Al Erickson - Class of 2007

(Escanaba)

A batting champion in the Mid-American Conference with a .483 average at Western Michigan University in 1961, Al Erickson helped the Broncos reach the College World Series.   He was a four-year catcher for WMU (1958-61), then signed a bonus contract with the San Francisco Giants in 1961.  He advanced to Class AAA El Paso in 1965 until his career ended with a rotator cuff injury in his shoulder.  Erickson played on two state championship baseball teams in Escanaba, in Little League in 1951 and American Legion in 1955.  He was a standout fastpitch softball player for the Escanaba Merchants from 1966-78.  He also coached Legion baseball in Escanaba and in high school coached baseball at Powers and golf at Manistique.