MLB 1980s Trivia

1. When the game started who was the first batter to come to the plate in the top of the 1st inning?

From Quiz 1980 NLCS Game 4 - Houston vs. Philadelphia

Answer: Lonnie Smith

Terry Puhl was the starting center fielder for the Astros in the 1980 NLCS game four. Puhl was an outfielder for Houston from 1977-1990. Lou Brock had a nineteen year major league career, the majority with the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock led the National League in steals seven times and had a career high 118 in 1974. Brock retired after the 1979 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1985. Ricky Henderson was one of the greatest leadoff hitters in MLB history during his 25 year career. But, he never played for Philadelphia. 1980 was Henderson's second year in the majors and he stole exactly 100 bases for the Oakland Athletics during that season. Lonnie Smith was The Sporting News Rookie of the Year in 1980 playing for the Phillies. That season he hit for a .339 batting average and stole 33 bases. Smith was part of World Series winning teams with the 1980 Phillies, 1982 Cardinals and 1985 Kansas City Royals. He played in even more World Series contests including 1991 with the Atlanta Braves. A base running mistake by Smith in the eighth inning of game seven in the 1991 World Series cost the Braves a run and they went on to lose to the Minnesota Twins 1-0. In 1989 he was named The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year following several years of involvement in baseball drug scandals and his own addiction to cocaine. Smith, never known for his defense, would make two fielding mistakes in the 1980 NLCS game four, one of which led to an Astros score, although neither was officially ruled as an error.

From Quiz 1980s in a Bucket

Answer: Cesar Geronimo

Geronimo struck out only 24 times in the season, but Ryan's whiff was historic. He was also Gibson's 3000th strikeout in 1974. Geronimo retired in 1983 with the Royals after a 15-season career.

From Quiz Shortstops of the 1980s

Answer: Dale

Dale Berra, son of Hall of Fame catcher Yogi, played for three Major League teams during the 1980s. Dale Berra was a member of The Show from 1977 to 1987. He became a starting shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982. During the 1984 season, Dale played for his father as a member of the New York Yankees.

From Quiz MLB Catchers of the 1980s

Answer: 8

Gary Carter was one of the finest all-around catchers of his generation. Carter wore uniform number 8 during his career. His uniform number was eventually retired by the Montreal Expos. During the 1980s, Carter won three Gold Glove Awards as well as nine All-Star Game selections. Number eight was an integral member of the 1986 World Series champion Mets. For his career, Carter slugged 324 home runs and drove in 1225 runs. Carter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003.

From Quiz First Basemen of the 1980s

Answer: New York Yankees

Don Mattingly was one of the most beloved players in New York Yankees history. This lefty-hitting and fielding first baseman hit 222 home runs, drove in 1,099 runs, had 2,153 hits, and finished with a .307 career batting average. "Donnie Baseball" was named to six All-Star teams and won nine Gold Gloves for fielding excellence. The Yankees retired Mattingly's uniform number 23 in 1997.

From Quiz Major League Baseball: 1980s Challenge

Answer: 0

No team had either changed locations or began as a new franchise in Major League Baseball, unlike others dating back three decades.

From Quiz Major League Baseball: 1980s

Answer: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies, led by the bat of third baseman Mike Schmidt and the arm of pitcher Steve Carlton who won two World Series games, defeated the Royals four games to two. Schmidt was the series MVP for his eight hits, seven RBIs, .381 average, and his two home runs.

From Quiz Decades on the Diamond: 1980s

Answer: Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies' franchise began in 1883 in the lone National League. The franchise had been to two World Series in all those years in 1915 and 1950, but lost both times. The Phillies took their first crown against the Kansas City Royals, four games to two.

From Quiz Decade in a Box: 1980s

Answer: NY Mets

The Mets went 108-54 in the 1986 season, and ultimately won the World Series against the Red Sox. The others listed never won more than 85 games in a season during the decade.

