Stop The Bus Trivia Quiz

Answer: Joe Dimaggio

All of these men played centerfield for the New Your Yankees; however, Joe DiMaggio is the only one to hit safely in 56 straight games. DiMaggio was nicknamed the "Yankee Clipper" by New York sportswriters because he glided around the bases and the outfield. DiMaggio was born in the Northern California town of Martinez, the eighth child of an Italian immigrant. Joe followed his older brother Vince into a career in baseball to avoid life as a San Francisco fisherman. In 1931, he joined the Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals, and immediately started to gain attention. Ironically, while DiMaggio would set the major league record for getting at least one hit in 56 straight games, it was not even his longest streak. DiMaggio hit safely in 61 straight games while playing for the Seals in 1933.

DiMaggio almost never made it to New York, as he suffered a career threatening knee injury in 1934. In a remarkable recovery, Joe hit .394 with 154 RBI's in 1935 for the Seals and never looked back. DiMaggio played for the New York Yankees his entire major league career retiring with a .325 career average. DiMaggio like many other 1940's stars enlisted in the American war effort and served in World War II. DiMaggio's older brother Vince and younger brother Dom also played in the major leagues. For good measure, DiMaggio was part of nine World Series championships while playing for the Yankees. DiMaggio died of lung cancer in 1999.

Answer: Leroy "Satchel" Paige

Leroy "Satchel" Paige had the unfortunate distinction to be born in 1906 and spent over 20 years playing baseball in relative obscurity in America's Negro Leagues. It was not until 1947 when the color barrier was lifted, and African-American ballplayers were "permitted" to play in the major leagues, that Leroy Paige got his chance to play at the highest level. In 1948, at the age of 42, Paige became the oldest player to make his major league debut when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians. In 1952, now 46 and pitching for the St. Louis Browns, Paige became the oldest first-time All-Star. Paige also made the All-Star team in 1953. While Paige's major league record was only 28 wins to 31 losses, the fact that he did not get a chance to pitch until he was in his 40's remains a testament to how amazing an athlete he was. Paige's greatness was demonstrated during his years in the Negro League's. In one stretch from 1934-1941, Paige was an almost perfect 64-7.

Perhaps even more amazing were Paige's achievements after leaving the major leagues. From 1956-1961 Paige pitched for the minor league Miami Marlins and the Portland Beavers at the AAA level throwing over 360 innings and having an excellent win/loss record of 31-22. The remarkable thing was that while the batters were on average 24 years old, Paige was 54 years old when he finished the 1961 season. Paige played one more game at the minor league level. In 1966 at the age of 59 Satchel pitched two innings for the Peninsula Grays of the Carolina League. The 1966 Peninsula Grays also featured 18 year old catcher and future Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench.

Larry Doby is often a forgotten man in the history of MLB's integration. While Jackie Robinson is rightfully credited as the first player to "break the color barrier," Doby was the second overall and first in the American League. Doby was a seven-time All-Star playing for mostly for the Cleveland Indians. Josh Gibson is a legendary African-American catcher who played his entire career in the Negro leagues. Gibson is often called "the best player never to play in the major leagues". Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, in contrast to Satchel Paige, never played a day in the minor leagues, making his major league debut at the age of 17, in 1936. Feller went on to compile a record of 266-162.

Answer: Lefty Grove

While all of the pitchers named are Hall of Fame left-handers, Lefty Grove is the only one to pitch for the A's and Red Sox. Grove is often considered the best left-hander ever. He compiled a win loss percentage that is amongst the best all-time, won 300 games, led the league in lowest ERA nine times and was the 1931 MVP. Before making his major league debut in 1925, Grove played five years for the minor league Baltimore Orioles, where he compiled an astounding minor league record of 108-28. "Baltimore Orioles" was a common name for teams playing in Baltimore, as several professional teams used the moniker before the current major league team (having previously been the St. Louis Browns) started to play in 1953.

The manager/owner of the minor league Orioles that signed Lefty Grove in 1920 had in 1914 previously discovered a local Baltimore product named George Herman "Babe" Ruth.

