Win Some, Lose Some Trivia Quiz

Answer: Phil Niekro

Phil began his career in 1964 in Milwaukee, then made the move to Atlanta with the team in 1966. Phil's career record was 318-274. The closest that Niekro came to a Cy Young was in 1969 with his 23-13 record. He was runner-up to Tom Seaver of the Mets.

Answer: Mickey Lolich

Although the others listed also lost 20 games in a season, they never went to a World Series. Mickey lost another 18 games in 1975, then his contract with the Tigers was over. He finished his career with the Mets and Padres. The left-hander was a career 217-191 pitcher.

Answer: Steve Carlton

The others never won the Cy Young award. Carlton went 20-9 with the Cardinals in 1971, then in a trade to the Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise, he went 27-10 in 1972. His dismal season was in 1973 going 13-20. He would go on to win 20+ another four times before retiring in 1988. Steve's Cy Young awards came in 1972, 1977, 1980, and 1982.

He threw a Triple Crown in 1972 also. Carlton was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1994.

Answer: Don Larsen

The others were never Yankees. Don spent 14 seasons in the Major Leagues, beginning with the St. Louis Browns in 1953. He never won more than 11 games in a season, and the only category that he ever led, was for his losing 21 games in 1954. It was all overshadowed with one day in history. On October 8, 1956, Larsen threw a World Series game-five perfect game against the Dodgers.

Answer: Red Ruffing

The others never played for either Boston or New York, and didn't begin their careers until the 1960s. In the late 1930s, Red really came through for the Yankees, going 20-12, 20-7, and 21-7 twice. Ruffing went to seven World Series with the Yankees, and left baseball with a 6-1 series pitching record in 10 games.

Answer: Walter Johnson

In Johnson's third season with his career Senators in 1909, he went 13-25, but bounced back and won more than 20 games in the next 10 consecutive seasons. Walter won two MVPs and threw three Triple Crowns in his career. He was also the second pitcher to win 400 games in a career, second to the great Cy Young. Johnson was one of the first five Hall of Fame inductees in 1936.

Answer: Mike Maroth

The others listed all retired in the 1970s. The Tiger offense didn't help their pitchers at all in 2003, scoring only 599 runs in the season. The Tigers finished last in the Central Division, a dismal 43-119. In 2002, the team went 55-106. With Maroth's nine wins, he led the team, with Nate Cornejo and Jeremy Bonderman winning six each.

Answer: Mel Stottlemyre

The others never wore the pinstripes. In his second season with the Yankees in 1965, Mel went 20-9 and was on top of the world. Unfortunately, he followed that up with a 12-20 record in 1966. The team didn't help him much, finishing last place of 10 teams in the American League. Although losing those 20 games, he and Fritz Peterson led the team with their 12 wins.

Answer: Cy Young

The others listed were not pitchers. Young's record of being the first to win 500 games in a career is more than improbable to break with the creation of relief pitchers and closures. He retired with a 511-316 record. His season high was 36-12 with the Spiders in 1892. The first Cy Young award presentation came to the Dodgers' Don Newcombe in 1956.

Answer: Charley Radbourn

None of the others listed were pitchers. In nine of Charley's 11 seasons, he won at least 20 games in a season. He retired with a 309-195 record. Radbourn retired in 1891, then died in 1897. He was a Hall of Fame inductee in 1939.