Roger Erickson

[William Malone]

Roger Farrell Erickson was born on August 30, 1956 in Springfield, Illinois. 

The Minnesota Twins selected him in round three of the 1977 MLB Draft. He ascended quickly through their minor league system, and made the Opening Day roster in 1978.

Erickson was the winning pitcher in his Major League debut, allowing three runs over 6.1 innings against the Seattle Mariners. His second start was even better, tossing a complete game while allowing just one run in a win over the California Angels. This was the first of 14 complete games Erickson would throw in 1978. His 265.2 innings pitched are also the most by a Twins rookie. Erickson finished the year 14-13 with a 3.96 ERA. The 14 wins are the second most by rookie in club history, trailing the 16 wins recorded by Jim Hughes in 1975.

He opened 1979 with nine innings of one run ball against the Oakland Athletics, but didn't get credit for a complete game with the Twins needing 12 innings to secure a victory. Things unraveled after that, and Erickson was placed on the disabled list with elbow pain after his ERA ballooned to 7.25 through 13 starts. He returned in August, and went 3-4 with a 4.18 ERA across 11 appearances over the final two months. Erickson was 3-10 with a 5.63 ERA over the season as a whole, making 21 starts and three relief appearances.

Things got back on track in 1980. Erickson posted a 3.25 ERA, which was eighth best in the American League. A lack of run support from his teammates put his record at just 7-13. He was 3-8 with a 3.84 ERA during the strike shortened 1981 season.

Minnesota opened the Metrodome in 1982, losing on Opening Day against the Mariners. Erickson took the ball for game two, and earned the Twins first win in their new home. He was traded to the New York Yankees, along with Butch Wynegar, on May 12th. This was part of an early season fire sale, with the Twins having already traded away Roy Smalley and Doug Corbett within the first few weeks of the season.

The Yankees were also making lots of changes, and went through three different pitching coaches in 1982. Erickson injured his shoulder that August, which he blamed on the stress of each pitching coach trying to alter his mechanics. The Yankees suspended him early in the 1983 season after he publicly criticized the club.

Frequently injured, Erickson didn't pitch in the Majors after 1983. He continued to play professionally until 1989, playing in various farm systems and international leagues. Erickson has managed a sporting goods store and worked at a winery in retirement. As of 2021, he lives in Helen, Georgia. Erickson has blamed in short career on the 1982 trade to New York, believing he "might've stayed in Minnesota for another 20 years."

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