Easy MLB Catchers: 2000s Decade Trivia Quiz | MLB by Season

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. From 2004 to 2009, three brothers with the last name of Molina played catcher in the Major Leagues. Can you identify these siblings?

Answer: Bengie, Jose, and Yadier

The Molinas of Puerto Rico were truly the first family of Major League catching during the 2000s. Bengie Molina played with the Angels from 1998 to 2005, Jose Molina caught for the Angels from 2001 to 2007, and Yadier Molina began his big league career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004. Amazingly, all three Molina brothers earned World Series championship rings between 2002 and 2009.

2. In 2005, the Chicago White Sox won the World Series title. Which left-handed hitter was the starting catcher for the Sox?

Answer: A. J. Pierzynski

Anthony John Pierzynski began his big league career with the Minnesota Twins in 1998. Pierzynski joined the Chicago White Sox in 2005, and he helped the Sox to capture their first World Series title in nearly 100 years. During the 2005 season, Pierzysnki batted .257 with 18 HRS and 57 RBI.

The lefty-batting catcher batted an impressive .444 in the Sox' ALDS victory over Boston that year. The other catchers listed in this question were right-handed batters.

3. Catcher Jorge Posada was an integral part of the New York Yankees' lineup from 2000 to 2009. Which one of these statements about Posada is correct?

Answer: He was a switch-hitting batter

Jorge Posada was born in Puerto Rico and joined the New York Yankees in 1995. This switch-hitting catcher, who wore uniform number 20, combined clutch batting power with good defensive skills to emerge as one of the most important members of the Bronx Bombers. Posada had a solid season in 2009, batting .285 with 22 HRS and 81 RBI.

The 2009 A.L. home run champions were Carlos Pena and Mark Teixeira with 39 round trippers apiece.

4. Joe Mauer began his big league career with the Minnesota Twins in 2004. In 2006, what special feat did Mauer accomplish with the Twins?

Answer: He became the first AL catcher to win a batting title

Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins emerged as one of the best Major League catchers during the 2000s. This lefty-hitting native of Minnesota had a spectacular season in 2006, batting .347 with 13 home runs and 84 RBI. In 2006, Mauer became the first American League starting catcher ever to win a batting title. Mauer also won A.L. batting titles in 2008 and 2009.

5. From 2006 to 2009, which lefty-hitting Atlanta Braves' player was selected as an All-Star game catcher?

Answer: Brian McCann

Brian McCann earned four consecutive All-Star Game appearances as a member of the Atlanta Braves at the end of the 2000s. In 2006, the left-handed hitting McCann enjoyed an impressive season, batting .333 with 24 home runs and 94 runs batted in. Victor Martinez was a switch-hitter; Toby Hall and Rod Barajas batted right-handed.

6. In 2003, a catcher named Hernandez represented the Oakland A's in the All-Star Game. Please supply his first name.

Answer: Ramon

Ramon Hernandez represented the Oakland A's in the 1993 All-Star Game. The right-handed hitting Hernandez joined Oakland in 1999 and became known for his excellent defensive skills. In 2003, Hernandez batted .273 with 21 home runs and 78 runs batted in. This native of Venezuela moved on to the San Diego Padres after the 2003 season.

7. Jason Kendall played catcher for four different big league teams between 2000 and 2009. Kendall's father was also a Major League receiver, from 1969 to 1980. What was the elder Kendall's first name?

Answer: Fred

Fred Kendall was a big league catcher for twelve seasons. He played for the Padres, Indians and Red Sox. His best season at the plate occurred in 1973 when he batted .282 with San Diego. Fred's son Jason got off to a promising career with the Pirates in the late 1990s; however, a horrific ankle injury suffered while running to first base severely affected Jason's catching skills. During the 2000s, Jason Kendall played for the Pirates, A's, Cubs and Brewers.

8. For which team did All-Star catcher Jason Varitek play from 2000 to 2009?

Answer: Boston Red Sox

Jason Varitek played for the Boston Red Sox during the first decade of the 21st century. This native of Michigan joined the Sox in 1997 and became a team leader for Boston. The switch-hitting Varitek earned three All-Star Game selections and two World Series championship rings for the Red Sox between 2003 and 2008. Varitek was appropriately nicknamed "The Captain."

9. Which catcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers, a French Canadian, was the starting receiver in the 2007 All-Star game?

Answer: Russell Martin

Russell Martin was born in Ontario, Canada, but he grew up in Quebec. Martin began his big league career with the L.A. Dodgers in 2006, batting .282 with 10 home runs and 65 RBI. In 2007, Martin earned the starting catching position on the National League All-Star squad; he was the first Canadian born player to achieve such an honor. Martin posted numbers of .292, 19 HRs and 87 RBI for 2007.

The other three catchers listed in this question were born in the USA.

10. Brad Ausmus played catcher for the Houston Astros from 2001 to 2007. From which Ivy League college did Ausmus graduate in 1991?

Answer: Dartmouth

Brad Ausmus graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire in 1991. Ausmus was a valuable catcher because of his defensive skills- he won three Gold Glove Awards for the Astros during the 2000s. Ausmus, a native of Connecticut, caught for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2009 season. The other three colleges listed in this question are not deemed Ivy League schools.

Source: Author mrgrouchy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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MLB Catchers: 2000s Decade Trivia Quiz

Here is a quiz on some Major League catchers who played during the first decade of the 21st century. Good luck and have fun.

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