1980s World Series Quiz | 1980s WS

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series.

Answer: 1980

The Philadelphia Phillies franchise was established in 1883. They won the National League pennants in 1915 and 1950. In 1980, the Phillies defeated the American League's Kansas City Royals to win the franchise's first World Series championship. The Phillies won their next World Series in 2008.

2. Fernandomania left its mark on the World Series.

Answer: 1981

Pitcher Fernando Valenzuela pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1980 through 1990. During the 1981 season, Fernando Valenzuela started a sensation among Major League Baseball called Fernandomania. Valenzuela won the National League Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Awards that season. Valenzuela led the Los Angeles Dodgers to defeat the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series (LAD won the series 4-2).

3. The Saint Louis Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the "Suds Series".

Answer: 1982

Due to the prominent brewery industries in both Saint Louis, Missouri and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the 1982 World Series featuring the Saint Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers was known as the "Suds Series". This was the Milwaukee Brewers franchise's first appearance in the World Series. The Saint Louis Cardinals won the series 4-3.

4. Cal Ripken, Jr. made his only appearance in World Series as a player.

Answer: 1983

The Baltimore Orioles defeated the National League Philadelphia Phillies in the 1983 World Series. This series was known as the "The I-95 Series" as both cities were located on Interstate 95. This was the only World Series appearance for Cal Ripken Jr. as a player in his twenty-one year career (Baltimore Orioles 1981-2001).

5. Sparky Anderson won his third and final World Series as a manager.

Answer: 1984

George "Sparky" Anderson won two World Series as the manager of the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and 1976. Anderson became the manager of the Detroit Tigers on June 14, 1979. In 1984, Anderson led the Tigers to win the World Series by defeating the San Diego Padres 4-1. This was Anderson's final World Series championship as a manager.

6. Umpire Don Denkinger made a critical bad call at first base.

Answer: 1985

The Kansas City Royals and the Saint Louis Cardinals faced each other in the 1985 World Series. This World Series was known as the "Show-Me Series". Both cities were located in the state of Missouri which was nicknamed the "Show Me State". In the bottom of the ninth inning of game six, umpire Don Denkinger incorrectly called Royal Jorge Orta safe at first base.

The Royals won the game 2-1 on a walk-off single in that ninth inning. The Royals defeated Cardinals in seven games.

7. Bill Buckner let a groundball roll through his legs.

Answer: 1986

In game six of the 1986 World Series, the New York Mets and the Boston Red Sox were tied at 5 in the bottom of the tenth inning. New York Mets hitter Mookie Wilson hit a groundball to first base which rolled through the legs of Boston Red Sox fielder Bill Buckner. Baserunner Ray Knight scored on Buckner's fielding error to win the game for the Mets by the score of 6-5.

The Mets won the 1986 World Series 4-3.

8. The first World Series game played in an indoor stadium.

Answer: 1987

The domed stadium Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1982. The Minnesota Twins hosted games in this stadium during the 1987 World Series. These games against the Saint Louis Cardinals were the first World Series games contested in an indoor stadium.

9. Kirk Gibson hit an iconic home run off of Dennis Eckersley.

Answer: 1988

The Los Angeles Dodgers competed against the Oakland Athletics in the 1988 World Series. In the ninth inning of game one, the Athletics were leading 4-3. The Athletics brought in their closer Dennis Eckersley to pitch the bottom of the inning. The Dodgers used the injured Kirk Gibson as a pinch hitter. Gibson hit a walk-off two run home run off of Eckersley to win the game.

10. An earthquake struck the city and stadium prior to a game.

Answer: 1989

The Oakland Athletics faced the San Francisco Giants in the 1989 World Series. Prior to game three of the series, an earthquake struck the area damaging both the cities of Oakland and San Francisco. The World Series was postponed for ten days. The Athletics won the 1989 World Series, sweeping the Giants in four games.

Source: Author workisboring

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1980s World Series Trivia Quiz

Baseball's fall classic produced many memories during the 1980s. Please match these 1980s World Series highlights to the year listed.

Questions		Choices
1. The Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series.		1981
2. Fernandomania left its mark on the World Series.		1984
3. The Saint Louis Cardinals defeated the Milwaukee Brewers in the "Suds Series".		1985
4. Cal Ripken, Jr. made his only appearance in World Series as a player.		1982
5. Sparky Anderson won his third and final World Series as a manager.		1988
6. Umpire Don Denkinger made a critical bad call at first base.		1989
7. Bill Buckner let a groundball roll through his legs.		1987
8. The first World Series game played in an indoor stadium.		1983
9. Kirk Gibson hit an iconic home run off of Dennis Eckersley.		1980
10. An earthquake struck the city and stadium prior to a game.		1986