Weaver and Williams Trivia Quiz

Answer: He never played a game in the Major Leagues

Earl Weaver, a Hall of Fame manager with the Baltimore Orioles, never played a single game in the big leagues. He was a second baseman with various minor-league teams from 1948 to 1957, but he never made it to the show until he replaced Hank Bauer as the Orioles' skipper on July 7, 1968. Weaver's record as a rookie manager was 48-34, good enough for a second place finish in the American League.

While managing Baltimore, Weaver was able to win one World Series title in 1970. A fiery competitor, he was ejected from games nearly 100 times in his Major League career.

Answer: He played for the Boston Red Sox from 1963 to 1964.

Dick Williams was a member of the Boston Red Sox from 1963 to 1964. In those two seasons, he batted .224 with seven HRs and 23 RBIs in 140 total games. Williams played in the Major Leagues from 1951 to 1964. In 1967, Williams became a rookie manager with the Red Sox and led them to the American League pennant. Williams' last job as a big league skipper was with the Seattle Mariners from 1986 to 1988.

Answer: 4

Earl Weaver managed his entire career with the Orioles, and his most successful seasons occurred during the 1970s. During that decade, the number 4 Oriole won three American League pennants and one World Series crown. Weaver's uniform number was retired by the Orioles in 1982. Brooks Robinson wore number 5, Frank Robinson was number 20, and big Boog Powell wore uniform number 26 for the Orioles.

Answer: 23

Dick Williams, number 23, led the Oakland As to consecutive World Series titles in 1972 and 1973. Williams' mustache became synonymous with the success and the turbulence of his swashbuckling Oakland team. Superstar Reggie Jackson wore uniform number 9, Vida Blue was number 14, and Rollie Fingers wore number 34 for the As.

Answer: the three-run homer

Earl Weaver stressed sound fundamental baseball for the Orioles. His Baltimore teams rarely beat themselves with poor fielding or bad pitching. Weaver, however, eschewed "little ball" techniques such as hit-and-run or sacrifice bunts. Weaver platooned most of his players and urged his sluggers to swing for the fences.

As Weaver said, "If you play for just one run, that's all you'll get. I like to put those crooked numbers on the scoreboard."

Answer: San Diego Padres

Dick Williams managed the San Diego Padres from 1982 to 1985. In 1984, his Padres had a record of 92-70 to win the National League West title. The team was led by such stars as Tony Gwynn, Steve Garvey, and Graig Nettles. In the 1984 NLCS, the Padres defeated Jim Frey's Chicago Cubs to capture the National League championship. The Padres lost the World Series to the Detroit Tigers. Bob Lillis managed the 1984 Astros, Frank Robinson and Danny Ozark were skippers for the Giants.

Answer: Jim Palmer

Earl Weaver often alienated his players with his brusque, ornery attitude. One such player who didn't get along with Weaver was pitcher Jim Palmer. The two men traded verbal barbs for several years in the press. Palmer once remarked about his manager, "The only thing Earl knows about pitching is that he can't hit a curveball"! Despite their differences, Palmer performed well for Weaver. Palmer was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Answer: Alvin Dark

Dick Williams, like Earl Weaver, had a cantankerous personality. After winning the 1973 World Series with Oakland, Williams announced that he was tired of needless meddling from Oakland owner Charles Finley. Williams resigned his job from Oakland and signed on as skipper of the California Angels. Veteran Alvin Dark, manager of the San Francisco Giants from 1961 to 1964, took over from Williams and led Oakland to its third consecutive World Series title, a triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Answer: Joe Altobelli

After nearly 15 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Earl Weaver decided to step down as the team's manager after the 1982 season. Veteran baseball coach Joe Altobelli was selected to replace Weaver, and Altobelli came through with flying colors. His Orioles won the 1983 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Weaver would later return to manage Baltimore in 1985.

In 1983, Virdon managed the Expos, Torre was with the Braves, and Tanner managed the Pirates.

Answer: 1971 and 1973

Earl Weaver's Orioles and Dick Williams' As locked horns on two postseason occasions, in 1971 and again in 1973. In 1971, Baltimore swept Oakland in three games. However, in 1973, Oakland defeated the Orioles in a five-game series. In 1969 and 1970, the Orioles defeated the Twins in the ALCS. In 1972, the A's triumphed against the Tigers in the ALCS.