Roger Erickson – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Roger Erickson’s baseball career is the story of a promising young pitcher whose time in the majors ended too soon because of injuries and physical setbacks. This right-hander from Springfield, Illinois, spent six seasons in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1983, splitting his time between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees.

Erickson showed up as one of the top rookies in 1978, leading the Twins with 14 wins and 265 innings pitched. Arm troubles then derailed what looked like a really promising career. As a 21-year-old newcomer, he showed remarkable control and poise. Later, elbow and shoulder problems limited his effectiveness and eventually forced him into early retirement at just 27.

He went from college standout to major league starter, then through injury recovery and, finally, career-ending shoulder issues. His journey gives some insight into the challenges faced by young pitchers in pro baseball.

From his record-breaking rookie season to his last games in pinstripes, Erickson’s story covers the highs and lows of a brief but memorable big league career.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Roger Farrell Erickson grew up in Springfield, Illinois, born into a baseball-loving family with Norwegian and German roots. He went from high school standout to college pitcher at the University of New Orleans, which led to his selection by the Minnesota Twins in the 1977 amateur draft.

Birthplace and Family Background

Roger Farrell Erickson was born on August 30, 1956, in Springfield, Illinois. He was the fourth of five kids born to Charles and Norma (Schwarberg) Erickson, who raised three daughters and two sons.

Charles, his dad, was a World War II Navy veteran and worked as an industrial engineer. The family’s baseball connections definitely shaped Roger’s future.

Notable Family Baseball Connections:

• Charles went to high school with Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts
• Uncle Don Erickson played for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1958
• Older brother Bob spent two years as a minor league infielder with the Cardinals

“My brother was always my baseball idol,” Roger said about Bob’s influence. The family’s Norwegian and German roots shaped their Midwestern values and work ethic.

Roger’s childhood in Springfield gave him the perfect place to fall in love with baseball. “As a kid, my friends and I walked through the cemetery where [Abraham] Lincoln is buried on our way to Lincoln Park to play ball all day,” he remembered.

High School Achievements

At Lanphier High School, Erickson stood out as both a student and an athlete. He joined the National Honor Society and played multiple sports before focusing on baseball.

He ran cross country for three years and played basketball for two. But by his junior year, after a growth spurt, baseball took over.

“I started to grow junior year and throw harder, striking out 14 or 15 a game,” Erickson said. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound pitcher overpowered hitters with his new velocity.

When he wasn’t pitching, he played first base for his high school team. His senior year, he broke his non-pitching left arm in a collision while playing first base.

High School Career Highlights:

• Struck out 14-15 hitters per game as a junior and senior
• Played pitcher and first base
• Graduated in 1974 despite dealing with injuries

Even with his high school stats, no pro team drafted him. He considered local junior college options since his glove arm was still in a cast.

University of New Orleans Baseball Experience

After high school, Erickson planned to attend Springfield College, where his brother coached. But a chance meeting during summer baseball changed everything.

In summer 1975, he pitched for the Springfield Caps in the Central Illinois Collegiate League. John Schaive, a former Washington Senators infielder, saw his talent and thought he was too good for junior college.

Schaive called his friend Ron Maestri, coach at the University of New Orleans. Maestri offered Erickson a scholarship without even seeing him pitch, trusting Schaive’s word.

The New Orleans Privateers moved up to Division I in 1976. Erickson helped them have a winning season in their first year at the top level.

College Career Achievements:

• 1977: 8-2 record, second-team All-South honors
• Pitched 89 innings during his time at UNO
• Notable win: 1-0 victory over ninth-ranked Miami Hurricanes

“Our college coach wanted everyone to hustle, even pitchers,” Erickson said. “He liked a lot of enthusiasm, too.” Teammates once dared him to “do something goofy” during games, so he started talking to his pitching arm to boost his velocity.

Path to the 1977 Amateur Draft

Erickson’s strong 1977 college season got major league scouts’ attention. His 8-2 record and leadership during New Orleans’s NCAA tournament run made him a real draft prospect.

Several teams showed interest in him. Cardinals scout Jim Belz and Yankees scout Birdie Tebbetts both thought he could be a first-round pick.

The Minnesota Twins picked Erickson in the third round of the 1977 June amateur draft. John Schaive helped shape his pro debut during negotiations.

