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Carl Erskine
1926 - 2024
Carl Erskine
1926 - 2024
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1926
DIED
2024
Carl Erskine Obituary
Carl Erskine was an All-Star pitcher and the last of the "Boys of Summer" Dodgers teams of the 1940s and 1950s, who hurled two no-hitters with the team during their most illustrious era.
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(Photo: Bettmann/Getty Images)
26 Entries
Dr. Jay McCurry
January 4, 2025
Carl´s life was a powerful testament to his Christian faith and values. As a Major League Baseball star and a man of integrity, he consistently modeled humility, kindness, and service to others. His dedication to family, community, and his unwavering faith inspired countless people. He leaves behind a legacy not only as an accomplished athlete but also as a role model whose life reflected God´s love in action. I´m praying God´s peace and comfort over his entire family.
Dr. Jay McCurry, Tulsa, Oklahoma
ACSI
Kat Rich
October 23, 2024
Mr. Erskine spoke at the National American Legion Auxiliary Membership Rally in 2002. His inspirational life was a beacon to many. Here Mr. Erskine posed with the National Membership Chairman and co-chair. We had a lot of fun and wonderful memories of his wit, wisdom, and inspirational dedication to his family and formerteam members. May his memory bring comfort .
Phillip Owens
June 30, 2024
Hello,
I just wanted to extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Carl Erskine. I have known and gone to school with Susan Erskine, but I do not know if she remembers me but I remember her well. Her parents attended the funerals of both of my parents and I was very grateful for that. Her parents were always busy assisting with local and other charities and my parents, Virgil "Benny" and Geraldine Owens worked with them on several of them. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Erskine for all of your services to our community and R.I.P. Mr. Erskine.
Sincerely, Phillip G. Owens
May 15, 2024
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I wouldn't be where I am today without the influence of Carl. I have cerebral palsy and went to Hopewell, played Erskine little league on the challengers division. Got my job through Hopewell's job coach. As soon as he passed, I went and bought a brooklyn dodgers hat to honor him keep his memories alive! I have his obituary in my Bible and the newspaper that's dedicated to him framed up above my desk!
faithtobin/brad j.herscot
April 24, 2024
Dear Erskine Family Brad and I extend our condolences's to the family.best faith/brad may he rest in peace best faith/brad
Patrick K. Rocchio
April 20, 2024
Patrick K. Rocchio
April 20, 2024
Patrick K. Rocchio
April 20, 2024
Patrick K. Rocchio
April 20, 2024
It is likely that all young boys have a hero. I was no exception to that near universal rule. During the 1950s in Kokomo my uncontested hero was a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers named Carl Erskine.
About age six, in 1953, I was informed by my Mom that Carl was a distant cousin of my uncle, Jim Gerhart. He was married to my Mom´s sister, Ruth, and they also lived in Kokomo. Uncle Jim was a very kind and thoughtful man; he attended my baptism and he was honored to have been chosen to be my godfather. Uncle Jim never forgot to recognize with fondness every milestone in my life by sending a greeting card or speaking with me on the telephone.
During the mid-1950s, Carl Erskine was enjoying his best years as a star major league pitcher. He had been born and raised in nearby Anderson, Indiana, and returned each offseason to his hometown.
In early January, 1958, in advance of the team´s last year playing baseball in Brooklyn before its relocation to Los Angeles, a relative of my uncle Jim´s died and the wake at a local funeral home was scheduled for the decedent´s family members, both close and distant. Apparently, the deceased person also was related to Carl Erskine and it was known to my uncle Jim that my idol and hero would be in Kokomo and visit briefly the funeral home around noon on the scheduled day of the wake.
Uncle Jim requested my parents to allow him to take me with him during my lunch hour at school and go to the funeral home to see and to say hello to Carl Erskine. Of course, my parents agreed, and the day arrived when I rushed home, running the one block from the school to my house, to meet with my uncle Jim and drive to the funeral home for my viewing of Carl Erskine instead of the decedent.
As I opened and entered through the front door of my house on the east or Jay Street side of our corner home, I was startled to see not only my Mom and my Uncle Jim but also a man attired in a business suit. Yes, it was him --- Carl Erskine rising off the living room couch with his right arm extended to shake my hand!
This moment was the high point of my life to that day. Carl stayed at my house and ate lunch with me. He drank a glass of cold milk to encourage me to eat and to drink healthy foods and beverages. He graciously allowed me to wear his 1955 World Series championship ring on my finger as we sat together sharing a simple lunch at the table in the dining room of my house.
