A Tribute to Ken Caminiti Trivia Quiz

Answer: Third Base

Ken Caminiti played 1,676 total games at third base. He also played 33 games as a first baseman during his fifteen year career with the Astros, Padres, Rangers, and Braves.

Answer: 2000

Ken Caminiti appeared in his first All-Star game in 1994 as an Astro. He appeared in his final two All-Star games as a member of the Padres in 1996 and 1997.

Answer: Houston Astros

Ken Caminiti was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 1984 amateur draft. His first stint with the Astros were from 1987-1994. Later, he played his second stint with the Astros from 1999-2000.

Answer: 1993

Ken Caminiti won praise from many fans of baseball for his defensive prowess. His best defensive days were while he was with the San Diego Padres from 1995-97 when he won three consecutive Gold Glove awards.

Answer: 15

Ken Caminiti played with the Astros(1887-94)(1999-2000), Padres(1995-98), Rangers(2001), and Braves(2001), during his fifteen year career. Injuries and off-the-field incidents forced Caminiti to leave the game after 2001.

Answer: True

Ken Camniti had a monster 1996 season. That year, his batting average was an amazing .326, with 40 home runs, 130 RBI's, 11 stolen bases, 40 doubles, and a whopping slugging percentage of .621. Even more whopping, he recived the maximum amount of votes a MVP candidate could get with 392 votes and and all 28 first place votes. Mike Piazza and Ellis Burks were second and third behind Caminiti.

Answer: True

After his playing days were over, Caminiti had a desire to mentor young and upcoming baseball players. He got that chance in 2004, while serving as a spring training instructor for the San Diego Padres. However, Caminiti did not continue with the team after spring training.

Answer: Yes

Ken Caminiti only played as a Desgnated Hitter once in his career. It came in 2001 while Caminiti's Atlanta Braves were visiting the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Answer: True

Ken Caminiti began switch hitting in his secong year in college. Caminiti said, "I always took batting practice left-handed, so I just kept practicing. I have just as much power from either side". During his era, Ken Caminiti held the National League record for most home runs by a switch hitter in back-to-back seasons with 66 in 1996 and 1997.

Answer: True

Ken Caminiti's lifelong battle with drug problems finally cost him his life on October 10, 2004. Witnesses say that Caminiti's final hours spent were talking about "life, love, and everything". Rob Silva, the man Caminiti was with when he died, described Caminiti as being "edgy." Said Silva, "It was almost like he had a feeling something was going to happen. It was like he wanted to take care of things. Life is crazy." Ken Caminiti left us too soon.