FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

1968 Detroit Tigers | 10 Question Sports Multiple Choice Quiz

The team that inspired the city of Detroit to unite and bounce back from the riots of 1967 was also a team that brought a great deal of joy to the entire state of Michigan by winning the American League pennant and the World Series.

A multiple-choice quiz by dcooper1212. Estimated time: 7 mins.

Author
dcooper1212

Time
7 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
336,797

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Difficult

Avg Score
3 / 10

Plays
303

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The 1968 Tigers were managed by Mayo Smith, a borderline Major Leaguer who played one season in the big leagues. He managed Phillies (four seasons) and the Reds (one season) in the 1950s before becoming manager of the Tigers in 1967. What number did Mayo wear as manager of the 1968 Tigers? Hint

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. The Tigers lost their first game of the season to Boston, but then reeled off nine wins in a row. This pitcher had three of the those wins, to go 3-0 after just eight Tiger games. Who was this young lucky lefty? Hint

John Hiller

Denny McLain

Jon Warden

Mickey Lolich

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. On May 10, 1968, the Tigers smashed the Senators 12-1 to retake 1st place in the American League. When told they were back in first, this player responded, "To stay". He was right, the Tigers never again relinquished first place for the remainder of the season. Who was this confident Tiger? Hint

Dick McAuliffe

Jim Northrup

Al Kaline

Bill Freehan

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. On May 25, Tiger great Al Kaline had his arm broken by a pitch from this Oakland A's pitcher. Being a first place team, the Tigers were thrown at often in 1968. Who was this Oakland pitcher considered a villain by Tiger fans? Hint

Jim Hunter

Lew Krausse

Blue Moon Odom

Chuck Dobson

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. On July 3, the Tigers beat the Angels 5-2 at Tiger Stadium. At 51-27, they were running away with the American League pennant. Just as significant, this game was another complete game by Denny McLain. He was already 15-2, half way to 30 wins. How many complete games did McLain pitch in that magical season of 1968? Hint

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. His dramatic walk-off two-run HR beat the Orioles on Friday night, July 19, 1968. The Tigers had trailed 4-2 entering the bottom of the 9th and his two-out 2-run HR won the game and was a very memorable moment for all Tiger fans. Who was this unlikely hero? Hint

Gates Brown

Jim Price

Tommy Matchick

Dick Tracewski

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. The Tigers low point of the season came when Dick McAuliffe was suspended for five games, after he was hit by Tommy John and charged the mound on August 22. The Tigers led the AL by 7.5 games when he was suspended. What was their lead in the American League when he came back? Hint

7.5 games

4.0 games

6.0 games

2.5 games

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. September 14, 1968, was another memorable day. Denny McLain would win his 30th game and it would be in the Tigers' bottom of the 9th inning. Who pinch hit for McLain in the 9th and walked, scoring the tying run on a wild throw by Athletics first baseman Danny Cater? Hint

Willie Horton

Al Kaline

Mickey Stanley

Gates Brown

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. The Tigers continued their comeback ways in the World Series, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to the Cardinals, to win the Series 4-3. The turning point was game five when Detroit (down early by a score of 3-0) came back to beat the Cards. Lou Brock was thrown out at home in the 5th inning on a great throw from this Tiger. Who was this Tiger great? Hint

Willie Horton

Mickey Stanley

Al Kaline

Jim Northrup

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Denny McLain was the American League MVP and Cy Young Award Winner in 1968. Mickey Lolich was the hero of the World Series, winning three times. But this player was highest paid Tiger in 1968. Who was he? Hint

Eddie Mathews

Earl Wilson

Al Kaline

Norm Cash

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: 10

Mayo Smith was fired after the disappointing 1970 season. He managed the Tigers to a second place finish in both 1967 and 1969. He was named American League manager of the year in 1968 and deserves a lot of credit for switching Mickey Stanley to shortstop for the World Series and getting Al Kaline in the lineup. Kaline would lead the Tigers in at bats, runs, hits, doubles, HRs, and RBIs in the series.

Answer: Jon Warden

Warden was a 21-year old rookie in 1968. He would finish 4-1 on the season with a 3.65 ERA in just 37 innings pitched. Drafted by the expansion Royals for 1969, he hurt his arm and never pitched again in the Major Leagues.

Answer: Bill Freehan

Freehan was asked by radio play-by-play man Ernie Harwell in spring training if the Tigers could win the pennant, and he said (if they could avoid injuries) he was convinced they would win in 1968. In May, the determined catcher made this bold statement "To stay" in the clubhouse following their big win in Washington.

Answer: Lew Krausse

The Tigers faltered slightly after Kaline's injury, losing their next two to have their lead shaved to 1/2 game. However, they won the next five straight and played very well without their injured star right fielder. Kaline came back on July 1, but at first base, to keep the outfield of Horton, Stanley, and Northrup intact.

Answer: 28

McLain led the American League with 41 games started, and completed 28 to also lead the league. Ironically, Bob Gibson also pitched 28 complete games in 1968. But he and McLain were second to San Francisco Giant Juan Marichal who pitched 30 complete games that year. In 2010, Roy Halladay led both leagues with nine complete games.

Answer: Tommy Matchick

Matchick would only hit three HRs that season, but this one coming against the second place Orioles, and in front of a packed house at Tiger Stadium (over 53,000) would long be remembered.

Answer: 4.0 games

It was a scary moment of the season, but the Tiger lead was never seriously threatened. Mayo Smith chose this low time of the season to say they would win the pennant. Pitching coach John Sain said this Tiger team had fewer problems than any pennant winner with whom he had ever been associated.

Answer: Al Kaline

The Saturday afternoon game of the week on NBC gave the nation a chance to see the comeback kings of baseball do it again. The 1968 Tigers won an amazing 30 games in their last time at bat. This one, being McLain's 30th win, was perhaps the most memorable. Willie Horton's single over left fielder Jim Gosger drove home Mickey Stanley with the winning run.

Answer: Willie Horton

Later in the last of the 7th, Al Kaline hit a bases-loaded single to score two and give the Tigers their first lead of the game. They never again would trail the Cardinals in the series. They won game five by a score of 5-3, game six 13-1, and game seven 4-1.

Answer: Eddie Mathews

Mathews would retire after the 1968 World Series with 512 home runs. Having played for the Braves from 1952-1966, he was simply finishing up a great career with the Tigers. Mathews was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1978.

Source: Author dcooper1212

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.