Bats in the Belfry or Dugout? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Leo Cardenas

It was July 27, 1966, when the Chicago Cubs were hosted by the Cincinnati Reds. Although spending most of his career with the Phillies, Roberts was a Cub after being with Houston in the 1966 season. The 500th shot was provided by shortstop Leo Cardenas in the fourth inning. Robin also gave up number 501 in the inning at the hands of Pete Rose. Roberts retired at the end of the season with a career 505 home runs given up. Robin was inducted into the Hall in 1976, then died in 2010. Cardenas hit a season-high 20 home runs for the Reds in 1966 and retired with 118 over 16 seasons.

Answer: Boston Red Sox

On June 23, 1917, with the Boston Red Sox hosting the Washington Senators in the first game of a doubleheader, Babe Ruth was on the mound. Ruth's first batter of the game was second baseman Ray Morgan which Ruth walked. Furiously, the Babe charged the home plate umpire Brick Owens and was ejected from the game.

The Red Sox brought in another starting pitcher to replace Ruth in the name of Ernie Shore. Before Shore threw his first pitch to Washington's Eddie Foster, Morgan was thrown out trying to steal second base. That was one out. Shore then retired the next 26 batters to get the win for the Red Sox 4-0. Shore or the Red Sox were not credited with a perfect game.

Answer: U.L. Washington

It was July 24, 1983, when Yankees hosted the Royals. With the Royals down by a run in the top of the ninth, Brett hit a home run off new reliever Goose Gossage. For the fans who don't remember, NY manager Billy Martin came out and protested the amount of pine tar on Brett's bat to umpire Tim McClelland. McClelland inspected the bat and found the pine tar did not meet the length allowed in the rules and therefore ruled Brett out along with the run scored by Washington. Brett charged out of the dugout and went ballistic with the umpire.

The Royals protested the call to American League President Lee MacPhail and he upheld the protest, ruled that the game would resume from Brett's home run on August 18, and the Royals finally and officially won the game 5-4.

Answer: Jack Warhop

Ironically the opposing team was his future Hall of Fame team Yankees. On May 6, 1915, Ruth and his Boston Red Sox were hosted by the Yankees. Ruth was on the mound for the Red Sox and Warhop for the Yankees. It was a very historical home run of 714 but the Red Sox still lost the game 4-3. Yankee reliever Cy Pieh took the win for the Yankees. Ruth threw three wild pitches and hit two batters in the game also. Warhop was in his final season of baseball with all eight being with the Yankees. He gave up seven home runs in 1915 and 28 in his career.

Answer: Bill Duggleby

The shot occurred on April 21, 1898. Duggleby was in his first season with the Philadelphia Phillies. Even more strange is that he was the Phillies' pitcher. It was his only home run of the season and he hit only six four-baggers in his entire career of eight seasons. From the mound, Bill went only 3-3 in the season and had a record of 93-102 in his career.

Answer: Rich Reese

Reese was a Minnesota Twin first baseman at the time on September 27, 1973, in the last game of the season for Ryan and strikeout number 383. The game went 11 innings and the Angels won 5-4. Reese was also found in the record books for hitting three pinch-hit grand slams in a season in 1969. Reese retired after the 1973 season with 10 seasons in a Twins uniform. Ryan retired in 1993 with a career record of 5,714 strikeouts and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame with his seven no-hitters.

Answer: Hack Wilson

Wilson was a 12-season veteran from 1923-1934. From 1927-1930 Hack was a Chicago Cub and led the NL in each season. In 1932 as a Brooklyn Dodger he led the NL again for the fifth time. He also led the league four times in home runs over his 12 seasons. Wilson was inducted into the Hall in 1979, which was 31 years after he died in 1948. Reggie Jackson was the first player to lead the American League in four consecutive seasons in strikeouts from 1968-1971 with the Oakland Athletics.

Answer: Lee Lacy

Lacy played for 16 seasons from 1972-1987. He was in his final season as a Dodger in 1978 when he set his record. On May 2, 6, and 17th of the season Lee clouted his three consecutive pinch-hit home runs. He hit only 13 home runs in the season and retired as an Oriole with 91 career home runs. Lacy went to four World Series while winning only one as a Pittsburgh Pirate in 1979.

Answer: Rafael Furcal

Furcal was a rookie Atlanta Brave in 2000 and pulled his double-bunt against the Reds on August 8. He won the Rookie of the Year Award. Rafael pulled it off again in 2001 against the Mets on June 24. With his legs still strong, he did it again as a Dodger in 2009 on July 20. Rafael retired after 14 seasons in 2014. To show his speed, Furcal had 314 career stolen bases along with 13 in the postseason. Juan Pierre was the second player in history to do this in three different games. Pierre's third time was in 2012. Griffin accomplished it twice. Since those types of records were kept, Jackie Robinson was the first player to stretch a bunt into a double in 1951 with the Dodgers.

Answer: Billy Hamilton

Hamilton is a Hall of Famer who played in early baseball. He began his career in 1888. Billy was known for his speed and not necessarily his bat. As a Phillie on July 6, 1894, Hamilton led off the game with a four-bagger and ended it in a walk-off to win the game for the Phillies. Billy hit only four home runs in the season and 40 in his career.

His bread and butter was stealing 914 bases over 14 seasons. He was a 1961 Hall inductee.