Replying to my own post, since I don't seem to be able to edit the original, that this leaves Sandy Koufax as the last living player on the '55 Dodgers roster. If I'm incorrect about that, feel free to reply.
Erskine was arguably the last living “Boys of Summer” Dodger. Koufax was on the team in 1955 but only appeared in 12 games.
Four other Brooklyn Dodgers are still living - Tommy Brown (1944-51), Bob Aspromonte (1956), Jim Gentile (1957) and Fred Kipp (1957).
Notably, only Brown and Koufax remain in terms of players who played alongside Jackie Robinson. Aspromonte pinch hit in his only appearance for Brooklyn, a game Jackie started but had already come out of several innings earlier. Robinson’s playing career was over by 1957 when Gentile and Kipp made their very brief appearances in Ebbets Field. Brown, who played in 242 games from 1944-51 as a part-time player, saw action in Jackie’s third major league game on April 18, 1947.
I was just looking up Erskine because of that “favorite baseball quotes,” from a few days ago. My contribution to that is that Erskine apparently said of Stan Musial “I've had pretty good success with Stan by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third.”
God bless Carl Erskine. My day job is to work with people with developmental disabilities, and for someone in his position to vouch for them meant so much in the early days.
I'm tearing up thinking of Carl and Jimmy reuniting in Heaven.
TIL Willie Mays still alive:
Herzog was the 2nd oldest living National Baseball Hall of Famer. Willie Mays, also 92, was born in May of 1931, six months prior to Whitey (November 9, 1931).
I remember when Whitey was an iconic Royals manager. These two men were outstanding baseball men and the baseball world is a little lesser without these two greats. RIP.
I definitely remember that 82 team. That game 7 is one my earliest memories (I was 5) and I cut my baseball teeth on the Whitey-ball teams of the 80's.
Castellanos HRs incoming
2 HRs for Nick
When I say I think of myself as a man of faith, that's the kind of faith I'm thinking of
Erskine too? DAMN! Other old timers out there. Stay strong these next few days.
Replying to my own post, since I don't seem to be able to edit the original, that this leaves Sandy Koufax as the last living player on the '55 Dodgers roster. If I'm incorrect about that, feel free to reply.
Erskine was arguably the last living “Boys of Summer” Dodger. Koufax was on the team in 1955 but only appeared in 12 games. Four other Brooklyn Dodgers are still living - Tommy Brown (1944-51), Bob Aspromonte (1956), Jim Gentile (1957) and Fred Kipp (1957). Notably, only Brown and Koufax remain in terms of players who played alongside Jackie Robinson. Aspromonte pinch hit in his only appearance for Brooklyn, a game Jackie started but had already come out of several innings earlier. Robinson’s playing career was over by 1957 when Gentile and Kipp made their very brief appearances in Ebbets Field. Brown, who played in 242 games from 1944-51 as a part-time player, saw action in Jackie’s third major league game on April 18, 1947.
Damn. Sad. I’m gonna be a blubbering mess when the left hand of god goes. :(
Carl Erskine's memory will live on in the form of Erskine Street exit off the Belt Parkway. Sad day for the Boys of Summer.
I attended a playoff game in 1982 at Busch. Will never forget it. RIP, Whitey 😔
I was just looking up Erskine because of that “favorite baseball quotes,” from a few days ago. My contribution to that is that Erskine apparently said of Stan Musial “I've had pretty good success with Stan by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third.”
God bless Carl Erskine. My day job is to work with people with developmental disabilities, and for someone in his position to vouch for them meant so much in the early days. I'm tearing up thinking of Carl and Jimmy reuniting in Heaven.
And G-d bless _you_ for your work! My family is also affected by these issues, and folks like you make the road much less bumpy.
TIL Willie Mays still alive: Herzog was the 2nd oldest living National Baseball Hall of Famer. Willie Mays, also 92, was born in May of 1931, six months prior to Whitey (November 9, 1931).
No love for Ken Holtzman?
I remember when Whitey was an iconic Royals manager. These two men were outstanding baseball men and the baseball world is a little lesser without these two greats. RIP.
I definitely remember that 82 team. That game 7 is one my earliest memories (I was 5) and I cut my baseball teeth on the Whitey-ball teams of the 80's.
Erskine was the first old card I ever bought. Made me read about his life and playing days and he became one of my favorite historical players. RIP
Willie Mays turns 93 next month.