“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.
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 Brooklyn Dodgers’ Boys of Summer. 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 strikeouts, 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.
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 .
