I Am "Excepted" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Henry Aaron

Henry Aaron did hit 755 home runs during his Major League career, but his high in one season was only 47 occurring in the 1971 season affirming his consistency. Aaron hit 30 or more home runs 15 times during his 23-year career. Willie Mays hit a career high 52 home runs in 1965, and Cecil Fielder stroked 51 home runs in 1990. Brady Anderson hit 50 home runs in 1996 after never hitting more than 21 in a season.

Answer: Tim Raines

Tim Raines was one of the most prolific base stealers of the 1980s but never reached the 100 stolen base club. His high was 90 thefts in the 1983 season. Maury Wills was the first Major Leaguer to break the 100 stole base plateau when he swiped 104 bases in 1962. Vince Coleman stole over 100 bases three times including his rookie season of 1985 when he swiped 110. Lou Brock stole 118 of his career 938 stole bases in 1974. Of course, there is Rickey Henderson who compiled 130 steals during the 1982 season.

Answer: Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax was one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers in modern day baseball history, but unfortunately his career was cut short by injury, and he retired at age 30. In 12 Major League seasons (only 10 as a regular member of his team's starting rotation), Koufax struck out and incredible 2396 batters, but he is the exception here. Greg Maddux struck out 3371 during his 23-season career. Tom Seaver whiffed 3640 during his stellar 20 seasons in the big leagues. Steve Carlton, one of the greatest left handed pitchers ever, struck out 4136 batters during his career. Of course, the record is held by one Lynn Nolan Ryan with a whopping 5714 strikeouts, a Major League record that may stand forever.

Answer: Greg Maddux

For all Greg Maddux' 3371 strikeouts, the most he could ever compile in one season was 204 in 1998, so he was never even close. Sam McDowell, the hard throwing lefty from the Cleveland Indians in the 1960s struck out 325 batters in 1965. J.R. Richard seemed to be on his way to becoming one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers in modern time before health issues forced him out of baseball.

He struck out 313 batters in 1979 after a 303 strikeout season in 1978. Pedro Martinez peaked at 313 strikeouts during the 1998 season while pitching for the Boston Red Sox.

Answer: Babe Ruth

All four players had over 300 home runs in their illustrious careers, with Babe Ruth leading the pack with 714. Ruth managed 2873 hits during his career. Of Dave Winfield's 3110 hits, he had 465 home runs. George Brett slugged out 317 home runs among his 3154 hits, and the great Stan Musial had 3630 hits of which 475 were home runs.

Answer: Frank Robinson

Why would anyone want to throw at Frank Robinson? He's the player who missed the cut here, being plunked a mere 198 times during his career. I wonder how many pitchers feared his next at-bat following the HBP. Of the other players listed, Ron Hunt, a popular second baseman during the 1960s and 1970s got hit 243 times during his career. Don Baylor sacrificed a body part 267 times, and Craig Biggio was bruised a total of 285 times during his playing days.

Answer: Jerry Koosman

Even after being dealt away from the Mets in 1979, Koosman wasn't able to toss a no-hitter during the remainder of his career. Not so for the other pitchers. Tom Seaver tossed a no-hitter for the Cincinnati Reds on June 16, 1978. Mike Scott spun his no-hitter for the Houston Astros on September 25, 1986. Dwight Gooden signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent in 1996, and fashioned his no-hitter on May 14 of that year.

These feats are noted because of the fact that the New York Mets never had a no-hit no-run game pitched by someone wearing their uniform in over 35 seasons from their inception in 1962.

Answer: Duke Snider

Hometown heroes all, but the player who couldn't manage the feat was Duke Snider who almost accomplished it. He ended up retiring in the uniform of the San Francisco Giants after beginning his career in Brooklyn with the Dodgers. He was a member of the New York Mets during 1963, but was sold to the Giants before the beginning of the 1964 season and retired after that season. Hank Aaron made his first Major League appearance for the Milwaukee Braves in 1954, went to Atlanta when they moved there, but was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and finished his career in 1976. Willie Mays began his career with the New York Giants in 1951, went to San Francisco when the Giants moved there, but finished his career back in New York in a stint with the Mets in 1972 and 1973. Gary Carter began his Hall of Fame career in Montreal, and after stops in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, returned to Montreal for his final season in 1992.

Answer: Ernie Banks

Ernie Banks was a member of the Chicago Cubs for his entire 19-year Major League career. Banks' career started in 1953 and ended in 1971, and during that time the Cubs never managed a World Series appearance. Richie Ashburn made it as a member of the Philadelphia Phiillies "Whiz Kids" team in 1950. Harmon Killebrew brought his powerful bat to the Fall Classic as a member of the 1965 Minnesota Twins. Tony Gwynn and his magic bat appeared in the 1984 World Series for the San Diego Padres.

Answer: Gary Carter

Gary Carter was one of the top hitting catchers of all-time but could never manage a Most Valuable Player Award. He came closest in 1980 when he finished second in the voting to the eventual winner Mike Schmidt. The other three players all won the award at one time or another. Ryne Sandberg won his in 1984 as a member of the Chicago Cubs. Andre Dawson also won as a member of the Cubs in 1987 which was remarkable in light of the fact that the Cubs finished last in their division that year. Willie "Stretch" McCovey, one of the most feared hitters of the 1960s won his MVP award in 1969 as a member of the San Francisco Giants.