Today, July 22, 2023, Carl Erskine will receive the Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award. This award, named for the pioneering Negro leagues star, is given every three years for positive contributions to baseball’s impact on society. A few years ago I attended a presentation by retired baseball player, Carl Erskine. He said he probably had — “Smokey” had played on four National League teams — but couldn’t remember any specific batting story. The standard pitch at this point should’ve been a high, inside fast ball, but “Smokey” called for an off-speed pitch.

Source: New York Times July 22, 2023 13:33 UTC