MLB 2004 Season Highlights Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ichiro Suzuki

On October 1, 2004, Ichiro singled in the 3rd inning off Texas Rangers' Ryan Drese. This was hit number 258 of the season and broke George Sisler's 1920 single season hitting record of 257 hits during an 8-3 victory over the Rangers. He finished the 2004 season with 262 hits and led the majors with a .372 batting average. On August 26, 2004, Ichiro produced his 200th hit of the season, making the Mariners' right-fielder the first player in MLB history to have at least 200 hits in each of his first four seasons.

Answer: Tim Wakefield

Despite giving up 6 dingers to the Detroit Tigers (Ivan Rodriguez 2, Eric Munson, Carlos Pena, Dmitri Young, Craig Monroe). The Boston Red Sox won 11-9 as Wakefield picked up the win on August 8, 2004. These 4 players hit a home run in their first career at-bat in 2004: New York Yankees, Andy Phillips on September 26: Seattle Mariners, Greg Dobbs on September 8: St Louis Cardinals, Hector Luna on April 8: New York Mets, Kaz Matsui on April 6.

Answer: Carlos Beltran

Carlos Ivan Beltran started the season playing for the Kansas City Royals where he hit 15 home runs and stole 14 bases. On June 24, 2004, He was traded to the Houston Astros where he added an additional 23 homers and 28 steals. St Louis Cardinals' Reggie Sanders new nickname in 2004 was "Snake Eyes". On the 11th of June he stole his 11th base, hit his 11th double, and smacked his 11th home run of the season.

Answer: Randy Johnson

On May 18, 2004, the "Big Unit" tossed his perfect game at Turner Field against the Atlanta Braves. He struck out 13 in the 2-0 Diamondbacks win. The previous oldest pitcher to throw a perfecto was Cy Young at age of 37 in 1904. On September 15, 2004, Randy Johnson struck out Vinny Castilla of the Colorado Rockies, making Castilla victim number 4137 and passing Steve Carlton on the all-time list for strikeouts for left-handed pitchers. Earlier in the season, Johnson became the 4th pitcher to record 4000 career strikeouts.

Answer: Ken Griffey Jr.

Cincinnati Reds' Ken Griffey Jr. became the 20th member of the 500 Home Run Club on June 20, 2004 at St. Louis, in the sixth inning off Matt Morris. His historic shot could not have come on a better day. With his dad in the stands at Busch Stadium on Father's Day, Griffey hit a 393 foot solo blast. On June 14, 2004, with Ken Griffey Jr. looking on and stuck on 499 home runs, the Phillies' Jim Thome connected off Reds' right-hander Jose Acevedo for the 400th home run of his career. On September 17, 2004, Barry Bonds hit his 700th homer off San Diego's Jake Peavy. During the 2004 season, there were 4 active members of the 500 club (Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro).

Answer: Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians pounded Yankee pitchers Javier Vazquez, Tanyon Sturtze, C.J. Nitkowski, and Esteban Loaiza for 22 hits while blanking the Bronx Bombers 22-0 at Yankees stadium. Indians' Omar Vizquel led the charge with 6 base hits. It was the first time the Yankees gave up 22 runs to an opponent at home. Speaking of 6 hits in a game, these 6 players all accomplished this feat in 2004: Seattle Mariners, Raul Ibanez on September 22: Kansas City Royals, Joe Randa on September 09: Detroit Tigers, Carlos Pena on May 27: Texas Rangers, Alfonso Soriano on May 8: Toronto Blue Jays, Frank Catalanotto on May 1: Cleveland Indians, Omar Vizquel on August 31.

Answer: Greg Maddux

'Mad Dog' became 22nd player to join the 300th win club. It was a 8-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on August 7, 2004. Maddux returned to the Cubs in 2004 after playing the previous 11 years for the Atlanta Braves. He started his career with the Cubs in 1986. Roger Clemens came out of (short) retirement to pitch with his pal Andy Pettitte for the Houston Astros.

He won his first 9 decisions, en route to a 18-4 record, 2.98 ERA and a 7th Cy Young award.

Answer: Derek Jeter

On July 1, 2004 the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox were tied 3-3 at Yankee Stadium. In the top of the 12th inning with Red Sox runners on second and third with 2 outs, Trot Nixon hit a pop foul down the third base line. Without any concern for himself, Jeter dove head first into the stands and came back out with a bloodied face and the ball.

This remarkable catch earned him the nickname "Captain Courageous" from the Associated Press. The Yankees scored twice in the bottom of the 13th for a 5-4 victory.

Answer: Mariano Rivera & Troy Percival

On May 11, 2004, New York Yankees Mariano Rivera blew a 6-5 led in the top of the 9th inning, giving up 2 runs. In the bottom of the 9th with the Anaheim Angels up 7-6, Troy Percival gave up 1 run and blew his save. The Yankees won 8-7 in 10 innings. On July 5, 2004, Eric Gagne's consecutive saves streak ended at 84 games.

Although the Arizona Diamondbacks broke his streak, The L.A. Dodgers still won the game 6-5 in 10 innings.

Answer: David & Gus Bell

Philadelphia Phillies David Bell hit for the cycle on June 28, 2004. Gus Bell played is full career in the National League from 1950-1964. Daryle Ward of the Pittsburgh Pirates joined his father, Gary, as the first father and son combination to hit for the cycle. Other players to hit for the cycle in 2004 were Jeff DaVanon, Chad Moeller, Mark Teixeira, and Eric Valent.