Interesting Scott Erickson Career Trends

(a.k.a. my random observations)
Scott Erickson

Photo © Joy Absalon

Have you noticed that. . .

Scott is mainly a two-pitch pitcher since he loves the sinker-and-slider combination so much?

his highest winning percentages come against the Anaheim Angels and the Detroit Tigers?

he is undefeated in Anaheim Stadium/Edison Field but winless in Jacobs Field?

he has an inexplicably hard time against the White Sox, particularly at Comiskey?

he typically does very well against the Yankees but never seems to win?

until 1997 he was always terrible in April but awesome in September?

ever since left the Metrodome as his home park he's pitched much better in domes?

he usually has a low batting average against righthanded hitters but struggles with lefties?

after ESPN interviews him for a great game he gets bombed in his next start?

like Tom Glavine et al., Scott often struggles in the first before settling down?

Scott, like Greg Maddux et al., finds himself most comfortable with a personal catcher?
(See list of catchers and results)

Scott's pitching rituals before scheduled starts
(based on various fan/media accounts from his Minnesota and Baltimore days)

Pregame:
Eats spaghetti at local restaurant

Arrives at ballpark dressed all in black

Calls mom before start

Paints shoes black with shoe polish, pushes stirrups down so only the black shows and the
white socks underneath don't.

During the game:
Doesn't step on the foul line

Runs onto the field before inning starts and run off field after inning ends

Does not talk to anyone, except the catcher occasionally, between innings

Sits alone in dugout corner.

After the game:
Eats immediately after the game

Engages in long workout session

Scott's results with different catchers:*

1991: Junior Ortiz (personal) -- 20-8, 3.18 ERA

1992: Lenny Webster (personal) -- 13-12, 3.40 ERA

1993: Brian Harper (not personal) -- 8-19, 5.19 ERA

1994: Matt Walbeck (not personal) -- 8-11, 5.44 ERA

1995 pre-All-Star: Derek Parks (personal) -- 4-6, 5.95 ERA**

1995 post-All-Star: Chris Hoiles (not personal) -- 9-4, 3.89 ERA**

1996 pre-All-Star: Chris Hoiles (not personal) -- 5-6, 4.73 ERA**

1996 post-All-Star: Mark Parent (personal) -- 8-6, 5.33 ERA**

1997: Lenny Webster (personal) -- 16-7, 3.69 ERA

1998: Lenny Webster (personal) -- 16-13, 4.01 ERA

* These numbers are not necessarily with the specific catcher but rather the season in which that catcher caught Scott

**These numbers are not necessarily with the specific catcher but rather the half season that the catcher caught Scott