Major Leaguers: Y-Z Trivia Quiz

Answer: Milwaukee Brewers

Robin Yount played shortstop and centerfield with the Milwaukee Brewers for 20 seasons. When Yount retired after the 1993 season, he held virtually every Brewer batting record. During his career, Yount batted .285 with 3142 hits, 251 home runs, and 1406 RBIs. Yount's number 19 was retired by the Brewers in 1994, and Yount was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Answer: Gus Zernial

Gus Zernial was a hard-hitting outfielder for the White Sox, Athletics, and Tigers throughout his 11-year big league career. Zernial was nicknamed "Ozark Ike" after the popular comic strip of the same name. Zernial's best season probably occurred with the Philadelphia As in 1953 when he belted 42 homers and had 108 RBIs. Zernial was selected to play for the American League in the 1953 All-Star Game. Richie Zisk, another power hitter, played in the Major Leagues from 1971 to 1983.

Answer: 8

"Yaz" had a splendid career, slamming 452 home runs and knocking home 1844 runs. He collected 3419 base hits and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1989. His #8 jersey was retired by the Red Sox in 1989.

Answer: San Diego Padres

Don Zimmer managed a total of 13 seasons in a career which lasted from 1972 to 1991. Zimmer's record in 1972 was 54-88, and the Padres ended up in sixth place. Overall, Zimmer had a managerial record of 885-858. He also managed the Red Sox, the Rangers, and the Cubs.

Answer: The Federal League

Edward "Dutch" Zwilling played for the Chicago Whales of the short-lived Federal League from 1914 to 1915. Zwilling hit 29 total home runs for the Whales, thus becoming the all-time HR leader for the Federal League. Zwilling's other home run came with the Chicago Cubs in 1916.

The Federal League lasted just two seasons (1914-1915) and had eight teams. The National Association lasted from 1871 to 1875, the Union Association existed in 1884, and the Players League was in business in 1890.

Answer: He belted two grand slam home runs in a single Major League game

Rudy York played his entire 15-year big league career in the American League. York would have made a perfect designated hitter. He had a potent bat but was a liability on the field. York hit 277 home runs and drove in 1152 runs during a career which saw him win seven All-Star Game selections. York's greatest game occurred on July 27, 1946, as a member of the Boston Red Sox. On that day, he belted two grand slam home runs to lead the Bosox to a 13-6 victory against the St. Louis Browns.

The right-handed slugger knocked in 10 runs in that contest. York also played with the Tigers, White Sox, and Athletics.

Answer: 2000

Todd Zeile played for an amazing total of 11 teams during his 16-year Major League career. Zeile belted 253 home runs and drove home 1110 runs in the big leagues. Zeile played in his only World Series in 2000 as a member of the New York Mets. The Mets lost this "Subway Series" to the Yankees, but Zeile turned in a fine batting performance.

He hit .400 (8-20) which included a pair of doubles.

Answer: The Walking Man

Eddie Yost was nicknamed "The Walking Man" and for good reason. The third baseman led the American League six times in bases on balls. Yost drew 1614 free passes during his 18-year big league career. Yost spent most of his big league career with the Washington Senators, but he finished his playing days as a member of the expansion Los Angeles Angels in 1961 and 1962.

Answer: Don Newcombe

Cy Young had a legendary pitching career, earning an incredible total of 511 Major League victories. After Young died in 1955, big league officials decided to name a pitching award after the Hall of Fame right-hander. In 1956, Don Newcombe of the Brooklyn Dodgers became the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. "Newk" had an impressive record of 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA.

The other three pitchers in this question all threw left-handed.

Answer: Shortstop

Frankie Zak was a shortstop who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1944 to 1946. According to legend, Zak was selected to the 1944 All-Star lineup by NL manager Billy Southworth, because Zak happened to be in Pittsburgh on July 11, 1944, the date of the game. Marty Marion of the Cardinals was the NLs starting shortstop, and he played the entire All-Star game. Reserve shortstop Zak was sitting on the bench, but he never entered the game. During the 1944 season, Zak batted .300. 44 of his 48 hits were singles that season.