Chris Proffitt/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - The state presented it's highest honor to a citizen today with it's annual Sachem Award for a person who has brought credit and honor to Indiana.
While Carl Erskine spent his baseball career as a right-handed starting pitcher with the Brooklyn and then L.A. Dodgers, Anderson was always home. His list of accomplishments during his years in the majors from 1948-53 are long. Five National League pennants, two no-hitters and the 1953 season, where he won 20 games and set a World Series record with 14 strikeouts.
"Tell me how many great athletes who've achieved this level of fame, about which you can say, they played for one team and lived in one town," said Notre Dame Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick.
When the state presented Erskine with its highest honor, it wasn't just for his accomplishments in baseball.
"Carl Erskine, you've reflected luster on all of us lesser Hoosiers for a long time and I'm glad we found this small way to honor you," said Governor Mitch Daniels.
With baseball legend and former teammate Tommy Lasorda in attendance with Erskine's wife of 63 years, the state honored the man a New York sportswriter once called "The Gentleman from Indiana."
"When you applaud, make the first one for Betty. I'll take a little of the second one, but the loudest and longest has gotta be for you, who were the mentors to guys like me and got more out of me than I ever dreamed that I could ever do," Erskine said.
At 83, Erskine remains revered in baseball, honored in his home state and, in a rare quality among legends, humbled.
From the Associated Press:
Former Dodgers pitching star Carl Erskine has been honored with the Indiana governor's highest honor for his work as a community leader in his hometown.
Gov. Mitch Daniels presented the Sachem Award to Erskine during a ceremony Tuesday at the Statehouse. Daniels praised the 83-year-old Erskine, saying his dedication to the Anderson community and his integrity in business make him an example for children to emulate.
Erskine was a pitcher for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1950s. He threw two no-hitters and pitched in five World Series during his career.
He returned to Anderson after leaving baseball, working in insurance and banking and helping lead numerous civic organizations.
(Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.)
