MLB Managers: 2000-2009 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Joe Torre

Joe Torre won 952 games between 2000 and 2009, the most victories for any Big League manager during that decade. Torre won 773 games with the New York Yankees and 179 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tony LaRussa had 913 victories during the decade, Bobby Cox won 892 games, and Bob Melvin had 493 victories.

Answer: Catcher

Mike Scioscia played as a catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers as a catcher from 1980 to 1992. The backstop played on two World Series champions, in 1981 and 1988. Scioscia undoubtedly learned a lot about managerial strategy from Dodgers' skipper Tommy Lasorda. Scioscia took over as manager of the Angels in 2000 and won 900 regular season games with the Halos between 2000 and 2009.

His Angels won the 2002 World Series title.

Answer: Joe Maddon

In the 2008 World Series, Charlie Manuel's Philadelphia Phillies met Joe Maddon and the Tampa Bay Rays. Maddon's Rays had previously upset the Boston Red Sox to capture the 2008 ALCS. The Pennsylvania native took control of Tampa Bay in 2006. In 2008, Manny Acta managed the Washington Nationals, Willie Randolph led the New York Mets, and Jim Leyland was the manager of the Detroit Tigers.

Answer: Frank Robinson

The Montreal Expos played in the National League from 1969 to 2004. Due to financial difficulties, the Expos moved to Washington after the 2004 season. The Expos' final manager was Frank Robinson, the Hall of Fame outfielder. The Expos finished in last place in the NL East, with a record of 67-95. Robinson managed the Expos from 2002 to 2004 and then continued with the Washington Nationals for two more seasons. Felipe Alou led the Expos from 1992 to 2001.

Answer: Grady Little

Terry Francona replaced Grady Little as manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2004. Little had managed the Red Sox in 2002 and 2003, compiling a record of 188-136. Francona promptly led the 2004 Red Sox to a World Series title, thus breaking a long victory drought for Red Sox Nation. Jimy Williams managed the Red Sox from 1997 to 2001, Joe Kerrigan led the Red Sox in 2002, and Butch Hobson was the Bosox skipper from 1992 to 1994.

Answer: Bobby Valentine

In 2000, Bobby Valentine managed the 2000 New York Mets to the National League pennant and a berth in the World Series. The Mets had a record of 94-68, good enough for a wild card spot in the NL. Valentine's team, led by Mike Piazza, then defeated the Giants and Cardinals to capture the NL crown. Valentine stayed as manager with the Mets until 2002.

He then went to Japan to lead the Chiba Lotte Marines club. Art Howe managed the Mets from 2003 to 2004, Willie Randolph led the Mets from 2005 to 2008, and Jerry Manuel was the Mets' manager in 2008 and 2009.

Answer: Bruce Bochy

Bruce Bochy managed the San Diego Padres from 1995 to 2006 and later managed the San Francisco Giants from 2007 to 2009. Bochy, a former Major League ballplayer, won divisional titles with the Padres in 2005 and 2006. Bud Black managed the Padres from 2007 to 2009; Trey Hillman led the Kansas City Royals in 2008 and 2009, and Dave Trembley was the manager of the Baltimore Orioles from 2007 to 2009.

Answer: Colorado Rockies

Clint Hurdle, a former outfielder, managed the Colorado Rockies from 2002 to 2009. Hurdle compiled an overall record of 534-625 with the Colorado ball club in regular season play. Hurdle's best season occurred in 2007 when led the Rockies to a 90-74 regular season mark and a National League title.

Answer: Houston Astros

Ozzie Guillen's Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in the 2005 World Series in a four-game sweep. Guillen, a former All-Star shortstop, took over the helm of the Pale Hose in 2004. In 2005, the White Sox compiled a regular season record of 99-63. Guillen's club then defeated the Red Sox and Angels en route to the American league title.

The White Sox captured their first World Series title in 88 years when they beat Phil Garner's Houston Astros. The Astros won the NL title by defeating the Cardinals and then the Braves in the playoffs.

Answer: Ken Macha

Ken Macha did not manage the Chicago Cubs in the decade from 2000 to 2009. Macha, a native of Pennsylvania, managed the Oakland A's from 2003 to 2006. He took control of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009. Don Baylor managed the Cubs from 2000 to 2002, Dusty Baker led the Cubbies from 2003 to 2006, and Lou Piniella took over the helm of the Cubs in 2007, finishing out the decade with Chicago.