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October Madness? Trivia Quiz

Some pretty wierd, and some pretty great things happened in the month of October throughout the times of the Major Leagues. See if you can figure it out. I hope that you enjoy it. :-)

A multiple-choice quiz by Nightmare. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Nightmare

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
187,737

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
721

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Question 1 of 10

1. Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's season home run record, by hitting his 61st home run in 1961. Which team did he hit this big one off on October 1? Hint

Philadelphia Athletics

Milwaukee Brewers

Boston Red Sox

Texas Rangers

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Question 2 of 10

2. On October 7, 2001, Tony Gwynn played in his last game. Which milestone also occurred on this date? Hint

Roger Clemens pitched a no-hitter

Mark McGwire hit his 70th season home run

Rickey Henderson had his 3000th hit

Yankee Scott Brocius hit a game one World Series grand slam

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Question 3 of 10

3. On October 23, 1974, which Cubs' icon was traded after 16 great seasons in Chicago? Hint

Julian Javier

Billy Williams

Rico Petrocelli

Carl Yastrzemski

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Question 4 of 10

4. After the horrendous World Series fixing in 1919, which team had two people banned from the World Series for bribery, on October 1, 1924? Hint

Philadelphia Phillies

New York Giants

Washington Senators

St. Louis Cardinals

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Question 5 of 10

5. On October 17, 1972, why was game three of the World Series postponed, pitting Cincinnati vs Oakland? Hint

Too many players came down with chicken pox

Earthquake

Rain

Bomb Threat

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Question 6 of 10

6. October 23, 1945, was a great date in baseball. Which historical event happened on this day? Hint

Babe Ruth died

Lou Gehrig died

Babe Ruth retired

Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson

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Question 7 of 10

7. On October 29, 1986, which pitcher was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border for possession of illegal drugs, and being the third offense, was later sentenced to 45 days in jail? Hint

Steve Howe

Fernando Valenzuela

LaMarr Hoyt

Denny McLain

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Question 8 of 10

8. On October 3, 1993, a team finished the season with their players ending up with the 1-2-3 spots in batting average, for the first time in 100 years. Which team did this? Hint

Arizona Diamondbacks

Florida Marlins

Houston Colt .45s

Toronto Blue Jays

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Question 9 of 10

9. On October 7, 1904, which pitcher set a 20th century record for winning over 41 games in the season? Hint

Mickey Lolich

Jim Bunning

Juan Marichal

Jack Chesbro

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Question 10 of 10

10. On October 3, 1974, the first black manager was named in Major League baseball. Who was it? Hint

Frank Robinson

Walter Alston

Gene Mauch

Billy Martin

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's season home run record, by hitting his 61st home run in 1961. Which team did he hit this big one off on October 1?

Answer: Boston Red Sox

None of the other teams existed in 1961. In the last game of the 162-game season against the Red Sox, Boston pitcher Tracy Stallard dished up Maris' 61st home run. Stallard allowed only 15 home runs in the season. With only 23,154 fans in attendance for the game, Sal Durante retrieved the ball in the right field bleachers, and later sold the ball.

2. On October 7, 2001, Tony Gwynn played in his last game. Which milestone also occurred on this date?

Answer: Rickey Henderson had his 3000th hit

Gwynn played his last game as a San Diego Padre, after 20 loyal seasons. He retired with a .338 batting average. Henderson, also playing for the Padres in 2001, hit a game lead-off double. The Padres lost that game to the Rockies, 14-5.

3. On October 23, 1974, which Cubs' icon was traded after 16 great seasons in Chicago?

Answer: Billy Williams

The Cubs received Oakland's second baseman Manny Trillo, and pitchers Darold Knowles and Bob Locker. Billy played for the Athletics in 1975 and 1976, then retired with 426 career home runs. He was inducted into the Hall in 1987.

4. After the horrendous World Series fixing in 1919, which team had two people banned from the World Series for bribery, on October 1, 1924?

Answer: New York Giants

The Giants' outfielder Jimmy O'Connell and coach Cozy Dolan were banned by Commissioner Judge Landis, after they both admitted trying to bribe Phillies shortstop Heinie Sand. The bribe was to go easy on the Giants in their final regular season series. O'Connell pointed a finger at Frank Frisch, Ross Youngs, and George Kelly, but Landis cleared those players who denied any knowledge of bribery. American League President, Ban Johnson, almost canceled the World Series.

The Senators went on to defeat the Giants in the World Series, four games to three.

5. On October 17, 1972, why was game three of the World Series postponed, pitting Cincinnati vs Oakland?

Answer: Rain

Just a simple rain postponed game three, which pitted Cincinnati at Oakland. The game was played the following day, with the Reds winning a 1-0 shutout. Ironically 17 years later, on October 17, 1989, game three of the World Series was postponed between the A's and Giants due to an earthquake.

6. October 23, 1945, was a great date in baseball. Which historical event happened on this day?

Answer: Branch Rickey signed Jackie Robinson

Gehrig died in 1941. Ruth retired in 1935 and died in 1948. Jackie Robinson was the first black player signed to a Major League contract on this date in 1945. Robinson played in his first season as a Major League Dodger in 1947, and won the Rookie of the Year Award. He also won the National League MVP in 1949. Robinson was a 1962 Hall of Fame inductee.

7. On October 29, 1986, which pitcher was arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border for possession of illegal drugs, and being the third offense, was later sentenced to 45 days in jail?

Answer: LaMarr Hoyt

After six seasons with the White Sox, and his last two with the Padres, this arrest was his final showing for Major League Baseball. His eight season career record was 98-68.

8. On October 3, 1993, a team finished the season with their players ending up with the 1-2-3 spots in batting average, for the first time in 100 years. Which team did this?

Answer: Toronto Blue Jays

John Olerud won the batting crown with a .363 average, with Paul Molitor finishing up the season at .332, and teammate Roberto Alomar ending the season with .326.

9. On October 7, 1904, which pitcher set a 20th century record for winning over 41 games in the season?

Answer: Jack Chesbro

The others were not born yet. Chesbro, of the New York Highlanders (later Yankees), threw a 3-2 victory over Boston, to win his 41st game of the season. He was 41-12 on the year. He also had 239 strikeouts, but it was only good enough for a New York second place finish.

The club finished 1-1/2 back of the American League Champions, Boston Pilgrims, who were led by Cy Young and Bill Dineen.

10. On October 3, 1974, the first black manager was named in Major League baseball. Who was it?

Answer: Frank Robinson

The others did not meet the ethnic background requirement. Robinson, the first to win the MVP in both leagues with the Reds and Orioles, was signed by the Cleveland Indians, to manage them for the 1975 season. Robinson later managed the Giants, Orioles, and Expos.

Source: Author Nightmare

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