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The Cy Young Curse? Trivia Quiz

The Curse of the Bambino? The "Sports Illustrated" Curse? Why not the Cy Young Curse? Here's a look at some Cy Young winners who fell into the abyss with a horrendous season after winning the award. The pictures somehow connect to the answer. :)

A photo quiz by Nightmare. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Nightmare

Time
3 mins

Type
Photo Quiz

Quiz #
336,947

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
1313

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page

Question 1 of 10

1. This pitcher was in his first season with the Phillies in 1972. He not only won the Cy Young Award with his 27-10 record, but threw for the Triple Crown also. The following season he went 13-20. Who is this pitcher? Hint

Mike Cuellar

Don Drysdale

Steve Carlton

Robin Roberts

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Question 2 of 10

2. This Baltimore Oriole won the 1973 Cy Young Award with his 22-9 record. He would not meet expectations in 1974 and went 7-12. Who is this Hall of Fame pitcher? Hint

Juan Marichal

Brooks Robinson

Fergie Jenkins

Jim Palmer

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Question 3 of 10

3. This American League Cy Young winner in 2005 went 21-8 for the Angels. In 2006 he dropped to 1-5, then went 6-8 in 2007. Who was this cursed Angel pitcher? Hint

Jared Weaver

Bartolo Colon

Jarrod Washburn

John Lackey

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Question 4 of 10

4. This Detroit Tiger pitcher shared the Cy Young Award in 1969. The Tiger went 24-9 with a 2.80 ERA. In 1970, he followed that up with a 3-5 season, then went 10-22 in 1971. Who was this that had the curse and fell into the abyss? Hint

Rollie Fingers

Denny McLain

Don Sutton

Woody Fryman

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 1985, this Kansas City Royal controlled the American League with his 20-6 record and won the AL Cy Young Award. In 1986, he fell off the mound and went 7-12 with a 4.15 ERA. He won the award again in 1989, then went 5-9 in the following season. Which pitcher was this? Hint

Dan Quisenberry

Bret Saberhagen

George Brett

Dennis Leonard

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Question 6 of 10

6. From stardom to putz, this Oakland Athletics pitcher won the AL MVP and AL Cy Young Award in 1971 after going 24-8. He tried an encore, but took the 1972 season with a 6-10 record. Who is this pitcher? Hint

Bert Campaneris

Bob Welch

Vida Blue

Luis Tiant

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Question 7 of 10

7. This San Diego Padre pitcher bagged the NL Cy Young Award in 2007 by going 19-6, and also throwing a Triple Crown. His 2008 follow-up was less than stellar when he went 10-11. Which pitcher was this? Hint

Bob Gibson

Trevor Hoffman

Jake Peavy

Kevin Brown

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Question 8 of 10

8. He was a great Minnesota Twins pitcher, until he won the Cy Young Award in 1988 for his 24-7 season. The following season he was 13-17, then 8-12 in 1990. Who was this pitcher that was cursed with the award? Hint

Jim Kaat

Orel Hershiser

Bert Blyleven

Frank Viola

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Question 9 of 10

9. The Boston Red Sox had a great 1967 season. They watched Carl Yastrzemski bat for the Triple Crown and win the AL MVP Award. They also had which pitcher who went 22-9, win the Cy Young Award then plummet to a 6-10 record in 1968? Hint

Ray Sadecki

Eric Gagne

Jim Lonborg

Dick Radatz

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Question 10 of 10

10. This Brooklyn Dodger took the honors by winning the first-ever Cy Young Award presented in 1956. He had a 27-6 record and was the first African-American pitcher in the National League to win 20 games in a season. After the lights and glitter died down, he went 11-12 in 1957. Who was this pitcher? Hint

Whitey Ford

Don Newcombe

Johnny Podres

Claude Osteen

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Steve Carlton

Carlton was a Cardinal from 1965-1971 before they traded him to Philadelphia. He fit right in with his leading the league in strikeouts also. It is amazing that Steve still finished fifth for the MVP Award that 1972 season. In 1973, he still started 40 games, but just couldn't bring the mind back and went 13-20 with an ERA of almost two runs higher.

2. This Baltimore Oriole won the 1973 Cy Young Award with his 22-9 record. He would not meet expectations in 1974 and went 7-12. Who is this Hall of Fame pitcher?

Answer: Jim Palmer

Palmer may have felt bad for winning the Cy Young in 1973, as it was the only season that the great Nolan Ryan was runner-up for the award. Palmer would come back in 1975 with a 23-11 record.

3. This American League Cy Young winner in 2005 went 21-8 for the Angels. In 2006 he dropped to 1-5, then went 6-8 in 2007. Who was this cursed Angel pitcher?

Answer: Bartolo Colon

Colon was in his second season with the Angels after playing most of seven seasons with the Indians. After the Cy Young presentation, he just never had the arm again, and went 14-21 over the next four seasons.

Answer: Denny McLain

McLain shared the Cy Young with Baltimore Oriole Mike Cuellar. McLain fell into not only the abyss, but into trouble with federal officials. He was accused of illegal gambling and drug distribution issues. He spent time in prison for his ventures.

Answer: Bret Saberhagen

It was a roller coaster ride for Bret after winning the Cy Young. He finished third in the 1994 voting and was probably relieved that he didn't win it for a third time. He retired in 2001 with a 167-117 career record.

Answer: Vida Blue

Blue would experience his first World Series in 1972 also, but couldn't win a game in the series against the Reds. He came back in 1973 to go 20-9, finishing seventh for the Cy Young. After 17 seasons, Vida retired in 1986 with a 209-161 career record.

Answer: Jake Peavy

Jake was in his sixth season when he won the Cy Young. He won it over Brandon Webb of the Diamondbacks and Brad Penny of the Dodgers. The Padres traded Peavy to the White Sox in the 2009 season.

Answer: Frank Viola

Viola continued to pitch for 10 seasons after he won the award, but only won more than 13 games one time. Frank had shined up until the award, and won two games in the 1987 World Series win over the Cardinals. He won his Cy Young over Dennis Eckersley of the Athletics and Mark Gubicza of the Royals.

Answer: Jim Lonborg

The Red Sox went all the way to the World Series in 1967, but lost four games to three to the Cardinals. Lonborg had a great season, winning the Cy Young over Joe Horlen of the White Sox. With the curse in mind, Jim went 6-10 and then 7-11 in 1969. He retired in 1979 with a 157-137 record.

Answer: Don Newcombe

After winning the Rookie of the Year Award in 1949, Newcombe became the first to win 20 games in 1955 when he went 20-5. Had the award been presented, he would have certainly been in the running. He won the first presentation in 1956, winning it over teammate Sal Maglie. Don also won the NL MVP in 1956.

After winning the Cy Young, he pitched in eight more seasons, but could only muster one winning season out of them.

Source: Author Nightmare

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