Fun Factoids about Scott Erickson

Photo © MaxineK

Did you know that Scott. . .

played third base as well as pitched in high school?

was also a soccer and football player in high school?

was offered more college scholarships as a football linebacker than as a baseball pitcher coming out of high school?
Lucky for us fans, Scott prefered baseball!

went to the same Junior College (San Jose City) as former Yankees' closer Dave Righetti?

played on the same 1989 Arizona Wildcats team as Giants' first baseman J.T. Snow and Padres' closer Trevor Hoffman?
Can you imagine having J.T. Snow and Scott on the same team? Cute players heaven!

was the starting pitcher in the only game in major league history where his team (the Twins) turned two triple plays on July 17, 1990 (against Boston)?
BTW, he was not on the mound for the second triple play, and alas, lost the game 2-1 despite not allowing an earned run

was nicknamed "Superman" (for his resemblance to Christopher Reeves) and "The Big E" by teammate Kirby Puckett during his awesome 20-win season in 1991?

was the pitcher Atlanta OF Ron Gant hit a celebrated long drive off of that Kirby Puckett caught against the wall in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series?
Incidentally, Scott left that game with a lead to help the Twins stave off elimination and come back to win the championship the next day

pitched the first (and thus far only) no-hitter ever at the Metrodome on April 27, 1994?

gave up Eddie Murray's 2999th hit in Minnesota?
And Murray's 2997th and 2998th hits; Scott didn't have a great outing that day :-P

finished his career in Minnesota with a win to put him exactly one game above .500 at 61-60?
He won that game on Independence Day against his current team, the Baltimore Orioles

almost signed a two-year contract with the Colorado Rockies during the '94 strike?
What was he thinking in signing with Colorado? Thank goodness for O's fans (and Scott's ERA) that the league ruled that he wasn't a free agent!

warms up to songs from The Doors at Camden Yards?
Also, when he is player of the game, the PA plays "Back in Black" after the game

pitched a 8-0 shutout on the day Cal Ripken tied Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak?

Has given up more home runs to slugger Mark McGwire than any other pitcher in the AL?
Not exactly a glorious fact, but true

is an admirer of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and has offered him tickets to games?
Seinfeld didn't seem to appreciate this very much, as he made fun of Scott's team, the Twins, once after Scott had contacted him

made a cameo guest appearance on Homicide: Life on the Street in 1997 with teammate Armando Benitez?