MLB Catchers of the 1950s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Smoky

Forrest "Smoky" Burgess was a left-handed batter who played for the Cubs, Phillies, Reds, and Pirates during the 1950s. Smoky inherited his nickname from his father, "Old Smoky" Burgess. Smoky was a slow-footed but hard-hitting backstop who once hit three homers in a single game for the Reds in 1955.

In the 1960s, Burgess became a valuable pinch hitter; he ended his big league career in 1967 with an amazing total of 507 pinch hit at-bats.

Answer: Casey Stengel

Wes Westrum played his entire 11-year big league career with the New York Giants. Westrum wasn't much of a hitter (a lifetime BA of .217), but he was an effective defensive receiver. The righty-hitting catcher hit 96 home runs during his career, including 23 round trippers in 1950.

In 1965, Westrum took over the New York Mets from legendary baseball manager Casey Stengel. Westrum managed the hapless Mets from 1965 to 1967, compiling a record of 142-237.

Answer: Whitey Ford

Jim Hegan was a native of Massachusetts, but he played the first 18 seasons of his Major League career with the Cleveland Indians. The right-handed Hegan was a weak hitter, but he was a superb handler of pitchers. Hegan effectively caught such Hall of Fame hurlers as Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, and Satchel Paige.

Hegan was the starting catcher on the Indians' 1948 World Series championship team. Whitey Ford played his entire big league career with the New York Yankees.

Answer: Six

The immortal Yogi Berra is one of the best catchers in big league history. During the 1950s, Berra played on six different World Series championship teams: 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, and 1958. Overall, the lefty-hitting Berra participated in 14 October classics, compiling a lifetime batting average of .274, with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs.

Answer: Braves

Del Crandall was an outstanding catcher for the Boston-Milwaukee Braves during the 1950s. The righty-hitting Crandall had power (179 lifetime home runs) and superb defensive skills. During the 1950s, Crandall was selected to six All-Star games for the Braves, and he won two Gold Glove Awards during the 1950s. Fittingly, Crandall wore uniform number 1 for the Braves.

Many baseball experts consider Crandall to be among the best all-around National League catchers during the decade of the 1950s.

Answer: He hit 32 home runs during the 1956 season

Stan "Stash" Lopata was a prominent member of the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1950s. In 1956, the righty-hitting Lopata enjoyed his best power season when he belted 32 home runs and had 95 RBIs. Lopata played briefly in the 1950 World Series, appearing in two games while going 0-1 at the plate. Overall, this catcher hit 116 home runs in his Major League career, all them as a member of the Phils.

Answer: Hoyt Wilhelm

Gus Triandos was a powerful hitting righty-catcher who played for five different teams during his big league career (1953-1965). Triandos possessed power. He hit 30 home runs for the Baltimore Orioles in 1958 and belted 167 lifetime round trippers. In 1958, Triandos enjoyed a special moment when he caught a no-hitter by Birds' knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm. Triandos also slammed a home run to account for the game's only run.

The other three pitchers listed in this question threw mainly fastballs and curves.

Answer: Hal Smith

From 1956 to 1959, there were two catchers named Hal Smith in the big leagues. Hal R. Smith (Harold Raymond) played with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1956 to 1961. He was selected as catcher to the 1957 and 1959 All-Star games, but his career was cut short due to heart ailments. Hal W. Smith (Harold Wayne) played as a catcher and infielder from 1956 to 1959 with the Kansas City A's. Smith's most memorable moment occurred in game seven of the 1960 World Series as a Pittsburgh Pirate.

He hit a dramatic three-run home run which gave the Bucs a 9-7 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Answer: Gold Glove

Sherm Lollar began his Major League career with the Cleveland Indians in 1946, but he spent 12 seasons as the backstop for the Chicago White Sox. The righty-hitting Lollar was an effective hitter (155 lifetime home runs) and an excellent defensive catcher.

In 1957, Lollar won the first-ever Gold Glove Award for catchers. He also won Gold Gloves in 1958 and 1959. In addition, Lollar won seven All-Star game selections during his career.

Answer: 39

Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella was a perennial All-Star performer for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s. Campanella was a powerful right-handed batter who wore uniform number 39. Campanella had perhaps his finest season in 1953, when he batted .312 with 41 home runs and 142 RBIs. Overall, Campanella hit 242 regular season home runs.

Unfortunately, Campanella's career was cut short by an automobile accident which left him paralyzed. Campanella's number 39 was retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1972. Pee Wee Reese wore uniform number 1, Duke Snider was number 4, and Gil Hodges wore number 14 for the Dodgers.