As the time neared for me to return to school following the break for lunch, Carl Erskine endorsed a photo and gave it to me as a memento of our meeting. On the reverse side of the photo he wrote: "To Patrick, Good Luck and Best Wishes, Your Friend, Carl Erskine."
Since that memorable day, I have kept carefully and securely the photo card given to me by Carl Erskine. He continued pitching for the Dodgers for a few more seasons until his retirement and his return to a life in Anderson. During his career, he pitched two no-hitters and claimed for many years the esteemed World Series strikeout record which he had compiled against the legendary New York Yankees.
Earlier this week Carl passed away and walked off the mound of life on earth for the last time. In the world of baseball, he is revered and praised for his humility, compassion, and respectful treatment of his loyal fans. Carl authored two books about the Dodgers, and he sent me copies for my children, autographed with the inscription that matches the exact words he wrote for me in January, 1957.
Carl Erskine was a perfect hero and idol for a young boy in the 1950s in America. I still sense an emotional reaction within my body every time I remember that day and the genuine kindness he displayed in my house on Jay Street. Missed but never to be forgotten.
(Reprinted and modified from the book "Keep The Hat On Your Head and Your Boots On The Pedals" by Patrick K. rocchio)
Marc Goldstein
April 19, 2024
I met Carl Erskine at my first of 20 Dodger Fantasy Camps at Vero Beach Florida in 1990. He immediately stood out to me among all the Dodger Greats at that Camp. He had a grace that made you feel like you were the most important person in the room when speaking to you.
On the field he taught me how to pitch and throw an overhand curve ball. I had never pitched before. Several Dodger Camps later I won the Koufax award for the best pitcher in Camp.
The times spent with Carl were among the best memories in my life. Hearing him speak of what Jackie Robinson had to go through to play for the Dodgers, and knowing the struggles he and Betty had raising Jimmy during times when it was common to institutionalize Downs children, only added to my admiration of this incredible man. A true gentleman and an inspiration to all that had the privilege to know him. He now joins his Dodger teammates in heaven.
Marc Goldstein
Vicki Clay
April 19, 2024
Carl Erskine took time out of his busy day in the late 80s to speak at a Pendleton Cub Scout Pack´s Blue and Gold Banquet for several years. He was a role model for the boys.
Matt Block
April 18, 2024
I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Erskine in person. But I sent one of his baseball cards and the book he wrote about Mr. Robinson to his home in Anderson and he signed and sent them back to me without asking anything in return. A genuinely kind man and a devoted husband and father. A great big league pitcher, but a greater human being. My best to Mrs. Erskine and his children in this difficult time.
- Matt Block
Richard "Rick" Masters
April 18, 2024
Rick Masters, Fort Scott, KS
My college baseball coach AND friend. I know of no one who ever said a negative word about him in newspapers or conversations, even among my '66-'67 Anderson Raven teammates behind the scenes. To me, he was much more than an excellent and beloved baseball coach, he was an excellent parent with his lifetime mate, Betty. And to all who ever knew him, the epitome of the phrase, "a prince of a man!"
Coach, I always wanted to be one of the players that got the privilege of riding to away games in your car. The Dodger stories from your playing days were so much fun to hear, especially from behind your one-of-a-kind smiles. The ones about Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese were tops!
Missing you already, Coach, but expect to see you soon where the grass is always green and we can even play together! How 'bout you pitch and I'll play shortstop? After you play the National Anthem on your harmonica, maybe we'll hear the angels shout, "PLAY BALL!"
James Gerhart
April 18, 2024
Carl was a relative of the Priestoff/Gerhart family of Kimono In. Carl would visit and attend the weddings and funerals of his extended family. We all knew him as a cousin and as a great and generous man. We all loved Carl. May he rest in the Angels embrace.
CA
April 18, 2024
A fine pitcher, and a noble man.
Elizabeth Bell
April 17, 2024
RIP Carl
Carson Loveless
April 17, 2024
Condolences to his family and friends
Ann Lin
April 17, 2024
Condolences to the family of Mr. Carl Erskine,
He spent his life giving to others - what an example he set for us all! He embraced and lived the words said by the foremost giver `There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.´
You, his loving family members, were there with him - he could not have done as much as he did without your support and love. All of us can do a little each day to give what we can to help another person's life a little happier as Mr. Erskine did. He followed the greatest model of them all.
Lou kartsonis
April 17, 2024
I met Carl Erskine at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp in Green Lake, WI in 1968 before my senior year in high school. I haven’t met anyone like him since. Polished, well-spoken, modest, endearing. The world could use a lot more men like Carl Erskine.
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