Best of the Best: Cooperstown HOF Inductees 2020s Quiz

Answer: Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter played for the Yankees his entire career - 20 years - and was known for his leadership as the team captain. During this time he participated in 5 World Series and 14 All Star Games. Jeter was elected to the HOF his first year of eligibility, receiving 396/397 votes.

When he retired Jeter was the Yankee leader in many categories, such as hits, doubles, and at bats. Recognized for his professionalism on and off the field, Jeter is known as Mr. November and Captain Club.

Answer: Larry Walker

Larry Walker's batting average was .360 in 1997-1999; this feat had not been accomplished in more than 60 years. This is remarkable, considering that when he was sixteen years old he really wanted to play in the NHL. It's tough for players who worked during the steroid era to get credit for their hard work, and Walker also played at Coors Field for a lot of his career, where the altitude can help the ball go farther.

He was finally elected his last year of eligibility, and was the first Hall of Famer to go in as a Colorado Rockie.

Answer: Marvin Miller

Marvin Miller worked to raise player pay and establish free agency, as well as collective bargaining in Major League Baseball. Opinions regarding his importance to the game greatly differed; people like Hank Aaron said, "Marvin Miller should be in the Hall of Fame if players have to break down the doors to get him in", while Miller continued year after year to fall short of the number of votes needed.

Proud of his accomplishment in making a strong union for Major League Baseball, Miller eventually asked that his name be withdrawn from the voting. It wasn't. Before his death in 2012 Miller stated that if his name was brought up again he wouldn't want his family to attend the ceremony if he was ever elected. So they didn't.

Answer: Ted Simmons

One of the best hitting catchers of all time, Ted Simmons played in the more famous Johnny Bench's shadow his entire career. Cardinal fans know, though, that Simba (and he still has the hair!) was great! His jersey number 23 was retired by the team in 2021.

He went to the All Star game 8 times, won a Silver Slugger Award in 1980, and hit .300 for seven seasons. Simmons caught 122 shutout games during his career. In addition he caught two no hitters for Bob Gibson and one for Bob Forsch.

Answer: David Ortiz

David Ortiz was the first player to go into the Hall of Fame as a Designated Hitter. He played in 10 All Star games, won 7 Silver Slugger awards, and received the Edgar Martínez Award 8 times. He had ten seasons with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs, but what fans probably remember most about him is that he broke the Curse of the Bambino in 2004.

In 2004 the Red Sox were playing the Yankees in the ALCS. The Red Sox were down 0-3 in a seven game series, when Ortiz hit a game-winning home run in the 12th inning of Game 4. The Red Sox went on to win the series - a feat that had never happened before when a team was down 0-3, and then they went on to sweep the Cardinals in the World Series, 4-0.

In 2015 Ortiz was chosen by fans as one of the Franchise Four, the four greatest players of all time, for the Boston Red Sox. That honor was shared by Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski, and Pedro Martínez.

Answer: Bud Fowler

Bud Fowler was a pitcher, infield, outfielder, and even a manager. He was fourteen years old when he played on an all-white pro team in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, but went on to play on a variety of teams while also making a living as a barber. His record of playing for 10 seasons of professional baseball was eventually broken by Jackie Robinson.

The Early Days Committee selected him for the Hall of Fame; interestingly, Fowler lived in Cooperstown while he was growing up, and some believe that is where he learned to play baseball.

Answer: Gil Hodges

Gil Hodges, who played in 8 All Star games and 7 championship teams, was elected to the HOF by the Golden Days Era Committee. Considered one of the greatest defensive first basemen, his name was on thirty-four ballots before he was elected. Hodges also made his mark on the New York Mets, who he managed to a World Series victory in 1969, making them the first expansion team to win a World Series.

He was chosen by "The Sporting News as the Manager of the Year. His 95 year-old wife happily accepted the HOF plaque on his behalf.

Answer: Jim Kaat

Jim Kaat had three 20-win seasons, and won an impressive 25 games in 1966. In addition, he was recognized for his fielding with 16 Gold Gloves Awards; today he still ranks second on that list. His playing career lasted an impressive 25 years. He later worked as a broadcaster for the Twins and the Yankees. Elected to the HOF by the Golden Days Era Committee, Kaat retired from his award-winning broadcasting job in August 2022.

Answer: Minnie Miñoso

Known as the Cuban Comet, Minnie Miñoso played for the New York Cubans before signing with the Cleveland Indians in 1948. His list of accomplishments are very impressive and include 7 All Star appearances (some sources say 9), 3 Gold Gloves, and batting over .300 for eight seasons.

The first African American player for the White Sox, Miñoso was affectionately called Mr. White Sox by the club's president in 1983 when his number 9 was retired. He was elected to the HOF by the Golden Days Era Committee.

Answer: Tony Oliva

Tony Oliva played his entire professional career with the Minnesota Twins organization from 1962-1976. During this time he was chosen as the Rookie of the Year, played 8 times in the All Star game, was awarded a Gold Glove. During the 1964 and 1965 seasons, he led the American League in hitting - the first Major League baseball player to win batting titles his first two seasons and to date the only one to do so.

He was elected to the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame in 2000, but it took a bit longer to be elected to the HOF in Cooperstown.

Answer: Buck O'Neil

Buck O'Neil played first base for the Memphis Red Sox in the Negro American League in 1937, before joining the Kansas City Monarchs the following year. He put his baseball career on hold from 1944-1945 and served in the Navy during World War II, before returning to the Monarchs.

In 1948 he was named the manager of the Monarchs and continued to work for the team until it was sold in 1955. O'Neil became a scout for the Chicago Cubs, and eventually scouted for the Kansas City Chiefs. He is especially well-known for his descriptions of the Negro leagues, and worked to establish the Nego Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City in 1990.