A Special Bond Between Anderson, Ind. Natives
Toronto Blue Jays slugger talks about his special relationship with former Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher
Photo Courtesy of Joseph O'Rourke
By: Steven Ward
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April 24, 2012
As a young kid growing up in Anderson, Ind., Carl Erskine was the role model you looked up to.
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind was one of those kids.
“He is someone that would come to all the schools,” Lind said. “I think every little kid in Anderson has his autograph, baseball card or signed baseball. He is a good role model for everyone to look up to in my hometown.”
Erskine was a starting pitcher for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948-1959. During his tenure, he won 122 games and played with the likes of Major League Baseball Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.
Lind’s success at the major league level has also made him a role model for the city of Anderson, making his relationship with Erskine unique.
“We have a special bond because I’ve played in the big leagues and he played in the big leagues and had a nice, long career,” Lind said. “It’s a bond only me and him have from my hometown.”
Erskine’s ‘bond’ is so strong with Lind that he decided to hang some of Lind’s memorabilia up at the rehabilitation center that bears his name in February of 2010.
“Even though he’s a hitter, I felt like the fact he’s an Anderson product; it was very appropriate to have some place to hang his memorabilia,” Erskine said. “The rehab center is a good place because there’s a lot of folks that come and go there that could see some of that memorabilia.”
Kathy Lind, Lind’s mother, said she was surprised by the honor.
“I didn’t realize it was going to happen,” Kathy Lind said. “St. John’s Hospital called and said Carl wanted Adam to have a wall in his rehab center. It was such an honor because Erskine is so respected here in [Anderson].”
Since he received the honor, Adam Lind tries to stay in touch with Erskine.
“A lot of it is through my dad,” Adam Lind said. “He came to Cincinnati last year and watched me play. I think it was the first time he’d been to a game in a long time. Whenever I see him, we always have good conversations.”
Erskine said the main thing he tries to do when he gets a chance to talk to Lind is raise his spirits.
“When I see Adam, I want to know how his attitude is, how he feels and what kind of pitches they are getting him out on,” Erskine said. “I don’t ever try to give Adam any advice, just encourage him. He doesn’t need advice. His coaches know how to do that. What he needs is to have a good positive attitude and not get down on himself.”
Only time will tell what the future holds for Lind’s professional baseball career, but one thing is for sure—he will always have a special relationship with Erskine.
“There’s been a lot of guys try, and have gone part way, but there’s so many things that can wash out a top talent,” Erskine said. “Adam and I have a bond because we are privileged to have played in the major leagues.”
[email protected]
April 24, 2012
As a young kid growing up in Anderson, Ind., Carl Erskine was the role model you looked up to.
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind was one of those kids.
“He is someone that would come to all the schools,” Lind said. “I think every little kid in Anderson has his autograph, baseball card or signed baseball. He is a good role model for everyone to look up to in my hometown.”
Erskine was a starting pitcher for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948-1959. During his tenure, he won 122 games and played with the likes of Major League Baseball Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider.
Lind’s success at the major league level has also made him a role model for the city of Anderson, making his relationship with Erskine unique.
“We have a special bond because I’ve played in the big leagues and he played in the big leagues and had a nice, long career,” Lind said. “It’s a bond only me and him have from my hometown.”
Erskine’s ‘bond’ is so strong with Lind that he decided to hang some of Lind’s memorabilia up at the rehabilitation center that bears his name in February of 2010.
“Even though he’s a hitter, I felt like the fact he’s an Anderson product; it was very appropriate to have some place to hang his memorabilia,” Erskine said. “The rehab center is a good place because there’s a lot of folks that come and go there that could see some of that memorabilia.”
Kathy Lind, Lind’s mother, said she was surprised by the honor.
“I didn’t realize it was going to happen,” Kathy Lind said. “St. John’s Hospital called and said Carl wanted Adam to have a wall in his rehab center. It was such an honor because Erskine is so respected here in [Anderson].”
Since he received the honor, Adam Lind tries to stay in touch with Erskine.
“A lot of it is through my dad,” Adam Lind said. “He came to Cincinnati last year and watched me play. I think it was the first time he’d been to a game in a long time. Whenever I see him, we always have good conversations.”
Erskine said the main thing he tries to do when he gets a chance to talk to Lind is raise his spirits.
“When I see Adam, I want to know how his attitude is, how he feels and what kind of pitches they are getting him out on,” Erskine said. “I don’t ever try to give Adam any advice, just encourage him. He doesn’t need advice. His coaches know how to do that. What he needs is to have a good positive attitude and not get down on himself.”
Only time will tell what the future holds for Lind’s professional baseball career, but one thing is for sure—he will always have a special relationship with Erskine.
“There’s been a lot of guys try, and have gone part way, but there’s so many things that can wash out a top talent,” Erskine said. “Adam and I have a bond because we are privileged to have played in the major leagues.”
Spring Training Photos of Adam Lind
Adam Lind's Path to the Major Leagues
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