MLB Catchers of the 1970s Trivia Quiz

Answer: He played his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds.

Johnny Bench is deemed by some baseball historians to be the greatest catcher in Major League history. Bench played his entire big league career (1967-1983) with the Cincinnati Reds, earning 10 All--Star Game selections and eight Gold Glove Awards during the 1970s. Bench was a right-handed slugger who belted 389 home runs in his career; his best single season for HRS occurred in 1970 when he slammed 45 round trippers. Bench was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Answer: Manny

During the 1970s, Manny Sanguillen played with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1970 to 1976 and again from 1978 to 1979. This catcher was a key component of the Pirates' lineup; in Pittsburgh's two World Series victories, Sanguillen had an impressive .375 batting average. For his career, Sanguillen compiled a .282 batting average. Sanguillen earned three All-Star Game selections with Pittsburgh.

Answer: 1975

During the 1970s, Carlton Fisk was an outstanding all-around catcher for the Boston Red Sox. Fisk belted 162 regular season home runs for the Bosox, but he is most remembered in New England for his Game Six-winning home run in the 1975 World Series against Cincinnati. Fisk's home run in the 12th inning gave Boston a dramatic 7-6 victory.

Answer: Ted Simmons

Ted Simmons was a six-time All-Star Game selection during the 1970s for the St. Louis Cardinals. "Simba" was a power-hitting catcher who collected 2,472 hits, including 248 home runs, during his Major League career. Perhaps Simmons' best season with the Redbirds occurred in 1977 when he batted .318 with 21 home runs and 95 RBI. Ed Herrmann and Dave Rader batted lefty; Joe Ferguson batted right-handed.

Answer: Ray

During the 1970s, Bob Boone played catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. His father, Ray, was an infielder in the big leagues from 1948 to 1960. Ray Boone played for six different teams in his career and hit 151 home runs. Bob Boone was not a good hitter, but he was a superb defensive receiver for the Phillies and later the Angels. During the 1970s, Boone earned three All-Star Game selections and two Gold Glove Awards as a member of the Phillies. Aaron and Bret Boone, Bob's sons, also played in the Major Leagues.

Answer: 15

Thurman Munson wore uniform number 15 as a member of the New York Yankees. Munson played his entire big league career (1969-1979) with the Yankees, earning three Gold Glove Awards and seven All-Star Game selections. Munson was a fiery backstop who was named as the Bombers' captain. Number 15 had an outstanding .373 batting average in World Series competition. Munson's number 15 uniform was retired by the Yankees in 1979.

Answer: Cleveland Indians

Ray Fosse was a member of the Cleveland Indians when he was selected to the 1970 All-Star Game. During the 1970 season, Fosse batted .307 for Cleveland with 18 HRS and 61 RBI. Fosse was a catcher for the Indians from 1967 to 1972; he also played with the A's (1973-1975) and the Mariners (1977) during the 1970s before retiring in 1977. Fosse is best remembered today for his collision with Pete Rose at home plate during the 1970 All-Star Game. Rose scored the winning run in the bottom of the twelfth inning by bowling Fosse over.

Answer: Jim Palmer

Jerry Grote wasn't much of a hitter, but he was a superb defensive catcher throughout his big league career. During the 1970s, Grote caught for the New York Mets (1970-1977) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1978-1979). Therefore, Grote was the receiver for Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Don Sutton during the 1970s. Jim Palmer pitched his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles; Grote never played for the Orioles.

Answer: Jim Sundberg

Jim Sundberg was a superb defensive catcher for the Texas Rangers during the 1970s. Sundberg, a University of Iowa graduate in 1972, won four conscutive Gold Gloves for his fielding prowess from 1976 to 1979 and represented the Rangers twice in the All-Star Game during the '70s.

The righty-hitting Sundberg's best season athe plate for Texas probably occurred in 1977 when he batted .291 with 6 home runs and 65 runs batted in. During the 1970s, Randy Hundley and Steve Swisher played primarily with the Cubs; Fred Kendall played mostly for the Padres.

Answer: Porter

Darrell Porter began his big league career with the Milwaukee Brewers (1971-1976), but he spent some of his best seasons with the Kansas City Royals. Porter enjoyed his finest season with the Royals in 1979 when the lefty-hitting catcher batted .291 with 20 HRS and 112 RBI. Porter represented Kansas City in the 1978 and 1979 All-Star Games.