Carl Erskine, longtime Dodgers pitcher dies at 97

Carl Erskine, a legendary pitcher known for his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the age of 97.

Erskine died at Community Hospital Anderson in his hometown of Anderson, Indiana, as confirmed by Michele Hockwalt, the hospital’s marketing and communication manager.

As one of the last remaining players from the iconic Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s, Erskine played a pivotal role in the franchise’s success, contributing to five National League pennants.

Throughout his illustrious career from 1948 to 1959, Erskine achieved a career record of 122-78 with an ERA of 4.00 and 981 strikeouts.

In 1953, Erskine enjoyed his standout season, winning 20 games and leading the National League. He notably struck out a then-record 14 batters in Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees, a feat that stood until Sandy Koufax surpassed it in 1963.

Despite his remarkable performance, the Dodgers ultimately fell to the Yankees in six games.

Erskine’s contributions to the Dodgers extended beyond his on-field achievements. He was recognized with the Buck O’Neil lifetime achievement award in July 2023 by the Baseball Hall of Fame’s board of directors for his positive impact on society.

Erskine’s legacy transcends baseball, as he authored two books, “Tales from the Dodger Dugout” and “What I Learned From Jackie Robinson.”

He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Betty, along with his sons Danny and Gary, and daughter Susan.