Baseball History: The 1935 Season Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The 1935 season was a watershed in baseball history, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. It was the time of Babe Ruth's last hurrah. He had turned 40 before the season began, he had been released by the Yankees, and he had signed with another team. What was the Babe's new team?

Answer: Boston Braves

Ruth didn't do the Beantown NLers much good. He would play only until June 2nd, and the Braves would finish with 115 losses, a record for a 154 game season. Not only that, they went bankrupt and ownership was transferred to the National League.

2. The Bambino's last great game occurred on May 25th, when he hit three homers in one game. Where did Babe Ruth hit homers 712, 713 and 714?

Answer: Forbes Field, Pittsburgh

One of his blasts was the first to clear the right-field stands at Forbes Field. Only one remnnant of Forbes survived into the 21st century: the far left section of the brick outfield wall.

3. In 1935, Babe Ruth knew he was past his prime in spite of his three-homer game, and he decided to call it a career on June 2nd. Name the ballpark and city where he played his last game.

Answer: Baker Bowl, Philadelphia

The Baker Bowl was never much of a ballpark even when it was new. It was small, ugly, and didn't have great facilities. For example, players had to hang their clothes on nails in the clubhouse! It would be abandoned by the Phillies in the middle of the 1938 season, when they moved to Shibe Park, then the home of the Athletics, who later moved to Kansas City and Oakland. Prior to the 1953 season Shibe Park's name was changed to Connie Mack Stadium to honor the long-time owner and manager of the A's. 1970 was the Phils' final season there before they moved to Veterans' Stadium, AKA "The Vet." The site of Baker Bowl was later used for a gas station and a crab restaurant.

The site of Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium was later home to a large church.

4. The Cubs clinched the NL pennant on September 27th by beating a future Hall of Fame pitcher. Who was he?

Answer: Dizzy Dean

Dean is the only NLer among the choices. Ruffing pitched for the Red Sox and Yankees, then spent his last year with the White Sox. Gomez pitched for the Yankees and did his last year with the Senators. Grove pitched for the A's and the Red Sox. Dean was one of the top pitchers of the 1930s.

He won 30 games in 1934 and 28 in 1935. He was quite a character as well. He earned his nickname! The Cubs took the flag in 1929, '32, '35, and '38. Every three years. Easy to remember. They would win another in 1945, and after that none for the rest of the century. And the Red Sox fans think they have problems!

5. The Pittsburgh team won the Negro National League crown for 1935. What was the name of their team?

Answer: Crawfords

The Crawfords, who were named for their owner, had a pretty decent team, fielding three of the greatest players ever, of any color: Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Oscar Charleston. A World Series between them and the Yankees would have been something to see.

6. The Yankees didn't win the 1935 World Series, although they would win the next four. What team won the 1935 Series?

Answer: Detroit Tigers

The Tigers had three future Hall of Famers: Hank Greenberg at first, Charlie Gehringer at second, and Mickey Cochrane catching as well as managing. Greenberg was MVP that year.

7. Who led the American League in slugging average in 1935?

Answer: Jimmy Foxx

Foxx, known as "Double X" and "The Beast" was an incredible slugger, similar to Babe Ruth. He played first base for the A's in 1935 and played later for the Red Sox, Cubs, and Phils. His 1935 SA was .636, Greenberg's .628, Gehrig's .583, Vosmik's .537. Vosmik, who played for the Indians, is remembered by few fans, but he had quite a year in 1935, leading the league in hits, doubles, and triples and batting .348, only one point behind batting champ Buddy Myer of the Senators.

8. The 1935 season was a watershed in baseball history, marking the end of one era and the beginning of another. The first night game in ML history was played May 24, 1935 at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. What team lost that first night game?

Answer: Phillies

The final score was Reds 2, Phils 1. The winning pitcher was Paul Derringer. President Roosevelt pressed a gold telegraph key at the White House which signalled a man at Crosley Field to turn on the lights for the first night ML game but far from the last since night games have become much more common than daylight contests over the years. Lots of interesting info and photos of the game can be found at www.foertmyer.com

9. His first name was Walter and he started his 23rd year in the Majors on opening day, 1935, a new National league record. He played shortstop and second base, and the bulk of his career was spent with the Boston Braves. He had a nickname inspired by an animal. Who was he?

Answer: Rabbit Maranville

Maranville broke in with the Braves in 1912 and played for them for 15 years that formed the bookends of his career, so he was Babe Ruth's teammate for a short time. In the middle, he also played for the Pirates, Dodgers, and Cardinals. Rabbit retired after the 1935 season.

His record stood until Pete Rose played his 24th season in 1986. Maranville deservedly is a member of the Hall of Fame.

10. Based on most games won, who were the two pitching heroes of the 1935 World Series?

Answer: Tommy Bridges and Lon Warneke

Bridges won two games for the Tigers, and Warneke won two for the Cubs. Warneke later became a Major League umpire. Rowe was 1 and 2, and Crowder was 1 and 0, both for the Tigers. Larry French was 0 and 2, Tex Carleton 0 and 1, and Charlie Root 0 and 1, all for the Cubs. Final: Detroit 4 games, Chicago 2. Hope you enjoyed my quiz. See ya next time. Mickey. Sources: baseball-reference.com; "Total Baseball"

Source: Author mickeygreeneyes

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

It was the middle of the thirties and the middle of the Depression, but nothing could stop baseball! Try some queries on the interesting facts about the 1935 season.

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>

NEXT>