Answer: A pledge to high school players he was coaching

Sports often create storylines that even the best Hollywood screenwriters could never imagine. Such is the case with the amazing story of how Jim Morris, a 35 year high school science teacher and baseball coach in Reagan County Texas, found himself pitching for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. Morris had been a star high school athlete who dreamed of playing pro baseball. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the fourth overall pick in the 1983 draft. Morris, however, only played parts of four years in the minor leagues before a series of arm injuries seemingly ruined his career. Morris left baseball, started a family, and earned a teaching degree. Morris eventually became a high school science teacher and baseball coach in Big Lake Texas.

Many of Morris' players were aware of their coach's derailed professional career. As motivation during the 1998-99 school season, Morris agreed to go to an open tryout being held by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays if his team won the title. When the squad performed, the coach fulfilled his promise. Rather than being an abject lesson in the humility of broken dreams, Morris impressed the team and was signed to a contract. On September 18, 1999 at the age of 35, Jim Morris made his Major League debut. Morris never became a star, as his arm troubles returned in 2000, but his inspirational story was made into a book and a rather enjoyable 2002 movie called "The Rookie".

Answer: False

Even if one does not count the year of Negro League baseball that Robinson played in 1945, Jackie Robinson began his historic color barrier breaking career as a member of the minor league Montreal Royals of the International League. In 1946, after the (then) Brooklyn Dodgers signed Robinson to a professional contract, Jackie was sent to the minor leagues to hone both his talent and prepare him for storm of controversy an African-American ballplayer would cause. Robinson faced discrimination and threats merely by being listed on the team's roster. When Robinson made his professional debut on April 18, 1946, Robinson became the first African-American to play minor league baseball. Robinson went on to bat .349 and was named the MVP of the league.

After his successful stint in the International League, Robinson became the first modern era African-American to play major league baseball on April 15, 1947. During 1947, despite the constant scrutiny and the draining weight of being the first black player, Robinson nonetheless earned the Rookie of the Year Award. In 10 seasons with the Dodgers, Robinson batted .311, was a six time all star and was named to the Hall of Fame in 1962. In 1997 Major League Baseball retired Robinson's jersey number, 42, for each team as an enduring honor to a great player and important figure in American history.

Answer: Hank Aaron

Ott, Winfield, and Kaline are three of an exclusive club of baseball players who were inducted into the Hall of Fame without ever playing in the minor leagues. Most major league players hone their skills while "riding the bus" in the less glamorous minor leagues. Such was the case with Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves great Henry "Hank" Aaron. Aaron grew up in Mobile, Alabama. A short stint as a player in the Negro Leagues in 1951 earned the young Henry a contract offer from the Milwaukee Braves organization. Aaron signed with the Braves and spent the better part of two years playing in Eau Claire Wisconsin and later Jacksonville Florida before becoming a minor league all star and most valuable player.

Aaron made his Major League debut April 13, 1954 and became an immediate star. Over the next 18 years, "Hammerin" Hank Aaron hit 755 home runs had 3771 hits, knocking in 2297 runs and played in 25 all star games. When he retired in 1976, Aaron had hit more home runs than any other player. Aaron was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.

Answer: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan, perhaps the greatest professional basketball player ever, announced his retirement form the NBA on October 6, 1993 just days after his Chicago Bulls had won their third straight NBA Championship. Speculation as to Jordan's motives included the allegation that his "retirement" was to avoid a suspension for gambling in violation of NBA rules; or as is more likely, a response to the murder of Jordan's father earlier that year. However, Jordan stunned the sports world when he signed a contract to play baseball for the Chicago White Sox. Jordan played the 1994 season as a member of the Birmingham Barons, a mid-level minor league team. The media and fans marveled at superstar Jordan riding the bus from town to town as a baseball rookie. Jordan, however, turned out not to be so great of a baseball prospect, batting just .202 with three home runs during his time with the Barons. Jordan returned to basketball, "unretiring" in 1995, where he later led the Bulls to another string of three consecutive titles between 1995-1998.

