Erickson began his professional career in 1989 when he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the amateur draft. Erickson quickly rose to the major leagues in just his second season of professional baseball 1990, a season in which he finished with a record of 8-4. During the Minnesota Twins 1991, World Series season, Erickson led the team in wins with a record of 20-8. It was with Minnesota that he became the third Twins pitcher to throw a no-hitter on April 27, 1994. Erickson remained with the Twins until 1995 when he traded to the Baltimore Orioles, earning a peak annual salary of $6,620,921 . He later signed a five-year, $32-million contract with Baltimore through 2003. At the end of his contract he joined the New York Mets and then the Texas Rangers and then the Los Angeles Dodgers. As of 2006, Erickson, signed a minor league deal with the New York Yankees on February 16, 2006. Erickson was called up by the New York Yankees on May 13, 2006, after Tanyon Sturtze was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Erickson was born in Long Beach, California and was highly involved in sports even during high school; while he attended Homestead High School in Cupertino, California he played third base, soccer and football. After completing his secondary education he graduated from San Jose City College in 1998 and then majored in accounting at the University of Arizona.

Erickson is married to sportscaster Lisa Guerrero.