Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. 1970 was an interesting year for everyone involved. Cardinal Curt Flood refused to report to the Phillies after a trade, which started the entire process of free-agency. The umpires refused to work the League Championship Series and forced higher salaries. The world was still in shock over the 1969 'Amazing Mets', who defeated the heavily-favored Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. There was also a New York Met in 1970, who became the first outfielder in history to win a Gold Glove in both leagues. Who was he?
2. 1971 was a feel-wierd type of season. Ron Hunt set a season record for being hit by 50 pitches (HBP), and the Pittsburgh Pirates were the first team to wear form-fitting double-knit uniforms. It must have helped because they went all the way and won the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, four games to three. The Orioles knocked out Oakland and a pitcher in the AL Championship Series. That Oakland pitcher won both the MVP and Cy Young Award in the 1971 season. Who was he?
3. Baseball fans in 1972 saw former Baltimore Oriole Milt Pappas win his 200th career game, never winning 20 games in a season, and was the first in history to do it. The Cleveland Indians had a Cy Young winner in the name of Gaylord Perry. However, the season would start off sour as lemons. The players went on a general strike for the first time in modern baseball history. The season would begin 10 days late, and Commissioner Bowie Kuhn ruled that the games would not be made up. As a result, the Tigers won their Eastern Division by only one-half game because they played one more game and won than the second place team. Who did the commissioner's office rob that season?
4. Every portion of baseball around the world was still mourning the death of Pirate great, Roberto Clemente, who was killed on a humanitarian plane mission on December 31, 1972. The 1973 season was an interesting one also as the American League instituted the Designated Hitter rule, allowing a regular batter to bat in place of the pitcher. The National League refused to accommodate this rule and left the American League by itself with this decision. Ron Blomberg of the Yankees was the first designated hitter in history while playing for the New York Yankees. Also in 1973, there was a future Yankee becoming the 1973 World Series MVP in 'October' while playing for the Oakland Athletics. Who was this player?
5. 1974 saw Fergie Jenkins of the Texas Rangers become the last pitcher to show up in a batting order, negating the Designated Hitter rule in the American League. In his last game batting in the American League, Jenkins broke up a no-hitter with a single late in the game, and would go on to win his 25th game of the season. Also from the Rangers was the 1974 American League MVP. Born in Long Beach, California, this golden boy was voted in over Oakland's Joe Rudi, Sal Bando, and Reggie Jackson. Who was this Ranger?
6. After earning the Cy Young Award with Oakland in 1974, Jim 'Catfish' Hunter was the first baseball star who won his 'declared' free-agency and began the 1975 season with his new team. Hunter responded with tying for the most wins in the American League with 23, with the Orioles' Jim Palmer. Which team did Catfish play for who finished as runner-up to the Cy Young Award in 1975?
7. 1976 saw Cincinnati Reds player Dan Driessen, become the first player in history to serve as a designated hitter in a World Series game. Which National League team won the 1976 World Series?
8. Baseball fans saw Patty Livingston, who was the last surviving member of the new American League in 1901, die in 1977. Fans also saw the American League grow to 14 teams with the addition of the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. Neither team had a starting pitcher finish over .500. The Blue Jays did however have a former Dodger and Expo first baseman/right fielder, who was Toronto's designated hitter in 1977, and lead the club with 19 home runs in the season. Who was he?
9. 1978 saw Dave Parker of the Pirates and Jim Rice of the Red Sox win the MVPs in baseball. Rollie Fingers won the National League's Rolaids Relief Award for the Padres. Also, a Padre was the first pitcher in history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. Who was this pitcher?
10. 1979 ended with a strange twist. It was the first time in history that two National League players were 'co-selected' MVPs for the season. One player was Keith Hernandez of the Cardinals. Who was the other Pirate?
Source: Author
Nightmare
This quiz was reviewed by our editing team before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