Schaive convinced Twins scout Ed Dunn to send Erickson straight to Double-A Orlando, arguing that his college experience made him ready for higher-level competition.

Draft Details:

• Selected by Minnesota Twins in third round
• Signing bonus: somewhere between $10,000-$20,000
• Skipped Single-A because of college experience
• Reported directly to Double-A Orlando

“I think it was like $10,000,” Erickson recalled about his bonus. “Something like that, 10 or 20.” The money wasn’t huge, but skipping developmental levels mattered more for his career.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season

Roger Erickson made his major league debut on April 6, 1978, at age 21 with the Minnesota Twins against the Seattle Mariners. He put together a rookie season that established him as one of the best first-year pitchers in baseball.

Major League Debut with Minnesota Twins

Erickson’s path to the majors was fast. The Twins picked him in the third round of the 1977 draft from the University of New Orleans.

He spent just one season in Double-A Orlando, posting a 1.98 ERA in the Southern League. He missed qualifying for the league ERA title by three innings.

Minnesota’s front office liked what they saw and gave him a spot on the 1978 Opening Day roster. Manager Gene Mauch at first didn’t want a rookie with so little pro experience.

Erickson’s “magical spring training” changed Mauch’s mind. The right-hander didn’t allow a run in his first seven exhibition outings and only walked three in 29 1/3 innings.

“I’ve never seen a kid that young with so little experience come into a camp and throw with such control,” said Mauch. “He has such a nice, easy motion, he looks like he could throw forever.”

Performance Against Seattle Mariners

Erickson’s major league debut came on April 6, 1978, at the Seattle Kingdome. He started against the Mariners, and the Twins won.

He pitched 6.1 innings, allowed 5 hits and 3 earned runs, struck out 4, and walked just 1 in the 5-4 victory.

He and 22-year-old catcher Butch Wynegar formed the majors’ youngest battery that day. This debut kicked off what would become a standout first season.

Five nights later, he threw a complete-game win in Anaheim. That early success proved his spring wasn’t just luck.

Rookie Year Highlights

Erickson’s 1978 rookie season made him one of baseball’s top first-year pitchers. He finished 14-13 with a 3.96 ERA over 265 2/3 innings.

He led the Twins in complete games (14), starts (37), and innings pitched. He broke Bert Blyleven’s club record for wins by a true rookie.

Key 1978 Statistics:

• Wins: 14
• Losses: 13
• ERA: 3.96
• Complete Games: 14
• Innings Pitched: 265 2/3

Erickson was great at controlling the running game. Opponents only succeeded 5 out of 20 times stealing against him.

He set a Minnesota record with 10 pickoffs, still the franchise’s highest for a right-handed pitcher as of 2020. The Twins doubled his major league minimum salary after his impressive debut.

Minnesota Twins Years (1978–1982)

Roger Erickson became a key member of the Minnesota Twins’ pitching staff during his five seasons with the team. His 1978 rookie year was the highlight, and later seasons brought both promise and injury problems that ended up shaping his time in Minnesota.

Role in the Pitching Staff

Erickson quickly earned a spot in the Twins’ starting rotation after joining the team in 1978. At just 21, he made his big league debut and became a regular starter in only his second pro season.

The Springfield, Illinois native was a reliable starter throughout his Minnesota years. He put up a 31-47 record and a 4.10 ERA in 106 starts as a Twin. He stayed in the rotation, providing innings and starts every year.

At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Erickson had a solid presence on the mound. He threw and batted right-handed, fitting into the team’s pitching plans. His time with the Minnesota Twins showed he could handle a starter’s workload in the American League.

Notable Games and Season Performances

Erickson’s 1978 rookie season was the peak of his Twins career. He won 14 games that year, the most he’d ever win in a season. That put him among the league leaders in innings pitched and starts.

His rookie year drew comparisons to other young pitching stars. That 1978 season stayed the highlight of his career and set the bar for what he could do.

During his Minnesota years, Erickson dealt with the usual challenges for a young pitcher learning the big leagues. His ERA and win-loss record reflected both his potential and the growing pains that come with developing at the top level. The Twins’ struggles as a team also affected his stats.

Team Dynamics and Challenges

Erickson pitched for the Twins during a tough stretch for the franchise. The team struggled, and that affected the win-loss records of its pitchers. Working with teammates like catcher Butch Wynegar, Erickson learned to handle the ups and downs of major league baseball.

