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The 1978 Dodgers Trivia Quiz

The 1978 Dodgers were the defending National League Champions, but repeating would prove to be much tougher than winning it the first time.

A multiple-choice quiz by angels2002. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
angels2002

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
268,284

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
610

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who was the captain of the 1978 Dodgers? Hint

Davey Lopes

Steve Garvey

Ron Cey

Steve Yeager

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Question 2 of 10

2. With nagging injuries and off years by Rick Monday and Glen Burke, center field proved to be a weakness for the 1978 Dodgers. Whom did they acquire midway through the season to play center field and try to shore up this weakness? Hint

Rudy Law

Ken Landreaux

Bill North

Lee Lacy

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Question 3 of 10

3. The 1977 Dodgers were the first team to have four players hit 30 or more home runs in a season. How many Dodgers hit 30 or more in 1978? Hint

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Question 4 of 10

4. The Dodgers and Reds had a great rivalry in the 1970s, as they accounted for 9 of the 10 N.L. West titles in the decade. But another team was also in contention for the division title in 1978. Which team? Hint

Giants

Padres

Astros

Braves

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Question 5 of 10

5. The Dodgers were in 3rd place when they called up a young pitcher in late June. Filling both starting and relief roles, this pitcher won 7 games, saved 3 and posted a 2.02 ERA as the Dodgers eventually took over first place in mid August. Who was this pitcher? Hint

Bob Welch

Rick Sutcliffe

Rick Rhoden

Fernando Valenzuela

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Question 6 of 10

6. Another incident is credited with awakening the Dodgers from their lackluster play. After this happened, they went 21-11 and turned a 1 game lead into a 7 1/2 game lead with 7 to play. What happened? Hint

They scored 6 runs in the 9th inning to beat the Phillies 7-6.

A beanball war in a game with the Giants

A clubhouse fight between Don Sutton and Steve Garvey

Sparky Anderson guaranteed the Reds would win the division

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which pitcher led the Dodgers in wins in 1978? Hint

Burt Hooton

Don Sutton

Tommy John

Doug Rau

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Question 8 of 10

8. In game 4 of the National League Championship Series vs. the Phillies, which Philadelphia outfielder dropped a fly ball in the bottom of the 10th inning that ultimately helped the Dodgers score a run and win the pennant? Hint

Bake McBride

Garry Maddox

Greg Luzinski

Jerry Martin

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Question 9 of 10

9. The Dodgers' joy at winning their second straight N.L. title turned to sorrow the next day as their popular 1st base coach and former player died tragically at age 50 of a cerebral hemmorage. Who?

Answer: (Two Words or just surname)

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Question 10 of 10

10. The highlight for the Dodgers in the World Series was in game 2 when Bob Welch struck out Reggie Jackson in the 9th inning to save the Dodgers 4-3 win and give them a 2-0 Series lead. What was the situation when Jackson struck out? Hint

Bases empty

Men on first and second

Bases loaded

Men on second and third

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who was the captain of the 1978 Dodgers?

Answer: Davey Lopes

Lopes, their second baseman, served as Dodger captain from 1973 to 1981.

Answer: Bill North

The Dodgers obtained Oakland A's speedster Bill North in exchange for Glen Burke. North didn't exactly solve their problems, batting only .234 in 110 games, although he did steal 27 bases for L.A.

3. The 1977 Dodgers were the first team to have four players hit 30 or more home runs in a season. How many Dodgers hit 30 or more in 1978?

Answer: 0

Reggie Smith led the team with 29 homers in 1978. As for the others who were part of the 1977 quartet, Ron Cey hit 23, Steve Garvey hit 21, and Dusty Baker hit 11.

Answer: Giants

The Giants went on an 8 game winning streak and took over first place on May 12, then held it until August 11. They eventually finished 3rd, 6 games behind the Dodgers and 3.5 behind 2nd place Cincinnati.

Answer: Bob Welch

Injuries to starter Rick Rhoden and closer Terry Forster forced the Dodgers to call up Welch, and he filled both roles admirably. Sutcliffe would come up for good in 1979 and be named N.L. Rookie of the Year, and Fernando's heroics were still 3 years away.

Answer: A clubhouse fight between Don Sutton and Steve Garvey

While the Dodgers were in New York to play the Mets, Don Sutton was quoted in a newspaper article as saying that Steve Garvey was more style than substance and that Reggie Smith was the true MVP of the Dodgers. When confronted by Garvey in the clubhouse, Sutton said the quotes were accurate, and then reportedly insulted Garvey's wife.

A fight ensued, with Garvey sustaining a black eye and Sutton sporting cuts and bruises on his face. Neither player was the most popular guy with teammates, and when Tommy John said "somebody stop the fight or they'll kill each other", Joe Ferguson said "good."

7. Which pitcher led the Dodgers in wins in 1978?

Answer: Burt Hooton

Hooton won 19 games with a 2.71 ERA. John won 17, Sutton 15, and Rau won 15.

Answer: Garry Maddox

Ironically, Maddox was considered to be the best defensive outfielder on the Phillies. With two outs and Ron Cey on 1st, Dusty Baker hit a soft liner to center field that Maddox dropped for an error. The next batter, Bill Russell, singled to drive in Cey with the game and series winner.

Answer: Jim Gilliam

Gilliam had been with the Dodgers as a player and/or coach since 1955. He was always a team first guy, played numerous positions, and often batted second behind Maury Wills, taking pitches so Wills could steal bases. In his 12 year career, he played in 6 World Series, winning 4 of them. Through 2007, he is the only Dodger to have his number (19) retired who is not in the Hall of Fame.

Answer: Men on first and second

Bucky Dent led off the 9th with a single, and after a groundout in which Dent moved to 2nd, Paul Blair walked. Thurmon Munson then flied to right, bringing up Jackson with runners at 1st and 2nd. In a similar situation in the 3rd inning, Jackson doubled in both runners to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.

But in the 9th, after fouling off numerous pitches on a full count, Jackson struck out on a rising fastball. Unfortunately, this was the last hurrah for L.A. as the Yankees won the next 4 games of the series.

Source: Author angels2002

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Nightmare before going online.
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