American League Teams: 100 Seasons Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Babe Ruth hit 50+ home runs in a season four times in his career. Which AL team was the next to have a player hit over 50?

Answer: Philadephia Athletics

Jimmie Foxx was the second player in history to reach 50, and the third time a player had done it. After Ruth hit 59 in 1921, then another 60 in 1927, Foxx exploded with 58 of his own in 1932. Jimmie hit another 50 for the Red Sox in 1938. 1938 also saw Hank Greenberg of the Tigers hit 58. The White Sox and Senators didn't have anyone hit 50 in a season.

2. The New York Yankees was the first team in Major League baseball to win three, then four, then five consecutive World Series. Only one other American League team won three consecutive in the 100 years of the league. Which team was it?

Answer: Oakland Athletics

The Athletics, led by an all-star cast, defeated the Reds, Mets, and Dodgers, from 1972-1974. Oakland had the MVP in Reggie Jackson, and Cy Young winner Jim "Catfish" Hunter. It would not be until 1989 that saw the Athletics win another World Series. That series was known as the Earthquake Series when a quake interrupted the series against the Giants.

The Athletics skunked the Giants, four games to none in that one.

3. Which AL team was the first to lose 100 games in a season?

Answer: Washington Senators

It took four seasons before a team showed their ugly colors in 1904. The Senators went 38-113, 55.5 games behind the AL champs Boston Red Sox. The Senators had only one pitcher win in double-figures. He was Case Patten, but he went 14-23. It would not be until 1907 that a young pitcher by the name of Walter Johnson arrived for the Senators.

4. Which American League team had the league's first Cy Young award winner?

Answer: New York Yankees

Bob Turley took the third Cy Young award presented in Major League baseball in 1958. He went 21-7, a 2.97 ERA, and struck out 168. Early Wynn won it in 1959 for the White Sox, then Whitey Ford took the next Cy Young for the American League in 1961. The other teams listed watched 12 Cy Young awards or more presented before their team won it.

5. Which AL team was the first to have pitchers win 30 games in a season three times?

Answer: Boston

Cy Young went 33-10 in 1901, then 32-11 in 1902. In 1912, Smokey Joe Wood went 34-5 for the Red Sox also. Washington, via Walter Johnson won 30 games twice, in 1912 and 1913. The Tigers had only one, in Denny McLain when he went 31-6 in 1968. The Indians had one also. Jim Bagby went 31-12 in 1920, and helped Cleveland to their first World Series crown.

6. 1936 saw the first Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The hall inducted five players, with three of those coming from the American League. The Yankees were represented by Babe Ruth, and the Senators by pitching great Walter Johnson. Which other AL team was represented?

Answer: Detroit Tigers

The player was Ty Cobb, who took the most ballots of the five inductees. Cobb batted over .400 three times, he batted for a Triple Crown in 1909, and won the American League's first season MVP award in 1911. The other two 1936 inductees were Honus Wagner, representing the Pirates, and Giant pitcher Christy Mathewson.

7. This American League team was not only the first to win 100 games in a season, but also the first team to do it twice. They did it in consecutive seasons, and won the World Series both times. Which team was this?

Answer: Philadelphia Athletics

The Connie Mack led Athletics went 102-48 in 1910, then 101-50 in 1911. They won the World Series over the Cubs and Giants. In both seasons, Philadelphia was led by second baseman Eddie Collins, and the arm of Jack Coombs.

8. This team was the first to have four different managers win the Manager of Year award. Which AL team was it?

Answer: White Sox

The Manager of the Year award began in 1983. Tony LaRussa of the White Sox won the first award for the American League. Other Chicago managers to follow were Jeff Torborg in 1990, Gene Lamont in 1993, and Jerry Manuel in 2000. The first AL manager to win the award twice was Detroit Tiger Sparky Anderson, who won his awards in 1984 and 1987.

9. In 100 seasons of the American League, the Yankees dominated Major League baseball by winning 26 World Series. Which American League franchise took a backseat to the Yankees with the next highest World Series total in their pocket?

Answer: Philadelphia / Oakland Athletics

With the Yankees winning 26, the next highest being nine, was a total domination for the Yankee franchise. In 96 World Series played during the first 100 seasons, not only did they win 26, but also won 37 American League pennants. The Athletics won nine World Series via 15 AL pennants, and Boston won seven in 12 appearances.

The Tigers won four World Series and took 10 AL pennants, while the White Sox won three with six league pennants.

10. Which team saw their pitcher set a 20th century record for the most strikeouts in a season?

Answer: California Angels

The California Angels watched in awe as Nolan Ryan surpassed Sandy Koufax's Major League strikeout record. Nolan struck out 383 in 1973. In the first 100 seasons of the American League, none of the other teams listed had anybody strike out more than 300 in a season.

Source: Author Nightmare

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An all multiple choice look at some teams of the American League in its first 100 seasons from 1901-2000. I hope that you enjoy it! :-)

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