Major League Baseball: 1970s Challenge Quiz

Answer: No advertising banners were allowed in centerfield

In the 1960s, some stadiums were found to have raised their mounds, such as the Dodgers from 1963-1966. But, the league did not enforce the rule already stated until 1970. This gave pitchers more of an advantage. Players in the 1960s complained about strategically located banners in centerfield, that impaired the batter's ability to pick up the ball on a pitch. Thus, no colored anything was allowed in centerfield beginning in 1970 that could hamper a batter's vision.

Answer: St. Louis Cardinals

The Pirates won the World Series in 1971 after defeating the Giants in the NLCS, three games to one. The Phillies lost to the Reds in the 1976 NLCS.

Answer: Angels

Nolan Ryan of the California Angels broke Dodger Sandy Koufax's record of 382, by one strikeout in 1973. Ryan retired on top of the heap with a career 5714 strikeouts.

Answer: Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays began their franchise in 1977, and they went 54-107 in that season. They did worse for the decade's lowest record in 1979 by going 53-108. No starting player or even reserve batted .300 in the season, and not one Blue Jay pitcher won 10 games in 1979.

Answer: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers drew 3,347,845 during the 1978 season, leading the Major Leagues. They also drew the most in the decade with 24,480,796 fans going through their gates. The Oakland Athletics had the lowest season attendance in the decade by having only 306,763 go through their turnstiles in 1979.

They also had the lowest attendance for the decade, even though winning three consecutive World Series, with a decade attendance of 7,646,599.

Answer: Baltimore Orioles

For the first time in baseball history, one team actually produced four 20-game winners. In 1971, the Orioles had Dave McNally go 21-5, Mike Cuellar went 20-9, Pat Dobson went 20-8, and Jim Palmer went 20-9. The Orioles went all the way to the World Series, but lost to the Pirates four games to three.

Answer: Rod Carew

Carew of the Minnesota Twins won six batting titles in the 1970s, and his .388 was on top for the decade in 1977. He won a total of seven batting titles with the Twins, but when he was traded to the Angels in 1979, his batting titles all stopped. He retired after 19 seasons in 1985, then was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Answer: 2

The Seattle Pilots began their endeavors in 1969, but ended the season with a very dismal performance. The franchise moved to Milwaukee beginning in February 1970, and were barely ready to start the 1970 season. Also, the new Washington Senators moved to the Dallas area to become the Texas Rangers in 1972.

Answer: Lou Brock

Brock of the St. Louis Cardinals broke Maury Wills' record 104 thefts in 1962, with 118 of his own in 1974. He stole a Major League leading 551 in the 1970s. Lou retired with 938 stolen bases over 19 seasons.

Answer: Jack Billingham

Billingham played from 1968-1980. He began his career with the Dodgers, and reached his season high for hit batsmen in 1971 with the Astros by plunking 16. Jack was fourth in the Cy Young voting in 1973. In 13 seasons, Jack jacked up 98 batters in his career.