Baseball Surname Game Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tommy Davis

Tommy Davis was an offensive force for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the early 1960s. He had a monster year in 1962, hitting .346 to win the batting title and driving in 153 runs. He won the batting title again in 1963. Willie Davis played next to Tommy in the Dodgers' outfield and was a fixture in center field for many years. Considered to be the fastest man in baseball, Willie's fielding legacy is unfortunately blotted by his having made three errors in one inning during the 1966 World Series. Chili Davis was a hard-hitting outfielder for the San Francisco Giants in the 1980s and later was a DH of note in the American League.

He hit two home runs for the Minnesota Twins in the 1991 World Series. Glenn Davis (not the famous running back from West Point) was a slugging first baseman who had his best years with the Houston Astros in the late 1980s.

Answer: Luis Gonzalez

Luis Gonzalez's bloop single off of Mariano Rivera drove in the winning run in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the 2001 World Series, providing the margin of victory for the Arizona Diamondbacks over the New York Yankees. Juan Gonzalez, "Juan Gone" to his fans, has racked up over 400 home runs playing with a number of American League teams, most importantly the Texas Rangers.

There are two Alex Gonzalezes, both shortstops, and, in the context of the 2003 National League playoffs, a right one and a wrong one.

The right Alex Gonzalez played for the Florida Marlins, who went on to win the World Series that year; the wrong Alex Gonzalez made a fatal error for the Chicago Cubs in the sixth game of the playoffs. Tony Gonzalez was a dependable centerfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1960s.

Answer: Al Jackson

Each of these Jacksons were pitchers who had moments of success. Al Jackson proves the adage that it takes a good pitcher to lose 20 games. A tough competitor, he had the misfortune to play for the New York Mets in their dreadful early years and lost twenty games in both 1962 and 1965. Larry Jackson pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies.

His best season was in 1964, when he went 24-11 in Chicago. Grant Jackson struggled as a starter with the Phillies, but became a reliable reliever, most notably with the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1970s. Danny Jackson's best season was with the Cincinnati Reds, when he won 23 games in 1988.

He appeared in the World Series for three different teams.

Answer: Ken Johnson

Ken Johnson pitched a no-hitter for the Houston Colt .45's against the Cincinnati Reds on April 23, 1964, but by virtue of two errors, lost the game 1-0. Deron Johnson was a power-hitter who had some productive years with the Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies in the late 1960s and early 1970s (he also happened to be playing first base for the Reds when Ken Johnson lost his no-hitter). Alex Johnson was a talented but troubled outfielder who won the AL batting title in 1970 with the California Angels. Howard Johnson (HoJo) was a hard-hitting third baseman who had his best years with the Mets in the 1980s.

Answer: Andruw Jones

Andruw Jones, superb center fielder who began his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1996, was born in Willemstad on the island of Curacao. The other Jones' are Americans. Cleon Jones, long-time outfielder for the New York Mets, was instrumental in turning that team from a laughing-stock into the Miracle Mets. Jacques Jones was a fleet-footed outfielder who began his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1999. Rupert Jones was a journeyman outfielder who played for a number of teams, but was best known as a charter member of the Seattle Mariners.

Answer: Edgar Martinez

Edgar Martinez, one of baseball's best designated hitters, retired in 2004 after spending his career with the Seattle Mariners. Tino Martinez, power-hitting first baseman, had done stints with the Mariners, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Dennis Martinez, popularly known as "El Presidente" and a mainstay pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos, also played for the Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Atlanta Braves in a long career that lasted from 1976 to 1998. Buck Martinez, a mediocre hitter but solid defensive catcher, played for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Toronto Blue Jays in the 1970s and 1980s.

He also managed the Blue Jays.

Answer: Brooks Robinson

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson won the AL MVP in 1964, batting .317, with 28 home runs and 118 RBI, and playing his position without equal. Frank Robinson, also in the Hall of Fame, joined Brooks on the Baltimore Orioles in 1966 and won the AL MVP that year, having already won the NL MVP with the Cincinnati Reds in 1961. Bill Robinson was an outfielder who had his best years as part of the Pittsburgh Pirates "Lumber Company" in the late 1970s. Floyd Robinson was a promising young outfielder with the Chicago White Sox who faded after a few good years in the early 1960s.

Answer: Hal Smith

Hal Smith, a backup catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hit a three-run blast to make the score 9-7 Pirates. The New York Yankees tied the score in the top of the ninth before Mazeroski settled it for good. Not unlike the Alex Gonzalez conundrum, there were actually two catchers named Hal Smith, which was a source of confusion to young baseball card collectors in 1960.

The other Hal Smith played for the St. Louis Cardinals. Lee Smith, fearsome relief pitcher for many teams during the 1980s and 1990s, retired in 1997 as career leader in saves with 478. Lonnie Smith, a speedster on the basepaths, but a dubious outfielder throughout the 1980s, reached the World Series with four different clubs, the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, and Atlanta Braves. Reggie Smith was a power-hitting outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1960s and 1970s.

Answer: Bill White

Bill White, star first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals in the early 1960s, served as president of the National League from 1989 to 1994. Devon White played for a number of teams from 1985 to 2001 and is best remembered for his outstanding play in center field, especially with the Toronto Blue Jays during their championship years. Frank White was a steady second baseman and team leader who played his entire career with the Kansas City Royals from 1973 to 1990. Roy White played a similar role as an outfielder for the New York Yankees from 1965 to 1979.

Answer: Walt Williams

Walt "No Neck" Williams was 5'6" and built like a fireplug. He played in the outfield for the Chicago White Sox in the late 1960s and early 1970s and finished his career with the New York Yankees. Hall of Fame outfielder Billy Williams hit 426 home runs in a career that lasted from 1959 to 1976, mostly with the Chicago Cubs. Bernie Williams began with the New York Yankees in 1991 and has been a guiding presence in center field through many championships. Matt Williams, slugging third baseman, finished with 378 home runs in a career that spanned 1987 to 2003, most prominently with the San Francisco Giants.

He also played in the World Series for the Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks.