July in Baseball History Quiz | MLB Historical

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. July 7, 1906: This future Major League pitcher and Hall of Famer was born. He signed a MLB contract and played as a rookie with the Cleveland Indians at the age of 42. He played in six Major League seasons in his career, with his last game at age 59. Who was he?

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.

2. July 17, 1941: This was the day that this player's 56-game hitting streak finally came to an end. Who set a record with this streak?

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.

3. July 30, 1959: Just coming up from Phoenix in the minors, this Giant rookie debuted on this day. In his first game, he had four hits including two triples, and off a no slouch in a future Hall of Famer named Robin Roberts. Who was he?

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.

4. July 2, 1903: This former Phillie and current Washington Senator was killed as he fell off a railway bridge and washed over Niagara Falls. He was one of five brothers in baseball. Who was he?

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.

5. July 1948 saw the continuing rivalry between the Giants and Dodgers. This rivalry between the two teams had continued for over 100 years, regardless of which city they called home. Which Dodger manager defected and became the new manager of the Giants in the middle of the season?

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.

6. July 4th was a date that saw 1880s pitcher and future Hall of Famer Mickey Welch born in 1859. July 4th also saw Yankee owner George Steinbrenner born in 1930. It also saw in 1939, the first Red Sox player to hit two grand slams in one game. Who was this infielder nicknamed 'Rawhide'?

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.

7. July 5, 1947: This was a historical American League date. Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians broke the color barrier in the league for appearing in his first game. In what capacity did he play?

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.

8. July 25, 1930: This date pitted the Philadelphia Athletics against the Cleveland Indians. Which baseball 'first' was seen in this game?

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.

9. July 17, 1961: This was a day that saw the death of this Hall of Famer nicknamed, 'The Georgia Peach'. Who was he?

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.

10. July 8, 1902: In the debut of this player on this day with the Philadelphia Athletics, he showed up late for a game in Boston. He still was able to bat six times, all six hits, including a grand slam off the great Cy Young. Who was this Philadelphia Athletic?

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.

Source: Author Nightmare

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July in Baseball History Trivia Quiz

The seventh of 12 all multiple choice quizzes, designed to be educational concerning some months in baseball history. Which is your month to score the highest? I hope you find something that you didn't know. :-)

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