The story of Carl Erskine, the man legendary broadcaster Vin Scully said is “living a perfect game,” is coming to the big screen in Plymouth, with a showing of “The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story.” Erskine has been a pivotal figure in Special Olympics Indiana’s history, and the organization has partnered with Ted Green Films to spread Erskine’s messages of friendship, inclusion, servant leadership, and respect.
The movie screening will be held on June 4 at The Rees Theatre. Doors will open at 1:30 pm with the show to follow at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available prior to the event only, while supplies last. Please contact Special Olympics Marshall-Starke at 574-935-0513 or see a Special Olympics athlete for ticket purchase. This screening event is sponsored by Schumacher Family Medicine.
Created and produced by award-winning Indiana filmmaker Ted Green, “The Best We’ve Got” takes a deep dive into Erskine’s life, starting with his upbringing in Anderson and highlighting his legendary Major League Baseball career. A pitcher for the 1955 World Series champion Brooklyn Dodgers — the team author Roger Kahn famously called “the Boys of Summer” — Erskine was a teammate and friend of Jackie Robinson, the first Black player in a sport that was segregated for more than 50 years.
The film also features Erskine’s role as a father to a son with Down syndrome. Special Olympics was just a fledgling organization when Jimmy Erskine was growing up in the 1960s and 70s. At the urging of founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Carl Erskine used his star power to raise awareness for the movement that would go on to create countless opportunities for Jimmy and others with intellectual disabilities.
The documentary focuses on important themes from Erskine’s life, like friendship, inclusion, servant leadership and respect. Since its August debut in Erskine’s hometown of Anderson, “The Best We’ve Got” has earned multiple recognitions, including the Heartland International Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award.
During the making of the film, Green dedicated months to compiling research as well as gathering historical footage and images, including many from the Erskines’ home albums. Additionally, many well-known and respected sports and community figures were involved in the project. “The Best We’ve Got” is narrated by Charley Steiner, longtime radio voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The film also features powerful interviews from former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, legendary sportscaster Bob Costas *, and the late Vin Scully, who spent 67 seasons calling games for the Dodgers.
More information and a trailer for “The Best We’ve Got,” along with the rest of Green’s filmography, is available through the Carl Erskine film website.
In addition to the film, Special Olympics Indiana has partnered with Green for the Erskine Personal Impact Curriculum sponsored by Duke Energy. Released at the start of the 2022-23 school year in conjunction with the film, EPIC is a set of age-appropriate educational materials designed by Orbis Education for elementary, middle, and high school students. To date, more than 70,000 books have been distributed to 300 schools across Indiana, including Indianapolis Public Schools. More information about EPIC is available through Special Olympics Indiana’s website.
