(GoRealNewsNow.com) – A renowned Dodgers pitcher and the last surviving member of the 1950s “Boys of Summer” team, Carl Erskine, has passed away at the age of 97.
The hospital’s Marketing and Communication Manager Michele Hockwalt confirmed that Erskine died at Community Hospital Anderson in Anderson, Indiana.
Hall of Fame Chair Jane Forbes Clark honored Erskine and recognized him as a baseball hero whom millions of fans admired.
From 1948 to 1959, Erskine dedicated his entire career to the Dodgers, spanning their move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1957. He also contributed to the team’s success, which secured five National League pennants, including the 1955 World Series victory.
Despite the Dodgers’ dominance, they only clinched one World Series title during Erskine’s tenure. In 1954, the Boys of Summer member earned an All-Star nod.
Likewise, throughout his career, he maintained a 4.00 ERA, a 122-78 record, and 981 strikeouts.
His standout performance in 1953, winning 20 games and triumphing over the New York Yankees in the World Series Game 3 with a record-breaking 14 strikeouts, remains memorable. This record held until Sandy Koufax surpassed it in 1963 with 15 strikeouts in a single World Series game.
The late player received the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award in July 2023 for his contributions to the game’s positive impact on society.
Additionally, his son Jimmy, who was born with Down syndrome, inspired him to support the Special Olympics actively.
Furthermore, Erskine established The Carl and Betty Erskine Society, which continues to raise funds for the Special Olympics and embodies his belief in individuals’ boundless potential.
Drafted into the Navy during World War II, he transitioned to the Dodgers’ starting rotation after being discharged and scouted. He joined the iconic “Boys of Summer” alongside Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, and Jackie Robinson, breaking barriers and dominating the National League.
After retiring from baseball, Erskine returned to Anderson, where he owned an insurance business and coached Anderson College’s baseball team, which led them to victory in the 1965 NAIA World Series.
Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten exemplified Erskine as great Dodger and praised his prowess on and off the field.
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