The Chicken or the Egg? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Al Kaline

The others never played for the Tigers. Kaline was one of those few one-team career players. He played for Detroit from 1953-1972. He was runner-up MVP in 1955 to Yankee Yogi Berra, then placed third in the MVP in 1956 behind Yankees' Mickey Mantle and Yogi again.

He was runner-up again in 1963, behind another Yankee great, Elston Howard. Amazingly, he was in the top 10 voting for season MVP, nine times in his career. He retired in 1974, and was a 1980 Hall of Fame inductee.

Answer: Babe Ruth

Gehrig was the only player close, but still missed the Babe's arrival by nine years. Ruth's career began in 1914 with the Boston Red Sox. History is well documented after that, him becoming a Yankee in 1920, then smacking 50+ home runs four times in a season, including 60 in 1927. That same season, Gehrig hit 47 of his own.

Answer: They all began together

All teams listed were American League teams. The American League began its quest into the Major Leagues in 1901, fielding eight franchises. The teams were (in order of finish in 1901): Chicago White Sox, Boston Americans (later Red Sox), Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics, Baltimore Orioles (later Highlanders then Yankees), Washington Senators, Cleveland Blues (later Indians), and the Milwaukee Brewers (later St. Louis Browns and Baltimore Orioles).

Answer: Pete Rose

Nicknamed, 'Charlie Hustle', he had the other beat by almost 20 years. Rose debuted in 1963 with the Reds of Cincinnati, winning the National League Rookie of the Year. 10 times in his 24 seasons, he was in the top 10 MVP voting, winning in 1973, and being runner-up to the great Cardinal Bob Gibson in 1968. Pete retired as a player in 1986.

Answer: Frank Robinson

Robinson came through the door of the Major Leagues at least 12 years earlier than the others listed. Frank began his career in 1956 with the Reds. He was the first in history to win the season MVP in both leagues, winning with the Reds in 1961, then in 1966 during his first season as an Oriole. Robinson was an easy Hall of Fame selection in 1982.

Answer: Pie Traynor

Although all Pirate greats, Traynor had the others beat by 40 years. He began his career in 1920, and played his entire 17 season career in Pittsburgh. Born Harold Joseph Traynor, he was an all-around player, and was in the top 10 MVP voting, six times in his career. He retired in 1937, and was a 1948 Hall of Fame inductee.

Answer: Red Schoendienst

The others never managed a Major League team in their career. Schoendienst, after starring in 19 seasons, mostly with the Cardinals, retired in 1963. He then tried his hand at managing in 1965. He managed for 14 seasons, all with the Cardinals, winning over 1000 games.

Answer: Reggie Jackson

Jackson had the others beat by around 20 years. Beginning his career in 1967 with the A's of Kansas City, Reggie hit 563 home runs over 21 seasons, retiring in 1987. This was good enough for a 1993 Hall of Fame entrance.

Answer: Chicago Cubs

Other than the Cincinnati Red's franchise who began in 1882 (in the National League), no other franchise listed was closer than 75 years. The Chicago franchise was one of the first eight teams inducted into the new National League in 1876. They won the first National League crown over the St. Louis Brown Stockings in 1876. Until 1889, they were called the Chicago White Stockings, then Chicago Colts until 1897.

They were the Chicago Orphans from 1898-1902, then finally the Cubs came into the picture in 1903.

Answer: Warren Spahn

Warren had more than 10 years on the others listed. One of the most feared left-handed pitchers, Spahn debuted in 1942 with the NL Boston Braves. His career spanned 21 seasons, and all but one in a Braves' uniform. He was the 1957 Cy Young winner by going 21-11. He retired in 1965, and was a 1973 Hall inductee.