Interview with Carl D. Erskine, May 25, 1978

Interview Summary

Carl Erskine, born in Anderson, Indiana, was a pitcher in Major League baseball. He pitched in 11 World Series games and coached the Anderson College (Indiana) baseball team to four championships. In this interview, he talks about his early interest in baseball, his being scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers, how he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and how this led to his becoming a free agent, Leo Durocher and other managers, Branch Rickey, and baseball and the early days of television. He discusses the creation of the player pension plan, player representation, unions, Commissioner Chandler's role in the pension plan, Leo Durocher's suspension by Chandler, Durocher's personality, Branch Rickey's signing of Jackie Robinson, Robinson's arguments with other players on the field, the differing philosophies of Robinson and Roy Campanella, hotel and travel accommodations for black players, the relationship, both positive and negative, that Jackie Robinson had with fans, and Happy Chandler as baseball commissioner.

Interview Keyword

air travel Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler and Ford Frick and negotiator Baseball Baseball Commissioner baseball during World War II Branch Rickey as a person Chandler Charlie Dressen Clyde Sukeforth general manager innovator Jack [Rector?] Jackie Robinson as a player Leo Durocher role of the owners in baseball signing by Branch Rickey the influence of television

Interview LC Subject

Baseball--United States Chandler, Happy, 1898-1991 Erskine, Carl Erskine, Carl--Interviews

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.