People sometimes wondered if his injuries were just bad luck or if the team’s handling of young pitchers played a part. Some thought the Twins’ approach may have shortened the careers of several pitching prospects during that time.

The Twins traded Erickson to the New York Yankees in May 1982, ending a significant chapter in his career. After four and a half seasons, he left Minnesota as a recognizable member of the pitching staff.

Trade to the New York Yankees and Later MLB Career

Roger Erickson’s career took a big turn in 1982 when the Minnesota Twins traded him to the New York Yankees. With the Yankees, he switched roles from starter to reliever, and he experienced both some success and more challenges. He retired in 1983 at age 26.

Trade Details and Transition

The Minnesota Twins traded Roger Erickson to the New York Yankees during the 1982 season. Erickson later called the Yankees the “Zoo,” a nod to the chaotic atmosphere that surrounded the Yankees organization in the George Steinbrenner era.

Erickson faced challenges right away after arriving in New York. The Yankees started him in the rotation, just like Minnesota did.

Soon after, the organization shifted him to the bullpen, asking him to set up for closer Rich “Goose” Gossage. That change threw him off a bit.

At first, Erickson adjusted pretty well to his new relief role. In his first setup appearance, he performed effectively and even picked up a save when Gossage needed a breather.

This versatility showed that Erickson could handle different pitching situations, which isn’t something every starter manages.

Role with the Yankees

The Yankees kept experimenting with Erickson in different roles during his time in New York. After he did well as a setup man, they moved him back to the starting rotation.

All this switching around made it tough for him to settle into a routine or prepare the way he liked. That’s got to be frustrating for any pitcher.

When Erickson returned to the rotation, he responded with four straight wins as a starter. He really showed he could still deliver in his preferred role.

Yankees manager Billy Martin noticed and became a big supporter. Martin’s faith in Erickson came through in the way he treated him.

One night, Martin introduced Erickson to Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford at a pub. He told the Yankees legends that Erickson “could have played with them in their era.”

That kind of endorsement from Martin highlighted the respect Erickson earned, even with all the chaos around him.

Performance Highlights in New York

Erickson’s best stretch with the Yankees came during his four-game winning streak as a starter. He proved he could compete at a high level, even while dealing with all the organizational drama.

People started to take notice—management, fans, and probably a few skeptics too.

But the Yankees coaches started tinkering with his pitching delivery. Those adjustments ended up hurting his shoulder.

That injury pretty much ended his major league career. He just couldn’t get back to the form he once had.

The shoulder problems that cropped up in New York kept Erickson from playing past 1983. Even with Billy Martin trying to help him navigate the tough relationship with George Steinbrenner, the physical damage was done.

His promising career ended too soon, thanks to those mechanical changes the Yankees staff pushed on him.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1983

Roger Erickson’s 1983 season turned out to be his last in Major League Baseball. He spent most of the year working in middle relief for the Yankees, still struggling with shoulder problems that had already derailed his 1982 campaign.

Return from Injury

Erickson came into the 1983 season with a sore right shoulder that put him on the disabled list in August 1982. That injury had cut short what was shaping up to be his best season since his rookie year.

The Yankees expected big things from him in 1983. He’d shown good control and consistency after coming over from Minnesota in May 1982.

Team officials hoped he’d finally reach his full potential if he could just stay healthy. The 1983 Yankees yearbook even predicted it would be “his most successful of his major league career.”

But Erickson’s shoulder troubles stuck around. He never quite found the form that made him such a promising rookie back in 1978.

Middle Relief Appearances

In 1983, Erickson mainly pitched as a middle reliever for the Yankees. That was a big shift from his earlier days as a starter with the Twins.

Most of his outings came in lower-pressure spots. The Yankees used him to cover innings between the starter and closer.

His control issues got worse during this final season. He struggled to command his pitches, which led to some rough outings.

Getting consistent work proved tough. The shoulder problems limited what he could do and made it hard for the team to rely on him.

Final Major League Game

Erickson pitched his last big league game on September 26, 1983, facing the Cleveland Indians. That appearance closed the book on his six-year MLB career.

In that game, he went 2.2 innings, gave up three hits, walked three, and allowed four earned runs. He didn’t strike out anyone.

That outing against Cleveland kind of summed up his struggles that year—control issues and not much effectiveness.

At just 27, Erickson’s major league run ended. He played his final MLB game, though he stuck around in the minors until 1989.

