Baseball for Dummies #86 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Jeff Bagwell

The other players listed were pitchers. Bagwell, the Houston Astro first baseman to hit 10 big ones, was the first Major Leaguer to reach the 10 the plateau. The Astros were less than .500 after 25 games. Bagwell, in his 13th season with the Astros, has hit 15 or more home runs in every season, beginning with his Rookie of the Year Award in 1991.

Answer: None listed

The Hall of Fame did not begin until 1936, with the 3 listed plus Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson, being the first inductees into the Hall. Cobb received 98% of the ballot votes, and it would not be until 1982 before another player received that much of the ballots. It was the great Hank Aaron.

Answer: Steve Carlton

All other pitchers listed were right-handers, and both Johnson and Young retired before 1930. Carlton played most of his 24 seasons with the Cardinals and Phillies. His career win-loss record was 329-244. When the great Nolan retired, he was ranked number 1 in career strikeouts, ahead of Carlton.

Answer: Kevin Millwood

The other 2003 players were not pitchers. Millwood, the Philadelphia Phillie threw a no-hitter against none other than the streaking San Francisco Giants. It happened on April 26. Kevin had three walks in the game, and came that close to a perfect game.

He also struck out 10. Millwood was in his 7th season, after playing 6 with the Atlanta Braves. A Rickey Ledee Phillie home run in the first inning, accounted for the only run in the game.

Answer: Sparky

Albert 'Sparky' Lyle was a relief pitcher and save specialist throughout his career from 1967-1982. He pitched mostly for the Red Sox of Boston and the New York Yankees. His efforts in the 1977 season with the Yankees, won him the American League Cy Young award. He pitched a record of 13-5 along with 26 saves in the season.

Answer: 277

An amazing feat in itself as some pitcher haven't won 277 games in their career. Spahn began pitching in 1942 at the age of 21 for the Boston Braves (later Milwaukee and later Atlanta Braves). 16 of 21 seasons, Spahn won more than 15 games in a season. With the Braves of Milwaukee he won the Cy Young with a record of 21-11, at the age of 36. If that's not old enough, he went 23-7 in 1963 at the age of 42.

Answer: Dusty Baker

Unfortunately, the other managers listed died before 1985. Baker, a former Dodger outfielder, managed the San Francisco Giants from 1993-2002. He came to the Cubs in the 2003 season, to hopefully put an end to their World Series drought. Prior to Baker's arrival, the Cubs had not seen a World Series since 1945.

Answer: 583

After 16 seasons with the Athletics and Cardinals, Mark retired in 2001 with 583. 660 belonged to Willie Mays, 714 belonged to the Babe, and 755 was the possession of Hank Aaron.

Answer: Todd Worrell

Worrell was the only pitcher listed. He was the only pitcher to achieve this in the 20th century. He spent 11 seasons in the Majors beginning in 1985 with the Cardinals. In his rookie season, he had 36 saves.

Answer: Baltimore Orioles

None of the other teams listed existed in 1966. The Orioles embarrassed the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 0 in the Series. Although the Dodgers had one of the greatest pitching staffs in history, with the likes of Koufax, Drysdale, Osteen, and Ron Perranoski, the Orioles bats were led by Series MVP Frank Robinson, who also won the Triple Crown and the American League MVP in 1966.