Category: Contests

2014 Season Quiz

 

2014 Season Quiz

by Dan Walsh

(Presented at chapter meeting on December 16, 2014)

Total of 16 possible points.

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. Name the only player to hit 40 HR in 2014.

Nelson Cruz, BAL
2. Who is the pitcher who threw a no-hitter in both 2013 and 2014? Tim Lincecum, SFG
3.  Name the pitcher who led the majors in strikeouts in 2014. David Price, TBR/DET

4. Name the three pitchers who were 20 game winners in 2014.

 Clayton Kershaw, LAD, Adam Wainwright, STL and Johnny Cueto, CIN
5. Who was the AL batting champion in 2014?
 Jose Altuve, HOU
6. Who was the NL batting champion? Justin Morneau, COL
7. Who was the only player to win both a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award in 2014? Adrian Gonzalez, LAD
 8. Name the two players who batted .300 or more, hit 30 or more HR, and had 100 or more RBI.
 Jose Abreu, CHW and Victor Martinez, DET
 9. Which major league team made the greatest improvement in 2014 over 2013? LA Angels
10. Which team fell the furthest in 2014 versus 2013? Boston Red Sox

11. Who led the Astros in home runs in 2014?

 Chris Carter
12. Who was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2014?
 Jacob deGrom, NYM
13. Who was the MVP of the 2014 All-Star game? Mike Trout, LAA

 

First, Only and Mostly

 

First, Only and Mostly

by Dan Walsh

(Presented at chapter meeting on August 26, 2014)

Questions 1-14 are worth 1 point, 15-23 worth two points, 24 is worth three points and 25 is worth 5 points.

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. Name the first designated hitter in major league history.

Ron Blomberg, 1973
2. Name the only pitcher to hit two grand slams HR in one game. Tony Cloninger, 1966.
3.  This pitcher holds the record for most World Series wins during a career. Whitey Ford

4. After Babe Ruth, who was the first player to hit 500 home runs in his career?

 Jimmy Foxx
5. For players who began their career after 1950, the highest career batting average is held by …
 Tony Gwynn, .338 BA
6. This player holds the record for most runs scored during his career. Rickey Henderson
7. Name the youngest player to win a league batting title. Al Kaline, 20 in 1955
 8. The first home run in the Astrodome was hit by …
 Mickey Mantle
 9. This player holds the record for most career hits in All-Star games. Willie Mays
10. The only player to win the World Series MVP award while playing for the losing team. Bobby Richardson, Yankees, 1960

11. Name the only player to win the league MVP award in both leagues.

 Frank Robinson
12. The first player to sign a contract of $1,000,000 per year was …
 Nolan Ryan
13. This player has the most career wins for a left-handed pitcher. Warren Spahn, 363 wins

14. The first player to steal 100 bases in one season.

 Maury Wills, 1962, 104 SB
15. For 50 years, Hank Aaron was the first player listed in the Baseball Encyclopedia or other player registers.  Name the player who replaced Aaron as the first name listed in a player register. David Aardsma

16. The most RBI by one player in a game is 12.  Name the two players who accomplished this feat.

 Jim Bottomley, 1924 and Mark Whiten, 1993
17. The record for most strikeouts by a pitcher in one game is held by …
 Tom Cheney, 21K (16 IP)

18. Name the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter on opening day of a season.

 Bob Feller

19. Name the player who has won the most Gold Gloves during his career.

 Greg Maddux, 18
20. The first relief pitcher to win a Cy Young award was …
 Mike Marshall, 1974
21. Name the only player to win Rookie-of-Year, MVP, and Cy Young awards during his career. Don Newcombe.  RoY (1949), CY & MVP (1956)
22. The first Latin American player to win an MVP was …
 Zoilo Versalles, AL – 1965

23. Name the only player to get a hit for two different teams in two different cities on the same day.

 Joel Youngblood, 8/4/82

24. With a record of 211 wins and 222 losses, this is the only pitcher to win 200 games during his career, and have an overall losing record.

 Bobo Newsom

25. Name the only player in the Hall-of Fame to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat AND he did not hit another home run during his 20 year career.