From Quiz The 1986 Postseason

Answer: Houston Astros and New York Mets

The Houston Astros won the NL West with a 96-66 record winning the division by 10 games. The New York Mets won the NL East with a 108-54 record winning the division by 21.5 games.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #49 - 1980s

Answer: Philadelphia Phillies

The others listed never appeared in the WS in the '80s. The Phillies behind Mike Schmidt, defeated the Kansas City Royals 4 games to 2. Schmidt was the Series MVP.

From Quiz MLB: 1980 Season

Answer: Cecil Cooper

Cooper was a great hitter in the late 70s and early 80s. He was a member of the 1982 Brewers team , (known as "Harvey's Wallbangers"), that lost to the Cardinals in that World Series.

From Quiz 1980 NLCS Game 4 - Houston vs. Philadelphia

Answer: Steve Carlton

Vern Ruhle was the starting pitcher for the Astros in game four of the 1980 NLCS. He played for Houston from 1974-1984, followed by one season with each of the Cleveland Indians and California Angels. 1980 was the first of nine seasons that Nolan Ryan played for the Astros. The Hall of Famer who led his league in strikeouts for eleven different seasons became baseball's first million dollar man by signing a four year, four million dollar contract with Houston before the 1980 season. During his 27 year career he also played for the New York Mets, California Angels, and Texas Rangers. Dave Smith was a rookie relief pitcher for Houston in 1980 when he appeared in 57 games with 10 saves. The two time All-Star would later become the Astros closer, and finished his career with 216 saves, all but 17 with Houston. Steve Carlton pitched for St. Louis from 1965-1971, and Philadelphia from 1972 - 1985 and part of the 1986 season. He finished his career in 1988 after also pitching for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins. Carlton was a ten time All-Star and four time Cy Young Award winner, including both honors in 1980. He also started and won game one of the 1980 NLCS, the only game of the five to not go to extra innings. In game one Greg Luziniski hit the only home run of the series by either team in the sixth inning off of Astros starter Ken Forsch to provide the winning runs for the Phillies and Carlton. It was the first time the Phillies had won a playoff game that was played in Philadelphia since 1915.

From Quiz 1980s in a Bucket

Answer: Rollie Fingers

Fingers began his career with the Athletics in 1968, and was the 1974 World Series MVP with them. He became a Padre in 1977 and won the Rolaids Relief Award. Two more relief awards came in 1978 and 1980. Then in 1981, Rollie won it again in addition to the Cy Young and AL MVP Award with the Milwaukee Brewers. He retired in 1985, then was inducted into the hall in 1982. Rollie's MVP Award was won over Oakland's Rickey Henderson.

From Quiz Shortstops of the 1980s

Answer: Greg Gagne

Gagne played with the Twins from 1983 to 1992, hitting 69 of his 111 career home runs for Minnesota. In 1987, Gagne played 136 games at shortstop, batting .265 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs. Gagne also hit a home run in the 1987 World Series. The other three players listed in this question were Twins' outfielders.

From Quiz MLB Catchers of the 1980s

Answer: Lance

Parrish played for the Tigers, Phillies (1987-1988) and Angels (1989) during the 1980s. Parrish combined slugging power (324 career HRs) with good defensive skills and earned eight All-Star Game selections during the 1980s. Lance was a member of the World Series champion Detroit Tigers in 1984. Parrish played mainly with the Texas Rangers during the 1980s.

From Quiz Major League Baseball: 1980s

Answer: Mike Schmidt

The others did not take a MVP Award in the 1980s. Mike helped the Phillies win their first World Series crown in 1980, and also won the NL MVP Award. He won his second MVP in 1981, then his third in 1986. He won his MVPs over Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Glenn Davis, respectively. Mike was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1995 after retiring in 1989.

From Quiz Decades on the Diamond: 1980s

Answer: Fernando Valenzuela

The others did not begin their MLB careers until the 1990s. Valenzuela, who had "Fernando Mania" named after him, led the Dodgers to the World Series championship in 1981 against the Yankees.

From Quiz The 1986 Postseason

Answer: Boston Red Sox and California Angels

The Boston Red Sox won the AL East with a 95-66 record winning the division by 5.5 games. The California Angels won the AL West with a 92-70 record winning the division by 5 games.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #49 - 1980s

Answer: 1981

On June 12 the strike began, suspending the season for 50 days.

