Baseball for Dummies #98 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Boston Americans

None of the other teams existed in 1903. Boston, the American League champions, won the first ever World Series, between the National League and the newly formed American League from 1901. Boston defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3. Pitchers Bill Dinneen (who won 3) and Cy Young (who won 2), led Boston to victory.

The franchise became the Boston Red Sox in 1908. Prior to 1908 they did not have an official nickname. Boston American League team (shortened to Boston Americans) was often used to distinguish it from the Boston NL team (referred to as the Boston Beaneaters).

The Boston NL team became the Boston Braves in 1912.

Answer: Jim

Jim was born one month shy of 3 years earlier than Gaylord. Both were rookies at the age of 23. Jim played with 4 teams over 17 seasons, while Gaylord played 22 seasons with 8 teams. Jim won 1 Cy Young Award in 1970, while Gaylord won 2 in 1972 and 1978.

Answer: Joe DiMaggio

None of the others listed, went to even 1 World Series. 'Joltin Joe' was also a 13-time All-Star in all his seasons from 1936-1951. Joe hit 361 home runs in 13 seasons, compared to 369 strikeouts.

Answer: Frankie Crosetti

None of the others listed ever played for the Yankees. From 1932-1948, Crosetti kept consistent numbers across the board for the Pinstripes. He went to 7 World Series with the New York ballclub, winning 6 of them.

Answer: 16

Bill George of the 1887 New York Giants set this record. Amazingly in 1887, 5 balls constituted a walk in those days. George pitched for only 3 seasons in his short career.

Answer: George Anderson

George 'Sparky' Anderson was a rookie at the age of 25, and played in his only season of baseball in 1959. This Philadelphia Phillies' 2nd baseman played in 152 games in the season, and batted .218. 11 years later, he began to manage the Cincinnati Reds for 9 seasons, taking the Reds to 4 World Series. For the following 17 years, he managed the Detroit Tigers, and took them to one World Series Championship in 1984.

Answer: Atlanta Braves

Before becoming the Atlanta Braves, the franchise was the Milwaukee Braves, Boston Braves, Boston Bees, and the Boston Rustlers in 1909 and 1910, amongst other franchise names. In both the Rustlers' seasons, they lost 100 or more games for an 8th place finish each time.

Answer: Reggie Jackson

Reggie was the first player in history to strike out 2500 times, then retired with 2597 strikeouts. Known as, 'Mr. October', Jackson seemed to rise to the occasion during the postseasons. Of his 5 World Series, he helped win 4 of them. He was inducted into the Hall in 1993, with 94% of the vote.

Answer: None listed

The Hall of Fame did not exist until 25 years later in 1936, with 5 inductees of Cobb, Ruth, Mathewson, Wagner, and Johnson.

Answer: 2

Rafael Palmeiro hit 43, and the league-leading Alex Rodriguez who belted 57 big ones, led the Rangers in home runs. The Rangers still could only accomplish a 72-90 record for the season.