Baseball for Dummies #61 Trivia Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Randy Johnson won the 2002 National League Cy Young Award. Who was the runner-up?

Answer: Curt Schilling

Johnson received the only first place votes with 32. Teammate Curt Schilling received a total of 90 points, compared to Johnson's 160. The others listed, were all batters in the American League. The Cy Young Award is given to a pitcher with the most outstanding statistics for the season.

2. I have won just about every award possible in my career. I own a Gold Glove, an All-Star MVP, two season MVP Awards with one in each league, a Triple Crown Award, a World Series MVP Award, and a Rookie of the Year Award, which I won in 1956. I also became a manager after I retired, and then won a Manager of the Year Award. Who am I?

Answer: Frank Robinson

He won the awards throughout his 21 season career, mostly with the Reds and the Orioles. Frank was the first player to win a MVP Award in both leagues. His Manager of the Year Award came in 1989 with the Orioles. The others listed, played for the same team their entire career.

3. Which of these franchises kept the same team name, for at least 95 years throughout the 20th century?

Answer: Detroit Tigers

The Phillies were the Blue Jays in the 1943 and 1944 season. The Rangers were an offspring of the Washington Senators in 1972, and the Oakland Athletics were once the Philadelphia and Kansas City Athletics. The Tigers' franchise began in 1901, and they kept the name through the 20th century.

4. Who was the first batter to surpass the 2,000 career strikeout mark?

Answer: Reggie Jackson

The others compiled in the neighborhood of 1230 strikeouts, while 'Mr.October' retired with 2597 career strikeouts. When Jose Canseco retired in 2001, he was ranked 2nd all-time with 1942.

5. Who won the 1934 World Series?

Answer: St.Louis Cardinals

Only the Cardinals' team of those listed, existed in 1934. The Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 3. The Series came down to the 7th game, which saw St.Louis shutout the Tigers 11-0. Dizzy Dean was on the mound, and threw a complete game.

6. Which of the three famous DiMaggio brothers was older?

Answer: Vince

Vince was the oldest, being born in September 16, 1912, in Martinez, California. Dom was the youngest, born February 12, 1917, and Joe was the one in the middle. Vince played for 10 seasons, Dom 11, and Joe for 13.

7. 2003 saw Rickey Henderson enter his 25th season of baseball. How many times did he change teams in those years?

Answer: 13

Rickey has moved from team to team 13 times. From 1979-1984, he played with the Athletics (1), 1985 to mid-season 1989 with the Yankees (2). He finished the '89 season with the Oakland, until mid-season 1993 (3). He finished the '93 season with Toronto (4), and then played two seasons again with Oakland (5). 1996 and mid-season 1997 saw him in a Padre uniform (6), then he finished out the '97 season with the Angels (7).

He wore an Oakland uniform again in 1998 (8), and then a season and a half with the Mets (9).

He finished out the 2000 season with Seattle (10). He played for the Padres again in 2001 (11), and was a Red Sox player in 2002 (12). In 2003, he put on a Dodger uniform. (13).

8. Only two pitchers reached 4,000 career strikeouts during the 20th century. Who sits beside Nolan Ryan in this feat?

Answer: Steve Carlton

Carlton retired with 4136 strikeouts, almost 1600 still behind the great Ryan. Carlton who pitched for 24 seasons, mostly with the Phillies, retired in 1988. Strangely enough, he led the league in strikouts only twice, but did win 4 Cy Young Awards. The others listed, did not reach even 2,000 career strikeouts.

9. Which of the following pitchers had the nickname of "Lefty"?

Answer: Robert Grove

Robert Moses 'Lefty' Grove was a Major League rookie in 1925 with the Philadelphia Athletics. After 9 seasons under Connie Mack, he was moved to the Red Sox and played 8 seasons with Boston before retiring. He won a pitching Triple Crown twice, and also won the American League MVP in 1931. The others listed, were shown with their nicknames already.

10. I led the league in being hit by a pitch 3 seasons in my career. I also won 5 Gold Gloves as a catcher. I have one World Series ring as my team beat the Cardinals in 1968. I was instrumental in catching Denny McLain's 31 game victory season in 1968. Who am I?

Answer: Bill Freehan

Bill played all his 15 seasons with the Tigers. He hit 200 home runs in his career. Bill was honored by being on the other end of McLain, and the great Mickey Lolich.

Source: Author Nightmare

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Another thinking quiz for the baseball dummies like me. Thanks for playing. :-)

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