A fun and challenging quiz about baseball awards, a discussion about the current state of Major League Baseball and suggestions to find professional baseball near and far dominated the third consecutive monthly meeting on Zoom on Saturday.
Two dozen chapter members and guests shared views about the deadlock between baseball owners and players. Many of us lamented how much we miss baseball and worry that even if they come to an agreement, the coronavirus continues to threaten more than just professional baseball.
Even so, professional baseball continues to be played in Asia. Joining South Korea and China, Japan kicked off its shortened 2020 season over the weekend. In addition, venues in Texas hope to have baseball soon. For example, some Minor League Baseball owners announced that they were hosting a six-team Texas Collegiate League, including the Round Rock Express, the San Antonio Missions and the Frisco RoughRiders. This wood-bat league is scheduled to kick off on June 30.
The Sugar Land Skeeters are planning a four-team independent baseball league beginning July 3 with 25% capacity of the stadium allowed for attendance.
Meanwhile, Cy Morong created a quiz about baseball awards and, like Hank Aaron, brought the hammer. Jerry Miller dominated the contest with 10 correct answers, leaving many of us in the dust. Take your crack at the quiz below (answers at the very end). Good luck! You’re gonna need it. Many thanks to Cy for the quiz. Because Jerry won, he’ll author the quiz for next month.
Scott Barzilla of the Larry Dierker Chapter joined us to share details about his newly published “The Hall of Fame Index Part II,” a follow-up to his first book, published in 2010. Using a new formula, Barzilla examines the credentials of players already in the Hall and those, perhaps, who should be. This update can be purchased on Amazon.com: a printed version is $14.99 and the ebook is $5.99.
We also spent some time discussing the likelihood that MLB owners and players would reach an agreement for a 2020 season. Arguments on both sides were examined, and many of us wondered if the two sides could find middle ground between the players’ proposal for 70 games against the owners’ plan for 60. Because of many monetary factors, that may prove to be too large a gap to bridge.
After nearly two hours of camaraderie and baseball community, I shared a short clip featuring a massive home run hit by Yuki Yanagita, center fielder for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, on June 20. Without any fans in the stands, the cheers by his teammates are particularly noticeable. The clip also features the home run blast from multiple angles.
Some members expressed an appreciation for our monthly Zoom meetings. Frank R. shared that he gets a lot out of Zoom meetings. We also had SABR members join us from out of state.
Next month’s meeting will most likely be on Zoom once again. Mark your calendars for 11 a.m. (Central Time) Saturday, July 18. We will send out a request for RSVPs in mid-July. We hope that you and your loved ones stay safe out there, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for an MLB season announcement soon.
June 2020 Hornsby Chapter Quiz
By Cy Morong
1. Who won the first World Series MVP award?
2. Who was the first non-pitcher to win the World Series MVP award?
3. Who was the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award and the World Series MVP award in the same year?
4. Who was the first Cy Young Award winner not to pitch for a first-place team?
5. Who was the first pitcher to win the World Series MVP award twice?
6. Who was the first position player to win the World Series MVP award twice?
7. Who was the first position player to win the World Series MVP in the same year he won the regular season MVP award?
8. Who was the first man to win the World Series MVP while playing for the losing team?
9. Who was the first player to win the All-Star Game MVP in the same year he won the regular season MVP award?
10. Who was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year award and then go on to win the regular season MVP award in a later year?
11. Since 1931, who was the first man in the American League to win back-to-back regular season MVP awards?
12. Since 1931, who was the first man in the National League to win back-to-back regular season MVP awards?
13. Since 1931, who was the first man in either league to win three regular season MVP awards?
14. Who was the first National League pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards?
15. Who was the first American League pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards?
16. Who was the first pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year award and then go on to win the Cy Young Award in a later year?
17. Who was the first pitcher to win the All-Star game MVP in the same year he won the Cy Young Award?
18. Since 1931, who was the first pitcher in either league to win two regular season MVP awards?
19. Since 1931, of the 16 original franchises, which was the last to have a player win an MVP award for the first time?
20. Who was that MVP winner for the team in question 19?
Answers
1. Johnny Podres
2. Bobby Richardson
3. Bob Turley
4. Dean Chance
5. Sandy Koufax
6. Reggie Jackson
7. Frank Robinson
8. Bobby Richardson
9. Maury Wills
10. Jackie Robinson
11. Jimmie Foxx
12. Ernie Banks
13. Jimmie Foxx
14. Sandy Koufax
15. Denny McLain
16. Don Newcombe
17. Roger Clemens
18. Carl Hubbell
19. Senators/Twins
20. Zoilo Versalles
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