RIP Carl Erskine, age 97

[Snapolit1]

Last of the Boys of Summer. Sad.

A great person.

[G1911]

That’s a shame. The Hall just gave him an award last year for his charity work. He wrote a book of anecdotes and one on Jackie that are fun baseball reads.

[z28jd]

He was the sixth oldest living player. Art Schallock turns 100 next week. He's the oldest

[raulus]

My only Erskine.

[aconte]

RIP!

[jingram058]

RIP....

He was a great guy.

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by raulus

My only Erskine.

Wow, Nicolo, that is a gorgeous card of Erskine! Having lived in the DC area my entire life and having seen lots of Briggs cards over the last 35+ years of collecting, I don't recall ever seeing a Briggs card this nice.

[jethrod3]

Many have commented on what a great man Carl Erskine was. I couldn't agree more. I had the great fortune to speak with this gentleman a few times, and we corresponded by email and snail mail. The 3 books he wrote are all great reads. Highly recommended for any Erskine or Brooklyn Dodgers fan. Those interested in Carl should consider watching the documentary "The Best We Got: The Carl Erskine Story." It does an excellent job of illustrating that not only was he a great ballplayer, but as a staunch advocate of civil and human rights and an advocate for those with special needs, he was an even greater human being. He will be missed.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by ValKehl

Wow, Nicolo, that is a gorgeous card of Erskine! Having lived in the DC area my entire life and having seen lots of Briggs cards over the last 35+ years of collecting, I don't recall ever seeing a Briggs card this nice.

Thanks! The Erskine, which I actually purchased raw, along with my Mays (also purchased raw), is what triggered me in pursuing the full set. The Erskine is also the highest graded card of any player in the entire set.

Just 4 more to go, and I'll have the complete set.

[Brian Van Horn]

Rip.

[RICHIEHARRIS]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Last of the Boys of Summer. Sad.

A great person.

Not exactly.
Sandy Koufax was there in 1955.
Still with us, thankfully.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by RICHIEHARRIS

Not exactly.
Sandy Koufax was there in 1955.
Still with us, thankfully.

Not really considered one of the Boys of Summer though. That was more about the key guys on the team.

Tommy Brown, who is still alive, was with the Dodgers from 1944 - 1951. He missed 1946 when he was finally old enough to be drafted! He was the youngest position player in history and the second youngest overall to Nuxhall. Seems like a forgotten figure.

Interesting note, since he had two years of major league service the Dodgers had to either hope he cleared waivers, or leave him on the major league roster. This was intended to protect veterans from losing their position through no fault of their own. The Dodgers liked his potential (still only 19 after the war!) but being an occasional player killed his development. He kicked around for a few years after he left the Dodgers but never really panned out. Whenever he was in the minors he hit quite well.

[Vintagedeputy]

RIP Oisk.

[doug.goodman]

Sad day...

[FrankWakefield]

Mr. Erskine was among the nicest baseball players I have ever met. A kind gentleman.

He spoke at the Pee Wee Reese chapter of SABR, Mr. Reese was there, along with Ed Stevens. Ed was the Dodgers' first baseman in 1946. Mr. Rickey asked Ed about playing in Montreal in1947, because Jackie Robinson was going to be with Brooklyn in 1947. Ed knew that. But Ed thought that Jackie would be at 2nd base... Mr. Rickey explained that for the first year, Jackie would be at first, so as to avoid potential problems with collisions during double plays, force plays, and stolen bases. Mr. Rickey promised Ed he'd be back in Brooklyn at first base in 1948. Ed played in Montreal, and at the end of the season Rickey sold him and another player to the Pirates. That day, talking about that, everyone paying attention could tell that Ed remained disappointed in that.

Mr. Erskine's book Tales from the Dodgers Dugout was a fun read for me. Well written, and well remembered.

Erskine, Reese, and Stevens... they were ballplayers, kind gentlemen, and ballplayers.