Jordan is not the only NBA star to play professional baseball. Dave Debusschere was a star forward for the New York Knicks and a pitcher in 1962-1963 for the Chicago White Sox. Boston Celtic guard Danny Ainge played three years of major league baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1979-1981, before wisely deciding to return to basketball. Perhaps the most interesting NBA/MLB cross over is Chuck Connors. Connors played for the Chicago Cubs in 1951 after previously playing basketball for the Boston Celtics between 1946-1948. Connors, however, is best remembered as an actor and star of the US television series "the Rifleman" which ran from 1958-1963.

Answer: Fernando Valenzuela

Fernando Valenzuela was barely 20 years old, could speak only limited English when he took the baseball world by storm in 1981. Valenzuela first played professional baseball as a 16 year old in the Mexican League. He became a cultural icon when he started and won his first eight games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1981. Valenzuela was selected to the All-Star and led the Dodgers to the World Series Championship. Valenzuela became the first rookie pitcher to start an All-Star game, led the league in strikeouts, be selected the Rookie of the Year and earn the Cy Young Award as the best pitcher for that year. The furor caused, in particular in the Mexican-American communities of Los Angeles, by the success Valenzuela was dubbed "Fernadomania". Valenzuela whose stocky appearance earned him the nickname "El Burro" (the bull) went on to be a six time all-star and compile a 173-154 record in 17 seasons as a major league player.

Newcombe, Sutcliffe and Howe were other Dodger pitchers who earned Rookie of the Year awards. Newcombe was the Rookie of the Year for 1949. However, his best year was 1956. In 1956, Newcombe went 27-7 and was named the Most Valuable Player and the inaugural Cy Young Winner. Newcombe was the first player to earn the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Awards in a career.

Answer: Three-Finger

Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown was nicknamed "Three Fingers" due to the loss of part of the index and ring fingers on his right hand. Brown's fingers were damaged in a childhood accident, when he slipped during the use of a farm feeder. However, Brown's injury may have assisted his rise to baseball greatness. The unusual grip Brown's disability required him to use to hold the ball created a unique spin. The spin caused the ball to curve and dip making it extremely hard to hit. Brown perfected his unusual pitch in the minor leagues before making the major leagues in 1903. In 1901 and 1902 Brown pitched for the Terre Haute Hottentots and compiled a 25-8 record and lead the league in strikeouts and wins. In 1902 Brown moved to the higher level Omaha Indians and again led the league in wins with 27.

In the major leagues, Brown pitched for 14 years compiling a record of 239-130 predominately for the Chicago Cubs. Brown was the star pitcher for the Cubs when they won their only two World Series Championships in 1907 and 1908. Brown compiled records in those years of 20-6 and 29-9 respectively. Mordecai Brown was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1949. After ending his major league career, Brown returned to the minor leagues and played for another ten years. Despite being in his late 40s. Brown managed an impressive record of 85-52.

Mordecai Brown is not the only baseball player to overcome a disability to play. Pete Gray was an outfielder from the 1945 St. Louis Browns and a successful minor league player. Gray played despite losing an arm as a child. Jim Abbott was born without a hand on his right arm. Abbott pitched for the University of Michigan and then went straight to the major leagues where he played for ten years. Abbot won 89 games in his career and amazingly pitched a no-hitter on September 4, 1993.

Answer: Never played a game in the major leagues

Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard, Cool Papa Bell were part of a group of nine African-American baseball players who were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1971. These players that also included Satchel Paige, Monte Irvin, Oscar Charleston, Josh Gibson, John Henry Johnson and Martin Dihigo were selected exclusively for their play in the Negro Baseball League. The induction was recognition of the tremendous skill and talent these men displayed and the travesty imposed on baseball fans by segregation. Of this first group, only Paige and Irvin , each past their prime, played in the major leagues. Over time, other greats from the Negro League and other segregated baseball leagues were added to the Hall of Fame.

The image of the old broken bus taking minor league players from town to town is particularly poignant when considering 20th century African-American history. The busses and accommodation afforded minor league players would seem a luxury to Negro League players. In 1946, Jackie Robinson was the first African-American allowed "on the bus" as an integrated minor league player. It is no coincidence that Robinson's highly public and successful play supported and invigorated the civil rights movement in the United States. The metaphor of the bus, as an integrated group of people, was taken to the next step in 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to move to the "back of the bus".