[1] Erickson was a native of Springfield, Illinois, and served his country with the United States Army, during the Korean War.

In 1958, a strong season in the Double-A Texas League earned him a promotion to Philadelphia in September, when big-league rosters grew from 25 to 40 players.

In his nine relief appearances, Erickson hurled 112⁄3 innings, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits and nine bases on balls, striking out nine.

Erickson returned to the minors in 1959 and pitched in the Phillies' organization through 1962, his tenth and final professional season.

[2] A nephew, Roger Erickson, also a right-handed pitcher, had a six-year career in the American League (1978–1983), mostly with the Minnesota Twins.