 Hoyt Wilhelm

 

Things That Don’t Happen Any More

 

Things That Don’t Happen Any More

by Tom Thayer

(Presented at chapter meeting on April 17, 2014)

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)

1.  Who is the last player to hit .400 in a season? (qualifying for BA title)

    a. Bill Terry
    b. Ted Williams
    c. George Brett
    d. Tony Gwynn

Ted Williams 1941 .406
2.  Who is the last player with 30 triples in a season?
    a. Chief Wilson
    b. Sam Crawford
    c. Shoeless Joe Jackson
    d. Willie Wilson		 Chief Wilson 36 1912
3.  Who is the last player to lead his league with fewer than 30 home runs?
     (non-strike years)
    a. Dick Allen
    b. Graig Nettles
    c. Gus Zernial
    d. Ralph Kiner		 Ralph Kiner 23 1946

4.  Who is the last player to lead the league with fewer than 100 strikeouts?
    a. Jim Rice
    b. Harry Anderson
    c. Jim Lemon
    d. Pat Seerey

 Harry Anderson 95 1958
5.  Who is the last player to steal 100 bases in a season?
    a. Kenny Lofton
    b. Vince Coleman    
    c. Rickey Henderson
    d. Lou Brock		 Vince Coleman 109 1987
6.  Who is the last pitcher to win 30 games in a season?
    a. Lefty Grove
    b. Sandy Koufax   
    c. Denny McLain
    d. Bob Welch		 Denny McLain 31 1968
7.  Who is the last pitcher to lead his league in saves pitched with fewer than 30?
    a. John Franco
    b. Dave Righetti
    c. Lee Smith
    d. Rollie Fingers		 Lee Smith 29 1983
8.  Who is the last pitcher to throw 300 innings in a season?
    a. Steve Carlton       
    b. Jack Morris
    c. Wilbur Wood
    d. Phil Niekro		 Steve Carlton 304 1980
9.  Who is the last pitcher to throw  400 innings in a season?
    a. Walter Johnson
    b. Cy Young
    c. Ed Walsh
    d. Joe McGinnity		 Ed Walsh 464 1908
10.  Who is the last pitcher to lead his league in strikeouts with fewer than 200? (non-strike years)
    a. Jose DeLeon
    b. Len Barker
    c. Al Downing
    d. Early Wynn		 Len Barker 187 1980

11.  Who is the last pitcher to start 40 games in a season?
    a. Charlie Hough    
    b. Phil Niekro
    c. Wilbur Wood
    d. Steve Carlton

 Charlie Hough 40 1987
12.  Who is the last pitcher with 20 complete games in a season?
    a. Roger Clemens
    b. Jack Morris
    c. Fernando Valenzuela
    d. Nolan Ryan
 Fernando Valenzuela 20 1986
13.  Who is the last pitcher with 10 shutouts in a season?
    a. Mike Scott   
    b. Sandy Koufax
    c. Bob Gibson
    d. John Tudor
 John Tudor 10 1985

14.  Who is the last pitcher with 200 walks in a season?
    a. Nolan Ryan
    b. Phil Niekro
    c. Bob Lemon
    d. Bob Feller

 Nolan Ryan 204 1977
15.  Who is the last fielder to commit 50 errors in a season?
    a. Jose Offerman
    b. Dick Allen
    c. Roy Smalley
    d. Al Brancato
 Roy Smalley, Jr 51, 1950

16.  Which is the last team to hit lower than .230 in a season?
    a. 1981 Toronto Blue Jays
    b. 1979 Oakland As
    c. 1971 San Diego Padres
    d. 1968 New York Yankees

 1981 Toronto Blue Jays .226

17.   Which is the last team with fewer than 100 home runs in a season that made the playoffs?
    a. 1980 Houston Astros
    b. 1982 St Louis Cardinals
    c. 1987 St Louis Cardinals
    d. 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers

 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers 99

18.  Which is the last team to bat over .300 for the season?
    a. 2000 Colorado Rockies
    b. 1995 Cleveland Indians
    c. 1950 Boston Red Sox
    d. 1936 New York Yankees

 1950 Boston Red Sox     .302

19.  Which is the last team with an ERA under 3.00?
    a. 1992 Atlanta Braves
    b. 1989 Los Angeles Dodgers
    c. 1988 Montreal Expos
    d. 1981 Houston Astros

 1989 Los Angeles Dodgers 2.95

20.  In what year did the Chicago Cubs last win the NL pennant?
    a. 1984
    b. 1945
    c. 1938
    d. 1908

 1945

Bonus:  What was the last year in which all World Series games were scheduled  during the daytime?

