Shortstops of the 1970s Quiz | MLB by Season

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 1975 and 1976, Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" won World Series titles. Who was the starting shortstop on these Cincinnati teams?

Answer: Dave Concepcion

Concepcion played his entire Major League career (1970-88) with the Reds. During the 1970s, Concepcion received six All-Star Game selections and earned five Gold Glove awards. In 2007, the Reds honored this shortstop by retiring his #13 jersey. Joe Morgan played second base for the Reds, Dan Driessen was a first baseman, and George Foster played left field for Cincinnati.

2. In 1976, this lefty-hitting New York Yankees shortstop hit a home run in his first World Series at-bat. Can you identify him?

Answer: Jim Mason

Jim Mason was a shortstop who played for five different Major League organizations between 1971 and 1979. Mason played for the New York Yankees from 1974 to 1976. Mason only batted once in the 1976 World Series, but his first World Series plate appearance was memorable because he belted a home run off Cincinnati pitcher Pat Zachry.

In Game 3 of the Series, Mason entered the game as a defensive replacement for starting shortstop Fred Stanley in the top of the seventh inning. He then homered in the bottom half of the seventh.

The other players listed in this question all batted right-handed.

3. Which one of these shortstops, a Phillie, was a switch-hitting batter?

Answer: Larry Bowa

Switch-hitting shortstop Larry Bowa played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1970 to 1981. Bowa was known for his feisty personality, smooth hands, and quickness. He won two Gold Gloves and five All-Star Game selections for the Phillies during the 1970s.

This switch-hitter collected more than 2000 base hits during his Major League career, and he stole more than 300 bases. The other three shortstops listed in this question batted right-handed.

4. During the 1970s, Freddie Patek played shortstop for the Kansas City Royals. What was Patek's nickname?

Answer: The Flea

Freddie "The Flea" Patek played shortstop for the Kansas City Royals from 1971 to 1979. Patek was an important member of the Royals lineup, earning three All-Star Game selections. "The Flea" had some power also. On June 20, 1980, Patek hit three home runs in a single game while playing for the California Angels.

5. During the 1970s, Bert Campaneris played shortstop for the A's, Rangers, and Angels. Which one of these statements about Campaneris is true?

Answer: He won three World Series rings

Bert Campaneris was a shortstop who played in the Major Leagues from 1964 to 1983. "Campy" was a key member of the Oakland A's teams which captured three consecutive World Series titles (1972-74). In a total of 19 World Series games, the righty-hitting Campaneris batted .263, with one home run, five RBIs and four stolen bases.

The fleet-footed Campaneris stole 649 stolen bases during his career, but he never won a home run title. In 1973, Reggie Jackson of Oakland won the AL home run title with 32 round trippers.

6. Which one of these shortstops played for the Baltimore Orioles during the 1970s?

Answer: Mark Belanger

Belanger wasn't much of a hitter (a lifetime BA of .228), but he provided the Orioles with solid defense. Nicknamed "The Blade" for his tall, angular body, Belanger won seven Gold Gloves during the 1970s and was named to the 1976 American League All-Star team. The other three shortstops listed in this question never played for Baltimore.

7. In 1974, Robin Yount made his Major League debut playing shortstop for the Milwaukee Brewers. Which former All-Star catcher was Yount's first manager?

Answer: Del Crandall

The 1974 Milwaukee Brewers were not very good. They finished in fifth spot in the AL East standings with a record of 76-86. Crandall managed the Brewers from 1972 to 1975, compiling a record of 271-338. Robin Yount was a mere teenager when he joined the Brewers in 1974. Yount began his career as a shortstop, and then switched to the outfield during the mid-1980s.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. Joe Adcock was a first baseman, Eddie Mathews played third base, and Bill Bruton was an outfielder.

8. Bill Russell was an All-Star shortstop selection in 1973 and 1976. With which team did Russell play his entire big league career (1969-1986)?

Answer: Los Angeles Dodgers

This righty-hitting shortstop had over 1900 hits in his big league career, and was part of a steady Dodgers infield which included Ron Cey, Davey Lopes, and Steve Garvey. Russell earned two All-Star Game selections during the 1970s (1973 and 1976), and he also batted .423 (11-26) for Los Angeles in the 1978 World Series.

9. An All-Star shortstop named Speier played for the San Francisco Giants from 1971 to 1977. Please indicate Speier's first name.

Answer: Chris

Speier's best season with the Giants probably occurred in 1972 when he batted .269 with 15 HRs and 71 RBIs. Chris Speier finished the decade with the Montreal Expos. Overall, Speier collected 1759 hits, including 112 home runs.

10. In 1973, a shortstop nicknamed Bucky broke into the big leagues with the White Sox. Can you supply this player's last name?

Answer: Dent

Bucky Dent was born Russell Earl O'Dey. Dent played with the pale hose from 1973 until 1977, when he was traded to the New York Yankees. A light-hitting shortstop, Dent is probably best remembered today for a 1978 home run which he hit at Boston's Fenway Park. The round tripper helped the Yankees to win the AL East title over the Red Sox. Dent earned an All-Star Game selection in 1975.

Source: Author mrgrouchy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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Shortstops of the 1970s Trivia Quiz

Please take a quiz on some shortstops who played in the Major Leagues during the 1970s. Good luck and have fun.

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