The Willow Glen Resident

Erickson, Johnson top Hot Stove list

By Dick Sparrer

It doesn't seem all that long ago since Scott Erickson was climbing the mound at Homestead High School, hoping to toss the Mustangs to a victory over Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monta Vista or some other club in the De Anza Athletic League.

But it's been over a decade since Erickson's days at Homestead, and he has climbed many a pitchers mound since leaving Sunnyvale to go on to baseball greatness. None more successfully, though, than that in the heart of the baseball stadium they call The Ballpark at Camden Yards.

Erickson, once the pride of the Homestead pitching staff, is now a star hurler for the Baltimore Orioles. He posted an outstanding 16-7 record last season, leading the O's to the American League East Division championship.

And his efforts have not been ignored in local baseball circles: Erickson will join Brian Johnson of the San Francisco Giants as one of the very special guests and award winners at the 14th annual Hot Stove Banquet.

Erickson has been named the Pitcher of the Year, and Johnson has been selected as the Player of the Year; the two will be presented their awards at the annual banquet set for Feb. 2 at Lou's Village in San Jose.

Tickets for the night's event are priced at $35, and festivities will begin with no-host cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. The awards presentation begins at 8 p.m. Proceeds from the banquet benefit youth baseball programs in the area. For more information or reservations call 446-3443.

Erickson, who went on to San Jose City College and the University of Arizona after leaving Homestead, signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1989. He was a member of the World Series championship team in Minnesota in 1991, and tossed a no-hitter for the Twins in 1994.

The 29-year-old right-hander was traded to the Orioles in 1995 and had a great year this past season with 16 wins, a 3.70 earned run average and 131 strikeouts for the O's.

Johnson, a former Skyline High School and Stanford star, has been named the Player of the Year after helping the Giants win the National League West Division championship last season. Johnson, who belted a clutch game-winning home run in a key late-season victory over the Dodgers, took over the starting catcher role for the Giants after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers during the season.

Joining Johnson and Erickson on the awards list are: college player of the year-- Mike Frank of Santa Clara University (now in the Cincinnati Reds organization); community college player of the year-- Ryan Becks of West Valley Community College (drafted by the Montreal Expos); high school player of the year--Xavier Nady of Salinas; minor league player of the year--A.J. Hinch of Stanford, now with the Oakland A's organization; scout of the year--Bob Poole of the Houston Astros; service award winners--Lil and Dave Morreira; and Loyd Christopher Award winners--Scott Lewis of San Jose State, Bill Mott of Santa Clara University and Jay Pecci of Stanford University.

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