Dissecting A Question Trivia Quiz

Answer: Arizona

As many picked the Detroit Tigers to repeat their 2003 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks were the sump of the Major Leagues in 2004. With no 20-game winners, and pitcher Randy Johnson falling well below expectations, the Diamondbacks were the cellar of baseball.

Answer: Lou Gehrig

The others listed never played first base. Gehrig, the 'Iron Horse', hit 493 home runs for the Yankees over his 17 season career. He was forced to retire in 1939 due to an illness, subsequently called Lou Gehrig's Disease. Gehrig's highest home run season total was in 1934 and 1936, when he hit 49 home runs each season.

In 1927, he hit an amazing (for that time era) 47 home runs, but this was heavily over-shadowed by the Babe's 60 home runs. The third place home run finisher was Yankee Tony Lazzeri, who hit only 18.

Answer: Six

In 27 seasons, the amazing 'Ryan Express', even broke Sandy Koufax's record of 382, when he struck out his last batter of the season in 1973. He struck out over 300 in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, and 1989. He set a season record of 383 with the Angels.

Answer: Eric Gagne

The others were all American League pitchers, and all won over 20 games in 2003. Gagne, in only his fifth season in baseball, threw a record of 2-3. However, it was his ability to save games, 55 to be exact that earned him the award. Eric saved 52 in 2002. 2004 saw him throw 40+ saves again for the Dodgers.

Answer: Cleveland Indians

None of the other teams existed in 1954. Manager Casey Stengel took the team to five consecutive World Series Crowns. However, in 1954, the Indians stopped this streak with a league record breaking feat by going 111-43. Unfortunately, even with Al Rosen, Early Wynn, Bob Lemon, and Bob Feller, they could not put a dent in the New York Giants roster, losing four games to none in the World Series.

Answer: Curt Schilling

Schilling was out of the blocks in the 2004. Being the first to win 20, and against only six wins at the time, he helped Boston to stay in contention. When Curt won his 20th, Peavy and Wells of the Padres, and Mussina of the Yankees, had only notched 12 wins.

Answer: Pittsburgh Pirates

None of the other teams existed in 1953. The Pittsburgh Pirates became the first team to be mandated to wear batting helmets on the field. These helmets were made of fiberglass. The Pirates' general manager, Branch Rickey, also owned stock in the company producing these helmets. Under Rickey's orders, the Pirate players had to wear the helmets both at bat and in the field.

In 2004, John Olerud was the only player to wear a helmet in the field.

Answer: 1927 New York Yankees

None of the other teams existed when indicated. One of the greatest teams in history, the 1927 New York Yankees, went 110-44 in the season. Along with the other players listed above, the great Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Tony Lazzeri, also helped the team to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series, four games to none.

Answer: Willie McCovey

The others listed fell short by almost 200 home runs. McCovey, nicknamed, 'Stretch', made his name with the Giants of San Francisco. His season high was 45 in 1969. He played for 22 seasons and retired in 1980 with 521 career home runs. McCovey tied the great Ted Williams in career home runs.

Answer: Georgia

Cobb was nicknamed the 'Georgia Peach'. He was born in Narrows, Georgia, in 1886. He played the game from 1905-1928, mostly with the Detroit Tigers. Cobb won 11 batting titles, the 1909 Triple Crown, the 1911 MVP Award, and was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1936, the first year of inductions.