Carl Erskine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carl Erskine |
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Erskine with the Brooklyn Dodgers, c. 1953
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: December 13, 1926 Anderson, Indiana, U.S. |
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| Died: April 16, 2024 (aged 97) Anderson, Indiana, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| July 25, 1948, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 14, 1959, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 122–78 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.00 | ||
| Strikeouts | 981 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Carl Daniel Erskine (December 13, 1926 – April 16, 2024), nicknamed "Oisk", was a famous American baseball pitcher. He played his entire career for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 to 1959. Carl was a key player for the Dodgers. He helped them win five National League championships. He also helped them win the 1955 World Series, which was their first ever World Series title.
In 1953, Erskine won 20 games as a pitcher. He also set a World Series record with 14 strikeouts in one game. The next year, he was chosen as an All-Star. Carl Erskine pitched two no-hitters during the 1950s. After his baseball career, he became a business leader and an author. He was very involved with the Special Olympics. He also supported charities that helped people with developmental difficulties. This was inspired by his son, Jimmy, who was born with Down Syndrome. Carl Erskine passed away in 2024. He was the last living member of the famous "Boys of Summer" Brooklyn Dodgers teams from the 1950s.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Carl Erskine was born in Anderson, Indiana. He was the youngest of three sons. He went to Anderson High School. There, he was an amazing pitcher. His skills caught the eye of the Brooklyn Dodgers. After high school, he joined the United States Navy in 1945. He was stationed in Boston during his time in the Navy.
While in Boston, Erskine practiced with the Boston Braves. They were interested in signing him. But Carl wanted to play for the Dodgers. He waited for an offer from the Dodgers' general manager, Branch Rickey. Rickey offered him a $3,500 bonus to sign. This was a lot of money back then!
After leaving the Navy in 1946, Carl became a free agent. This happened because the Dodgers had broken a rule. They signed him while he was still in the military. Other teams like the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies wanted him. But Carl signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers again. He received another bonus of $5,000.
A Star Pitcher's Career
Carl Erskine started playing in Major League Baseball in 1948. For his first few years, he was mostly a relief pitcher. He had a great record of 21 wins and 10 losses. In 1951, he started 19 games and also pitched in relief 27 times. He finished that season with 16 wins and 12 losses.
In 1952, Carl had 14 wins and 6 losses. His earned run average (ERA) was a career best at 2.70. The next year, 1953, was his best season. He won 20 games! He also led the league with a .769 winning percentage. He had 187 strikeouts and completed 16 games. These were all career highs for him. He continued to pitch well in 1954, 1955, and 1956.
Carl Erskine was known for his amazing curveball. He pitched two no-hitters in his career. A no-hitter is when a pitcher plays a whole game without letting the other team get any hits. He threw one against the Chicago Cubs in 1952. His second no-hitter was against the New York Giants in 1956.
Carl was a key player on the beloved Dodgers team that won the 1955 World Series. This was the first World Series title for the Dodgers team. He played in eleven World Series games between 1949 and 1956. He was also chosen for the All-Star team in 1954.
In Game 3 of the 1953 World Series, Carl set a new record. He struck out 14 batters! This broke the old record of 13 strikeouts in a World Series game. His record stood for 10 years. From 1951 to 1956, Carl won 92 games and lost only 58. This helped the Dodgers win four league championships and a World Series.
The Dodgers team moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Carl played for them there for a season and a half. His last game was on June 14, 1959. In his twelve-year career, he had 122 wins and 78 losses. He also had 981 strikeouts. After he stopped playing, he became an assistant pitching coach. He was part of the team that won the World Series in 1959.
Life After Baseball
After retiring from playing, Carl Erskine went back to his home state of Indiana. In 1960, he worked as a color commentator for baseball games on TV. He coached the college baseball team at Anderson College for 12 seasons. His teams won four championships. In 1965, his team had a great record of 20 wins and 5 losses. They even made it to the NAIA World Series.
Carl also became a leader in his community. He was involved in many organizations and businesses. He even became the president of the Star Bank of Anderson, Indiana. He later became the vice chairman of the board. Carl was very dedicated to his son, Jimmy. Jimmy was born with Down syndrome. Carl and his family chose to stay in Anderson so Jimmy could live at home. Jimmy also had a job nearby at a center for people with developmental difficulties.
To honor Carl Erskine's achievements, a 6-foot bronze statue was built. It stands in front of the Carl D. Erskine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center. Carl also gave some of his land to the Anderson Community School System. They built a new school there, named Erskine Elementary. In 2002, a street in Brooklyn was named Erskine Street after him. In 2010, he received the Sachem Award. This is Indiana's highest honor for lifetime achievement.
Carl Erskine was also a member of the advisory board for the Baseball Assistance Team. This group helps former baseball players who are having financial or medical problems. He also started the Carl and Betty Erskine Society. This group raises money for the Special Olympics. Carl was involved with the Special Olympics for over 40 years.
In 2023, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum gave Carl Erskine a special award. It was called the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award. He received it for his charity work and his dedication to the Special Olympics.
Family Life
Carl Erskine married Betty Palmer on October 5, 1947. They had four children: Danny, Gary, Susan, and Jimmy. After Carl retired from baseball, the family lived in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana. Carl had planned to move his family to New York City for a job. But after Jimmy was born with Down syndrome, they decided to stay in Anderson.
Carl Erskine passed away on April 16, 2024, at the age of 97. He died at Anderson Community Hospital after getting pneumonia. Carl outlived his son, Jimmy, who passed away in 2023.
Carl Erskine was the last surviving member of the famous "Boys of Summer" Brooklyn Dodgers teams. After he passed away, the Dodgers president, Stan Kasten, shared a message. He said Carl Erskine was a great Dodger. He was a hero both on and off the field. Kasten said Carl's support for the Special Olympics, inspired by his son Jimmy, made his legacy even stronger.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
- List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise
