Athletes - Carl Erskine

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	Athletes - Carl Erskine

Carl Daniel Erskine (born December 13, 1926 in Anderson, Indiana) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 through 1959. He batted and threw right handed.

In a 12-season career, Erskine posted a 122-78 record with 981 strikeouts and a 4.00 ERA in 1718.2 innings pitched.

Known as "Oisk", owing to the Brooklynese diction of the borough, Erskine signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, and after two minor league seasons, he made the big team on July 25, 1948. Erskine was part of a powerful squad that include Roy Campanella, Carl Furillo, Gil Hodges, Andy Pafko, Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.

Erskine, author of two no hit, no run games –Chicago Cubs in 1952, New York Giants in 1956–, led the National League with 20 victories in 1953, was a member of the 1955 World Series champion Dodgers, appeared in eleven World Series games, and made the NL All-Star team in 1954. His 14 strikeouts as the winner of Game Three of the 1953 WS set a Series record that stood for 10 years until Sandy Koufax struck out 15 New York Yankees in the first game of the 1963 World Series.

From 1951 through 1956, Erskine won 92 games while losing only 58, which helped the Dodgers to four pennants during the Boys of Summer era.

Erskine broke in the majors a year before Don Newcombe did, and from 1948-50 was used primarily as a reliever, going 21-10. In 1951, he started and relieved, and went 16-12. For the following five seasons, he was right at the heart of Brooklyn's rotation, specially for his work in 1952-53, particularly crucial for the NL pennant winners Dodgers with Newcombe serving in the army from 1952 until mid-1954. Erskine was 14-6 in 1952, then had his 20 win season in 1953, with 187 strikeouts and 16 complete games, all career highs. This was followed by 18-15 in 1954, posting career highs in starts (37) and innings (260.1), 11-8 in 1955, and 13-11 in 1956.

Then in 1957, like so many of his Dodgers teammates, Erskine began his final decline. He moved to Los Angeles with the team, but lasted only a season and a half. Nevertheless, his decline actually started during his rookie year when he injured his shoulder. So serious was the injury that he was unable to throw between starts, and by 1957, when he was only 31 of age, Erskine was on his way out. He played his final game on July 14, 1959.

Following his retirement as a player, Erskine returned back to his native Indiana. His strong leadership capabilities that have made him a successful businessman were also apparent during his playing days as he served a Dodgers Player Representative for eight years. He also coached Anderson College for 12 seasons, including four championships. He has gone on to be a leader in the community, participating in numerous organizations and businesses. Erskine rose to the presidency of the First National Bank of Anderson, Indiana, before easing back to the role of vice chairman of the board. Erskine is devoted to his son, Jimmy, who suffered from Down syndrome, lives at home and holds 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 bronze statue was erected in front of the Carl D. Erskine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center. Also Erskine donated part of his land to Anderson Community School System to build a new school the school was named Erskine Elementary.

Quotation

The line-up went like this....Catcher: Roy Campanella; first base: Gil Hodges; second base: Jackie Robinson; third base, Billy Cox; shortstop, Pee Wee Reese; outfield, Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Andy Pafko, George Shuba; pitchers, Clem Labine, Carl Erskine, Preacher Roe. In the 10 years from 1947 through 1956, the Dodgers won the pennant six times. Campanella, Robinson, Reese and Snider--half that starting line-up of position players--are in the Hall of Fame . - excerpt of the book Boys of Summer, by Roger Kahn

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Athletes - Carl Erskine

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