MLB For Dummies : Average Trivia

1. Who was the first left-handed pitcher to strike out 4000 batters in their career?

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #91

Answer: Steve Carlton

Although the others listed were all right-handed, none of them were pitchers. Beginning his career in 1965, Carlton played seven seasons with the Cardinals before playing for 15 as a Phillie. He retired in 1988 after 24 seasons with 4136 strikeouts. The first pitcher in history to strike out 4000 was the great Nolan Ryan, who retired with 5714.

From Quiz Baseball for Dummies #100

Answer: Boston Red Sox and Boston Braves

The Babe began his career with the Boston Red Sox of 1914. He was sold to the Yankees in 1919 by Harry Frazee. After 15 seasons with the Yankees and setting numerous records, he retired as a Boston Brave in his final season of 1935. The Babe went out big, as he smacked three home runs in one game, and those three were three of six home runs that he hit in the entire season. He retired at the top of the heap with 714 home runs.

From Quiz Baseball by a Dummy

Answer: Hank Aaron

Ruth, who played for 22 seasons, hit 50+ home runs in a season four times in his career. In this era of the 1920s, home runs were not a common thing. Along came Jimmie Foxx of the Red Sox, and reached the 500-plateau in 1940. Foxx retired with 534 home runs. Later in baseball history, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron battled with season home run crowns. While the 'Say Hey Kid' stopped at 660 home runs, Aaron went on to hit 755 in his career with the Braves of Milwaukee and Atlanta, reached the 700-barrier in 1973, then later retired with 755 in 1976 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Reggie Jackson retired with 563 after 21 seasons in 1987.

From Quiz Eliminating the Dummies

Answer: Satchel Paige

1948 was well before the others listed began their careers. In 1948, Satchel came as a star from the Negro Leagues. In his rookie season he went 6-1 in 27 games. Paige made his only appearance in the 1948 World Series in game 5 for the Indians, helping Cleveland defeat the Boston Braves four games to two.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #90

Answer: Mark McGwire

Mark hit 56 in 1996 with the A's. Then he straddled the 1997 season with the A's, and then joined the Cardinals. His season total was 58. The following seasons he hit 70, then 65. In 1997, he also was the first player to hit the most home runs in a season, but not lead a league. He had 34 with the A's and 24 with the Cardinals.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #88

Answer: Detroit Tigers

Amazingly, after a dismal 43-119 record in 2003, the Tigers began their season 4-0 to be the last team undefeated on April 9, including three road wins. They lost their first game to the Twins on April 10th. With some sly offseason acquistions, the Tigers hoped for the best. At the time the Tigers were 4-0, the other teams listed had only won one game.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #87

Answer: Detroit Tigers

The others were all National League teams. The Tigers had the unfortunate honor of having the worst record in 2003, with a 43-119 record. The were ranked 13th of 14 ballparks for fan attendance.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #58

Answer: 0

The Marlins had no pitcher win even 15 games. The starting rotation was Dontrelle Willis, Mark Redman, and Brad Penny, who all won 14. Carl Pavano finished with 12, and World Series MVP Josh Beckett won nine.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #56

Answer: Jim Thome

The others listed were not even in the top five. Thome, in his 13th season in the big leagues, hit 47 for the Phillies. In 2002, he smacked 52, but was still runner-up to Alex Rodriguez of the Rangers who hit 57. After 12 seasons with the Indians, this was Thome's first season in the National League and with Philadelphia. In his previous eight seasons, Thome had hit 355 home runs.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #54

Answer: Josh Beckett

The others were on the losing New York Yankees. Beckett, in his 3rd season in baseball, appeared in 2 games and struck out 19 Yankees. The Marlins defeated the Yankees 4 games to 2.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #53

Answer: Don Drysdale

The others never wore the #53, and never played for the Dodgers. Drysdale began his great career in 1956, one season after the great Sandy Koufax began his Dodger reign. At 6'6", Drysdale controlled batters, as he averaged 177 strikeouts per season in his career. He appeared in 5 World Series, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1984.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #52

Answer: Steve Carlton

The others retired long before, and were all right handers. Carlton, arguably the great left hander in the game, struck out his 4000th on August 5. He retired with 4136 in 1988, 2nd to the great Nolan Ryan.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #45

Answer: 1

Russ Ortiz was the only NL pitcher who reached this plateau. After 5 seasons with the Giants, he wore the Braves' uniform in 2003 and went 21-7. Mark Prior of the Cubs was the runner-up with a record of 18-6, and Woody Williams of the Cardinals went 18-9.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #44

