Baseball: This and That Trivia Quiz

Answer: George Brett

It was a historical game when George Brett of the Royals hit a home run for the Kansas City Royals. They were playing the Yankees, and Billy Martin knew that Brett played with pine tar placed too high on his bat. Billy kept this 'ace in the hole' until he needed it. On July 24, 1983, right after Brett hit this home run, Martin walked out of his dugout calmly to protest Brett's bat.

After the umpires looked at the bat and made their decision, they called Brett out. What followed was the famous video of Brett, with a wad of chewing tobacco in his mouth, come charging out of the dugout flailing, and had to be restrained by numerous players including other umpires.

A week later, Major League Baseball over-turned the umpire's decision, and resumed the game to be played with the last four outs of the game to be replayed almost a month later. By that time the game meant nothing to the Yankees, so manager Billy Martin had pitcher Ron Guidry play in centerfield, and first baseman Don Mattingly play second base.

The Royals officially won the game, 5-4.

Answer: Manny Ramirez

The others all hit over 500, but had all retired many seasons prior. Manny (being Manny) of the Red Sox entered the 2008 season with 490 home runs. With his 500th, Ramirez became baseball's 24th player to reach that historical plateau. He later found himself in a Dodger uniform shortly after in 2008.

Answer: John McSherry

The others were all former professional wrestlers. It happened on opening day in the 1996 season which saw the Reds face the Expos. McSherry lumbered away from home plate just prior to a pitch in the first inning, then collapsed face-down on the field. Physicians blamed the incident on his being overweight, and also after heart-related issues in the past. Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott complained because the game was postponed, stating that the fans paid for their tickets, and should see the whole game. Schott herself died in 2004 at the age of 75. Schott had many issues in the past, including many racial allegations after buying the Reds in 1984.

Answer: Jim Palmer

Palmer was a three-time Cy Young winner in 1973, 1975, and 1976. He was a career Oriole from 1965-1984. His first Cy Young in 1973 prevented runner-up Nolan Ryan from winning his only Cy Young. Jim was also the runner-up MVP in 1973 to Oakland's Reggie Jackson.

Answer: John Smoltz

The others all retired in the 1990s. Smoltz was in his 20th season with the Atlanta Braves in 2008. He entered the season with 2975 strikeouts, then on April 22nd struck out Washington Nationals' Felipe Lopez for his 3000th. John became the 16th player in history to reach this immortal mark.

Answer: Willie Horton

Horton played most of his career with the Tigers from 1963-1980. He won his first award in 1975 with the Tigers, then again in 1979 with the Mariners. Other DHs to win the award twice include Don Baylor, Harold Baines, Paul Molitor, and Dave Parker. Hal McRae won three, Edgar Martinez won five, and Boston's David Ortiz won his fifth in 2007.

Answer: 1940s

There were no skunks in the 1940s. The Yankees went to five World Series in the 1940s and won four. Their only loss was to the Cardinals in 1942. Every other decade in the 20th century saw a World Series skunking of a team that had no wins. Both the 1920s and 1960s World Series had two skunks, and the 1990s had three. One skunking in the 1990s was provided by the Reds, and the other two by the Yankees.

Answer: 1912

With the first World Series occurring in 1903, the first extra-inning World Series game was in 1907. In game one of that series, the Cubs and Tigers dueled to a 12-inning tie, and the game was called and left at that, a tie. The Cubs won the series, four games to none with one tie.

The first walk-off World Series title win was in 1912. In a best-of-seven game format, and with game two left in a tie, the Red Sox and Giants entered game eight, tied at three games each. At the end of nine innings, the game was tied at one run each.

The Giants scored one in the top of the 10th on a single by Fred Merkle, scoring Red Murray who doubled earlier. In the bottom of the 10th, Tris Speaker singled which scored one run, then Larry Garnder hit a sac fly which scored Steve Yerkes.

The Red Sox won the game 3-2, and the series 4-3-1.

Answer: 5

The Reds went with Dusty Baker, replacing Pete Mackanin. For the Royals, it was Trey Hillman who replaced Buddy Bell. The Dodgers canned Grady Little and hired Joe Torre from the Yankees. Joe Girardi replaced the Yankees' Torre because he was not invited back for another contract. The Pirates' John Russell replaced Jim Tracy.

Answer: Cy Young

The others did not play MLB until the 1950s. Ironically, it was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history who lost, but it had to be someone. The first World Series took place in 1903, pitting the Bostom Americans against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It was Pirate-great Deacon Phillippe on the mound against Young. Both pitchers went the distance with Phillippe and the Pirates winning 7-3. In that game one, Boston's Jimmy Sebring also hit the very-first World Series home run.