MLB ABCs (Best Players Alphabetically) Quiz

Answer: Hank Aaron

Henry Louis Aaron was born in 1934 in Mobile, Alabama. He played 23 seasons with the Braves and Brewers. His major statistics are: .305 batting avg., 755 home runs, and 2,297 RBIs. He was a one time MVP, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982. "Hammerin Hank", as he was called, died in 2021 at the age of 86.

Answer: Johnny Bench

Johnny Lee Bench was born in 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He played his entire 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds. He is generally considered the greatest catcher in MLB history. His major statistics are: .267 batting avg., 389 home runs, and 1,376 RBIs. He was a two-time MVP, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

Answer: Ty Cobb

Tyrus Raymond Cobb was born in 1886 in Narrows, Georgia. He played all but his last season for the Detroit Tigers. His major statistics are: .366 batting avg., 4,189 hits, and 1,938 RBIs. He was a one-time MVP, 12-time batting champion, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the "Five Immortals", as the inaugural class to Cooperstown was called, in 1936. "The Georgia Peach", as he was called, died in 1961 at age 74.

Answer: Joe DiMaggio

Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio was born in 1914 in Martinez, California. He played his entire career in a Yankees uniform. His major statistics are: .325 batting avg., 361 home runs, and 1,537 RBIs. He was a three-time MVP, had an incredible 56 game hitting streak, and was famously married to Marilyn Monroe briefly. DiMaggio was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1955. "Joltin Joe" or "The Yankee Clipper", as he was nicknamed, died in 1999 at age 84.

Answer: Dennis Eckersley

Dennis Lee Eckersley was born in 1954 in Oakland, California. He began his career as a starting pitcher with some success, but transformed into one of the most dominant closing relievers of all-time. He played for five different teams during his career, but is most renown as a member of the Oakland A's.

His major statistics are: 191 wins, 390 saves, and 2,401 strikeouts. He is one of a select few pitchers to win a Cy Young award, and a MVP. "The Eck", as he was called, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Answer: Bob Feller

Robert William Feller was born in 1918 in Van Meter, Iowa. He played his entire career in a Cleveland Indians uniform. Like many players during his era Feller lost prime years of his career serving in the armed forces in World War Two. His major statistics are: 266 wins, 44 shutouts, and 2,581 strikeouts.

He pitched before the advent of the Cy Young Award. He had three no-hit games, and 12 one-hit games to his credit. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962. "Rapid Robert", as he was called, died in 2010 at age 92.

Answer: Lou Gehrig

Henry Louis Gehrig was born in 1903 in New York City, New York. He played his entire career for the Yankees. His major statistics are: .340 batting avg., 403 home runs, and 1,995 RBIs. He won two MVPs, played in an astounding 2,130 consecutive games, and gave perhaps the most iconic retirement speech when he proclaimed himself, "The luckiest man on the face of the earth".

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939 (not waiting for the customary five year period after retirement). "The Iron Horse", as he was nicknamed, died in 1941 at age 37.

Answer: Rogers Hornsby

Rogers Hornsby was born in 1896 in Winters, Texas. His overbearing personality may have been the reason he played for five different franchises, but he is mostly remembered as a St. Louis Cardinal. His major statistics are: .358 batting avg., 301 home runs, and 1,584 RBIs.

He won two MVPs, two triple crowns, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1942. "The Rajah", as he was called, died in 1963 at age 66.

Answer: Monte Irvin

Monford Merrill "Monte" Irvin was born in 1919 in Halesburg, Alabama. He played a good portion of his career in the Negro Leagues, but played primarily with the New York Giants in the MLB. His major statistics (combined between the two leagues) are: .337 batting avg., 182 home runs, and 913 RBIs.

He also lost three years of playing time fighting in World War Two. At one point later in life he was the oldest living Negro League player, and New York Giant player. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1973. Monte Irvin died in 2016 at age 96.

Answer: Walter Johnson

Walter Perry Johnson was born in 1887 in Humboldt, Kansas. He and Nolan Ryan are widely considered the two most dominant right handed pitchers of all-time. He spent his entire career with the Washington Senators. His major statistics are: 417 wins, 110 shutouts, and 3,508 strikeouts.

He was a two-time MVP (the Cy Young Award was yet to be created). He was part of the group known as the "Five Immortals", as the inaugural group inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936. "The Big Train", as he was named, died in 1946 at age 59.

Answer: Sandy Koufax

Sanford "Sandy" Braun was born in 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. His mother divorced and remarried a man named Irving Koufax. Thus, the change in his last name. He played his injury-shortened career entirely with the Dodgers. His major statistics are: 165 wins, a 2.76 earned run avg., and 2,396 strikeouts.

He won three Cy Young Awards, one MVP, and tossed four no-hit games. Koufax was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Answer: Nap Lajoie

Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie was born in 1874 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He split time between Philadelphia's and Cleveland's various franchises during his playing time. In fact, he was so beloved by the fans in Cleveland that on his second time playing there they renamed the team the Cleveland Naps, in his honor.

When he departed they became the Indians. His major statistics are: .339 batting avg., 3,252 hits, and 1,599 RBIs. He was a five-time batting champion (often coming in second behind Ty Cobb).

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937. "The Frenchman", as he was known, died in 1959 at age 84.

