Decade in a Box: 1950s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Giants

The words screamed by the announcer Russ Hodges, was describing the three-game playoff between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, who tied in the National League to force the playoff. It was the 'shot heard around the world', in Bobby Thomson's home run to defeat the Dodgers. The Giants went on to the World Series and lost to the Yankees, four games to two.

Answer: Cy Young

None of the others won 500 games in their career. Denton True "Cy" Young threw for 22 seasons and compiled 511 career wins. He retired in 1911. A Hall of Fame inductee in the second round of selections in 1937, Young died on November 4, 1955.

Answer: Boston

The Braves' franchise began with the new National League in 1876 as the Boston Red Caps. After a few name changes including the Beaneaters, Doves, Rustlers, and Bees, the franchise moved to Milwaukee after the 1952 season. The team had won only one World Series in 1914 before their move.

In 1957, the Milwaukee Braves won it all with Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Lew Burdette, and Warren Spahn were on their roster against the Yankees.

Answer: Mickey Mantle

The others listed never hit 50 season home runs in their career. Mantle of the Yankees was in his sixth season when he hit 52 in 1956. He won the Triple Crown and his first of three American League MVPs for his efforts.

Answer: Robin Roberts

The others never made it to the Hall of Fame. Roberts was in his 10th season with the Phillies in 1957. After leading the league in wins four consecutive seasons from 1952-1955, Robin won 19 in 1956, then the bottom fell out with a 10-22 record in 1957.

He did turn it around and go 17-14 the following season. After 286 wins in 19 seasons, Roberts hung up his glove in 1966. He was inducted into the hall in 1976.

Answer: Roy Campanella

The others all played in the American League. Campanella was a Brooklyn Dodger catcher before an auto accident left him in a wheelchair. He won MVPs in 1951, 1953, and 1955. He went to five World Series with the Dodgers, but came out on top only once in 1955 against the Yankees. He died in 1993 at the age of 71.

Answer: Don Larsen

The others threw their perfectos in the 1960s. Larsen's was a big one on October 8, 1956. It was game five of the World Series pitting the Yankees against the Dodgers. Larsen and his Yankees blanked the Dodgers 2-0, then went on to win the series four games to three.

Answer: Dave Winfield

The others never played for the Padres or Yankees. Winfield was born on October 3, 1951, and retired two days short of his 44th birthday. After his rookie season in 1973, he was a 12-time all-star and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001.

Answer: Nap Lajoie

The others never hit .400 in their career and never played in the American League. After playing in five seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League from 1896-1900, Nap signed on with the Philadelphia Athletics of the new American League in 1901.

He dominated the league with his .426 average. It would be another 10 seasons before another player did it in 1911, with Ty Cobb hitting .420.

Answer: Cleveland Indians

The Indians went an amazing 111-43 in the 1954 season. They were heavily favored going into the World Series against the Giants, but were skunked four games to none. Although having four 15+ game winners, including two 20-game winners, the Indians were outscored in the series 21-9. The Giants were led by Alvin Dark, Dusty Rhodes, and Willie Mays.