Don Erickson

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Donald Lee Erickson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
• School Western Illinois State College
• High School Lanphier High School
• Debut September 1, 1958
• Final Game September 19, 1958
• Born December 13, 1931 in Springfield, IL USA
• Died August 1, 2012 in Springfield, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

On November 29, 1950 Don Erickson was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent. He was assigned to the class D Lima Phillies of the Ohio-Indiana League for the 1951 season. The 19-year-old righthander went 7-14 in 33 games his first year out but would have to wait two years to take the mound again, spending 1952 and 1953 in the United States military, during the Korean War.

Don was back in time for the 1954 season, spending it with the class C Salt Lake City Bees, where he went 13-12 with a 3.98 ERA. Don spent until 1958 with several different minor league outfits and his 14-4 record with the 1957 Schenectady Blue Jays got him a short and only stay with the Phillies in 1958. He appeared in 9 games, striking out 9 but also walking 9 and lost his only decision. Don recalls being credited with a save in Hall of Famer Robin Roberts' 17th victory of the season. That year was his only trip to the major leagues during his ten-year run in pro baseball.

Erickson was back in the minors finishing out 1958 with the Tulsa Oilers at 8-9 with a 2.96 ERA. He spent 1959 through 1962 with the Buffalo Bisons (13-14), the Chattanooga Lookouts (7-8) and finished up his pro baseball career going 0-2 for the 1962 Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers.

Erickson's nephew, Roger Erickson, also played in the big leagues. Another nephew, Bob Erickson, played minor league ball, as did Bob's sons, Corey Erickson and Casey Erickson.

After baseball Erickson lived in Springfield, IL, where he was an insurance agent for many years. More recently he was the State of Illinois department of insurance coordinator for senior citizens. For several years running he was the state horseshoe pitching champion. He passed away in 2012.

Sources

Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page

Related Sites

• Don Erickson at the SABR Bio Project