First Basemen of the 1970s Online Quiz | MLB by Season

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Steve Garvey was an All-Star first baseman for several seasons during the 1970s. For which team did Garvey play?

Answer: Los Angeles Dodgers

Garvey was one of the mainstays of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1970s. He represented the Dodgers six times in the All-Star game during the decade. Though not exceptionally tall, Garvey had powerful forearms and was a good-fielding first baseman. The righty-hitting Garvey slugged 272 home runs in a career which lasted from 1969 to 1987.

2. Which New York Yankee first baseman hit a ninth-inning home run to defeat the Kansas City Royals in the deciding fifth game of the 1976 American League Championship Series?

Answer: Chris Chambliss

On October 14, 1976, first baseman Chris Chambliss became a part of Yankees' history when he belted a game-winning home run off Kansas City Royals pitcher Mark Littell. The left-handed hitter's blast clinched the ALCS for the Bombers. Chambliss had to fight his way through a delirious Yankee Stadiium mob in order to circle the bases. Chambliss played first base for the Yankees from 1974 to 1979. Willie Randolph played second base, Jim Mason was the Yankees' shortstop, and Roy White was an outfielder.

3. First baseman George Scott played with the Red Sox and Brewers during the 1970s. What was his popular nickname?

Answer: Boomer

George "Boomer" Scott was a first baseman and a third baseman in the big leagues from 1966 to 1979. Boomer's most productive years were with the Boston Red Sox and later with the Milwaukee Brewers. The righty-hitting Scott had plenty of power- in 1975 he blasted 36 home runs and collected 109 RBI. Boomer hit 271 regular season home runs during his Major League career.

4. John Mayberry was an All-Star first baseman during the 1970s. Which one of these statements about Mayberry is true?

Answer: He batted and threw left-handed.

Big John Mayberry was a dynamic left-handed hitter who also threw lefty. Mayberry was a key member of the Kansas City Royals from 1972 to 1977; he never played for the Chicago White Sox. Mayberry belted 255 home runs during a career which lasted from 1968 to 1982. Although Mayberry twice played in the ALCS, he never participated in World Series competition.

5. Who played first base on Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" from 1972 to 1976?

Answer: Tony Perez

Tony Perez played first base for the Cincinnati Reds and was a key member of their "Big Red Machine." The right-handed hitting Perez was a powerful clutch hitter who drove in 200 runs for Cincinnati in 1975-1976. In the 1976 World Series victory against Boston, Perez batted .313 (5-16). George Foster and Ken Griffey were outfielders, and Dave Concepcion played shortstop for the Reds.

6. Which special achievement did San Diego Padres first baseman Nate Colbert accomplish on August 1, 1972?

Answer: He belted five home runs in a doubleheader.

On August 1, 1972, San Diego first baseman Nate Colbert had a day to remember: he belted 5 home runs and drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader, helping the Padres to sweep the Atlanta Braves, 9-0 and 11-7. The right-handed hitting Colbert became only the second player in big league history (the first was Stan Musial) to hit five home runs in a doubleheader. Colbert slammed 173 regular season home runs in a career which lasted from 1966 to 1976.

7. The Oakland A's won three consecutive World Series titles between 1972 and 1974. Which two players were the main starting first basemen for Oakland during those years?

Answer: Mike Epstein and Gene Tenace

Mike Epstein (1972) and Gene Tenace (1973, 1974) were the starting first basemen for the Oakland A's teams which won three straight World Series titles during the 1970s. Lefty Mike Epstein hit 26 home runs and knocked in 70 runs during the 1972 campaign; he also belted a homer in the ALCS against Detroit. Gene Tenace, a right-handed hitter, slugged 50 HRs and had 157 RBI for the A's in 1973-1974. Tenace switched from catcher to first base after the 1972 season. Sal Bando (third base), Bert Campaneris (shortstop), and Dick Green (second base) were the other infielders on Oakland during the dynasty years. Joe Rudi was an outfielder, and Dave Duncan and Ray Fosse were catchers.

8. Boog Powell was an outstanding first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles during the 1960s and the early 1970s. What was Powell's real first name?

Answer: John

John Wesley "Boog" Powell was a powerful lefty-hitting first baseman who was an important member of the Baltimore Orioles during the late 1960s and early 1970s. In 1970, Powell belted 35 home runs and drove in 114 runs, and he was named the American League's Most Valuable Player for his efforts. John Boog Powell was also an accomplished fielder at first base.

He retired in 1977 with a total of 339 regular season home runs.

9. Which one of these power hitters did NOT play first base during the 1970s?

Answer: Willie Horton

Willie Horton played his big league career (1963-1980) as an outfielder / designated hitter. Horton was a right-handed slugger who belted 325 home runs during his Major League career, 262 of them with the Tigers. During the 1970s, Lee May (Reds, Astros, Orioles), Bob Robertson (Pirates, Mariners, Blue Jays), and Andre Thornton (Cubs, Expos, Indians) spent considerable time playing the first base position.

10. Willie Stargell of the Pittsburgh Pirates began his big league career as an outfielder in 1962, but he became a full-time first baseman after 1974. Which uniform number did Stargell wear?

Answer: 8

Willie "Pops" Stargell was one of the greatest players in the history of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Stargell's number 8 uniform became synonymous with awesome power and skill. The lefty-hitting Stargell switched from the outfield to first base in 1975 due to his ailing knees.

He ended his big league career in 1982 with 475 regular season homers. Stargell's number 8 jersey was retired by the Pirates in 1982.

Source: Author mrgrouchy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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First Basemen of the 1970s Trivia Quiz

Here is a quiz on some talented first basemen who played during the 1970s. Good luck and have fun.

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