Shortstops of the 1980s Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dale

Dale Berra, son of Hall of Fame catcher Yogi, played for three Major League teams during the 1980s. Dale Berra was a member of The Show from 1977 to 1987. He became a starting shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1982. During the 1984 season, Dale played for his father as a member of the New York Yankees.

Answer: Greg Gagne

Gagne played with the Twins from 1983 to 1992, hitting 69 of his 111 career home runs for Minnesota. In 1987, Gagne played 136 games at shortstop, batting .265 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs. Gagne also hit a home run in the 1987 World Series. The other three players listed in this question were Twins' outfielders.

Answer: Rooster

Shortstop Rick Burleson was nicknamed "Rooster" when he broke into the Major Leagues with the Boston Red Sox in 1974. The slightly-built Burleson was known for his fiery temper and his competitive spirit. In 1980, the Rooster joined the California Angels, and he earned an All-Star Game selection for California in 1981. Burleson missed the entire 1985 season due to injury. For his career, Burleson batted .273 with over 1400 hits.

Answer: Detroit Tigers

During the 1980s, Trammell won four Gold Glove awards and earned five All-Star Game selections for his excellent play. Trammell helped the Tigers to a World Series title in 1984. He batted .450 with two home runs and six RBIs in Detroit's triumph over San Diego. For his career, Trammell belted 185 HRs and drove home more than 1000 runs.

Answer: Garry Templeton

Garry Templeton played in the big leagues from 1976 to 1991. During the 1980s, Templeton played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1980-81) and the San Diego Padres (1982-89). Templeton earned an All-Star Game selection as a Padre in 1985. Templeton batted .271 for his career, collecting 2095 hits and driving home 728 runs. Craig Reynolds batted left-handed. Rafael Santana and Rafael Ramirez were right-handed batters.

Answer: The Wizard

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith was aptly nicknamed "The Wizard" for his outstanding defensive skills. During the 1980s, Smith won 10 Gold Glove awards and earned nine All-Star Game selections. The switch-hitting Wizard was also an effective batter. He collected 2640 hits in his career and stole 580 bases. Smith's number 1 uniform was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996.

Answer: Rochester Red Wings

Cal Ripken took part in a 33-inning game against the Pawtucket Red Sox at McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The game began on Saturday, April 18, 1981, and continued well into Sunday morning. The two teams were still deadlocked 2-2 at 4 AM when play was halted after 32 innings.

The game was resumed on June 23, and Pawtucket scored a run in the bottom of the 33rd inning to finally win the contest. Cal Ripken was the Rochester shortstop for the entire game, and the box score showed that he went 2-13 in this marathon. Ripken was thus an "iron man" even before he got to the Major Leagues.

Answer: Alfredo

Alfredo Griffin hailed from the Dominican Republic, and he joined the Blue Jays in 1979. Griffin was known for his strong defensive skills. He won a Gold Glove Award in 1985. According to legend, Griffin was chosen as a last-minute All-Star replacement for injured shortstop Alan Trammell simply because he happened to be in the vicinity of San Francisco's Candlestick Park, site of the 1984 All-Star Game. Alfredo Griffin participated in the contest but did not have an official at-bat.

Answer: U.L. Washington

U.L. Washington played shortstop and second base in the Major Leagues from 1977 to 1987. Washington became famous for the toothpick which he constantly chewed in the corner of his mouth. Several baseball announcers urged young children not to imitate Washington's example. Washington's best season probably occurred in 1982 when he batted .286 for the Kansas City Royals.

Answer: Johnnie LeMaster

Johnnie LeMaster (a.k.a. "Disaster") was the starting shortstop for the Giants in the first half of the 1980s. "Johnnie Lee" wasn't a very good hitter (.222 lifetime batting average), but he somehow proved to be popular with a good portion of the Candlestick Park faithful.

In 1979, LeMaster gained some fame when he wore the name "Boo" on the back of his #10 San Francisco uniform. LeMaster's best season with the Giants probably occurred in 1983 when he batted .240 with 128 hits. The other three players listed in this question were outfielders.