The Best Baseball Team Ever Trivia Quiz

Costello: You gotta pitcher on this team?
Abbott: Sure.
Costello: The pitcher's name?
Abbott: Tomorrow.

William Alexander (aka Bud) Abbott was born on October 2, 1897 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. He was the taller of the two gentlemen and was considered to be the "straight man" of the famous comedy duo.

Costello: Got a catcher?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: The catcher's name?
Abbott: Today.

Louis Francis Cristillo, known better as his stage name Lou Costello, was also born in New Jersey on March 6, 1906, in the city of Paterson. He was the shorter of the duo and played the role of the buffoon with his signature catchphrase, "Hey, Abbott!"

Costello: Look, you gotta first baseman?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: Who's playing first?
Abbott: That's right.

"Who's on First?" is the title given to the sketch. It was first performed by Abbott and Costello when they started performing together at burlesque shows in 1936. The skit was first performed over the radio on March 24, 1938, during a program titled "The Kate Smith Hour".

Costello: All I'm trying to find out is what's the guy's name on first base.
Abbott: No. What is on second base.

The first visual version of the skit was released as part of the comedy movie, "The Naughty Nineties", in 1945. In the main portion of the film, Abbott and Costello played a couple of showmen aboard a riverboat that traveled along the Mississippi River during the 1890s. The film also worked in some other famous skits performed by the duo.

Costello: What's on first?
Abbott: What's on second.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott: He's on third.

The skit made its way to television via the "The Abbott and Costello Show", which was a syndicated sitcom that aired from 1952-1954. "The Abbott and Costello Show" was declared to be one of the best television shows of all time by both "Entertainment Weekly" and "Time" magazines.

Costello: Why? I don't know! He's on third and I don't care!
Abbott: What?
Costello: I said, "I don't care!"
Abbott: Oh, that's our shortstop.

There were several versions of "Who's on First?" performed by Abbott and Costello which sometimes altered the name of the player at the shortstop position. In some versions, the shortstop was "I Don't Care". In others, the shortstop was "I Don't Give A Darn/Damn".

Costello: Look, you gotta outfield?
Abbott: Sure.
Costello: The left fielder's name?
Abbott: Why.

Abbott and Costello broke up in 1957 after interest in the duo's act had faded out. Sadly two years later, Lou Costello passed away just three days before his 53rd birthday on March 3, 1959, due to a heart attack. Bud Abbott passed away from cancer on April 24, 1974.

Costello: The left fielder's name?
Abbott: Why.
Costello: Because!
Abbott: Oh, he's center field.

Abbott and Costello and the "Who's on First?" skit alone have had a major influence on comedy. Jerry Seinfeld credited "The Abbott and Costello Show" as the inspiration his popular sitcom "Seinfeld" (1989-1998). The sketch itself has been parodied numerous times such as on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson doing the skit as President Ronald Reagan, and on the "Animaniacs" cartoon series, where its used to make fun of the "Woodstock" music festival.

Any time the "Who's on First?" skit was performed by Abbott and Costello, there was never anyone named as the right fielder. Most visuals based on the sketch show the position as either blank or played by Nobody.

During the sketch, it was Bud Abbott who played the team coach.

The "Who's on First" skit has received many accolades in its history. In 1956, a golden record dedicated to "Who's on First?" was enshrined at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York, where the skit is also played for visitors. "Who's on First" was also named the Best Comedy Sketch of the 20th Century by the magazine "Time" in 1999.