From Quiz MLB: 1980 Season

Answer: Joe Charboneau

Joe Charboneau quickly faded into history due to injuries. Righetti won it in 1981. Griffen and Castino were co-winners in 1979.

From Quiz 1980 NLCS Game 4 - Houston vs. Philadelphia

Answer: Pete Rose

Glenn Davis was a first baseman for the Houston Astros from 1984 - 1989. He was traded to Baltimore and played there for the remainder of his career, ending after the 1993 season. Davis was a two time All-Star in Houston. John Kruk began his career as a first baseman for the San Diego Padres in 1986. He came to Philadelphia in 1990 and was an All-Star for the Phillies for three consecutive seasons while there. After retiring as a player Kruk began a career as a sports broadcaster. Jimmie Fox is a Hall of Fame first baseman who began his career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925. Pete Rose is best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds including 16 seasons from 1963-1978 and again from 1984 - 1986. However, he joined the Phillies in 1979 and was the starting first baseman in game four of the 1980 NLCS. Rose led the National League in hits seven times and amassed 4,256 total hits over his 24 year career. He was an All-Star seventeen times including 1980, the Rookie of the Year in 1963, won three batting titles and was the 1973 National League MVP. But Rose is not in the Hall of Fame having been denied eligibility due to involvement with gambling.

From Quiz 1980s in a Bucket

Answer: Manny Trillo

It was July 31 when the Phillies' second baseman Trillo finally muffed one to end his streak. Ironically, it was on a ground ball from Bill Buckner of all people. After a career high of 29 errors in 1975, Trillo committed only five errors in the 1982 season.

From Quiz Shortstops of the 1980s

Answer: Rooster

Shortstop Rick Burleson was nicknamed "Rooster" when he broke into the Major Leagues with the Boston Red Sox in 1974. The slightly-built Burleson was known for his fiery temper and his competitive spirit. In 1980, the Rooster joined the California Angels, and he earned an All-Star Game selection for California in 1981. Burleson missed the entire 1985 season due to injury. For his career, Burleson batted .273 with over 1400 hits.

From Quiz MLB Catchers of the 1980s

Answer: Orioles and Dodgers

Rick Dempsey had a long career (1969-1991) as a big league catcher. During the 1980s, Dempsey played on two World Series championship teams. In 1983 with the Orioles, and again in 1988 with the Dodgers. In the 1983 series, Dempsey was named the Most Valuable Player. He batted .385 with a home run and two RBIs.

From Quiz Major League Baseball: 1980s Challenge

Answer: Mike Schmidt

Schmidt was an 18-season career Philadelphia Phillie from 1972-1989. Eight times in his career, Mike led the National League in home runs for a season. He topped out at 48 in 1980, leading the Phillies to their first World Series crown in their 96-year history. He hit 313 home runs in the 1980s, and retired with 548.

From Quiz Decades on the Diamond: 1980s

Answer: Rickey Henderson

The others were already retired before the 1980s. Henderson went on to break Ty Cobb's career stolen base record, and retired with 1406 steals after 25 seasons.

From Quiz Decade in a Box: 1980s

Answer: Roger Maris

The others were all pitchers and all died 15 years later in 2000. Maris played for 12 seasons with four teams, and the most famous was with the Yankees in 1960 and 1961. Even with teammate Mickey Mantle tearing up the American League, Maris won the the AL MVP in those two consecutive seasons. Maris' marker was breaking Babe Ruth's season home run record of 60, which was set in 1927. Roger died at the age of 51.

From Quiz The 1986 Postseason

Answer: 16

It went 16 long innings after being tied 4-4 after 15. It was a great rally in the top of the 16th by the Mets for 3 runs. In the bottom of the inning, the Astros scored two and almost won the game.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #49 - 1980s

Answer: Joel Youngblood

The others retired long before the 1980s. Youngblood of the New York Mets had 2 hits in a day game on August 4th. The team traded him after the game to the Montreal Expos, and off to Philadelphia he went. As an Expo, he played the night game and had 2 hits off the Phillies. He began the 1983 season as a Giant, then retired as a Red in 1989 after 14 seasons.

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