Eric Gunderson

For the American psychologist, see Eric Gunderson (psychologist).

Eric Gunderson
Gunderson in 1988
Relief pitcher
Born: (1966-03-29) March 29, 1966
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 11, 1990, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
May 17, 2000, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
Win–loss record8–11
Earned run average4.95
Strikeouts137
Stats at Baseball Reference 
Teams

Eric Andrew Gunderson (born March 29, 1966) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played in the majors from 1990–1992 and 1994–2000.

Gunderson graduated from Aloha High School near Portland, Oregon in 1984, then played college baseball for Portland State Vikings. He had a 24–14 record with 214 strikeouts in three college seasons.[1][2] Upon reaching the majors, he said he had not been a good athlete in high school or college.[3]

The San Francisco Giants selected Gunderson in the second round of the 1987 MLB draft. He was a minor league all-star in 1987 and 1988. He started the 1990 season in the majors, then was demoted to the minors on April 27, returning as a September call-up and earning his first MLB win.[1][3] He started 1991 in the majors but was sent down on April 16.[1] San Francisco released him in March 1992.[2]

Gunderson signed with the Seattle Mariners two weeks later,[2] returning to the majors in June. He took the loss in his first game for Seattle after issuing two balks in one inning against the Milwaukee Brewers.[4][1] He was again demoted, returning in September.[1] In his first game back, he intentionally walked Rubén Sierra, then was replaced.[5] Gunderson was suspended for five games at the end of the month for his role in a bench-clearing brawl against the California Angels, when Luis Polonia charged the mound after an inside pitch from Gunderson.[6] Seattle released Gunderson in April 1993, and he did not pitch in the majors that year.[1]

Gunderson was released by the San Diego Padres after spring training in 1994, then signed with the New York Mets in May. He returned to MLB in July. He has a 0.00 earned run average in 9 innings pitched over 14 games.[1] Gunderson had a blown save with the Mets in July 1995,[7] then was put on waivers in August. The Mariners claimed him, though he was claimed by the Boston Red Sox six days later. He also pitched for Boston in 1996.[2]

Gunderson signed three consecutive one-year contracts with the Texas Rangers beginning in 1997,[2] making $510,000 in 1998, then re-signing for $450,000 for the 1999 season.[8] He was almost part of a trade to the Toronto Blue Jays for Roger Clemens in February 1989, though Toronto opted to send Clemens to the New York Yankees.[9] Gunderson signed with Toronto after the season, pitching in his final MLB season in 2000. Toronto traded him back to San Francisco in July though he never returned to the majors.[2] He pitched for two Triple-A teams in 2001.[10]

Personal life

Gunderson and his wife married in December 1990.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Texas Rangers 1998 Media Guide. pp. 68–70.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Eric Gunderson". Baseball Reference. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Giants 5, Braves 3". UPI. September 20, 1990. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  4. ^ "Balks help Brewers edge M's 8-7". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. June 14, 1992. pp. 4B.
  5. ^ "Athletics Outlast Mariners". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. September 13, 1992. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  6. ^ "Gunderson, Polonia suspended". UPI. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  7. ^ Willis, George (July 27, 1995). "BASEBALL; Mets Have That Old Sinking Feeling". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  8. ^ "Braves sign Bautista to one-year deal worth $470,000". The Gadsden Times. December 19, 1998. pp. B4.
  9. ^ "Rangers' Melvin Thought He Had Corralled Clemens". The Victoria Advocate. New York Times. February 20, 1999. p. 9.
  10. ^ "Eric Gunderson Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
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