Carl Erskine Leaves a Legacy of Inclusion and Excellence

Carl Erskine, a former Major League Baseball pitcher and champion of Special Olympics Indiana, died Tuesday, April 16, 2024. He was 97.

Born in Anderson, Ind., Erskine played his entire career from 1948-59 with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, helping the franchise win five National League pennants and the 1955 World Series.

In 1953, Erskine won 20 games and set a then-world Series record with 14 strikeouts in a game. During the 1950s, he pitched two of the seven no-hitters in the National League.

As a teammate and friend of Jackie Robinson, Erskine witnessed how the perseverance of one person can change society. This lesson became part of Erskine’s life when his son, Jimmy, was born in 1960 with Down syndrome.

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Jimmy Erskine joined Special Olympics as an athlete in 1970, and Carl and his wife, Betty, stepped forward as volunteers to promote acceptance and inclusion for his son and others. He volunteered for more than four decades on behalf of the organization to enhance understanding and to invite people to actively support a good cause.

Betty and Carl Erskine. Photo by Shawn Knapp

To recognize Erskine’s legacy, Special Olympics Indiana named its planned giving society after the Erskines. The Carl and Betty Erskine Society helps Special Olympics Indiana expand its reach and promote its vision of a more inclusive world for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Carl Erskine was an unassuming trailblazer who fought for the equity and inclusion of others in every facet of his life,” said Carrie Leibering, Special Olympics Indiana Chair of the Board of Directors and a member of the Erskine Society. “He was a paragon of compassion, and he left this world better than he found it.”

In August 2022, Special Olympics Indiana and filmmaker Ted Green teamed up to share Erskine’s life story and the impact he had on the Special Olympics movement in a documentary titled, “The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story.”

Known as the “Last of the Boys of Summer,” Erskine received the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Hall presents the award every three years to an individual whose character, integrity and dignity contribute to a positive impact on society.

Jackie Robinson (left) and Carl Erskine (right)

Erskine also received the Sachem Award in 2010, the state of Indiana’s highest individual honor.

“There are not words that can properly describe Carl Erskine’s contribution to Special Olympics, here in Indiana and across the country,” Special Olympics Indiana President and CEO Jeff Mohler said. “While words are insufficient, watching our athletes compete – and succeed – is more than sufficient. Carl opened doors that were once closed. Carl changed hearts, minds and attitudes, not with shaming but with an uplifting of the human spirit. He made everyone around him better, including me. I miss my friend already.”

Erskine is survived by his wife, Betty, and three children, Danny, Gary and Susan. Visitation is 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at Madison Park Church of God in Anderson. Services are 1 p.m. Monday at the church. A private burial will take place in the Anderson Memorial Park.

His legacy lives on in his hometown, where a school and a street are named after him. It also lives on in the lives and achievements of the more than 19,000 Special Olympics Indiana athletes who celebrate Erskine through their participation and joy for sport.

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Carl Erskine’s life left an impact on countless individuals. Here is what some of them said about him today and through the years.

“Without Carl, Special Olympics Indiana wouldn’t be the amazing organization it is today. Let’s all try to live like Carl every day, including today.”

Kendra Franklin, Ripley-Ohio-Dearborn Athlete Leadership Council Chairperson, Indiana ALC Chair and Special Olympics Indiana board member

“While we mourn the passing of Hoosier and Brooklyn Dodger legend Carl Erskine, we celebrate the life of one of the finest men ever to grace this Earth. It was his actions, not his words, that taught those who knew him the simple lesson of acceptance of all people regardless of differences. His impact on racial equality, civility and Special Olympics, in particular Special Olympics Indiana, cannot be overstated. We can take solace knowing he is reunited in Heaven with his Dodger teammate Jackie Robinson, his Anderson boyhood friend Johnny Wilson and especially his beloved Special Olympics athlete and son, Jimmy. Former Governor Mitch Daniels provided the title of filmmaker Ted Green’s brilliant bio-documentary on Carl: “The Best We’ve Got.” Oh, so true.  Prayers to his dear wife, Betty, and family.”

Bill Benner, former Indy Star columnist, former Special Olympics Indiana board chair and current board member

“Millions of parents still today are starving for someone to look them in the eye and say, “Your child is great.” Not “special,” not “different,” not “limited,” not “challenged,” not “disabled.” Your child is beautiful. Carl made that possible for people.”

Tim Shriver, Special Olympics Chairman in 2022

“I know that anything that Carl Erskine would be associated with has to be a very fine thing.”

Jackie Robinson on promoting an inclusive youth baseball league with Erskine

“I tip my cap to Carl Erskine and say, ‘Here’s to you on a life well lived.’”

Bob Costas in a promotion for “The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story”

“He is living a perfect game.”

Legendary Dodgers radio broadcaster Vin Scully in 2022