MLB First Basemen: 2000-2009 Trivia Quiz

Answer: St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols was a key member of the St. Louis Cardinals during the 2000s. In 2006, Pujols led the Redbirds to a World Series title, batting .331 with 49 home runs and 137 RBI during the regular season. By the end of the decade, Pujols had moved into second place (behind only Stan Musial) on the Cardinals' all-time home run leaderboard.

This 2001 Rookie-of-the-Year also earned eight All-Star Game selections between 2001 and 2009.

Answer: Rhode Island

Paul Konerko was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1976. This native of the Ocean State began his career with the Dodgers in 1998, but he rose to stardom with the Chicago White Sox. Between 2000 and 2009, Konerko belted 295 home runs for the White Sox.

His best power year occurred in 2004, when he hit 41 HRS and drove home 117 runs. During the 2006 season, Konerko slammed his 236th career home run, passing out Gabby Hartnett as Rhode Island's all-time HR leader.

Answer: He belted four home runs in a single game.

On September 25, 2003, Carlos Delgado slammed four home runs in a single game. This native of Puerto Rico belted a three-run homer and three solo shots to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 10-8 victory over Tampa Bay. Delgado played with Toronto from 1993 to 2004; he then played with the Marlins (2005) and Mets (2004-2006) to close out the decade of the 2000s.

This left-handed batting slugger ended the 2009 season with 473 career home runs.

Answer: Mark Teixeira

Mark Teixeira, a switch-hitting slugger, played first base for the 2009 New York Yankees. Teixeira began his big league career with the Texas Rangers in 2003 and also spent time with the Braves (2007-08) and the Angels (2008). Prior to the 2009 season, Teixeira signed an eight-year contract worth a reported $180 million to play for the Bronx Bombers. Teixeira enjoyed an excellent 2009 season with the Yankees, batting .292 with 39 home runs and 122 RBI.

In addition, Teixeira won a Gold Glove Award for fielding excellence. Justin Morneau played for Minnesota in 2009, Jason Giambi was a member of Oakland and Colorado, and Jeff Conine retired after the 2007 season.

Answer: He was a switch hitter who threw left-handed.

Lance Berkman was an excellent first baseman for the Houston Astros between 1999 and 2009. This native of Texas was somewhat of a rarity: he was a switch hitter who threw left-handed. Berkman was selected to five All-Star Games during the 2000s. Perhaps Berkman's finest season occurred in 2006 when he batted .315 with 45 HRS and 136 RBI. During the 2004 season, the "Big Puma" passed out Ripper Collins as the all-time home run leader for players who switch-hit and throw left handed when he hit his 136th career round tripper; Berkman hit 309 home runs during the 2000s.

Answer: The Mayor

Sean Casey, a lefty batter, was nicknamed "The Mayor" for his friendly attitude both on and off the baseball diamond. Casey had a penchant for chatting with every opposing player who reached first base. It was said that Casey could engage an empty chair in a worthwhile conversation. Casey was also a good ballplayer; in 2004, for example, he batted .324 with 24 home runs and 99 RBI for the Cincinnati Reds. Casey retired after the 2008 season.

Answer: Doug Mientkiewicz

Doug Mientkiewicz played with the Minnesota Twins from 1998 to 2004, earning a Gold Glove in 2001. However, "Eye Chart" is probably best remembered for recording the final putout in Game Four of the Boston's 2004 World Series triumph over the St. Louis Cardinals. Edgar Renteria of St. Louis hit a grounder straight back to Boston pitcher Keith Foulke; Foulke flipped the ball to Mientkiewicz for the Series-clinching out which erased more than 80 years of Red Sox frustration. Mientkewicz's best season in the Major Leagues occurred in 2003 when he batted .300 with 11 home runs and 65 RBI. Kevin Millar and Johnny Damon were outfielders on the 2004 Red Sox, and Jason Varitek was Boston's catcher.

Answer: Tampa Bay Rays

Carlos Pena was the starting first baseman on the 2008 American League champion Tampa Bay Rays. Pena had an outstanding 2008 regular season for Tampa Bay, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 102 runs. In the 2008 ALCS victory over Boston, Pena belted three home runs. Pena wasn't very productive in the 2008 World Series, however, going just 2-17 for a .118 batting average.

Answer: Todd Helton

Todd Helton played for the Colorado Rockies throughout the decade of the 2000s, establishing club records in many offensive categories. Helton smacked 265 home runs between 2000 and 2009 and won three Gold Glove Awards for the Rockies. Helton wore uniform number 17 and helped Colorado to win the 2007 National League pennant.

In the 2007 World Series, Helton batted an impressive .333 (5-15).

Answer: 6

Ryan Howard wore number 6 for the Philadelphia Phillies from 2004 to 2009, and this lefty slugger put up some tremendous power numbers for his team. Big number 6 belted 222 home runs and drove in 640 runs during that six-year span. In 2006, Howard slammed 58 HRS and had 149 RBI.

The other three numbers listed in this question were retired by the Phillies prior to Howard's joining the team in 2004.