Carl Erskine's Tales from the Dodgers Dugout: Extra Innings

by Carl Erskine, Vin Scully (Foreword)

To the baseball fans of today, the name 'Dodgers' is synonymous with Hollywood, the warm California sun, and names like Tommy Lasorda, Kirk Gibson, Steve Garvey, and Orel Hershiser. The Dodgers mean much more than that to the fans of baseball history, however. Namely, these fans remember the famed "Boys of Summer," otherwise known as the Brooklyn Dodgers, a team that included some of the most storied players in baseball history. The group included Hall of Famers Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese, and Jackie Robinson. Although they eventually moved out West, the Brooklyn Dodgers provided some of the greatest moments the game has ever seen and some of the greatest personalities to ever take the field. Carl Erskine, another member of that legendary team, relates memories about his days with the Dodgers in a book full of true stories and revealing anecdotes. The result is Carl Erskine's Tales from the Dodger Extra Innings, a delightfully interesting trip through the world of baseball in the 1950s that includes several new stories and photos added for this edition. Among Erskine’s many tales are his dealings with immortal team official Branch Rickey, his view from the Dodgers' bench during Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, and his first-hand experiences when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier and became the first black player in Major League Baseball history. During his frequent speaking engagements, people often ask Erskine if all of his stories are true. His standard response has been, "Yes, I couldn't possibly make them up the way they actually happened." Now fans can read all of those great true stories in Carl Erskine's Tales from the Dodger Extra Innings.

Genres: Baseball, Sports, History

200 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2000

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carl Erskine's recollection of Dodger stories from Brooklyn and Los Angeles came out in 2004. As I
write this in 2020, Erskine turns 93 and it was one of a dwindling number of people who played for
the Dodgers in Brooklyn. Makes the book painfully nostalgic.

Like his teammate Gil Hodges who was also from Indiana Erskine played with the Dodgers after World
War 2 service. Used mostly in relief at first, Erskine's best years were with the 52-53 Dodgers which
won the National League pennants but lost to the Yankees in the World Series. Gil Hodges is someone he speaks affectionately of. Erskine was the pitcher of record when Hodges joined that elite
group of players who hit 4 homeruns in a single game against the Boston Braves.

Jackie Robinson is also remembered fondly, but Erskine dwells on his religion and the fact which is
clear in books on Jackie Robinson that his and Rachel Isum's marriage was one of the great 20th
century love stories. Similarly with Branch Rickey, it's the religious aspect of his character and the
fact that Rickey helped found the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of which Erskine was a charter
member. You'll get a different picture of Rickey reading the memoirs of Leo Durocher and Ralph
Kiner.

Erskine is also maybe the first person I know who had a kind word for Walter O'Malley who moved
the Dodgers to Los Angeles. O'Malley's personal life is paramount as Erskine talks about is tender
regard from O'Malley for a wife who had a debilitating illness. Left out of course is the power
struggle where O'Malley forced Rickey from the Dodger presidency.

As for his personal life, Erskine had a happy marriage with four children, the youngest a son with
Down's Syndrome. The tenderest moments are stories of Jimmy Erskine and his and his Dad's
participation in the Special Olympics.

Baseball fans especially from the Borough of homes and churches will like Carl Erskine's warm and
nostalgic book.

[Kurt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any Dodger fan interested in the team’s history. A should read for anyone who loves baseball. And an ought to read for any one who just loves good stories. Mostly bite sized, entertaining anecdotes from Carl Erskine’s tenure with Dem Bums the Brooklyn Dodgers, the batting average for entertainment is quite high. I give it an extra star as a Dodger fan but they really are well edited entertaining stories.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been and Dodger baseball fan since the days in Brooklyn, I was familiar with the Dodger players of old in this book. What I found interesting was other players on other teams and names I had not heard in many a year.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book needed a better editor -- the presentation is a little sloppy. But it contains some good little stories and I was glad to learn about an old-time player I didn't know much about. Erskine was a very good human being. May he rest in peace.

[Joey Randazzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars.. really enjoyable read. Liked the short story format and the variety he covered but wanted more detail on the way he pitched.

[Mark Keal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told stories from the classic baseball era.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book of short stories during baseball season was a good call!

I heard this Hoosier baseball player / author speak at Franklin College in 2004.

[Cameron Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandfather gifted me this one year. Absolutely ridiculous collection of stories from one of baseball’s all timers. Quick read, but a really enjoyable collection of stories.