Answer: Randy Johnson

The others were American League pitchers. Johnson who turned 40 years old on Sept. 10, hit his first four-bagger in his career. Entering the 2003 season, Randy struggled with a .124 batting average, and never had more than 13 hits in a season.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #43

Answer: Roy Halladay

None of the others were 2003 pitchers. Halladay was in his 5th season, all with the Blue Jays. After 3 mediocre seasons, he pushed his way to a 19-7 record. This 26 year old, won his 20th in 2003 on September 11. September 11= 9-11, =20. Go figure.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #42

Answer: Pilots

Seattle found the Pilots in their only season in 1969. The team found themselves with the 2nd worst record in baseball that season, finishing with a 64-98 record, above the Cleveland Indians. The team moved to Milwaukee to become the Brewers of the American League the following season. The newly formed Seattle Mariners found their place in the great state of Washington in 1977, ironically, finishing with the same inaugural record of 64-98.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #40

Answer: Keith Hernandez

Hernandez was the only first baseman listed. Keith played for 17 seasons, mostly for the Cardinals and the Mets. 11 Gold Gloves as a first baseman is remarkable. Hernandez also had the offensive punch, as he tied with the Pirates' great Willie Stargell, for the 1979 National League MVP. Keith retired in 1990, with a .296 batting average.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #37

Answer: Casey Stengel

The others listed were not born yet. In 1923, Casey hit an inside the park home run, off Yankee pitcher Joe Bush and the New York Yankees. The Giants won this game one 5-4. The Yankees came back and took the Series 4 games to 2.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #31

Answer: Troy Percival

The others listed were not in the 2002 World Series. John Lackey started game 7 at Anaheim Stadium. Percival was the Angels' 4th pitcher, and replaced Francisco Rodriguez. The Angels defeated the Giants in the game 4-1, and Anaheim's Troy Glaus was named Series MVP.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #29

Answer: Kerry Wood

Wood had the groove in 2003 with the Cubs. He led the Majors with 200, having 40 more than Yankee Roger Clemens.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #28

Answer: New York Yankees

The 'Chairman of the Board' was a Yankee all the way. From 1950-1967 he wore the pinstripes. He won the American League Cy Young Award and the World Series MVP in 1961. Edward Charles 'Whitey' Ford, never made the 300 win plateau, as he retired with 236 wins.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #25

Answer: Atlanta Braves

The other teams at the time the Braves reached their 75th, had not won even 50 games. The Braves continued their smoking ways in 2003. The team was led by Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones, Javy Lopez, and the arms of Maddux and Ortiz.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #16

Answer: Todd Helton

None of the others played in 2003, and retired more than 30 years ago. Helton with the Rockies, continued to tear up National League pitchers. In 2002, he hit 30 home runs with 39 doubles. 2003 is Helton's 7th season in the Majors.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #13

Answer: Barry Zito

Zito was the only Athletic listed in 2002. Barry went 23-15 with 182 strikeouts. His efforts won him the American League Cy Young Award. This was his 3rd season in the Major Leagues.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #11

Answer: Atlanta

The Braves won 60 games prior to the All-Star break, to continue their tear in the National League. The other teams listed were at least 20 wins behind behind Atlanta.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #9

Answer: Milwaukee Brewers

21 of his 23 seasons saw Hank in a Braves' uniform, both from Milwaukee and Atlanta. In 1975 he went to the Brewers of the American League, and then retired after the 1976 season. All but 22 of his 755 home runs, were hit as a Brave.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #12

Answer: Babe Ruth

Ruth retired in 1935 with the Boston Braves, after an infamous career with the Yankees. His record of 714 stood until near the end of the 1974 season, when Henry Aaron broke the mark while playing for the Atlanta Braves. Aaron retired in 1976 with 755 dingers.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #7

Answer: Los Angeles Angels

From the new expansion Angels under the helm of Bill Rigney in 1961, to the California Angels in 1965, they became the Anaheim Angels in 1997 under the management of Terry Collins. The Angels' first World Series appearance was in 2002, where they beat the San Francisco Giants 4 games to 3.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #4

Answer: 1969

1969 was the only year listed that they won the Series. The team did not exist in 1960. Their only other 20th century WS title was in 1986. The 1969 "Amazing Mets" upset the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles 4 games to 1. With his 3 home runs in the Series, New York's Donn Clendenon was the MVP.

From Quiz Dummies Baseball #3

Answer: Boston Red Sox

On June 27th, the Red Sox humiliated the Marlins 25-8. The Red Sox scored 10 runs in the first inning before 1 out was even recorded. They went on to score 14 runs in the inning, which tied an American League record. Boston banged out 28 hits in the game. The run total tied a team read set in 1950 for the Sox.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:55 AM

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