MLB Deaths in 2015 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Let's play two.

Banks was known for his perpetually sunny disposition. On a nice day he would say "Let's play two". He is also known for calling Wrigley Field "the friendly confines".

Satchel Paige is responsible for the "Don't look back" quote, Yogi Berra for the quote about the future, and Joe Adcock for the Hank Aaron quote.

Answer: Minnie Minoso

Minoso broke in with the Indians in 1949, and retired with the White Sox in 1964 at the age of 39. He "unretired" for three games in 1976, and then again for two games in 1980, to achieve the (rather artificial) record of playing in five decades.

Minoso's failure to receive induction into baseball's Hall of Fame is seen by sabermetricians as one of the biggest Hall of Fame injustices. The problem is that Minoso never led his league in home runs or RBIs, and these are the stats which the writers who do the Hall of Fame voting tend to emphasize over other factors. Minoso did, however, lead his league in hits once, in doubles once, in triples three times, in stolen bases three times, and in hit by pitches an amazing ten times! A second problem with the Hall of Fame voting is the Hall's rule that a member must be inducted in only one category; i.e., his whole baseball career cannot be considered. In Minoso's case, that means that only his Major league career can be considered, and his three years as a star in the Negro Leagues from 1946 through 1948 must be ignored. The nine years he spent in the Mexican League after his MLB retirement must also be ignored.

The other choices are players Minoso played with during the 1950s.

Answer: Al Rosen

In 1953 Rosen came very close to winning the Triple Crown. He led in homers and RBI's, and finished one point behind in the batting average race. His last at bat of the season ended in a questionable out call at first base, when a safe call would have given him the batting title (and Triple Crown) by a fraction of a point.

Rosen never received serious consideration for the Hall of Fame, another example of the injustice of the Hall's rule about being inducted in only one capacity. Rosen did play the required ten years, but it would have been a much longer career had he not served four years in the Navy during WW2, then got stuck behind Ken Keltner at third, and then later had his career shortened by injuries. He retired in 1956 at only 32 years of age.

The wrong choices are the other infielders on the Indians' pennant-winning 1954 team. Strickland played shortstop, Avila second, and Wertz first.

Answer: third base

Malzone was a fixture at third base for the Red Sox. He was an eight-time All-Star, and won three gold gloves. After his playing days ended, he was a scout for 35 years for the Red Sox.

Answer: getting blown off the mound at Candlestick Park during the 1961 All Star game

Candlestick Park was notoriously windy, due to its location on the San Francisco Bay. Despite the poor conditions, the San Francisco Giants called it home from 1960 until they moved into a new park in 2000. Miller was charged with a balk due to the problem with the wind blowing him off the mound.

Answer: Chicago White Sox

Pierce finished with a won-lost record of 211-169. 186 of those wins came with the White Sox, for whom he made seven opening day starts.

Answer: Dave Henderson

The other choices are players who also hit famous postseason home runs.

Answer: Bill Monbouquette

Monbouquette died in January after a long battle with leukemia. The wrong choices are other top American League pitchers of the early 1960s.

Answer: Dean Chance

At the time there was only one Cy Young award, as it wasn't until 1967 that each league began awarding separate Cy Youngs. Chance's 1964 stats included a 20-9 won-lost record and a sparkling 1.65 ERA. He led the league in wins, ERA, complete games, shutouts, and innings pitched. Chance had a few ohter good years, but none so dominant as in 1964. Both Chance and teammate Bo Belinsky had reputations as playboys whose Hollywood partying often got out of hand. The Angels tired of the distractions this caused the team, and traded Belinsky after the 1964 season, and then traded Chance after the 1966 season.

The wrong choices are other American League pitchers who had good years in 1964.

Answer: Yogi Berra

Berra is known for many odd witticisms. Concerning death, he said that "You should always go to other people's funerals, otherwise, they won't come to yours." When his wife asked him where he wanted to be buried, he responded "I don't know. Surprise me". Berra's record of playing in 14 World Series will likely stand forever, as dynasties like the Yankees had up until 1964 have become a thing of the past.