Remembering Carl Erskine, Quite A Pitcher And Human Being

Though, sadly, it is far too often the case–obviously it is not ONLY the good that die young, the truly good Carl Erskine living full and with nice achievements until 97, before he died days back, the latest example.

He was quite a pitcher as well, authoring 2 no-hit games and famously fanning 14 in #3 of the ’53 World Series, breaking Howard Ehmke’s 24 year old record. (10 and 5 after, as Sandy Koufax broke Erskine’s mark with 15 in ’63 before Bob Gibson struck out 17 in ’68).

’53 was a 20 win season,’54 brought an All-Star Game selection (that game meant something even, “mucho” then), and a Brooklyn street is named for Carl Erskine.

He was awarded the Buck O’Neil Award Lifetime Achievement Award for his charitable work, most notably in supporting The Special Olympics.

Mr. Erskine and his surviving wife, Betty Palmer (classy, nice and attractive, as was game show great, Betsy Palmer) had 4 children, one, Jimmy, who died in his 60’s and achieved much, as the Erskines stayed in Anderson, Indiana, a location they felt was better for Jimmy, who was born with Down’s Syndrome.

On the “express line” to heaven (no baggage check or need to go through security), Carl Erskine, is pictured above.