Hank Erickson

Henry Nels Erickson (November 11, 1907 – December 13, 1964) was an American professional baseball catcher. Erickson spent seven seasons in professional baseball, one of which was in Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds. Over his major league career, Erickson batted .261 with nine runs, 23 hits, three doubles, two triples, one home run, and four runs batted in (RBIs) in 37 games. His only season in the majors was cut short because of injuries he suffered in an automobile accident.

Hank Erickson
Catcher
Born: (1907-11-11)November 11, 1907
Chicago, Illinois
Died: December 13, 1964(1964-12-13) (aged 57)
Louisville, Kentucky
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 17, 1935, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
September 2, 1935, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.261
Home runs1
Runs batted in4
Teams

In six minor league seasons (1931–1934, 1936–1937), Erickson batted .265 with 333 hits, 49 doubles, 20 triples, and five home runs in 402 games. He played for three teams in the minors; the Double-A Louisville Colonels of the American Association, the Double-A Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League, and the Class-A Waterloo Reds of the Western League. During his career, Erickson had the nickname "Popeye".

Professional career

Early career

Erickson began his professional career in 1931 with the Double-A Louisville Colonels. In eight games that season, Erickson batted .179 with five hits, and one triple. Erickson spent the next three seasons with the Colonels. In 1932, Erickson batted .301 with 71 hits, nine doubles, six triples, and one home run. The next season, 1933, Erickson batted .298 with 105 hits, 18 doubles, four triples, and two home runs in 105 games. Erickson spent his final season with the Colonels in 1934. During that season, he batted .264 with 57 hits, 10 doubles, five triples, two home runs. Erickson was sent to the Philadelphia Athletics that season, however, he was returned before making an appearance.[1]

Cincinnati Reds

In 1935, Erickson was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds as a part of a rebuilding phase in the franchise.[2] On April 18, after replacing injured catcher Ernie Lombardi in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Erickson hit his first major league home run.[3] During his time with the Reds, Erickson was given the nickname "Popeye" after the comic strip character.[4] Erickson was involved in an automobile accident in September.[5][6] He suffered a dislocated right hip, a broken left elbow, a skull fracture, a brain injury, and skull lacerations.[6] Early into his hospital stay, Erickson slipped in and out of consciousness.[6] He was unable to play for the remainder of the season.[6] Injured catcher Ernie Lombardi had to take over the bulk of the catching duties while Erickson was out.[7] Erickson played 37 games with the Reds and batted .261 with nine runs, 23 hits, three doubles, two triples, one home run, and four runs batted in (RBIs).

Erickson behind the plate while Joe DiMaggio hits the ball.

Later career

Erickson spent the 1936 season with the Double-A Toronto Maple Leafs in the Cincinnati Reds organization. Erickson was sent down by the Reds to receive the bulk of the catching duties in the minors.[8] He batted .216 with 44 hits, five doubles, and two triples in 73 games that season. On November 25, 1936, the Reds sold Erickson to the Rochester Red Wings.[9] However, Erickson played the entire 1937 season with the Class-A Waterloo Reds. With Waterloo, Erickson batted .232 with 51 hits, seven doubles, and two triples in 66 games. 1937 would prove to be Erickson's final season in professional baseball.

Personal

Erickson was born on November 11, 1907, in Chicago, Illinois. According to TheDeadBallEra.com, after his professional baseball career was over, Erickson worked as a stockroom manager in Louisville, Kentucky.[10] He died on December 13, 1964, in Louisville. Erickson was buried at Glen Oak Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.

References
  1. "Hank Erickson Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  2. "Crosley Buys Young Players". The Miami News. January 4, 1935. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  3. Walsh, Volney (April 18, 1935). "Cold Hurts Bush". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 31. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  4. "Big League Popeye". Reading Eagle. May 16, 1935. p. 24. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  5. "Red Catcher is Injured". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. Lawrence, Kansas. Associated Press (AP). September 4, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  6. "Catcher badly injured". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec. Associated Press (AP). September 5, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  7. "Shortstop Joins Erickson on Casualty List in Fielding Grounder in Fourth Inning". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec. Associated Press (AP). September 5, 1935. p. 12. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  8. Walker, Gordon (April 4, 1936). "Reds' Helping Hand to Toronto Lightens Boon's Load As Pilot". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec. Associated Press (AP). p. 15. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  9. "Erickson Goes to Red Wings". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press (AP). November 25, 1936. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
  10. "Heading Home: Players Post Baseball Careers". TheDeadBallEra.com. Retrieved July 3, 2010.
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