Hall of Fame Cuts Above Trivia Quiz

Answer: Frank Robinson

Both Gehrig and Winfield fell short for being members of the 500 Home Run Club. McCovey hit 521, mostly for the Giants of San Francisco. Robinson began his career as a Cincinnati Red in 1956 and won the Rookie of the Year Award. 1966 found Frank in an Oriole uniform while batting for the Triple Crown.

He also played for the Dodgers, Angels, and Indians. Robinson smashed 586 home runs in his career. He later went into managing. Frank was inducted into the hall in 1982.

Answer: Ernie Banks

Banks was a career Chicago Cub from 1953-1971. Ernie won two MVP awards. The Cubs were dry for a World Series appearance from 1946 to the end of the century. Murray went to three World Series, two with Baltimore and one with Cleveland. Schmidt found two World Series with the Phillies, and was the series MVP in one. Nicknamed "Mr. October", Jackson went to five World Series with the Yankees and Athletics.

Answer: Tom Seaver

The others all set season strikeout records of over 300. Feller had 348 in 1946 until Koufax broke it with 382 in 1965. Ryan broke Koufax's record with 383 of his own in 1973. Seaver's season high was 289 in 1971 with the Mets. Ryan retired with 5714 career strikeouts, Feller with 2581, Seaver with 3640, and Koufax with 2396.

Answer: Hack Wilson

Wilson was most noted for blasting 56 home runs for the Cubs in 1930. Hack was the second player in history to hit 50 home runs in a season, behind Babe Ruth. Hack went to two World Series with the Giants and Cubs, but didn't cash in. He was inducted into the hall in 1979, 31 years after he died. Mel Ott hit 511 career home runs with the Giants, and hit three World Series home runs. Foxx found three World Series with the Philadelphia Athletics and hit four home runs. Schmidt with the Phillies hit two.

Answer: Al Spalding

Spalding began his career with the first organized professional league of the National Association in 1871. He played for only seven seasons, but what impacting seasons they were. In order, his win total was 19, 38, 41, 52, 55, 47, and 1. In 1877 with the National League's Chicago White Stockings, he walked away from the mound after going 1-0. Al was inducted in 1939. Wilhelm was inducted into the hall in 1985, Gibson in 1981, and Mordecai Brown in 1949.

Answer: Leo Durocher

"Leo the Lip" surpassed the 2000-win milestone by only eight games with 2008. Durocher managed for 24 seasons with four teams. He managed the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros. The others listed never reached the 1000-win plateau.

Answer: Robin Roberts

Robin pitched most of his 19 seasons with the Phillies. He set a record for allowing 41 home runs in the 1955 season, then broke it in 1956 by giving up 46. Twins' Bert Blyeven had since given up 50 in a season. Robin Roberts was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Bunning threw two no-hitters in 1958 (Detroit Tigers) and 1964 (Phillies). Koufax threw four with the Dodgers, including a perfect game. Ryan threw an amazing seven no-hitters.

Answer: Babe Ruth

Mathews won game four of the 1957 World Series for his Braves. Mazeroski ended the World Series for his Pittsburgh Pirates with his home run in game seven in 1960. Fisk's shot came in game six of the 1975 World Series. Ruth hit 15 World Series home runs, all for the Yankees, but never a walk-off.

Answer: Roberto Clemente

Clemente made into the hall being on 92.7% of the ballots in 1973. It was the year following his death in an aircraft crash which was on his humanitarian relief project. Yount was inducted in 1999 with a 77.5%, Brock was inducted in 1985 with 79.7%, and Ford in 1974 with 77.8%.

Answer: Pud Galvin

Galvin was a pitcher from 1875-1892. He was the first player in history to play professional baseball in four different leagues. They were the National Association, National League, American Association, and the Players League. Pud won 364 games in his career and died in 1902. 63 years after his death he had a spot reserved for him in the Hall of Fame in 1965.

The Yankee Lou Gehrig was inducted in 1939, and he died in 1941. "Old Aches and Pains", Luke Appling was inducted in 1964, 27 years before his death. Robinson retired in 1956 and was inducted in 1962, then died in 1972.