He was shepherded into playing baseball from a young age by his father, who would physically and verbally abuse his son if he did not perform well.

[2] His father's persistence in forcing his son into a baseball career at all costs even extended to college, as he attempted to call signals for him to pitch before being stopped by the team catcher.

[3][4][5] Show made his major league debut in late September 1981, and the following year went 10–6 while splitting time between the starting rotation and bullpen.

[3] In The Ballplayers: Baseball's Ultimate Biographical Reference, Mike Shatzkin wrote that Show was "disgruntled (perhaps rightly so) at the lengthy interruption of the contest.

"[7] Then Show got into a dugout shoving match with left fielder Carmelo Martínez over a ball that fell for a single and led to the game-winning run.

Finally, Show refused to stay to answer the post-game questions, leaving his teammates to criticize him in his absence.

"[7] Before the game, when Show had been asked about the possibility of giving up "The Hit", he responded: "I guess it doesn't mean as much to me as it does to other baseball enthusiasts.

"[3] On July 7, 1987, Show hit the year's eventual National League MVP, Andre Dawson of the Chicago Cubs, in the left cheekbone with a fastball during a game.

[9] Though Show had become known for his tardiness and confrontations with teammates and management in San Diego, the Oakland Athletics had taken risks on troubled players before.

The pitcher was also a born-again Christian and a jazz musician who was known to play guitar with the hotel lounge bands during team road trips.

Show's agent, Arn Tellem, said that his membership in the group was part of his search for answers about how the world worked.

[10] After Show gave up Rose's record-breaking hit, Graig Nettles wisecracked, "The Birch Society is going to expel Eric for making a Red famous.

"[7] Show was married to Cara Mia Niederhouse, who he had met while playing in a summer college baseball league in Kansas.