Shortstops of the 2000s Quiz | MLB by Season

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. In 2009, shortstop Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees rapped career base hit number 2722, setting a Yankees' club record. Whose record did Jeter eclipse?

Answer: Lou Gehrig

Derek Jeter had a splendid decade for the Yankees during the 2000s. Jeter played on two World Series champion teams (2000 and 2009), and he collected 1940 hits in that 10-season period. On September 12, 2009, Jeter rapped a single to right field and passed out the immortal Lou Gehrig as the all-time base hit leader for the Yankees. Gehrig played for the Bronx Bombers from 1923 to 1939 and finished his career with 2721 hits.

2. All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins played the entire decade of the 2000s with one Major League team. Which team was that?

Answer: Philadelphia Phillies

Jimmy Rollins was a major reason why the Philadelphia Phillies had success during the late 2000s. Rollins stole over 300 bases, hit nearly 150 home runs and collected over 1600 base hits for Philadelphia during the 2000s. This switch-hitting shortstop had perhaps his best season in 2007 when he batted .296, with 30 home runs and 94 RBIs.

In 2008, Rollins was a key member of the Phillies team which won the World Series title.

3. In 2006, a Florida Marlins shortstop with the last name of Ramirez won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. Can you supply this shortstop's first name?

Answer: Hanley

Hanley Ramirez briefly played shortstop for the Boston Red Sox during the 2005 season, but he became a star ballplayer for the Florida Marlins starting in 2006. Hanley Ramirez captured the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year by batting .292, with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs. Ramirez also stole 51 bases for the Marlins in 2006.

4. Which Colorado Rockies shortstop pulled off an unassisted triple play on April 29, 2007?

Answer: Troy Tulowitzki

This historic event occurred at Denver's Coors Field. With runners on first and second, Atlanta Braves slugger Chipper Jones hit a line drive which Tulowitzki snared. The rookie shortstop then stepped on second base to double up Kelly Johnson, and tagged out Edgar Renteria between first and second base to complete the triple play. Tulowitzke was modest about his special accomplishment. Talking to reporters after the game, the shortstop said, "The ball fell into my lap".

The other three players listed were pitchers for the 2007 Rockies.

5. All-Star shortstop Rafael Furcal made his Major League debut in 2000, playing for the Atlanta Braves. Who was Furcal's first big league manager?

Answer: Bobby Cox

Cox certainly enjoyed managing Furcal in 2000. The young shortstop won the National League Rookie of the Year Award that season. Bobby Cox was the skipper for the Atlanta Braves throughout the 2000s, and Furcal was Cox's shortstop from 2000 until 2004. Furcal's best season with the Braves probably occurred in 2003 when he batted .292 with 14 HRs and 59 RBIs. Furcal also recorded an unassisted triple play during the 2003 season.

6. Shortstop David Eckstein played on World Series championship teams in both the American (2002) and National Leagues (2006) during the 2000s. Can you name the teams Eckstein played for?

Answer: Angels and Cardinals

Diminutive shortstop David Eckstein played a major role for the 2002 AL champion Anaheim Angels and the 2006 NL champion St. Louis Cardinals. In the 2002 World Series, Eckstein batted .310 for the Angels. He batted an impressive .364 for the Cardinals in the 2006 World Series.

The righty-hitting Eckstein played for the Angels from 2001 to 2004, and he was the shortstop for St. Louis from 2005 to 2007.

7. In 2004, the Boston Red Sox finally broke the "Curse of the Bambino" by winning the World Series title. Who was the starting shortstop for Boston in the 2004 World Series?

Answer: Orlando Cabrera

The Red Sox acquired the steady fielding Cabrera in a late-July deal with the Montreal Expos. In 58 games with the Bosox, Cabrera batted .294 with 31 RBIs. During Boston's 2004 ALCS victory over the New York Yankees, Cabrera batted a hefty .379 (11-29).

8. During the 2000s, shortstop Jose Reyes played for the New York Mets. In which offensive category did Reyes lead the National League for three consecutive seasons?

Answer: Stolen bases

Jose Reyes won three titles from 2005 to 2007. This speedy switch-hitting shortstop stole 60 bases in 2005, 64 bases in 2006, and 78 bases in 2007. From 2003 to 2009, Reyes stole 301 bases for the Mets.

9. During the 2000s, a shortstop with the first name of Miguel played for the Athletics, Orioles, and Astros. What is his last name?

Answer: Tejada

The righty-hitting Tejada won six All-Star Game selections between 2002 and 2009. During the decade, Tejada blasted 251 home runs and batted in 1046 runs. In 2004, while playing with the Orioles, Tejada batted .311, with 34 home runs and 150 RBIs.

10. On April 4, 2005, the Washington Nationals played their inaugural Major League baseball game. Who was the starting shortstop for the Nationals in that contest?

Answer: Cristian Guzman

On April 4, 2005, Guzman batted second in the Nats lineup. The Nationals suffered an 8-4 defeat to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Guzman went 1-5 in this ballgame. For the season, Guzman batted .219 for Washington. The other three players listed were outfielders for the 2005 Nationals.

Source: Author mrgrouchy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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Shortstops of the 2000s Trivia Quiz

Here is a quiz on some shortstops who played in the Major Leagues during the 2000s. Good luck and have fun.

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