Baseball by the Uniform Number [3] Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. I spent my entire professional career playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where I was a 12-time all-star and 12 time Gold Glove Award winner. I wore #21 and played in the outfield. In honor of my example, Major League Baseball issues an award that bears my name every year to someone who engages in exceptional humanitarianism. Who am I?

Answer: Roberto Clemente

Warren Spahn wore #21 primarily with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves, where he became one of the best left-handed pitchers in baseball history (winning 363 games in the process). Bob Lemon spent his entire career pitching for the Cleveland Indians (1941-1958), who retired his #21, and won more than 200 games for them. Cleon Jones wore #21 for the New York Mets during the 1960s and '70s, and was part of their 1969 championship team.

2. While wearing #22 for the Baltimore Orioles, I won three World Series championships and three Cy Young Awards over my 20-year career. I amassed 268 wins and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. Who am I?

Answer: Jim Palmer

Two-time World Series champion Jimmy Key wore #22 while pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees (he wore #23 in Baltimore because Palmer's #22 was already retired). Mueller wore #22 for the New York Giants in the 1950s. Podres began wearing #22 after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958. He was part of their fantastic 1963 team and won 148 games in his career.

3. I wore #23 and played first base for the New York Yankees from 1982-1995. I won an American League MVP Award, batted .307 for my career and was a 9-time Gold Glove Award winner. Who am I?

Answer: Don Mattingly

Johnny Logan wore #23 and played shortstop for the Braves in Boston and Milwaukee Braves in 1th 1950s and '60s. Ryne Sandberg wore #23 while playing second base for the Chicago Cubs (and was a contemporary of Mattingly). Willie Horton wore #23 and played primarily for the Detroit Tigers, where he helped win the 1968 World Series.

4. I was known as the "Say Hey Kid" during my lengthy career with the New York/San Francisco Giants (I also spent a short time with the New York Mets). I was a 20-time all-star, 12- time Gold Glove Award winner, and I hit 660 career home runs. Who am I?

Answer: Willie Mays

Rickey Henderson had a long and illustrious career filled with many different teams and many stolen bases. He wore #24 for most of his career, and that number is retired by the Oakland Athletics. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009. Perez was a member of the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati, where he wore #24. Walter "Smokey" Alston was the manager for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1954-1976.

5. I wore #25 for the Houston Astros during the 1970s and '80s and am part of a large professional baseball playing family. Two of my children and two of my brothers also played pro baseball. During my career I had more than 2000 hits and more than 1000 RBIs. Who am I?

Answer: Jose Cruz

Bauer wore #25 at the beginning of his career (before switching to #9) and played in the outfield on the exceptional Yankees teams of the 1950s. White wore #25 as a Blue Jay in the early 1990s. He won two World Series with Toronto and one with Florida. Lindblad was primarily a relief pitcher who played most of his career wearing #25 for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics.

6. I wore #26 and played the majority of my career with the Chicago Cubs. I once held the National League record for consecutive games played at 1117. I played for many years with Ernie Banks, Ferguson Jenkins, and Ron Santo, yet we never made it to the World Series. Who am I?

Answer: Billy Williams

Autry was never a baseball player at all, and he was a radio musician who owned the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels from 1961 until 1996. Still, the Angels franchise retired #26 on his behalf of his tireless support for his team (he was considered the 26th man on the roster). Oates was a manager for the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers and his #26 was retired by Texas in 2005. Rudi wore #26 while playing primarily in the outfield for the Athletics, Angels and Red Sox from 1967 until 1982.

7. I wore #27 while performing as a dominating pitcher for the San Francisco Giants from 1960 until 1973. I was known for my intimidating presence. I was a 9-time all-star and pitched a no-hitter in 1963. Who am I?

Answer: Juan Marichal

Fisk's #27 is retired by the Boston Red Sox and his #72 is retired by the Chicago White Sox. He is known as one of the best catchers in baseball history. Hunter was a 5-time World Series champion for the Athletics and Yankees (and won the 1974 AL Cy Young Award). Cardwell wore #27 for the 1969 New York Mets championship team.

8. I primarily wore #28 in a length career that included time with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates (the only place I didn't wear #28), the Cleveland Indians, the Twins again and the California Angels. I finished my career with 287 wins. Who am I?

Answer: Bert Blyleven

Justice, the long time Atlanta Brave wore #28 during his two years in 2000 and 2001 with the New York Yankees. Leiter wore #28 for the first half of his career when he pitched for the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays (where he won the 1993 World Series) before switching to #25 with Florida (where he won the 1997 World Series) and #22 for many years with the New York Mets. Wilks wore #28 and played in 385 games for the Cardinals, Pirates and Indians from 1944 until 1953.

9. I wore #29 and played first and second base for the Minnesota Twins and California Angels from 1967 until 1985, and both of those teams retired my number. I played in the all-star game 18 times and was elected to the Hall of Fame in my first year of eligibility in 1991. Who am I?

Answer: Rod Carew

Silvera appeared in 225 games for the Yankees and Cubs in the 1940s and '50s. Hall wore #29 for the Baltimore Orioles during their great 1970 season. He also played 495 games throughout his lengthy career. Catfish Hunter wore #27 for the Athletics, but he wore #29 for the New York Yankees where he won two of his five World Series titles.

10. I have pitched 5714 strikeouts, the most in baseball history. I wore #30 with the New York Mets and California Angels during the first half of my storied career. My number is retired by three teams, and I have thrown seven career no-hitters. Who am I?

Answer: Nolan Ryan

Cepeda primarily wore #30 throughout his outstanding career with the Giants, Cardinals, Braves, Athletics, Red Sox, and Royals. Raines wore #30 as one of the most popular players in Montreal Expos history (he also played for the White Sox, Yankees, Athletics, Orioles, and Marlins). Griffey wore #30 during his time with the Cincinnati Reds (as a member of the Big Red Machine) and Seattle Mariners.

He wore different numbers during his time with the Yankees and Braves.

Source: Author Berrigan

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

This is the third installment of my "Baseball by the Uniform Number" series. It will involve players who wore #21-#30. I hope you enjoy!

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