A Nightmare of a Challenge [2] Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which National League umpire died of heart attack on Opening Day in 1997?

Answer: John McSherry

McSherry was the home plate umpire on Opening Day on April 1st in a game with the Reds hosting the Expos. With only seven pitches into the game, John motioned to his second base umpire with an unrecognizable gesture, then collapsed behind home plate. The game was postponed, and Cincinnati owner Marge Schott threw a fit because she wanted the game to take place on "her Opening Day".

2. Pittsburgh Pirate Harvey Haddix threw a 12-inning perfect game in the 1950s, only to lose the game in the 13th inning. Which team did the Pirates play on that day?

Answer: Milwaukee Braves

The game took place on May 26, 1959. It was Milwaukee's Joe Adcock who spoiled Harvey's entire day. After Felix Mantilla reached base on an error, Adcock doubled home Mantilla in the bottom of the 13th for the Braves' win. Haddix ended up with credit for a one-hitter, but no credit in the record books for a perfect game that went past nine innings.

3. In the 1920s, a Cleveland Indian lost his life as a result of being hit in the head with a pitch. Which pitcher threw the ball?

Answer: Carl Mays

Mays was a Yankee on August 16, 1920. In a game played at the Polo Grounds in New York, Mays threw a submarine pitch that hit Ray Chapman well enough in the head to do some damage. He died as a result. The Indians went on to win the World Series in Ray's honor against the Brooklyn Robins.

4. Which of these pitchers won more than 100 games in their first three seasons of baseball?

Answer: Charley Radbourn

Radbourn joined the Providence Grays in 1881. In three seasons, he won 106 games. In his fourth season, Charley even went another 59-12. Young did not reach the 100-win mark until his fourth season when he totaled 106. Alexander did not reach his 100th win until his fifth season. Spalding was with the Boston Red Stockings of the National Association when he won 90 games in his first three seasons.

In his fourth season he went 52-16.

5. Having 100 successful pinch-hits in a career is an outstanding feat. However, if a pitcher did this it would be more amazing. Which pitcher set a record by having 114 successful pinch-hits in his career?

Answer: Red Lucas

A career record that stood until 1965, Lucas continued to hold the pinch-hit record for a pitcher. Red played his rookie season with the New York Giants, two seasons with the Braves, then his next 13 between the Reds and Pirates. He retired in 1938. Red batted .281 in his career. As a pitcher, Lucas went 157-135 from the mound.

6. Which future Hall of Famer broke his elbow in an All-Star game in the 1950s?

Answer: Ted Williams

Williams was a member of the Red Sox (he was a career Bostonian) in the 1950 All-Star Game. Ted crashed into the left field wall while chasing a fly ball in the first inning. The injury sidelined Williams for most of the season, and resulted in the Red Sox finishing in third place to the Yankees by four games.

7. Which of the following Hall of Famers never wore the number 7 at some point in their career?

Answer: Bobby Doerr

Greenberg wore the number 7 as a rookie Detroit Tiger in 1933. He later changed to his familiar number 5 for the rest of his career. Medwick wore the number 7 from 1933-1940 with the Cardinals, then from 1940-1943 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Mantle was a career Yankee and wore the number 6 as a rookie in 1951, then switched to the number 7 in 1952 for the rest of his career. Doerr played his 14-season career with the Red Sox from 1937-1951.

He wore the number 9 as a rookie, then the number 1 for the rest of his career.

8. In 2001, Yankee pitcher Mike Mussina lost his bid for a perfect game in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs against the Red Sox. Which Boston player spoiled Mussina's quest with a pinch-hit single in this game?

Answer: Carl Everett

The game was on September 2. Mussina could have become the third Yankee pitcher in four seasons to throw a perfect game in 2001, but Everett spoiled that entire thought. The Yankees would still win the game 1-0 with Mussina taking the win, and former Yankee David Cone taking the loss.

9. Hank Aaron and Mark McGwire are two of baseball's biggest home run hitters. There was only one player who played with both these greats on different teams. Who was it?

Answer: Dusty Baker

Dusty played most of his career with the Braves and Dodgers. He was rostered with Aaron on the 1968 Atlanta Braves, then hooked up with McGwire on the 1986 Oakland Athletics. Aaron retired with 755 home runs, McGwire with 583, and Baker had 242.

10. In a rare feat by a pitcher, what did Dodger pitcher Darren Dreifort do on June 12, 2001?

Answer: He stole home

It was an interleague game against the Texas Rangers. At home in Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers pulled off a double-steal with Tom Goodwin stealing second, and Dreifort stealing home. The Dodgers won the game 8-4, and Dreifort took the win.

Source: Author Nightmare

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The second in a series of five quizzes about baseball for those who don't care about their score. I hope you enjoy the challenge. :)

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