 1970

 

Alphabetical Home Run Leaders

 

Alphabetical Home Run Leaders

by Dan Walsh

(Presented at chapter meeting on March 20, 2014)

 

Name the career home run leader for players whose last name begins with …

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
A

Hank Aaron 755
B Barry Bonds 762
C Jose Canseco 462

D

 Carlos Delgado 473
E Darrell Evans 414
F Jimmy Foxx 534
G Ken Griffey, Jr. 630
H Frank Howard 382
I Raul Ibanez 300
J Reggie Jackson 563

K

 Harmon Killebrew 573
L
 Carlos Lee 358
M
 Willie Mays 660

N

 Graig Nettles 390
O
 Mel Ott 511

P

 Rafael Palmeiro 569

Q

 Carlos Quentin 150

R

 Babe Ruth 714

S

 Sammy Sosa 609

T

 Jim Thome 612

U

 Dan Uggla 231

V

 Greg Vaughn 355

W

 Ted Williams 521

X

 no players
Y
 Carl Yastrzemski 452

Z

 Todd Zeile 253

Tie breaker

Name the player who hit the most home runs, 

and is not included on the above list.

He is ranked #5 on the all-time list.

 Alex Rodriguez 654

 

 

Based on home run totals through 2013 season

 

Latin American Baseball – with a Venezuelan flavor

 

Beisbol Latinoamericano — 2014 (con un sabor venezolano)

(presented Feb. 22, 2014)

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. This year’s Serie del Caribe was held in Estadio Nueva Esparta on what Venezuelan island?

Isla Margarita
2.

Match the participating five countries’ playoff winners to their home cities:

Team Names:  Naranjeros;   Navegantes de Magallanes;   Naranjas (or Leopardos);   Indios;   Tigres de Licey

Home cities:  Santo Domingo, DR;   Mayaguez, PR;   Villa Clara, Cuba;   Hermosillo, Mex;   Valencia, Ven.

 

Naranjeros de Hermosillo

Navegantes de Valencia  

Naranjas de Villa Clara

Indios de Mayaguez    

Licey de Santo Domingo
3.

The Venezuelan Winter League consists of eight teams.  Match the team nicknames with their host cities/states:

Team Names:  Aguilas, Navegantes, Leones, Tiburones, Cardenales, Caribes, Bravos, Tigres

Host cities or states:  Caracas, La Guaira, Porlamar, Anzoategui, Zulia, Lara, Aragua, Valencia

Aguilas de Zulia

Navegantes de Valencia 

Leones de Caracas

Tiburones de La Guaira

Cardenales de Lara

Caribes de Anzoategui

Bravos de Porlamar

Tigres de Aragua
4.

Beginning with Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel in the ’50s, many top-notch shortstops have come to MLB from Venezuela.  Identify the four Venezuelans from this list of MLB shortstops:

Elvis Andrus, Julio Lugo, Johnny Peralta, Omar Vizquel, Ozzie Guillen, Luis Aparicio, Jose Reyes, Edgar Renteria

The four Venezuelans are:  Andrus, Vizquel, Guillen, and Aparicio
5.

Venezuelan MLB leaders — name the:

a.  Two Venezuelan-born pitchers that have won Cy Young Awards

b.  Four Venezuelan-born players that have won batting titles

c.  Only Venezuelan-born player to win a league MVP

a.  Felix Hernandez and Johan Santana(2)

b.  Miguel Cabrera (3), Carlos Gonzalez, Magglio Ordonez, and Andres Gallaraga

c.  Miguel Cabrera (2)
6. Name the only Venezuelan-born player currently in the U.S. Baseball Hall of Fame Luis Aparicio
7. Tiebreaker (if needed) — of the 56 Caribbean Series played thus far, how many times has the Venezuelan team won? Seven
     

 

 

You Rank ‘Em

You Rank ‘Em

(presented Dec. 17, 2013)

Players for each question are listed alphabetically.  Rank them, 1-5, according to their respective finish in each category during the 2013 major league season.  Two points for correct leader and one point for each player placed in the correct position, 2-5.  (54 pts. max)

