July in Baseball History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Satchel Paige

Paige spent most of his baseball life in the Negro Leagues. He signed with the Indians in 1948. Satchel played for five seasons retiring in 1953, then came back for a one-game appearance in 1965 with the Athletics at age 59.

Answer: Joe DiMaggio

The others would not begin their careers for another 20+ years. 'Joltin Joe' was in his sixth season with the Yankees in 1941. On this day in July, Cleveland's Al Smith and Jim Bagby pitched a stop to DiMaggio. Credit was never given to Indian third baseman Ken Keltner, who robbed Joe of two hits in the game. DiMaggio went on to bat .357 and win the AL MVP for the second time.

He won another MVP in 1947.

Answer: Willie McCovey

The others were never Giants and did not start their careers for almost 20 years later. McCovey went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in 1959. The big man even batted .354. 'Stretch' won the NL MVP in 1969 also. He went on to hit 521 home runs, tying him with the great Ted Williams. He retired after 22 seasons in 1980, then found the hall in 1986.

Answer: Ed Delahanty

The others didn't exist. Delahanty was in his second season with the Senators when the incident occurred. The official cause of death was by accident, but many skeptics think it was a suicide. Ed had won the NL batting crown in 1899 with a .410 average.

It was the third time that he batted over .400. He was inducted into the hall in 1945. He was survived by his four brothers, Frank, Jim, Joe, and Tom. Also in July (14th 1897), Ed went nine-for-nine in a game against Louisville.

Answer: Leo Durocher

The others never managed the Giants or Dodgers. After playing for the Dodgers in six seasons, Durocher then managed the team for nine more. He shocked the baseball world by taking the helm of the Giants in mid-season 1948. He continued managing the Giants for seven more seasons, winning one World Series in 1954 against the Indians. Nicknamed 'Leo the Lip' for his being outspoken, he managed for 25 seasons, with some seasons with the Cubs and Astros. Leo was inducted into the hall in 1994, three years after his death.

Answer: Jim Tabor

The others had not started their careers yet, and none played for the Red Sox. 1939 was Tabor's first full season in the Major Leagues. He played for nine seasons, seven with the Red Sox. Jim hit only 14 home runs in the season, but was good enough to enter the record books.

Answer: Pinch hitter

Doby's first at-bat was against the White Sox but did not cash in. He appeared in only 29 games in the season, batting .156. 1950 was Larry's greatest season, batting .326, hitting 25 home runs with 164 hits and 102 RBIs. The other color barrier breaker, Jackie Robinson of the National League, won the Rookie of the Year award in 1947.

Answer: Athletics pulled off two triple-steals

Under the arms of managing great Connie Mack, the Athletics pulled this off in the first and fourth inning against the Indians. They went on to win the game, but more importantly the American League pennant. The team then used the St. Louis Cardinals as a stepping stone to win the World Series, four games to two.

Answer: Ty Cobb

The others listed all died in 2000. Winning one AL MVP and a Triple Crown, Cobb was one of the most hated players in baseball due to his dirty tactics. He played from 1905-1928. When he died at the age of 74, only nine people showed up at the funeral. He was born in Narrows, Georgia, and died in Atlanta.

Answer: Danny Murphy

The others listed did not start their careers for another 35+ years. The home run was Murphy's only shot of the season. After 12 seasons with the Athletics, he played for two seasons in the Federal League, then retired in 1915. Young gave up only six home runs in the entire 1902 season, going 32-11. He won the Triple Crown in 1901.