Answer: Willie Mays

William Howard Mays was born in 1931 in Westfield, Alabama. He spent all but his final two seasons as a Giant (the final two years were with the New York Mets). He lost two years in his prime serving in the Korean War. In most circles he is considered the greatest all-around ballplayer in MLB history.

His major statistics are; .302 batting avg., 660 home runs, and 1,903 RBIs. He won two MVPs and was a 12-time Gold Glove winner. "The Say Hey Kid", as he was affectionately called, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.

Answer: Phil Niekro

Philip Henry Niekro was born in 1939 in Blaine, Ohio. He spent all but four years playing in a Braves uniform. He and his brother, Joe, amassed 539 wins in the MLB. Phil's distinct knuckleball frustrated both catchers and hitters for over 20 years. His major statistics are: 318 wins, 5,404 innings pitched, and 3,342 strikeouts.

He sadly never made a World Series appearance in his 24 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997. "Knucksie", as he was called, died in 2020 at age 81.

Answer: Mel Ott

Melvin Thomas Ott was born in 1909 in Gretna, Louisiana. He spent his entire career as an outfielder for the New York Giants. He is historically the smallest member of the 500 home run club (5'9 and 170 pounds). His major statistics are: .304 batting avg., 511 home runs, and 1,860 RBIs.

He led the National League in home runs six times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951. Mel Ott died in 1958 at age 49.

Answer: Albert Pujols

Jose Alberto Pujols Alcantara was born in 1980 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He played his most prolific years as a St. Louis Cardinal. He is one of only a select few to have 600 plus home runs and 3,000 plus hits. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 2001, and MVP awards in the National League in 2005, 2008, and 2009. Both of his WS wins were with the Cardinals (2006 and 2011).

Answer: Dan Quisenberry

Daniel Raymond Quisenberry was born in 1953 in Santa Monica, California. He played almost his entire career with the Kansas City Royals. His major statistics are: a 2.76 earned run avg., and 244 saves. He was a five-time American League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year winner. "The Quiz", as he was called, died in 1998 at age 45.

Answer: Babe Ruth

George Herman "Babe" Ruth was born in 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is regarded as one of the greatest sports legends in American culture. He began his career as a Boston Red Sox, but was traded to the Yankees. The trade popularized what's become known as "The Curse of the Bambino" superstition, as it took the Red Sox 86 years to win another World Series after Ruth's departure.

His major statistics are: .342 batting avg., 714 home runs, and 2,214 RBIs. He was a 12-time home run champion. He also won 94 games, and had a 2.28 earned run avg. as a pitcher with the Red Sox.

He was one of the "Five Immortals', who were the inaugural Hall of Fame class of 1936. "The Sultan of Swat', one of his numerous monikers, died in 1948 at age 53.

Answer: Mike Schmidt

Michael Jack Schmidt was born in 1949 in Dayton, Ohio. He played all of his 18 seasons at third base for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is generally considered the greatest third baseman in MLB history. His major statistics are: 548 home runs, 2,234 hits, and 1,595 RBIs. Schmidt was a three-time MVP, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.

Answer: Frank Thomas

Frank Edward Thomas was born in 1968 in Columbia, Georgia. He played all but his final three years with the Chicago White Sox. He was nicknamed "The Big Hurt" for both his imposing size, and for the "hurt" he put on any ball he hit. His major statistics are: 521 home runs, .301 batting avg., and 1,704 RBIs. He was a two-time MVP, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Answer: Chase Utley

Chase Cameron Utley was born in 1978 in Pasadena, California. He played all but three of his 16 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit five home runs in the 2008 World Series, and went 23 for 23 in stolen base attempts in 2009. His major statistics are: .275 batting avg., 259 home runs, and 1,025 RBIs. He was a four-time Silver Slugger winner at second base.

Answer: Justin Verlander

Justin Brooks Verlander was born in 1983 in Manakin Sabot, Virginia. He played the largest portion of his career with the Detroit Tigers, but won a World Series ring with the Houston Astros in 2017. Verlander won American League Rookie of the Year in 2006, has won two Cy Young Awards, and won an MVP and pitching triple crown in 2011.

Answer: Ted Williams

Theodore Samuel Williams was born in 1918 in San Diego, California. With nicknames like "Teddy Ballgame" and "The Splendid Splinter" he is considered by most in the know as the greatest all-around hitter in MLB history. He served two different stints in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps during World War Two and the Korean War (losing a total of five years playing time).

His major statistics are: .344 batting avg., 521 home runs, and an on base percentage of .482. He won two MVPs, and had a batting average of .406 in 1941.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966. Ted Williams died in 2002 at age 83.

Answer: Cy Young

Denton True "Cy" Young was born in 1869 in Gilmore, Ohio. He pitched for seven different franchises during his career. He also set a 511 pitching win record that almost all baseball aficionados described as unbreakable. He pitched three no-hit games. One year after his death in 1955, at the age of 88, MLB created the Cy Young Award.

The award annually recognizes the best pitcher in each league. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937.

Answer: Barry Zito

Barry William Zito was born in 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He spent his entire career in the San Francisco Bay Area playing for the Oakland A's and S.F. Giants. His major statistics are: 165 wins, and 1,885 strikeouts. He was a very clutch postseason pitcher for both the A's and the Giants. He won the Cy Young Award while with the A's, and won a World series ring while with the Giants.