Baseball for Dummies #83 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Detroit Tigers

The other teams listed, all led their division after 20 games. The Tigers were off to a dismal start by posting a 2-18 record to begin the season. Arizona comes in 2nd in this category, but well above the Tigers, with a 7-13 record. Only 3 Tigers had batted over .200 in their first 20 games.

Answer: Eddie Murray

No player listed reached the 320 mark, except for Eddie Murray who became a member of the 500 club in 1996 in an Oriole uniform. When Eddie retired in 1997 as a Dodger, only one other switch-hitter had hit more career home runs, in the name of Mickey Mantle.

This 1977 Rookie of the Year, never hit more than 33 home runs in a season, which was the jersey he wore for many years. Eddie played for 21 seasons throughout his career.

Answer: New York Yankees

No other team existed in 1953. The Yankees won their unprecedented 5th consecutive World Series in 1953, by defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers 4 games to 2. Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, and Gil McDougald each hit 2 home runs in the Series. Casey Stengel managed the team through these 5 winning appearances.

Answer: Seattle

Ichiro entered his 3rd season in the big leagues in 2003, all in a Mariner uniform. Suzuki was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2001, and batted an amazing .350. In 2002 his average dropped to a still great .321.

Answer: Jimmy Piersall

No other player listed, played for more than one team in their career, and all retired before 1960. In 1963, Piersall ran around the bases backwards while in a Mets uniform. He played for 3 teams in 1963. Piersall had many scrimmages with fans throughout his career, including knifings and brawls. He retired in 1967 as an Angel.

Answer: Sammy Sosa

Bonds already had 600 prior to the beginning of the season, and the other two had already retired with 521 big ones. Sosa with the Cubs, banged his 500th home run in the first 2 weeks of his 15th season. He also was hit in the head by a pitch, shattering his helmet. Let's hope this does not slow this baseball great down.

Answer: New York Giants

After being named the Gothams in 1883 and 1884, the Giants began their run in 1885 until 1957, before becoming the San Francisco Giants. The New York Giants won two championships in 1888 and 1889, then won their first World Series in 1905. The Tigers and White Sox began with numerous other teams in 1901 to form the new American League. The Yankees began their terror in 1913.

Answer: Reggie Jackson

This one was not even close, as Jackson not only struck out more than 800 times of those listed, but he was the only player in the entire 20th century to strike out 2000 times in his career. Not just 2000, but 'Mr. October' struck out 2597 times. 18 of his 21 seasons in the Majors, Jackson struck out over 100 times in a season.

Answer: Milwaukee Brewers

None of the other teams existed in 1970. The Brewers took the Pilots' record of 64-98 in 1969, and only improved it by one game in 1970. It wasn't until 1978, where the franchise had a win-loss record of over .500, with a 93-69 third place finish.

Answer: Mike Schmidt

The others listed, played for more than 1 team, none hit 500 home runs in their career, and none won a National League MVP. Schmidt played for the Phillies from 1972 to 1989. This 3rd baseman hit 548 home runs in his career. Mike has 1 World Series ring for defeating the Kansas City Royals in 1980.