1950s in a Bucket Quiz / Test | MLB by Season

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In June 1950, which team set a record for the most lopsided win since the Major Leagues began?

Answer: Boston Red Sox

On June 8, the Red Sox locked horns with the St. Louis Browns. It didn't long for the Browns to fall down, as it was 8-0 Red Sox by the end of the second inning. The game ended in a 29-4 pummeling. Boston hit nine doubles, including Al Zarilla's four. Boston also had a triple and seven home runs, including Bobby Doerr's three.

2. The St. Louis Browns pulled off a stunt in 1951 that had a dwarf pinch-hit in a game, concocted by owner Bill Veeck. The dwarf was Eddie Gaedel, wearing the number 1/8 on his jersey. How did Eddie get to home plate to make his appearance?

Answer: He came out of a cake

Veeck had special permission from the league President Ford Frick to have Gaedel appear in the game. The umpires were unaware of it, and initially refused Eddie to bat. Veeck displayed a telegram to the umpires, signed by Frick, and the at-bat took place.

This August 19 game found Bob Cain of the Tigers on the mound to face little Eddie, and he walked him on four pitches. The Tigers won the game 6-2. Rule changes in baseball prevent this from happening again.

3. In September 1952, which St. Louis Cardinal made his pitching debut in his 12th season already with the Cardinals?

Answer: Stan Musial

Musial had just clinched his sixth batting crown for the Cardinals in 1952. The player that he battled for the crown throughout the season was Frank Baumholtz of the Cubs. Musial didn't appreciate comments that Baumholtz had made through the season, so Stan went to manager Eddie Stanky and told him that he wanted to pitch against the Cubs and Baumholtz. So, on September 28 in the final game of the season, Musial made his pitching debut. Harvey Haddix started the game and pitched to one batter, then Musial pitched against Baumholtz. Baumholtz got to first base on a ground ball error by Cardinal third baseman Solly Hemus. Haddix then took over again after Musial pitched to Baumholtz.

The Cubs won the game 3-0, and that was it for Musial's pitching career.

4. Just before the 1953 season, baseball saw the first team since 1903 move to another city. Which team was this that made the move?

Answer: Boston (NL)

The National League Boston franchise began play in Boston in 1882. Going through numerous name changes such as Red Caps, Beaneaters, and Doves, they took the Braves name in 1912. The franchise moved to Milwaukee to become the Milwaukee Braves in 1953. The franchise later moved again to Atlanta in 1966.

5. In July 1954, which Braves slugger hit four home runs and a double in one game, setting a record for 18 total bases in one game?

Answer: Joe Adcock

On July 31, the Braves were visiting the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. Adcock hit his four home runs off four different pitchers in the game. He had seven RBIs in the game that the Braves won 15-7.

6. Which 1955 Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher became the first pitcher in Major League history to throw for the cycle (allowed a single, double, triple, and home run) all in his debut inning?

Answer: Al Grunwald

It was Grunwald's first Major League start, and the New York Giants gave him a proper welcome by beating the Pirates 12-3. Grunwald lasted only three games in the season and retired. He came back in 1959 with the Athletics, allowed 18 hits in 11 innings, then retired again.

7. In 1987, Don Mattingly of the Yankees tied a Major League record by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games. He tied the record set by which Pittsburgh Pirate in 1956?

Answer: Dale Long

Long's eighth consecutive game home run in 1956 was hit off Carl Erskine of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Long led the Pirates in the season with 27 home runs. It was a career-high for Dale. He retired with 132 over 10 seasons.

8. In a freak of bad luck in August 1957, which Philadelphia Phillie hit the same spectator with two foul balls in the same at-bat?

Answer: Richie Ashburn

On August 17 in a game against the Giants, Ashburn came to bat and hit a spectator, Alice Roth, the wife of "Philadelphia Bulletin" sports editor Earl Roth, with a foul ball. She received facial cuts and a broken nose in the incident. As a medical team was removing her on a gurney, Ashburn hit another foul ball and hit her again two minutes later while on the gurney.

The Phillies did win the game 3-1 against the Giants, and Ashburn had two hits in the game in addition to the two on Roth's wife.

9. Baseball fans saw a strange record set in 1958. Which Chicago White Sox slugger played in 98 consecutive games without striking out?

Answer: Nellie Fox

Fox played from 1947-1965, and was a hard strikeout to get. He averaged only 11.3 strikeouts per season. His streak would stop via the New York Yankees and Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford. Fox won the 1959 AL MVP Award in the following season, and would go on to be a Hall of Fame inductee also.

10. In May 1959, Pirate pitcher Harvey Haddix pitched 12-2/3 perfect innings, only to lose the game in the 13th. Which team did he lose to?

Answer: Braves

Both Haddix and Milwaukee Braves pitcher Lew Burdette went the 13-inning distance in the game. With two outs in the bottom of the 13th, Haddix gave up a double to Joe Adcock, scoring Felix Mantilla. The Braves won the game 1-0. Haddix gave up that one hit, while Burdette gave up 12.

Source: Author Nightmare

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1950s in a Bucket Trivia Quiz

All multiple choice with questions from the bottom of the bucket that have sitting for decades. This quiz is about the 1950s, and will be a challenge. One question for each season. Good luck, you might need it! :)

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