Erik Hanson’s Memorable Major League Debut and First Win

Wake Forest Sports Hall of Famer Erik Hanson had a memorable start to his Major League Baseball career back in 1988. Selected in the second round of the draft by the Seattle Mariners, Hanson quickly rose through the ranks of the minor leagues before making his debut in September of that year.

His first start was against the defending World Series champion Minnesota Twins, facing off against Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola. Hanson pitched a fantastic game, allowing just two unearned runs in 7.1 innings, but ultimately took the loss as Viola outdueled him on the mound.

However, Hanson’s luck changed just five days later when he picked up his first Major League win against the Milwaukee Brewers. In a stellar performance, Hanson scattered three hits and two walks over 7.1 innings, leading the Mariners to a 1-0 victory.

Reflecting on his early days in the big leagues, Hanson recalled facing off against future Hall of Famers like Paul Molitor and Robin Yount, as well as young stars like Gary Sheffield and B.J. Surhoff. Despite the daunting lineup, Hanson managed to have a memorable game and secure his first win.

But perhaps the most surreal moment of Hanson’s early career came on Fan Appreciation Night in Milwaukee, when the crowd was invited to stick around for the filming of scenes for the movie “Major League.” As the stadium transformed into Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Charlie Sheen walked out to the mound to the song “Wild Thing,” creating a lasting memory for Hanson and his teammates.

Looking back on that night, Hanson couldn’t believe the coincidence of his first Major League win coinciding with the filming of a scene for a movie that would go on to become a classic sports comedy. It was a bizarre and unforgettable moment in the early days of his career, setting the stage for a successful tenure in the majors.