Dummies Baseball #34 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bobby Bonds

The baseball world mourned the loss of the father of Giant great Barry Bonds. Bobby played half of his 14 seasons with the Giants. The others listed, never played for the Giants, and all passed away prior to 1986. He was 4th in the league MVP voting in 1971, and 3rd in the voting in 1973. Bonds who always shucked the media, never found a World Series in his career.

He retired with 332 home runs, as a Chicago Cub in 1981. He had one of the highest strikeout ratios in baseball, striking out 1757 times. Bobby was 57.

Answer: Nolan Ryan

The others listed primarily wore the number 44, with Jackson wearing the number 9 also. Nolan played for 27 miraculous seasons with 4 teams. The 20th century leader in strikeouts, never won a Cy Young Award. He retired in 1993 as a Texas Ranger with 324 wins.

Answer: New York Yankees

The amazing New York Yankees! From 1921-1964, the Yankees appeared in 29 World Series. What a dynasty.

Answer: Atlanta Braves

At the time the Braves won their 80th game, the others listed just reached the 50 mark. They continued to dominate the Major Leagues in 2003. From 1991 to 2002, the Braves won at least their Division 11 times, with 5 World Series appearances, winning one in 1995 against the Cleveland Indians.

Answer: Don Sutton

None of the others listed, ever pitched a ball in Major League baseball. Sutton, who played most of his career with the Dodgers, hit number 300 in 1986 as a California Angel. He also appeared as an Astro, a Brewer, and an Oakland Athletic. Don was in the top 5 of the Cy Young Award voting, 5 times in his career. Five times he struck out 200 or more batters in a season.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Answer: George Burns

The Hollywood famous George Burns with his cigar, and with his wife Gracie, were held in high regard in the movie industry. There were 2 George Burns in Major League baseball in the 20th century. George Joseph Burns, played 15 seasons of baseball, with 11 of them with the New York Giants until 1921. George Joseph led the National League 5 times in runs scored and base on balls. George Henry Burns played 16 seasons for 5 teams, from 1914-1929. George Henry was the 1926 American League MVP with the Cleveland Indians.

He died 3 weeks short of his 85th birthday. The actor George Burns, died in March 1996, at the age of 100. His wife Gracie, passed away in 1964.

Answer: Sandy Koufax

Carlton leads this pack with 329 wins, Niekro with 318, and Gaylord with 314 wins. Koufax had a record of 165-87, all with the Dodgers. He won 3 Cy Young and 3 Triple Crown Awards, the last being in 1966, the year of his retirement, after only 12 seasons. Koufax was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972, along with the greats of Yogi Berra, Lefty Gomez, and others.

Answer: Mike Schmidt

Amongst all these catching greats, Mike Schmidt primarily played 3rd base. He played his entire career with the Phillies from 1972-1989, hitting 548 home runs. Everyone listed including Schmidt, are all members of baseball's Hall of Fame.

Answer: Chicago Cubs

The others did not exist until at least 60 years later. The Chicago Cubs began their franchise in 1876, as the Chicago White Stockings of the National League. Of the 8 team league, Chicago finished 1st with a 52-14 record, 6 games ahead of 2nd place finisher, St.Louis Brown Stockings, and Hartford Dark Blues. The Cincinnati Reds finished in last place, with a 9-56 record.

Answer: 1983

The first Manager of the Year Award was presented to Tom Lasorda of the National League (Dodgers), and Tony LaRussa of the American League (White Sox), in 1983. LaRussa was the first manager in history, to win the award 3 times. He won them once with the White Sox, and the other 2 with the Athletics. Too many managing greats, had missed the recognition of their efforts in the past.