[1] The defending American League champion Bombers were experiencing a bumpy defense of their title, employing five pitching coaches and winning only 79 games all season.

[2] He returned to the active roster in 1983, but pitched in only five games, all in relief, for the Yanks in early and late-season trials, spending the bulk of the year at Triple-A.

On September 26, 1983, Erickson hurled 22⁄3 innings in middle relief against the Cleveland Indians, and allowed four earned runs on three hits and three bases on balls.

He was traded to the Kansas City Royals during the off-season but was released without making the varsity; he would pitch in the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals systems, as well as with unaffiliated minor-league teams in the California and Mexican Leagues, before leaving pro ball in 1987.

Erickson posted a 35–53 career record and a 4.13 earned run average, with 24 complete games in 117 starts and one save coming out of the bullpen.