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MLB Players Deaths Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
MLB Players Deaths Quizzes, Trivia

MLB Players Deaths Trivia

MLB Players Deaths Trivia Quizzes

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9 quizzes and 95 trivia questions.
1.
  I Never Retired   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All multiple choice about some Major League players who retired from life before they retired from the game. Good luck. :)
Average, 10 Qns, Nightmare, Aug 25 09
Average
Nightmare gold member
752 plays
2.
  Deceased in 2002 and 2003   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
An all multiple choice quiz about some MLB players who gave their all in baseball, and went on to a new life in 2002 and 2003.
Average, 10 Qns, Nightmare, Dec 07 06
Average
Nightmare gold member
1141 plays
3.
  What Might Have Been   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Injury, illness or tragedy short-circuited, curtailed or lessened the careers of these talented ballplayers
Average, 10 Qns, Nealzineatser, Jan 14 15
Average
Nealzineatser gold member
567 plays
4.
  MLB Players Lost Too Soon   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
Professional Baseball has provided fans with many thrills and many heartbreaks. One of the worst tragedies is when a player we have admired and cheered dies prematurely. This quiz will test you knowledge of players/managers who left us too soon
Average, 15 Qns, jperrone, Jan 30 14
Average
jperrone
443 plays
5.
  2006 MLB Deaths   best quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A look at some great Major Leaguers who died in 2006. I hope that you are not shocked! :-)
Average, 10 Qns, Nightmare, Dec 22 06
Average
Nightmare gold member
1641 plays
6.
  MLB Deaths in 2015   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
All but one of the ten ex-players discussed in this quiz played in the 1950s and/or the 1960s. Three played primarily for the Boston Red Sox.
Average, 10 Qns, chessart, Jan 09 16
Average
chessart gold member
329 plays
7.
  He Played, Then Died   top quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A look back at some Major League players who died in the same year that they played in. Look at your answer options carefully. :)
Average, 10 Qns, Nightmare, Aug 16 10
Average
Nightmare gold member
550 plays
8.
  Baseball Deaths 2004   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
A little on the morbid side, but an all multiple choice quiz about some former Major League players who died in 2004. I hope that some names do not shock you. :-)
Average, 10 Qns, Nightmare, Dec 07 06
Average
Nightmare gold member
755 plays
9.
  Called Out Too Soon    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz on Major League Baseball players that died while still active in the game.
Tough, 10 Qns, keithkomodo, Sep 17 10
Tough
keithkomodo
321 plays
Related Topics
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  Celebrity Deaths by Year [Celebrities] (21 quizzes)

  Character Deaths [Television] (14 quizzes)

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  Death in Movies [Movies] (22 quizzes)

  Thematic Death [General] (31 quizzes)


MLB Players Deaths Trivia Questions

1. This phenomenal multi-sport athlete and 1989 American League all-star MVP actually suffered his career threatening injury playing football. Who "knows?"

From Quiz
What Might Have Been

Answer: Bo Jackson

"Bo knows," was the Nike ad campaign which made Bo Jackson even more of a household name. His serious hip injury occurred during the 1990 NFL playoff game against Cincinnati. Bo was the the starting running back for a strong Oakland Raider team. Afterward, Bo was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, which resulted in insufficient blood flow to the top of his femur and necessitated a hip replacement. He had to quit football, and his MLB team, Kansas City Royals, cut him loose. He made a comeback with the White Sox in 1993 and enjoyed some success, but his blazing speed was gone and he was never the same.

2. This Pittsburgh Pirate Hall of Fame player got his final and 3000th career hit on October 3, 1972, then died in a plane crash less than three months later. Who was this?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Roberto Clemente

Clemente was on his second effort to provide relief via food and medical supplies. His first attempt resulted in warlords seizing his shipment. He was on board on December 31, 1972, when his overloaded plane crashed in Nicaragua. Roberto was 38 in his 18th season with the Pirates. He had won the 1966 NL MVP Award.

3. Danny Frisella, a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, died from what incident near Phoenix in 1977?

From Quiz Called Out Too Soon

Answer: Dune buggy crash

Frisella played part of 10 Major League seasons. His career record was 34 wins and 40 losses. As a member of the 1969 Miracle Mets, he pitched in three games. During what would be his final season of 1976, he won five and lost two for the Brewers.

