SEYMOUR — Local moviegoers and sports fans will have a unique opportunity to experience a piece of Indiana and baseball history on the big screen later this month.
A free community showing of the award-winning documentary The Best We’ve Got: The Carl Erskine Story is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, at 7 p.m. at Showplace Cinema, located at 357 Tanger Blvd. in Seymour.
Adding to the evening’s special programming, acclaimed Indianapolis filmmaker Ted Green will be in attendance to introduce the film and lead a live audience question-and-answer session immediately following the conclusion of the movie.
A Legacy of Sport and Service
The 90-minute documentary, co-produced by Ted Green Films and the Indiana Historical Society, takes an intimate look inside the extraordinary life of Anderson, Indiana native Carl Erskine.
Baseball fans remember Erskine as a legendary pitching staple for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1948 to 1959. He played in five World Series, pitched two no-hitters, and famously set a World Series single-game record by striking out 14 New York Yankees in 1953.
However, the film explores far beyond his athletic accomplishments, tracing his profound impact on two of the major human rights movements of the past century:
- Racial Integration: As a teammate and close personal friend of Jackie Robinson, Erskine helped break down racial barriers in Major League Baseball during a tumultuous era.
- Special Needs Advocacy: Inspired by their son Jimmy, who was born with Down syndrome, Carl and his wife, Betty, became fierce pioneers for disability inclusion. They helped build grassroots programs and advocated for state legislation that shifted the paradigm away from institutionalization and toward full societal integration. Their efforts heavily shaped the Special Olympics movement across the state of Indiana.
Behind the Film
The title of the documentary is borrowed from a quote by former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, who once presented the pitcher with the Sachem Award—the state’s highest honor. When asked what truly defines a “Hoosier,” Daniels nodded toward Erskine and told the crowd, “He’s the best we’ve got.”
The documentary features rare archival footage alongside commentary from iconic sports and cultural voices, including Hall of Fame broadcasters Vin Scully and Bob Costas, as well as Timothy Shriver, Chair of the Board for Special Olympics International.
Because seating is limited, attendees are encouraged to arrive early at Showplace Cinema to secure a spot for this free event.
