MLB History Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bob Gibson

Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals was a large reason why MLB lowered the pitcher's mound in order to level the playing field and increase offense. The DH was also added for similar reasons, including the fact that executives thought that more offense would bring more fans to the ballparks.

Answer: Al Kaline

Kaline of the Detroit Tigers was at 399 HRs when he retired in 1974. He was just under .300 (.297) but he did have over 3000 hits.

Answer: Rick Monday

Monday was drafted in 1965 by the Kansas City Athletics as a centerfielder. He played from 1966-1984 and earned two All-Star appearances along with one World Series title.

Answer: All have been on the losing end of four World Series

John Smoltz didn't have 300 wins since he spent a while as the team's closer. He retired with 213. Tom Glavine is left handed, and they didn't all throw no-hitters. As for the World Series, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz were on the losing end of the 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1999 World Series teams with the Braves. Roger Clemens was on the 1986 Red Sox, 2001 and 2003 Yankees, and 2005 Astros team.

Answer: Brad Ziegler

Brad Ziegler, the Oakland Athletic, lost the streak against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 14, 2008, which also included the first extra base hit that he allowed for his career. Technically, he had pitched an extra 1/3 of an inning because he had gotten 1 out before the run scored, however, the Elias Sports Bureau only counts the statistic as far as the last complete inning or out of his appearance. McQuillan set his record in 1907 when he began his career.

Answer: Steve Chilcott

Steve Chilcott was drafted first overall in 1966 (the 2nd draft ever), and was a catcher in the Mets organization. What makes this worse is that the 2nd pick in the draft was 'Mr. October', Reggie Jackson. It is also worthy of note that Matt Bush, who was selected first overall by the San Diego Padres in the 2004 draft, had been released by the Padres and again by the Blue Jays, so it is possible that he will join the club.

Answer: Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds (SF/PIT) had nine 20/20 seasons during the 1990s while Ray Lankford (STL) had five. Sammy Sosa (CHC) and Ron Gant (ATL/CIN) each had four such seasons.

Answer: Clay Buchholz (Boston Red Sox)

All these choices have thrown no-hitters, and everyone but Jon Lester threw a no-hitter during their rookie season. Clay Buchholz no-hit the Baltimore Orioles in his second career start.

Answer: Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay, formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays but playing in his first season for the Philadelphia Phillies, also threw a perfect game (vs. the Marlins) earlier in the season. What's more astonishing is that the no-hitter was in Roy Halladay's postseason debut. Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain also had their postseason debuts in the other NLDS, with Lincecum throwing a two-hit shutout with 14 Ks (vs. the Braves).

Answer: Fighting

Arguing calls, whether it is a ball/strike call or a safe/out call, is the cause of most umpire ejections. Surprisingly enough, the 4th leading cause of umpire ejections in 2009 was arguing obstruction/interference calls, which made fighting the 5th place cause for umpire ejections during Major League games in 2009.