4. New York and the world of baseball was shocked when this Yankee catcher was killed in a plane crash in 1979. Who was this pinstripe-wearing all-star that was loved by all?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Thurman Munson

On August 7, 1979, Munson was killed in his own aircraft while practicing 'touch and go' landings. He was in his 11th season with the Yankees when the accident occurred. Thurman was the 1970 AL Rookie of the Year and the AL MVP in 1976.

5. A player known for playing in five different decades died in 2015. Who was this Cuban native, who played for four different MLB teams, primarily the White Sox and the Indians?

From Quiz MLB Deaths in 2015

Answer: Minnie Minoso

Minoso broke in with the Indians in 1949, and retired with the White Sox in 1964 at the age of 39. He "unretired" for three games in 1976, and then again for two games in 1980, to achieve the (rather artificial) record of playing in five decades. Minoso's failure to receive induction into baseball's Hall of Fame is seen by sabermetricians as one of the biggest Hall of Fame injustices. The problem is that Minoso never led his league in home runs or RBIs, and these are the stats which the writers who do the Hall of Fame voting tend to emphasize over other factors. Minoso did, however, lead his league in hits once, in doubles once, in triples three times, in stolen bases three times, and in hit by pitches an amazing ten times! A second problem with the Hall of Fame voting is the Hall's rule that a member must be inducted in only one category; i.e., his whole baseball career cannot be considered. In Minoso's case, that means that only his Major league career can be considered, and his three years as a star in the Negro Leagues from 1946 through 1948 must be ignored. The nine years he spent in the Mexican League after his MLB retirement must also be ignored. The other choices are players Minoso played with during the 1950s.

6. This all time baseball great might have been even greater had his career not been hampered by severe and chronic knee injuries and pain. Who was he?

From Quiz What Might Have Been

Answer: Mickey Mantle

Most know of Mantle's knee problems, but many are not aware that he suffered a severe knee injury his rookie year because he stepped on a drain while chasing a fly ball in the hallowed outfield of Yankee Stadium; or that some of his teammates blamed an aging and jealous Joe DiMaggio for not going after the flyball on which Mick got injured.

7. This future Hall of Famer died and was found at the bottom of Niagara Falls in mid-season 1903. Who was this former Philadelphia Phillie?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Ed Delahanty

Delahanty had four other brothers play in big league baseball. He played in 13 seasons with the Phillies, and batted over .400 three times. He won the 1899 NL batting title with his .410 average. It was never determined his cause of death, whether he jumped, was pushed, or accidentally fell. He died on July 2.

8. In 1920, this player became the first on-field tragedy that resulted in a death. He was hit in the head by a pitch. Who was this Cleveland Indian?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Ray Chapman

The Indian second baseman was at the plate against Yankee pitcher Carl Mays on August 17. Although Ray died a short time later, the Indians dedicated the rest of their season to him, winning the World Series against the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers). Chapman was in his ninth season when he was beaned.

9. Who was the promising Chicago Cubs second baseman who played only two seasons in the majors before dying in an off season plane crash?

From Quiz What Might Have Been

Answer: Ken Hubbs

Hubbs debuted in September, 1961, then played 160 games in 1962. He led NL rookies in nearly every offensive category, was the rookie of the year, and was also the first rookie to win a gold glove, at one point playing 78 consecutive games without an error. With Billy Williams at the beginning of a hall of fame career, the Cubs seemed poised to become major players in the National League, but this was another example of their apparently cursed status.

10. This New York Yankee catcher was the heart of the team in the 1970s. He died in a plane crash just before the end of the 1979 season. Who was this 1976 AL MVP?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Thurman Munson

Munson began his career in limited duty in 1969 in the pinstripes. He won the 1970 Rookie of the Year Award. In 1976, he won his AL MVP over George Brett of the Royals.

11. Which Red Sox pitcher was stabbed to death in Florida during a fight at a spring training fish fry?

From Quiz Called Out Too Soon

Answer: Ed Morris

Ed Morris won 33 games between the 1928 and 1929 seasons. He then injured his shoulder in a brawl on an elevator in 1930. Prior to the 1932 season, he was stabbed to death during a fish fry prior to going to spring training. Mercury Morris was a member of the 17-0 Miami Dolphins in 1972-73. Oil Can Boyd was a zany Red Sox pitcher on the 1986 pennant winners. Smokey Joe Wood was an ace of the Babe Ruth-era Red Sox.

