Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The fans saw rookies Joe Adcock and Lew Burdette in 1950. They also saw a Yankee rookie second baseman, who later became the manager of the Yankees off and on, and off and on. Who was this 1950 rookie?
2. 1951 saw the fiasco of Eddie Gaedel with the St. Louis Browns. They watched Yankee great Joe DiMaggio in his final season. Fans also heard the immortal words, "The Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant, the Giants win the pennant", referring to Bobby Thomson's game-winning home run over the Dodgers. While DiMaggio was on his way out, their crosstown rival Giants experienced the appearance of a new player who would win the Rookie of the Year Award in 1951. He would later win two season MVP Awards, hit 50 home runs in a season twice. Who was this rookie?
3. While baseball mourned the loss of Arky Vaughn, Dutch Leonard, and Deacon Phillippe who pitched in the first World Series for the Pirates in 1903, 1952 would find a rookie pitcher who would later throw a 12-inning perfect game for the Pirates. Who was this pitcher nicknamed, 'Kitten'?
4. As fans watched the final season of Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Mize, and Bobo Newsom in 1953, they also saw the Chicago Cubs finish 40 games out of first place in the season. However, for Cubs fans it would be the beginning of the first real power-hitting shortstop in history. This player would go on to win two MVP Awards and retire with over 500 home runs. Who was this player nicknamed, 'Mr. Cub'?
5. 1954 fans mourned the death of early baseballer Chief Wilson, who in 1912 with Pittsburgh, set a 20th century record for hitting 36 triples in the season. 1954 also permanently adopted the sacrifice fly rule, where a batter was not charged with an at-bat for a sacrifice fly. Players also were not allowed to leave their gloves on the field any longer while their team was at-bat. The season would also see a rookie named Henry Aaron. But, 1954 belonged to the Cleveland Indians by winning 111 games. They had the help of Larry Doby, Al Rosen, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, and Bob Feller. Who upset the Cleveland fan's dreams by beating them in the World Series in 1954?
6. 1955 was the year of the rookies. Some greats entered the Major Leagues this season in the names of Ken and Clete Boyer, Jim Bunning, Rocky Colavito, Roberto Clemente, Roger Craig, Elston Howard, Sandy Koufax, Bobby Richardson, and Herb Score. It was also the season that a team won their first World Series in history after seven previous failed attempts. Who was this team?
7. The fans in 1956 were treated to a new award, recognizing the greatest pitcher in the season, naming it the Cy Young Award, after pitching great, Denton True 'Cy' Young. Which pitcher won this inaugural award?
8. 1957 saw Hank Aaron win the National League MVP, while the American League made batting helmets mandatory for all teams. The fans also saw Senators pitcher Pedro Ramos set an American League record for allowing 43 home runs in the season. Which Minnesota Twin later broke Ramos' record?
9. Although the Milwaukee Braves went to their second consecutive World Series in 1958, Braves' outfielder Henry Aaron finished only third in the National League MVP voting. Which Cub edged out Henry and the great Willie Mays to take the award?
10. Baseball fans watched the final season of Larry Doby, the first African-American to play in the American League. But, the 1959 season belonged to the Los Angeles Dodgers, going all the way and winning the World Series, four games to two. That losing team housed the 1959 Most Valuable Player, Nellie Fox. Which team did the Dodgers defeat in the series?
Source: Author
Nightmare
This quiz was reviewed by our editing team before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
