Major League Baseball: 1990s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mark McGwire

McGwire was a St. Louis Cardinal in 1998, and popped a season record 70 in the season. He broke Yankee Roger Maris' record of 61, set in 1961. Although banging out a new record, McGwire did not win the MVP Award, and watched it go to Chicago Cub Sammy Sosa who hit 66 in 1998.

Answer: Atlanta Braves

The others listed did not find a World Series in even one season in the decade. Even with no postseason in 1994, the Braves went to an amazing five visits in the decade. Unfortunately, they came away with only one World Series crown in 1995 against the Indians. They lost to the Twins, Blue Jays, and Yankees twice in the decade.

Answer: 0

Although it was the decade of the hitters due to many rule changes and enforcements, nobody lost 20 games in a season. However, many pitchers came close with Jose DeLeon of the Cardinals and Tim Leary of the Yankees in 1990 both losing 19. Kirk McCaskill of the Angels lost 19 in 1991, and Scott Erickson of the Twins lost 19 in 1993.

Answer: Tony LaRussa

Tony won his first award with the 1983 Chicago White Sox, in the first season that it was awarded. He followed that up with the Athletics by winning another one in 1988, and a third in 1992. He won a fourth Manager of the Year Award with the 2002 St. Louis Cardinals.

Answer: New York Yankees

The other teams listed never won more than 90 games in a season during the decade. The Yankees went a tremendous 114-48 in 1998. They went all the way to the World Series by blanking the Rangers three games to none in the ALDS, then the Indians four games to two in the ALCS, and finally the San Diego Padres four games to none in the World Series.

They were led by the managing ability of Joe Torre, along with many bats from Derek Jeter, Scott Brosius, Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, and Darryl Strawberry.

They also had David Cone, Andy Pettitte, David Wells, Hideki Irabu, Orlando Hernandez, and Ramiro Mendoza, who all won in double-figures from the mound.

Answer: Mickey Mantle

Mantle was a career Yankee from 1951-1968. He won three MVP awards in 1956, 1957, and 1962. Mickey was the first switch-hitter in history to bat for the Triple Crown in 1956. He also smacked 18 World Series home runs in his 12 trips to the promised land.

He died at the age of 63 in Dallas, Texas. Gehrig died in 1941, Ruth in 1948, and Maris died in Texas in 1985. Hall of Fame Yankee catcher Bill Dickey also died in the decade in 1993, along with Joe DiMaggio in 1999.

Answer: Florida Marlins

Teal came in with the Marlins when they began their franchise in 1993, the same color used with the NFLs Miami Dolphins. The Marlins franchise took only five seasons to go all the way to win a World Series in 1997, with a win over the Cleveland Indians, four games to three. Their next World Series appearance in 2003 resulted in a four games to two win over the Yankees.

Answer: 10

In the biggest boom of newly built ballparks in baseball history, the 1990s saw 11 new ballparks go up. They were New Comiskey in Chicago in 1990, Camden Yards in Baltimore in 1992, Joe Robbie Stadium in Florida in 1993, both Jacobs Field in Cleveland and The Ballpark in Arlington in 1994, Coors Field in 1995, Turner Field in Atlanta in 1997, Bank One Ballpark in Arizona and Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay in 1998, and finally Safeco Field in Seattle in 1999.

Answer: Lee Smith

The Rolaids Award is for relief pitchers, and the others listed were all starting pitchers. Lee took the National League Award in 1991 with the Cardinals with his 47 saves. His second Rolaids Award came the following season in 1992 with the Cardinals, this time with 43 saves, although going 4-9 in the season.

His third award in the decade came in the American League in 1994 with the Orioles, going 1-4 with his 33 saves.

Answer: Nolan Ryan

The others were all inducted in the 1960s. Ryan was inducted into the hall in 1999 with a tremendous 98.8% on the balloting. He played for 27 seasons with four teams in his career and retired in 1993. He was inducted in his first year of eligibility, after throwing a record seven no-hitters along with 5714 career strikeouts.