World Series Losing Teams Trivia Quiz

Answer: Texas Rangers

The Cardinals finished with a record of 90-72 and earned the NL Wild Card on the last day of the season. They beat the Phillies in 5 games then the Brewers in 6 to advance to meet the AL West champion Texas Rangers. The Rangers finished 96-66 and beat the Rays in 4 games then the Tigers in 6 to advance to their second consecutive World Series. They also lost to the Giants in 2010.

Answer: New York Yankees

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it was only fitting that a New York team reached the World Series. However, the Diamondbacks (92-70) stole the show on a bottom of the 9th single by Luis Gonzalez to give the D-Backs their first championship over the Yankees (95-65). Also, the Seattle Mariners tied a Major League record for team wins in a season with 116 (1906 Cubs).

They lost to the Yankees in the AL Championship Series.

Answer: St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals (95-67) lost the World Series for the 2nd time in 3 years. The Twins (85-77) had one of the greatest home field advantages in the Majors in the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The Twins won Games 1, 2, 6 and 7 while the Cardinals won Games 3, 4 and 5 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

Answer: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates went 91-49 and had one of the greatest players to ever play the game at shortstop in Honus Wagner. The upstart Americans (91-47) in their third season of existence were led by one of the best pitchers ever in Cy Young. This was the start of one of the greatest traditions in sports.

Answer: Chicago Cubs

The Red Sox (75-51) were led by the pitching exploits of a young Babe Ruth (yes he was originally a pitcher) before they sold him to the Yankees, beginning what would be called the "Curse of the Bambino". They defeated the Chicago Cubs (84-45) who are one of the original National League teams.

The Cubs went to 3 straight Series in 1906, 07, 08 (winning in 1907 and 08). The Cubs have yet to win their 3rd World Series as of writing (July 2012) and have not appeared in a Series since 1945!

Answer: Pittsburgh Pirates

The '27 Yankees went 110-44 and were known as "Murderer's Row" due to their power packed lineup featuring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri and Joe Dugan. The Pirates (94-60) were not exactly slouches themselves as they featured the Waner brothers (Paul and Lloyd) and Pie Traynor, all eventual Hall of Famers.

As an aside, the Yankees and Cardinals did meet in the World Series in each year surrounding 1927 as the Cards won in 1926 while the Yanks got revenge in 1928.

Answer: Chicago White Sox

No, they are not officially known as the "Black Sox". However, the ChiSox (88-52) were expected to defeat the Reds (96-44) as the AL was viewed as being a far superior and competitive league. Eight members of the White Sox ended up taking a bribe to "throw" the Series, including "Shoeless" Joe Jackson who actually had the best series among any player.

However, due to his taking the money...he and the other 7 would be banned from playing baseball for life after the 1920 season.

Answer: St. Louis Browns

In the third World Series to ever be played in one ballpark (1921 and 22 were the others between the NY Giants and NY Yankees at the Polo Grounds), the "landlord" St. Louis Browns (89-65) were defeated by their tenants, the St. Louis Cardinals (105-49) in a 6 game series.

This was the only time the Browns reached the World Series before their move to Baltimore after the 1953 season. The Browns and Cardinals both played their home games at Sportsman's Park, which was owned by the Browns.

Answer: Baltimore Orioles

The New York Mets had never finished a season with more wins than losses until going 100-62 in 1969. The Orioles (109-53) were making their 2nd appearance since moving from St. Louis, having defeated the Dodgers in 1966. The Orioles were massive favorites as nobody thought the Mets could compete with Baltimore, hence the "Miracle" part of their name.

Answer: St. Louis Cardinals

In the I-70 Series, as it would be called, the Cardinals (101-61) were the resounding favorites over the Royals (91-71). This World Series is most well known for a controversial call at 1st base in the 9th inning of Game 6 in Kansas City. Jorge Orta hit a groundball to first base and appeared to be beaten to the base by the pitcher covering the bag. Umpire Don Denkinger called Orta safe and the Cardinals never recovered.

They allowed 2 runs in the frame to lose 2-1 and then were completely walloped in Game 7 by a score of 11-0.

As a personal note, being a Cardinal fan, it still aggravates me to this day of the Series that got away.