Erickson began his professional career after being selected in the major league draft four times. He was drafted by the New York Mets in 1986 out of Homestead High School; the Houston Astros in 1987 and Toronto Blue Jays in 1988 out of San Jose City College; and in he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the amateur draft out of the University of Arizona. He finally signed his first pro contract with MInnesota. After 27 minor league starts, Erickson rose to the major leagues in his second season of professional baseball with the Class AA Orlando Sun Rays. He was on a five-game win streak with a record of 8-3 in the first half as an All Star in the Southern League.
Erickson finished 1990 with a combined record of 16-7; going 5-0 in September and tying Dave Stewart for American LeaguePitcher of the Month. After posting a record of 12-2 with a 1.39 ERA in the first half of the 1991 season, including being awarded the American League Pitcher of the Month for May and June, Erickson was the first pitcher since 1954 to win 20 games in his first year in the Majors. Erickson finished second to Roger Clemens for the American League Cy Young Award. During the TwinsWorld Series winning season, Erickson was also voted into the Top 10 for American League Most Valuable Player Award. The following season, Erickson started 32 games, going 13-12 with 5 complete games. On April 27, 1994, Erickson no-hit the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, the first no-hitter ever pitched in that stadium. He became the third Twins pitcher, after Jack Kralick in 1962 and Dean Chance in 1967, to pitch a no-hitter; the former's had been the last no-hitter in a Twins home game, that game having taken place at the Metrodome's predecessor, Metropolitan Stadium. Erickson's no-hitter was thought to be impossible on The Metrodome's artificial turf and home run reputation.
In he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. Before being traded to Baltimore, Erickson was 4-6 with a 5.95 ERA for the Twins. After joining the Orioles, Erickson turned in 9 wins in 16 starts for Baltimore. Between both teams, he finished 13-10 with 7 complete games. In 1996, Erickson won 13 games for the second straight year with 6 complete games and 100 strikeouts for the 6th straight year. In 1997, Erickson turned in his best season since 1992, winning 16 games with a 3.69 ERA in 33 starts. He later signed a five-year, $32 million contract with Baltimore through. In 1998, Erickson once again won 16 games for the Orioles while leading the league in complete games and innings pitched. In 1999, Erickson went 15-12 with a 4.81 ERA while leading the league in shutouts. He also led the majors in ground balls induced with 454. On March 3, 2000, Erickson had bone chips removed from his elbow and was out of action eight weeks. Erickson made 16 starts for the Orioles in 2000. He was hampered by the nagging elbow issue and visited the disabled list twice, the second one being a season ending elbow injury. After over 2000 innings pitched, the elbow injury caused him to miss the entire 2001 season. Erickson returned in 2002, becoming the first pitcher to start Opening Day after missing an entire season. That season, he made 28 starts, pitching 160.2 innings. In 2003, Erickson suffered a torn labrum and missed the entire 2003 season.
Later career
In 2004, Erickson signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. After two starts, he was traded to the Texas Rangers. He was in the starting rotation for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005. Erickson signed a deal with the New York Yankees on February 16, 2006. He was released by the Yankees on June 19 and retired from baseball at the beginning of the season.
Pitching profile
Erickson was a groundball pitcher. He led the league five times in most double plays in a season and is in the Top 5 in Major League history for groundball to flyout ratio.
Personal life
In 2000, Erickson was featured in People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" edition. Erickson was married to television personality, actress, and investigative reporterLisa Guerrero until their divorce, with whom he founded HomeTeam Productions. They were executive producers for the 2008 movie A Plumm Summer.
