baseball Trivia Quiz # 43
This is Baseball Quiz # 43, GOOD LUCK! You can head back to the main Baseball Quiz index, or try your luck at a random quiz.Baseball Question 1
A Sigh of Relief - Through the first five years of my baseball career, I had only played for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2002, the Dodgers decided to switch me from a starting pitcher to a closer. It would turn out to be "game over", as I saved 52 games that season. In 2003, I coverted all 55 of my save chances. My consecutive saves streak would finally end at 84. Who am I?
The correct answer is 'Eric Gagne'
After a brilliant 2003 season, Eric Gagne was named the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year. In 2004, his consecutive saves streak would end at 84, as he blew a save to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gagne pitched for the Canadian National Team in 1995. Growing up near Olympic Stadium, Gagne would often attend Montreal Expos games.
Baseball Question 2
Baseball for Dummies No. 16 - The great catcher Johnny Bench won how many Rookie of the Year Awards in his 17 season career?
The correct answer is '1'
Bench was Rookie of the Year in 1968 with the Reds of Cincinnati. He hit .275, smacked 15 home runs, and distributed 155 hits. The power of this catcher retired him with 389 career home runs, all with the Reds. The Rookie of the Year Award can only be won in a player's rookie year.
Baseball Question 3
Visine Baseball - Which pitcher set a record by hitting 41 batters in 1900?
The correct answer is 'Joe McGinnity'
These were all pitchers in 1900, but it was McGinnity with the Brooklyn Superbas (later Dodgers) of the National League, who beaned 41. He was in his second season of baseball when he went on the wild side. In the 1900 season, Joe still went 28-8. The following season, he went to the new American League Baltimore Orioles (later Yankees) in 1901. In that season, he went 28-20 and 'only' hit 21 batters. In 1908 with the New York Giants, McGinnity went 35-8. He led the league five times with wins, and was inducted into the Hall in 1946.
Baseball Question 4
Coronary Baseball - Which player in 2001, set a record for pinch-hitting 88 times in the season?
The correct answer is 'Lenny Harris'
Harris set this record as a New York Met. He appeared 88 times as a pinch-hitter, and 47 times while playing the field. Harris batted .222 for the season.
Baseball Question 5
Baseball for Dummies #59 - Who was the first player in the 20th century, to steal 100 bases in a season?
The correct answer is 'Maury Wills'
Wills broke the almost unreachable mark in 1962, by breaking Ty Cobb's record of 96 set in 1915. Wills only stole more than 55 bases in his 14 season career, one other time in 1965 when he stole 94 bases. The 1962 National League playoff between the Dodgers and Giants, saw much controversy, as the Giants were accused of wetting the infield down excessively, to slow the speedster down. The Giants won the playoffs.
Baseball Question 6
The Rules Of MLB - How many total bases are there in a baseball infield?
The correct answer is '4'
First base, second base, third base, and home base.
Baseball Question 7
Three Streets 6 - Baseball: There is a lot of trivia associated with Bobby Thompson's "Shot Heard 'Round The World". Who was the only Giant to get put out that inning?
The correct answer is 'Monte Irvin'
Giants are down 4-1 to the Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth. The winner goes to the 1951 World Series. Dark hit a grounder off of Gil Hodges' mitt for a single. Mueller singled to right. Irvin fouled out. Lockman doubled scoring Dark. The Dodger pitcher (Newcombe) is replaced by Ralph Branca. Thompson comes up to bat . . .
Baseball Question 8
"The Sandlot" Movie Trivia - What letter(s) is/are on Kenny's (the pitcher's) baseball cap?
The correct answer is 'KC'
"The 'KC' on Kenny's hat represented the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League. It is my guess that, the Negro League was defunct by 1962, that the hat had belonged to Kenny's father." (Thanks to robmeister for this info!)
Baseball Question 9
You Be the Editor! - Without umpires, baseball would be chaos. There have been some umpiring greats in baseball. In the American League, from Cy Rigler, Billy Evans, Bill McGowan, to Tom Connolly who served for 31 years. In the National League it was Bill Klem, who umpired 17 World Series over his 37 year career. How about Silk O'Loughlin, who was the first 'third umpire' in a World Series? What about Hank O'Day, in the famous 1908 'Merkle Game'? They have been many throughout the years, and have upheld the rules. Which statement is incorrect?
The correct answer is 'Klem umpired in 18 World Series'
Klem began his umpiring career in 1904. He officiated in 18 World Series, the last being in 1940. Klem was inducted into the Hall of Fame as an umpire in 1953, along with fellow umpire Tom Connolly. The Merkle Game was between the Giants and Cubs in 1908. In this crucial game, base umpire Bob Emslie did not see whether Fred Merkle of the Giants touched second base on an appeal call, after Merkle was singled home on the apparent winning run in the game. Emslie gave the call to home plate umpire Hank O'Day, who called Merkle out. Chaos ensued and the game had to be stopped, and resumed at the end of the season. The Cubs ended up winning the game and the pennant.
Baseball Question 10
Season of Major League Baseball - Name the two players who got the first hit and first homerun respectively, at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
The correct answer is 'Ken Griffey Jr. & Reggie Sanders'
On Opening Day 2003, Reggie Sanders (outfielder for the Pirates) hit the home run in the second inning off Reds starter Jimmy Haynes. Ken Griffey Jr.(outfielder for the Reds), hit a double in the bottom of the first inning for the first every hit at the ballpark.