The Great Satchel Paige Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leroy

Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige was his full name (including nickname). A story says that Paige got his nickname as a child, while holding suitcases for businessmen at a train station.

Answer: walk him

Satchel Paige has said many strange and brilliant things over the course of his career. Some of his quotes:
"I never rush myself. See, they can't start the game without me."
"I ain't ever had a job. I just always played baseball."
"Don't eat fried food, it angries up the blood."
"How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"
"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."

Answer: Chattanooga Black Lookouts

It was while playing for the Lookouts, in 1926, that Paige was taught his famous "hesitation pitch" that would make him immortal.

Answer: 17

That same year, Paige also set the record (Negro League) for strikeouts in a season with 184. Because of Satchel's incredible ability, Birmingham Black Barons owner R.T. Jackson would rent him out to other teams for a day or two, and the two would profit. Satchel Paige was moved to the Barons in 1927 after starting his career with the Chattanooga Black Lookouts.

Answer: Jackie Robinson

Paige was the star pitcher for the team. His battery mate (catcher) was the great Josh Gibson. Gibson was a legend. He is said to have hit almost 800 home runs in his career. Oscar Charleston was the centerfielder for the Giants. He was also an incredible player, said to have 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases. "The Sporting News" named him to be #67 on the list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Playera. Charleston was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1976. Ted Radcliffe was just as fantastic as the preceeding, with some 4,000 hits and 400 home runs.

His nickname was "Double Duty", as he played both catcher and pitcher. Radcliffe passed away in 2005, at the old age of 103. Sadly, Radcliffe has so far been denied entry to the Hall of Fame. Interestingly, another Negro League All-Star team was assembled, named the Pittsburgh Crawfords.

It also featured Paige, Charleston, and Gibson. Radcliffe was absent from the team, however, another Negro League star was on the team, future Hall of Famer Judy Johnson.

Answer: Washington Tomahawks

Satchel Paige pitched not only for the Barons, Crawfords, and Clowns, but for over 19 other teams in the Negro Leagues! By the way, the Washington Tomahawks was never a real team.

Answer: Kansas City Monarchs

Not only that, but the next year (1942) ol' Satch led the Monarchs to the new Negro League World Series. They won in a four game sweep over the Homestead Grays, which starred the great Josh Gibson. For those who don't know, Josh Gibson is said to be the greatest Negro League hitter of all-time, if not the greatest. It is said he hit almost 800 home runs in his career (far more than the Major League record) and his career batting average was at least .350.

Answer: Cleveland Indians

The owner of the Indians at the time was none other than Bill Veeck, the legendary baseball owner who had countless promotional ideas in his career.
He is best known for a time when he owned the St. Louis Browns. Veeck signed Eddie Gaedel, a midget to play for his team. In 1948, Satchel went 6-1 with a 2.48 ERA which led the Indians to a World Series win that year.

Answer: Stop Ball

The "Long Tom" pitch was described as "supersonic" as it was thrown by Satch at an amazing speed. The "Little Tom" could not be described in any way other than "un-hittable". The "Bee Ball" was an astounding pitch. Paige himself said he called it the "Bee Ball" as it would "be where I want it to be".

Answer: 1971

On that day in 1971, Leroy "Satchel" Paige became the second player from the Negro Leagues elected to the Hall of Fame.

Answer: True

It is true, the greatest pitcher never faced the greatest hitter. He stated in the book "Pitchin' Man" that one of his greatest disappointments was that he never faced Ruth. However, Satchel Paige did face some of the premier stars of baseball, such as Bob Feller, Dizzy Dean, Joe DiMaggio, and Ted Williams.

Answer: False

Paige did in fact face DiMaggio on February 7, 1936. Joe DiMaggio was not yet the superstar he would become, but he was still a great ballplayer. DiMaggio was a minor leaguer, about to be called up to the majors when he faced Paige. DiMaggio ended up going 1-4, which is better than anybody could have hoped for, even himself.

He later described Paige as "The best and fastest pitcher I've ever faced".

Answer: 3

The teams were the Cleveland Indians, the St. Louis Browns, and the Kansas City Athletics. The Athletics were formerly playing in Philidelphia, but moved to Kansas City in 1954. They would later move farther West to Oakland in 1967.
The St. Louis Browns would later become the Baltimore Orioles we know today.

Answer: Charles O. Finley

Finley, like Veeck, was well known for his promotional ideas for his team.
This was Satchel Paige's last performance ever, pitching for the Kansas City Athletics. During the game he set a record, becoming the oldest man to pitch in a major league game, for Satchel was 59 years-old. Paige pitched three innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing one hit and striking out one.
The one hit was a double off the bat of Carl Yastrzemski, the great Red Sox slugger of the 1960s and 1970s.

Answer: Spingfield Redbirds

Apparently Paige was made the vice-president in name only, so he didn't make too many decisions for the team. The Houston Express is actually a minor-league team that was bought by another great pitcher, Nolan Ryan.