Sixty years ago, Eric Rasmussen was born. Well, that isn't quite accurate. Sixty years ago, Harold Ralph Rasmussen was born. He legally changed his name to Eric before the 1977 season, during his first stint with the Cardinals. Primarily a starter with St. Louis, Eric started 24 of his 27 games with the Padres in '78 after coming over in May 26th trade for George Hendrick. He was used as a swingman by managers Roger Craig and Jerry Coleman the following two seasons. After being released by San Diego at the end of Spring Training in '81, Rasmussen spent a year and a half pitching in Mexico before being brought back by the Cardinals in September of '82, earning a World Series ring despite pitching only eight games and being ineligible for inclusion on the team's postseason roster. After a poor showing in six relief appearances for St. Louis the following season, Eric was sold intrastate to the Royals for whom he pitched the final 11 games of his career. He kept pitching in the minors through '88, at which time he transitioned into coaching, a profession he has kept ever since. A member of the Twins organization since 1991, he is now entering his fourth season as their Minor League Pitching Coordinator.
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