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. BA.  Robinson Cano, Paul Goldschmidt, Joe Mauer, Andrew McCutcheon, Yadier Molina.
 Mauer .324, Molina .319, McCutcheon .317, Cano .315, Goldschmidt .302
2. HR.  Domonic Brown, Paul Goldschmidt, Adam Jones, David Ortiz, Alfonso Soriano.
 Goldschmidt 36, Soriano 34, Jones 32, Ortiz 30, Brown 27
3. 3B.  Erick Aybar, Michael Bourne, Paul Goldschmidt, Jean Segura, Mike Trout.
 Segura 10, Trout 9, Bourn 6, Aybar 5, Goldschmidt 3
4. 2B.  Jay Bruce, Paul Goldschmidt, Manny Machado, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Mike Trout.
 Machado 51, Bruce 43, Saltalamacchia 40, Trout 39, Goldschmidt 36
5. SB.  Jose Altuve, Elvis Andrus, Leonys Martin, Jean Segura, Mike Trout.
Segura 44, Andrus 42, Martin 36, Altuve 35, Trout 33
6. WAR (ESPN.com).  Chris Davis, Josh Donaldson, Paul Goldschmidt, Andrew McCutcheon, Andrelton Simmons. McCutcheon 8.2, Donaldson 8.0, Goldschmidt 7.0, Simmons 6.7, Davis 6.4
7. IP.  Yu Darvish, Felix Hernandez, Max Scherzer, James Shields, Justin Verlander.
 Shields 228.2, Verlander 218.1, Scherzer 214.1, Darvish 209.2, Hernandez 204.1
8. K.  Homer Bailey, R. A. Dickey, Cliff Lee, Tim Lincecum, Stephen Strasburg.
 Lee 222, Bailey 199, Lincecum 193, Strasburg 191, Dickey 177
9. ERA.  Yu Darvish, Zack Grienke, Hiroki Kuroda, Chris Sale, James Shields.
 Grienke 2.63, Darvish 2.83, Sale 3.07, Shields 3.15, Kuroda 3.31
Tie Breaker. Career HR:  Adrian Beltre, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Konerko, David Ortiz, Alfonso Soriano
 Konerko 434, Ortiz 431, Soriano 406, Beltre 376, Cabrera 365

 

 

Norman Macht’s Trivia Contest

Norman Macht’s Trivia Contest

(presented Nov. 3, 2013)

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. Two pitchers named Monte were a combined 4-1 in five World Series. Who were they, who did they pitch for, and what were the years? 9 points

Monte Weaver, Washington Senators, 1933

Monte Pearson, New York Yankees, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939
2. For the years 1976-1986, the Orioles had a righthanded pitcher and lefthanded reliever named Martinez. Who were they? 2 points

Dennis Martinez

Tippy Martinez
3. A guy named Cy signed Bob Feller to his first contract. Who was he? 1 point
 Cy Slapnicka
4. Two mangers named Baker won pennants. Who were they, who were the teams, and what were the years? 6 points

Del Baker, 1940 Detroit Tigers

Dusty Baker, 2002 San Francisco Giants
5. Who was the Walsh who played for the Athletics in teh 1914 World Series and the Red Sox in the 1916 World Series? 1 point
 Jimmy Walsh
6. Who was the Walsh who pitched for the White Sox 1928-1932? 1 point Ed Walsh Jr.
7. What Hall of Famer has the middle name Dillon? 1 point
 Casey Dillon Stengel
8. Who was the Bass who played 10 years for the Astros? 1 point Kevin Bass
9. A Hall of Fame pitcher who won 361 games, mostly in the 19th century, is ________ Nichols. 1 point
 Kid
10. This Larson broke in with the Astros in 1976 and was 5-8 with five complete games. 1 point
 Dan Larson
11. Who was the Kaufmann who was 64-62 in the National League 1921-1935? 1 point
 Tony Kaufmann

 

 

Houston Astros World Series Quiz

Houston Astros World Series Quiz

(presented Oct. 26, 2013)

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. What future Houston Colt .45 and Astros player pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series?