12. On the last day of the year in 1972, this Pittsburgh Pirate perished in a plane crash which he funded as a humanitarian relief effort to Nicaragua. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame the following year. Who was he?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Roberto Clemente

Clemente had just finished his 18th season three months earlier. Roberto won 12 Gold Glove awards in the outfield and won four batting titles before his death.

13. Frank Malzone, who died in December at age 85, had a good 12-year career from 1955 to 1966, all but the last year with the Boston Red Sox. What position did Malzone play?

From Quiz MLB Deaths in 2015

Answer: third base

Malzone was a fixture at third base for the Red Sox. He was an eight-time All-Star, and won three gold gloves. After his playing days ended, he was a scout for 35 years for the Red Sox.

14. From 1991 to 2004, this pitcher was one of the premiere relief pitchers in the league. He triumphantly returned in 2003 after successful "Tommy John" surgery the prior year. He was found dead in his apartment in June 2007 at age 38. Who was he ?

From Quiz MLB Players Lost Too Soon

Answer: Rod Beck

In a career that spanned 13 seasons, Rod Beck played for four different MLB teams and was one of the most dominant relievers for some of those seasons. In 1994 he won The Rolaids Relief Man of the Year in the National League and in 2003 was voted the NL's Comeback Player of the Year. Sadly, just one year later, he was gone from the game and he died in 2007.

15. This Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher had played in 10 seasons with the Pirates, then he died in an automobile accident while heading to former Pirate Bill Mazeroski's golf course on his 29th birthday in 1976. Who was this pitcher?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Bob Moose

Mazeroski retired in 1972, after hitting a walk-off series-winning home run in the 1960 World Series. After retiring, Bill was the new owner of a golf course. Moose died just six days after the 1976 season ended, and on his birthday. One of Bob's career highlights was no-hitting the future season champion New York Mets on September 20, 1969.

16. This pitcher's death in 2006 was never officially labeled with a cause. The plane crashed in a New York residential area, killing him and his flight instructor. Who was this pitcher?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Cory Lidle

Lidle pitched for seven teams in his nine seasons. The only major category that Cory led, was giving up the most earned runs in 2003. The incident occurred just four days after the Yankees lost the ALDS to the Tigers.

17. Stu Miller died in January at the age of 87. He pitched for a number of teams during his 17-year career, retiring in 1968. What odd event is Miller known for?

From Quiz MLB Deaths in 2015

Answer: getting blown off the mound at Candlestick Park during the 1961 All Star game

Candlestick Park was notoriously windy, due to its location on the San Francisco Bay. Despite the poor conditions, the San Francisco Giants called it home from 1960 until they moved into a new park in 2000. Miller was charged with a balk due to the problem with the wind blowing him off the mound.

18. Which talented but enigmatic outfielder with mental problems ran around the bases backward after hitting a home run, shot the home plate umpire with a water pistol, and got in a pregame fistfight with Yankee Billy Martin?

From Quiz What Might Have Been

Answer: Jimmy Piersall

Piersall, "the Waterbury Wizard," actually played part or all of seventeen seasons in the majors, from 1950 through 1967. A movie about his fascinating life, 'Fear Strikes Out' starring Anthony Perkins, is a must watch for baseball fans.

19. This player is credited with hitting baseball's first-ever World Series home run in 1903. While with the Washington Senators in 1909, he became sick, and died just four months after the final game in the season. Who was this?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Jimmy Sebring

Sebring was sick at the end of the 1905 season, which kept him out of baseball until 1909. He made a comeback, but his Brights Disease came back. Although Jimmy had bragging rights for the first-ever World Series home run, the Pirates lost to the Boston Americans five games to three in 1903.

20. In 1969, I watched on television as this Pittsburgh Pirate threw a no-hitter against the New York Mets. Seven years later, he died in an automobile accident on his 29th birthday.

From Quiz Called Out Too Soon

Answer: Bob Moose

Moose had his best season in 1969, going 14-3 for the Pirates, including his no-hitter. His career stats were 76 wins, 71 losses, and he was a member of the 1971 World Series Champions. Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter against the Padres in 1970, and years later claimed he was on LSD when that happened. Haddix threw a no-hitter for 12 innings against the Milwaukee Braves, before losing in the 13th on an error, intentional walk, and one hit. Bob Friend was a four-time All-Star for the Pirates.

21. It was never determined what happened to this future Hall of Famer. In 1903, he fell to his death over Niagara Falls. Who was this Philadelphia Phillie and Washington Senator?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Ed Delahanty

Ed was one of five brothers in the Major Leagues. On July 2 after being kicked off a train, Delahanty fell off the International bridge, or was pushed, or committed suicide. Ed won the NL batting title with his .410 average in 1899. He was a 1945 Hall of Fame inductee.