The Yankees released him after the 1983 season wrapped up. Injuries and inconsistency had derailed his dream of making it as a successful big league pitcher.

Post-MLB Career and Life After Baseball

After Roger Erickson’s major league career ended in 1983, he kept playing professional baseball for several more years. Eventually, he moved into coaching and baseball instruction.

He spent time in the minor leagues and even played internationally in Mexico before opening his own baseball academy.

Time in the Minor Leagues

After leaving the Yankees in 1983, Erickson tried to revive his career in the minors. He worked hard to overcome the shoulder issues that had ended his major league days.

His time in the minors was a determined push to get back to the big leagues. Even though he’d once thrown 266 innings as a rookie starter, the shoulder injuries didn’t let up.

Going from the majors to the minors wasn’t easy. He had tasted the highest level of the game and now had to grind his way back through the farm system.

Playing in the Mexican League

Erickson kept his career alive by heading to the Mexican League, a place where a lot of former big leaguers went to keep playing. That international stint let him stay in competitive baseball, even as he dealt with physical limitations.

The Mexican League gave players like Erickson a shot to keep competing. The level of play stayed high, but the physical grind was sometimes a bit lighter.

His time in Mexico showed his commitment to baseball and his reluctance to call it quits. He just wasn’t ready to walk away from the game.

Later Involvement in Baseball

After hanging up his cleats, Erickson jumped into teaching and coaching. In November 2014, he opened the Erickson Baseball School in Clarkesville, Georgia, focusing on major league pitching and hitting instruction for young players.

The baseball school was a second dream come true for him. He dedicated himself to passing his major league experience to the next generation.

He built his teaching style on lessons from his pro days, including time with managers like Gene Mauch and Billy Martin. Erickson stressed the fundamentals that helped him succeed as a rookie in 1978.

The school website became a way for old fans and players to reach out. Erickson stayed connected to the baseball community, sharing stories from his career through interviews and public appearances.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Roger Erickson pitched in the majors for six years, finishing with a 35-53 record and a 4.13 earned run average over 799.1 innings. His best season came in 1980, when he performed well despite the win-loss numbers—his durability and ability to go deep into games defined his style.

Overall MLB Performance Review

Erickson’s career stats show both promise and inconsistency from 1978 to 1983 with the Twins and Yankees. He racked up 35 wins and 53 losses with a 4.13 ERA in 135 games.

His rookie year in 1978 stands out as his best. Erickson went 14-13 with a 3.96 ERA in 37 starts. He threw 265.2 innings and completed 14 games, which is pretty remarkable for a 21-year-old.

In 1980, he pitched his best ball, even though he finished just 7-13. His 3.25 ERA ranked among the AL’s better marks that year. He logged 191.1 innings with seven complete games and struck out 97.

Erickson totaled 365 strikeouts and 24 complete games in his career. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.45 suggests he had decent control, though nothing special by today’s standards.

Pitching Style and Strengths

Erickson pitched right-handed and relied on durability and eating innings rather than overpowering stuff. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, he had the lean frame of a classic workhorse starter.

His complete game totals show his stamina and ability to pitch deep into games. Fourteen complete games as a rookie and seven in 1980 really highlight that.

Strikeouts weren’t really his thing—he averaged about 4.1 per nine innings. He pitched to contact and leaned on his defense instead of blowing hitters away.

His best years came when he kept his ERA under 4.00, like in 1978 and 1980. Control issues did pop up at times, especially during his struggles in 1979 when he posted a 5.63 ERA.

Impact on Teams and Legacy

Erickson spent most of his career with the Minnesota Twins. Over five seasons, he appeared in 114 games.

He put up a 31-47 record with Minnesota. Honestly, that says more about the team’s struggles back then than about his own pitching.

In 1982 and 1983, he had a short run with the New York Yankees. Erickson managed a 4-6 record and picked up a save while working out of the bullpen.

He finished his career with a WAR of 8.1, showing he gave teams above-replacement value even if his win-loss record didn’t look great. In 1980 alone, he put up 4.0 WAR, so he clearly had the ability when he stayed healthy.

Most people remember Erickson for his rookie year and that strong 1980 season. Those years really showed what he could do, especially when he actually got some run support.

He tossed 799.1 career innings, which feels like a real achievement considering how many innings pitchers handled in the late ’70s and early ’80s.