Don Larsen
2. Who was the former Astros player that hit a home run in the 14th inning to beat the Astros in Game 3 of the 2005 World Series?
 Geoff Blum
3. What former Astros player drove in the decisive run in  Game 7 of the 1975 World Series?
 Joe Morgan
4. What former Astros player was the MVP of the 1986 World Series?
 Ray Knight
5. What former Astros player batted .750 (9 for 12) in the 1990 World Series?
 Billy Hatcher
6. What former Astros player drove in the winning run in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series? Luis Gonzalez
7. What future Astros manager drove in the winning run in Game 7 of the 1946 World Series?
 Gary Walker
8. What Astros pitcher was charged with two of the losses for the Astros in the 2005 World Series? Brad Lidge
9. Who were the two former Astros that were co-MVPs in the 2001 World Series?
 Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson
10. Who is the pitcher that was traded (with others) by Houston to Seattle for Randy Johnson, and who started the decisive Game 4 of the 2005 World Series against the Astros?
 Freddie Garcia
11. Who were the Astros’ four starting pitchers in the 2005 World Series?

Rogers Clemens

Andy Pettitte

Roy Oswalt

Brandon Backe
12. What former Astros pitcher holds the record for most postseason wins?

Andy Pettitte

Bonus

Name the one player from the 2013 Astros roster with previous World Series experience.

Carlos Pena

 

 

Great Managers Who Also Played the Game

Presented at the Sept. 19, 2013, chapter meeting

By position, which former players in Major League Baseball went on to become their position’s all-time winningest managers? In other words, name the managers with prior MLB playing experience who had the most wins as a manager. The position the player played at most determines where he goes on the list. Name the top two managers for each position. For outfielders, name the top six.

Two points for each correct answer in the correct slot. You get one point for the correct name that is in the wrong slot. Maximum points are 36 points.

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. Pitcher

Tommy Lasorda (26 games; 1,599 wins)

Clark Griffin (453 games; 1,491 wins)
2. Catcher

Connie Mack (610 games; 3,731 wins)

Joe Torre (903 games; 2,326 wins)
3. First Base

Walter Alston (1 game; 2,040 wins)

Cap Anson (2,152 games; 1,295 wins)
4. Second Base

Tony LaRussa (63 games; 2,728 wins)

Sparky Anderson (152 games; 2,194 wins)
5. Third Base

John McGraw (282 games; 2,763 wins)

Bobby Cox (188 games; 2,504 wins)
6. Shortstop

Leo Durocher (1,509 games; 2,008 wins)

Joe Cronin (1,843 games; 1,236 wins)
7. Outfield

Casey Stengel (1,183 games; 1, 906

Lou Pinella (1,401 games; 1,835 wins)

Dusty Baker (1,842 games; 1,668 wins as of Sept. 19, 2013)

Fred Clarke (2,193 games; 1,602 wins)

Dick Williams (456 games; 1,571 wins)

Chuck Tanner (202 games; 1,352 wins)

 

 

Home Run Leaders by Franchise

Home Run Leaders by Franchise

by Bill Gilbert

(Presented at chapter meeting on June 13, 2013)

(Move the mouse over the blank space to see the answer)
1. Baltimore Orioles*

Cal Ripken, Jr.
2. Boston Red Sox Ted Williams
3. New York Yankees Babe Ruth
4.

Tampa Bay Rays

 Carlos Pena
5. Toronto Blue Jays Carlos Delgado
     
6. Chicago White Sox Frank Thomas
7. Cleveland Indians Jim Thome
8. Detroit Tigers Al Kaline
9. Kansas City Royals George Brett
10. Minnesota Twins* Harmon Killebrew
     
11.

Houston Astros

 Jeff Bagwell
12. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
 Tim Salmon
13. Oakland A’s*
 Mark McGwire
14.

Seattle Mariners

 Ken Griffey, Jr.
15. Texas Rangers*
 Juan Gonzalez
     
16.

Atlanta Braves*

 Henry Aaron
17.

Miami Marlins

 Dan Uggla
18.

New York Mets

 Darryl Strawberry
19.

Philadelphia Phillies

 Mike Schmidt
20.

Washington Nationals*

 Vladimir Guererro
     
21.

Chicago Cubs

 Sammy Sosa
22.

Cincinnati Reds

 Johnny Bench
23.

Milwaukee Brewers*

 Robin Yount
24.

Pittsburgh Pirates

 Willie Stargell
25. St. Louis Cardinals
 Stan Musial
     
26.

Arizona Diamondbacks

 Luis Gonzalez
27.

Colorado Rockies

 Todd Helton
28. Los Angeles Dodgers* Duke Snider
29. San Diego Padres Nate Colbert
30. San Francisco Giants Willie Mays

 

 *Includes years in other locations.