They Call Me What? Quiz | MLB Players

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The great Bambino, Babe Ruth, had numerous nicknames during his great days. What was his born first name?

Answer: George

George Herman Ruth was born on February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland. Another nickname that he had, 'The Sultan of Swat', was the first player in history to hit 30, 40, 50, and 60, home runs in a season. He was also the first in history to hit career home runs of 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700. All his 22 seasons were with the American League except for one, retiring with the Boston Braves in 1935.

The Babe was a 1936 Hall of Fame inductee.

2. Who was known as the 'Ryan Express'?

Answer: Nolan Ryan

Ryan played for 27 seasons in his career with four teams. The Mets, Rangers, Astros, and Angels, all had the privilege of Nolan wearing their team jersey. Ryan retired with 5714 strikeouts, and set a record for striking out 383 in a season.

3. I had the nickname 'Home Run' Baker. I'm not sure why, because the most home runs in a season that I ever hit was 12. What was my born first name?

Answer: John

John Franklin Baker made his debut in the Majors on September 21, 1908. He spent his first seven seasons under Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics. From their were his final six seasons as a New York Yankee, also playing with the great Babe Ruth. He retired in 1922 with only 96 career home runs. Baker was a 1955 Hall of Fame inductee.

4. My brother Dizzy and I ruled the National League and the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1930s. They called me 'Daffy', but what was my born first name?

Answer: Paul

Paul 'Daffy' Dean, a pitcher, threw the stitched one alongside his brother. In a doubleheader in 1934, Dizzy threw a two-hitter in the first game, then Daffy pitched a no-hitter in the second game. In nine seasons, Paul won 50 games, while brother Jay, won 150 in 12 seasons. Jay made it into the Hall of Fame in 1953.

5. "Hammerin' Hank" Aaron retired with 755 career home runs. What was his born first name?

Answer: Henry

Henry Louis Aaron saw his Major League debut in 1954 as a Milwaukee Brave. Who would have guessed that 23 seasons later, this home run great would retire breaking Babe Ruth's record of 714. A Brave his entire career except for two seasons, he hit his final 22 home runs with the Milwaukee Brewers of the American League.

6. The 'Old Perfessor', Casey Stengel, was a great player and manager throughout his career. What was his born first name?

Answer: Charles

Charles Dillon Stengel, born on July 30, 1890, began his great career as a Brooklyn Dodger in 1912. After 14 seasons he called it quits. His inaugural managerial season was in 1934 with the same Dodgers. In 1949, Casey was immortalized as becoming the manager of the Yankees.

In 10 of his 12 seasons, he took the team to 10 World Series, winning seven of them. This included a historical five consecutive World Series from 1949-1953.

7. My nickname was 'Kitten'. I once threw 12 perfect innings in a game while pitching for the Pirates, but lost the game in the 13th. Therefore, I never received credit for the perfecto. Who am I?

Answer: Harvey Haddix

The others listed never pitched and never played for Pittsburgh. Haddix did this controversial stat in 1959. This was still debated into the 21st century, claiming that his over-nine innings should have gotten him credit for a perfect game. Haddix's 14 seasons came to an end in 1965.

8. Billy Martin was both a controversial player and manager throughout his career. This included him punching out his star Minnesota pitcher in a bar one season, and being fired numerous times as Yankee manager. What was his born first name?

Answer: Alfred

Alfred Manuel Martin, played most of his 11 seasons with the Yankees, retiring in 1961. In 1969, he began his managerial career with the Twins. This did not go well as he got into a fight in a bar with his own Minnesota pitcher, Dave Boswell. This was his only season with the Twins. He managed for almost 20 seasons, and retired in 1988. He died on Christmas Day, 1989.

9. I was known as the 'Flying Dutchman'. Most people called me Honus Wagner. What was my born first name?

Answer: John

John Peter Wagner was one the greats in the early days of baseball. Playing for 21 seasons from 1897-1917, Wagner won eight batting titles. He was one of the first five Hall of Fame inductees in 1936.

10. I was a Hall of Fame catcher of 20 seasons, all but one with the Chicago Cubs. Most people called me Gabby Hartnett, but what was my born first name?

Answer: Charles

Charles Leo Hartnett was the NL MVP in 1935. He was inducted into the Hall in 1955.

Source: Author Nightmare

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They Call Me What? Trivia Quiz

An all multiple choice quiz on some nicknames of some baseball greats. I hope that you find it easy and educational. Thanks for playing. :-)

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