Wet Behind the Ears Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jackie Robinson

The Rookie of the Year Award was not given out until 1947. The others listed were long retired by then. The inaugural award went to Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball's color barrier thanks to Dodger owner Branch Rickey. In 1947 and 1948, only one ROY was given per season. Beginning in 1949, Major League Baseball presented an award in both the American and National Leagues.

Answer: Willie Mays

The 'Say Hey Kid' won his in 1951, long before the others played the game. Willie won the award playing for the New York Giants. He also won the National League MVP in 1954, then amazingly repeated it 11 seasons later in 1965. Mays is also a member of the Hall of Fame.

Answer: Joe Nuxhall

The others were not born yet. In 1944, with special permission from his high school principal, Nuxhall pitched in a game with the Cincinnati Reds. After taking eight seasons off, he came back in 1952, and appeared in 37 games for the Reds. In 16 seasons, Joe went 135-177, retiring in 1966 with the Reds after some brief stints with the Athletics and Angels.

Answer: 19

Nolan appeared in only two games in 1966 with the Mets. Ryan did not blossom until he was traded to the California Angels in 1972, then went 19-16 for the season with 329 strikeouts. The following season, Ryan went 21-16 with 383 strikeouts, setting a Major League record.

It was then that he earned the nickanme, 'Ryan Express'. With 27 seasons under his belt, along with seven no-hitters, he retired in 1993. Nolan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Answer: Eddie Gaedel

Eddie Gaedel was a pinch-hitter for the St. Louis Browns, a stunt pulled by club owner Bill Veeck in 1951. Eddie wore the number 1/8 on his uniform. Initially, the umpires would not allow Gaedel to pinch-hit, until the Browns' manager showed them a telegram from the baseball commissioner approving the at-bat. Eddie obviously walked on four pitches in his only appearance.

Answer: Dontrelle Willis

Although all Rookie of the Year winners, the others won theirs in the American League. Willis, of the Florida Marlins, pitched his way to a 14-6 season. He also batted .241 with a home run for the 2003 World Series Champions.

Answer: Joey Jay

The others listed never played for the Braves, and mostly played with the Cincinnati Reds. Jay, a pitcher, debuted for the Braves in 1953, by making appearances in three games. After seven seasons with the Braves, he was traded to the Reds in 1961. His career record was 99-91.

Answer: none listed

A player may only win the ROY in their rookie season. Valenzuela and Karros of the Dodgers, did win their sole Rookie of the Year awards in 1981 and 1992, respectively. Canseco won his in 1986 with the Athletics, one season before the great Mark McGwire began his career with a ROY.

Answer: Barry Bonds

The Mets' Seaver won his in 1967, Rose with the Reds in 1963, and Big Mac won it in 1987 with the Athletics. Bonds, who had won almost every major award in the Majors, did not get the ROY in 1986. This went to pitcher Todd Worrell of the Cardinals. Bonds placed sixth in the voting.

He was brought up with the Pirates in his rookie season. He did win the NL MVP in 1990, 1992, and then was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1993. He showed his stuff by winning the MVP again that season. 2001, 2002, and 2003, also saw him win three consecutive MVP's, all with the Giants.

Answer: Tim Salmon

Tim Salmon was the first Angel to win it in 1993. Salmon smacked 31 home runs in the season. He was the only player to receive first place votes with the award. 2003 saw Salmon in his 12th season with the Angels.