Sports Quiz: Baseball Greats: 10 Questions

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I was a 19 season one-team player. What a power hitter I was at shortstop, hitting 512 home runs. I won two MVP Awards and am a member of the Hall of Fame. Who am I?

Answer: Ernie Banks

"Mr. Cub" played for the Cubs from 1953-1971. His two National League MVPs came in 1958 and 1959. He hit 92 home runs in those two years. Ernie also played first base during his great career. Banks was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977.

2. I played for 18 seasons with the same team. I pitched three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters. I won the Triple Crown. I've been in the top five for MVP voting many times. My only regret is that I never won a World Series game. Who am I?

Answer: Bob Feller

The Cleveland Indian, Bob Feller, won the Triple Crown in 1940, but it was still only good enough for a second place finish against the Tigers. Also, his runner-up MVP took a backseat to the Tigers' Hank Greenberg. Bob did go to one World Series in 1948.

He pitched a two-hitter against the Boston Braves in game one, but lost the game 1-0. He also lost game five. With the Indians' only losses in the series under his belt, he still received the 'ring', as Cleveland defeated the Braves, four games to two.

3. Before Barry Bonds came along, I had hit more home runs than any other left-handed National Leaguer in history. I won three home run titles, and am a member of the 500 home run club. Who am I?

Answer: Willie McCovey

The others were all right handed, and none hit more than 25 home runs as a National Leaguer. 'Stretch', as McCovey was nicknamed, played for the San Francisco Giants for 19 of his 22 seasons. He began his career in 1959 by winning the Rookie of the Year Award.

His home run titles came in 1963, 1968, and 1969. 10 seasons after his rookie award, he won the National League MVP. McCovey saw six all-star games. With the familiar jersey number 44, Willie belted 521 career home runs, and was a 1986 Hall of Fame inductee.

4. Which player won a home run title with three different teams?

Answer: Reggie Jackson

The others listed played for only one team in their career. Jackson played for four teams. His four home run crowns came in 1973 and 1975 with the Athletics, 1980 with the Yankees, and 1982 with the Angels. During his stint with the Yankees, Jackson hit five World Series home runs in 1977, earning him the World Series MVP.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame all by himself in 1993, after hitting 563 home runs.

5. Connie Mack managed for how many total seasons in both the American and National League?

Answer: 53

Most baseball fanatics are aware that he helmed the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-1950. However, Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy also was the player-manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1894-1896. Mack took the Athletics to eight World Series events.

6. Eight times in my career I hit over 40 home runs. I won six home run titles, but never reached the 50 plateau in a season. I played for the same franchise, 21 of my 22 seasons. Who am I?

Answer: Harmon Killebrew

The others played for only one team in their great careers. Killebrew began as a Washington Senator in 1954, and made the move to Minnesota with the franchise in 1961. Nicknamed 'Killer', Killebrew played as a Twin until 1974, then retired as a Royal in 1975.

He hit 49 home runs in a season twice in his career, and was the American League MVP in 1969. Harmon retired with 573 home runs. The Hall opened its doors to him in 1984.

7. I had my revenge after the New York Giants traded me to the Cubs after the 1925 season. As a Cub, I won four home run titles in the next five seasons, including smacking 56 big ones, along with two RBI titles. Who am I?

Answer: Hack Wilson

The others never played for the Cubs and never hit 50 home runs in a season. Wilson's three seasons with the Giants, he hit only 16 home runs, but averaged less than 60 games per season. In 1926 when he came to Chicago, he became a permanent fixture in the Cubs' outfield, and won three consecutive home run crowns.

In 1930, he hit 56 round-trippers. Lewis Robert 'Hack' Wilson was inducted into the Hall of Fame, 45 years after retiring.

8. I played for only 10 seasons in my career, mostly with the Pirates. In those 10 seasons, I averaged 37 home runs per season. When I retired even after only 10 seasons, I was in the top 10 for career home runs, retiring in 1955. Who am I?

Answer: Ralph Kiner

The others listed played for at least 17 seasons, never played for the Pirates, and retired in the 1960s. Kiner played from 1946-1955. Seven of his 10 seasons he won a home run title, equating to a 70% win rate. He retired with 369 home runs and was inducted into the Hall in 1975.

9. In 1961, the world was focused on Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris' season home run race. Who was the third Yankee outfielder who was totally overshadowed in that season?

Answer: Yogi Berra

The others listed were all Yankee pitchers. A tremendous home run punch for the Yankees, Maris hit 61, Mantle smacked 54, and Yogi hit 22, for an amazing 167 home runs, just from an outfield. This almost matched the second place Detroit Tiger entire team home run total. Berra played for 14 seasons beginning in 1946 as a catcher.

He was moved to the outfield in 1960, to make room for the Yankees' new catcher, Elston Howard.

10. Joe DiMaggio had the nickname of 'Yankee Clipper'. His brother Dom had the nickname of 'Little Professor'. Joe's other brother Vince had the nickname of what?

Answer: He did not have one

Vince was much overshadowed by his brothers. He played for five teams throughout his 10 season career. Vince was the oldest of the three baseball brothers, and died in 1986.

Source: Author Nightmare

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Sports Quiz: Baseball Greats: 10 Questions | MLB Mixture

All multiple choice on some baseball greats who have never been given enough credit. I hope that you enjoy it. :-)

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