Baseball's Bragging Rights! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tony Lazzeri

Lazzeri was a Yankee second baseman in 1936 when smacked two grand salamis on May 24. In the 20th century, 10 American League players did this while only two National Leaguers hit two in one game. The first player ever to hit two in one inning was Fernando Tatis of the Cardinals. He hit two in the third inning of a game on April 23, 1999.

Answer: Seattle Mariners

In 1997, the Mariners hit 264 with Ken Griffey Jr. leading the team with 56. Nine Mariners were in double-figures in home runs including Jay Buhner being the team's runner-up with 40. On the other end of the spectrum, the Chicago White Sox hit a Major League low three home runs in the 1908 season, an almost impossible record to be duplicated.

Answer: Oakland Athletics

It was the same season in 1988 that the Athletics set this AL record of 76. Ironically, they still won the American League pennant but lost in the World Series to the Dodgers. Dave Stewart threw 16 balks and Bob Welch threw 13 for Oakland to lead the team.

Answer: Travis Hafner

Hafner of the Indians hit six grand slams in 2006, in a season that also saw him hit 42 home runs. His efforts got him an eighth place spot for the MVP voting. Richie Sexson of the Mariners came close by hitting five of his own in 2006 also.

Answer: Christy Mathewson

The Hall of Fame inducted the first five players in 1936. They were Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner. Mathewson spent all but one game of his career with the New York Giants and retired in 1916. He died at the age of 45 in 1925. Johnson died in 1946, Ruth in 1948, Wagner in 1955 at the age of 81, and Cobb died in 1961 at the age of 75.

Answer: Nap Lajoie

Both Lajoie of Philadelphia and Freeman of Boston were the first two AL sluggers to hit more than 10 in a season. 1901 saw Lajoie hit 14 with Freeman hitting 12. Lajoie also hit for the Triple Crown in 1901, including his .426 batting average. His American League season batting average record stood throughout the entire 20th century.

Answer: They struck out 20 opposing batters in each game

On April 29, 1986, it was the Red Sox against the Mariners with Boston's Roger Clemens on the mound. He struck out 20 Mariners in the nine-inning game with Phil Bradley being a victim four times. The Red Sox tied the record with another 20 against the Tigers on September 18, 1996, with no other than Roger Clemens on the mound again for Boston. Detroit's Travis Fryman was the victim who was fanned four times in that game.

Answer: Walter Johnson

Johnson retired with 3509 strikeouts, 1000+ more than the other pitching greats listed. Walter spent all his 21 seasons with the Washington Senators and retired in 1927. He reached the 3000-strikeout mark in 1923.

Answer: Miller Huggins

Huggins set this record as player-manager in 1914 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He stole only 32 bases in the season. His career high was stealing 41 bases in 1906 with the Reds. In 1918, he took over the helm of the Yankees.

Answer: Baltimore Orioles

On September 14, Toronto fans were in for a treat to watch Ernie Whitt lead the team with three home runs in the game, and another seven clear the fence. The Orioles didn't hit any in the game. The Blue Jays ran off five runs in the second inning, then exploded for another seven in the seventh. 18 runs on 21 hits. Toronto went on to finish two games back of the Tigers in the American League East.