Grab Bag Baseball Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fernando Tatis

The others listed were all American League Orioles in 1999. The Cardinal third baseman Tatis, hit 34 home runs in the season. This April 23rd game in the third inning went down in history as one of the greatest single-game feats. Even teammate Mark McGwire's 65 home runs in the season did not overshadow the 24-year old Tatis, who was in his third season.

Answer: Ted Williams

The others listed never played in the American League, didn't have a hit in the game, and their NL team was shutout. Williams' first shot came off Kirby Higbe of the Dodgers, and the second was dished up by Rip Sewell of the Pirates. Williams tied or set five records in the 1946 all-star game.

Answer: Willie Stargell

The others were not in baseball in 1979. The season saw the gridlock in the voting for this MVP. Both Hernandez of St. Louis and Stargell of the Pirates received 216 points. Hernandez received 10 first place votes and Willie had four. Except for Stargell hitting 32 home runs, Hernandez was a clear winner by comparing other stats.

Answer: 54

Cobb stole home 26 times on his own. The other thefts were combinations of double and triple-steals. As home runs were not a common item in his playing days, he still hit 118 career four-baggers, but in 17 World Series games, he came up empty-handed.
Some sources state it's 50 rather than 54.

Answer: Boston Red Sox (American League)

It had the Red Sox name on it all along. The first game was played on April 20, 1912, after the first two scheduled games were rained out. It would be another two years before it would see the great Babe Ruth in 1914, and also 35 years later it would see its first night game.

In Fenway's first season, the Red Sox improved their fifth place finish in 1911, to winning the American League and the World Series against the Giants. Winning 105 games in the season was the first time Boston had topped the century mark.

In January 1934, Fenway almost burned down but was rebuilt.

Answer: They all did

Cochrane, a Philadelphia Athletic and Tiger catcher, bowed out in style with his 119th career home run in his final at-bat. Kubek, the nine-season Yankees did it in 1965 with his 57th career shot. Then came the Splendid Splinter, who made his final at-bat count on September 28, 1960, hitting his 521st in a Red Sox uniform.

Others who left the game with a final mark were Albert Belle, Bobby Rose, Ken McMullen, and Joe Rudi amongst others.

Answer: Jim Bluejacket

Both family tree branches were pitchers. Bill Wilkinson only lasted three seasons in baseball with the Mariners, throwing a 5-8 record. Bluejacket, born James Smith, also lasted only three seasons. He played in the Federal League for two seasons before becoming a Cincinnati Red in 1916. His career record was 14-17. Ray and Bret Boone were grandfather/grandson.

Answer: John McGraw

McGraw, after a few seasons with Baltimore, managed the New York Giants from 1902-1932. He took his team to 10 World Series. Amazingly, the Giants had only four losing seasons in that time frame. McGraw died in 1934, and was then inducted into the hall in 1937. Mack was also inducted in 1937, but was manager of the Philadelphia Athletics for 50 seasons.

Answer: Baltimore Orioles

Team Baltimore Orioles first appeared in 1882 in the American Association. They played in the Association until it disbanded in 1891. The team joined the National League in 1892, then pulled out of the league after the 1899 season. The team reappeared in the 1901 inaugural season of the American League.

In 1903, the team became the New York Highlanders. Then history was made in 1913 when the franchise became the New York Yankees.

Answer: Alvin Dark

The others had not started their managerial careers yet in 1974. Dark had already managed the Athletics when the team was in Kansas City in 1966 and 1967. He had also managed the Giants, Indians, and finished his managerial career with the Padres.