomplished so much after their playing days ended than did Carl Erskine, so I’m happy to posthumously shine our baseball spotlight on a fine ballplayer who was an even better human being, giving him some long overdue recognition. Carl Erskine is survived by his wife of 76 years, Betty, and three of their four children: Danny, Gary, and Susan. Son Jimmy passed away in 2023.

Gary Livacari 

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Information: Excerpts edited from Carl Erskine Wikipedia page; Stats from Baseball Reference