22. Billy Pierce, who died in July at age 88, retired in 1964 after an 18-year big league career as a starting pitcher. With which team did Pierce spend 13 of those 18 years?

From Quiz MLB Deaths in 2015

Answer: Chicago White Sox

Pierce finished with a won-lost record of 211-169. 186 of those wins came with the White Sox, for whom he made seven opening day starts.

23. One of the all time greats, this Dodger pitched only nine full seasons (100+ innings pitched) before retiring at the top of his game due to arthritis. Who is this lefty Hall of Famer?

From Quiz What Might Have Been

Answer: Sandy Koufax

What can you say about perhaps the most dominating left handed pitcher of all time, other than that his time was too short. After a mediocre start to his career, he suddenly hit his stride in 1961. In the six years from '61-'66, he compiled an amazing 129-37 won lost record, won three Cy Young awards and an MVP award, led the league in ERA for five straight years, and led the Dodgers to two World Series titles. He also endeared himself to countless Jewish fans and many others by refusing to pitch game one of the '65 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur, a Jewish holy day of atonement. Instead, Don Drysdale started and got shelled, giving up seven runs in less than 3 innings. When manager Walt Alston came to remove him from the game, Drysdale reportedly said, "Walt, I bet you're wishing I was Jewish right now." Koufax went on to pitch three games anyway, winning games five and seven by shutout to close out the Twins.

24. This St. Louis Cardinal pitcher died on June 22, 2002, in his third season with the Cardinals. Who was he?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Darryl Kile

Kile began his career with the Astros in 1991. He signed as a free agent with the Rockies in 1997, then was traded to the Cardinals in 1999. Darryl was voted fifth in the Cy Young voting twice, including his best season of 20-9 in 2000. He died of coronary failure, due to a 90% blockage in two coronary arteries.

25. Houston Astro pitcher Don Wilson was found dead in his garage. The official ruling was accidental death from carbon monoxide poisoning. Sadly, the accident also claimed the death of which of his family members?

From Quiz Called Out Too Soon

Answer: His son

Unfortunately, Wilson's son also died. His wife and daughter were rushed to the hospital and survived the incident. His wife had a broken jaw. The cause was never explained.

26. This 10-season career Pittsburgh Pirate pitcher was killed in an auto accident on his 29th birthday in 1976. Who was this Buc-loved pitcher?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Bob Moose

Moose's best season was in 1971 when he went 14-3. Bob went to one World Series with the Pirates in 1971 and won it over the Orioles. The accident occurred on October 9 in Martins Ferry, Ohio.

27. In an incident which inspired the book (and later movie) "The Natural," this first baseman was shot by a deranged woman in a Chicago hotel room early on, but still went on to have a decent career with the Cubs, Phillies and Orioles. Who was he?

From Quiz What Might Have Been

Answer: Eddie Waitkus

The woman was evidently a stalker who was upset that the Cubs had traded Eddie to the Phillies before the '49 season. He almost died on the operating table, while she never stood trial in the incident, but was put in a mental institution. He actually was known as "the natural" during his rookie season with the Cubs in 1946, hitting .304 and coming in 13th in the MVP voting that year. Waitkus had a solid three years with the Phillies after recovering and returning in late 1949, including being voted comeback player of the year for 1950 while helping the Phils to their first pennant in 35 years. But after 1955, he was gone, his chance at greatness derailed by a dingbat. Try reading "The Natural," by Bernard Malamud. Way better than the movie.

28. This pitcher played his 13 seasons with the Yankees and St. Louis Browns. He went to one World Series in 1926, but the Yankees lost to the Cardinals. Who was this pitcher with a rather scary name?

From Quiz He Played, Then Died

Answer: Urban Shocker

Urban's best season was in 1921, going 21-7 with the Browns. Shocker's final appearance on the mound was on May 30, 1928. He died of pneumonia less than four months later, just 13 days short of his 37th birthday.

29. This player was credited with hitting the first-ever World Series home run in 1903. Three months after the 1909 season, he died at the age of 29 due to an illness. Who was he?

From Quiz I Never Retired

Answer: Jimmy Sebring

Jimmy died of brighs disease which is a kidney disorder. In five Major League seasons, he hit only six home runs, but his World Series home run on October 1st for his Pirates, went down in the record books.

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