Give Me a W! Online Quiz | MLB Players

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. This "W" played from 1939-1960. He was not only well known for his bat, but also for his hatred for the media. He won many batting titles, two MVPs, and hit for the Triple Crown twice. Who is this Hall of Fame great?

Answer: Ted Williams

Ted lost many games in his prime due to military and war conflicts. He played his entire career with the Red Sox. His two MVPs came in 1946 and 1949, and his two Triple Crowns in 1942 and 1947. In 17 years, he was voted into the All-Star game. The hall took him in 1966.

2. This player was a Dodger in 12 of his 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was a known shortstop and speedster, but his name did not become a household name until he broke Ty Cobb's season stolen base record of 96 that lasted almost 50 seasons. Who was this "W"?

Answer: Maury Wills

Maury played from 1959-1972. In 1962, he stole 104 bases which broke Cobb's record. In that season, the Dodgers and Giants tied for the National League pennant and had a playoff series between the two. The games that were played in Candlestick Park ended up with the Giants organization being sued by the Dodgers.

The suit stated that the head grounds-keeper at Candlestick, intentionally overly-soaked the infield during the playoffs to slow Wills down. The Giants won the playoff series, lost in the World Series, then the suit was dropped.

3. This player was the first player in baseball history to obtain 3000 career hits. This shortstop won many batting titles, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Who is this "W"?

Answer: John Peter Wagner

Honus began his career with the Louisville Colonels, then when the team went defunct in 1899, most of the great Colonel players moved over to play with Pittsburgh. This made an immediate impact on the Pirates organization as they finished second in 1900, then won three consecutive National League pennants from 1901-1903, including representing the National League in the first World Series.

He was inducted into the hall in the inaugural round in 1936.

4. For 16 seasons, this Hall of Fame "W" wore the number 26 for the Chicago Cubs. Who is this that hit over 400 career home runs?

Answer: Billy Williams

Billy was a Cub from 1959-1974. He played his final two seasons with Oakland in 1975 and 1976. Williams was the 1961 NL MVP, and was one of three big punches for the Cubs, combining with Ernie Banks and Ron Santo. 1972 was Billy's only batting title. He was inducted in 1987.

5. This Hall of Fame "W" helped mold the game in its early days. He was player-manager for a team in the National Association that won four of five championships. He also managed the Boston Braves of the National League when the league began in 1876. Who is he?

Answer: Harry Wright

The first sanctioned professional baseball league was the National Association in 1871. In the league's first season, the Philadelphia Athletics won the pennant. For the remaining four seasons of the league, Wright's Boston Red Stockings won every pennant.

When the league shut its doors in 1875, Wright took his services to the new Boston Braves of the new National League in 1876. He was player-manager for two seasons, then continued as a manager until 1893. Harry was a true pioneer for the game of baseball.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953.

6. This player was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He played for 20 seasons, mostly in the Pittsburgh Pirate outfield alongside his brother. He was a NL MVP. Who is this "W"?

Answer: Paul Waner

Paul shared the Pirate outfield with brother Lloyd from 1927-1940. They were fixtures for Pirate fans. Paul won the 1927 NL MVP over Frankie Frisch and Rogers Hornsby. The 1927 MVP season was his first of three batting titles also. He retired as a New York Yankee in 1945 with a .333 career batting average. Waner was inducted into the hall in 1952.

7. This Hall of Fame "W" was the second pitcher to win 40 games in a season in the 20th Century. He played 13 of his 14 seasons in the American League. Which "W" was this?

Answer: Ed Walsh

Ed played from 1904-1917, 13 of his 14 seasons with the White Sox, with his last season playing as a Boston Brave in the NL. He retired with a career record of 196-126. His only World Series was in 1906 against the Cubs, and shined by going 2-0 in the White Sox title win.

The first pitcher in the 20th Century to win 40 games in a season was Jack Chesbro of the New York Highlanders (later Yankees) in 1904. He went 41-12. Walsh's 40-win season came in 1908.

8. This catcher played his entire career in New York. His best season was when he came in 32nd for the MVP voting. He later became a manager, but unfortunately took over the lonely New York Mets. Who is this "W"?

Answer: Wes Westrum

Westrum was a New York Giant from 1947-1957. He had the Mets from 1965-1967. They still lost another 100+ games in 1965 with 112, the team's fourth consecutive season of losing 100+ games. Under Westrum, the Mets finished 10th, 9th, and another 10th.

He then attempted a positive change and took over the San Francisco Giants in 1974 and 1975, but couldn't finish better than third. That was it for his managing career. Wes died in 2002.

9. This Hall of Fame "W" pitcher was an instrument in creating the New York Giants franchise. He played for the Troy Trojans in the National League before the team went defunct. Who is the "W" pitcher?

Answer: Mickey Welch

Welch was only 22 years old in his third season with the Trojans, when they went defunct in 1882. His father, future Giants manager John Clapp, fronted most of the money to create the new New York Giants franchise in 1883. Mickey's best season was with those Giants in 1885 with a 44-11 season.

He retired as a Giant in 1892 with a 307-210 career record. Welch was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973. If not for the 'Welch connection', the New York/San Francisco Giants franchise may never have existed.

10. This slugging "W" was the second player in history to hit 50 home runs in a season in 1930, next to Babe Ruth. He played most of his career with the Cubs until 1931, and also until alcohol issues took over his priorities. He was still inducted into the Hall of Fame with 244 career home runs. Who was this "W"?

Answer: Wilson

Lewis Robert "Hack" Wilson played from 1923-1934. He began as a New York Giant for two seasons, then played with the Cubs for another six of his 12 seasons. Hack was one of the most short but compact and stout players that Major League Baseball had seen. He retired as a Phillie in 1934, then was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Source: Author Nightmare

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Give Me a W! Trivia Quiz

All multiple choice about some great ballplayers with their names beginning with a "W". I hope that you have fun with it. :-)

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