Want to Get Beaned? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Nolan Ryan

Not only was Ryan the first to hit the 2000 and 2500 mark, by the end of the 20th century he was the only pitcher to even throw 1900 walks. Not even Steve Carlton and Phil Niekro, who were noted for walks, reached 1850. Ryan threw 2795 walks, and strangely enough threw a record 5714 career strikeouts.

Answer: The Big Blond

Hecker was a pitcher for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association when he batted .341, .001 better than runner-up and teammate Pete Browning. Hecker also went 26-23 from the mound in the season. Guy played in only nine seasons, and retired with a 175-146 record from the mound, and a .282 average with the bat. "Blond" is the male version of someone with light colored hair, while the female spelling is "blonde".

Answer: Eddie and Rich Murray

The Murray's were the only group listed to top 500 combined. Eddie Murrary retired with 504 home runs, and little known brother Rich played two seasons for the Giants and hit only 2 home runs. The Boyer brothers combined for 444, the Canseco's for 462, and the Ripken's for 451.

The largest home run brother combination belongs to the great Hank Aaron and his brother Tommie. Hank hit 755 while Tommie took a huge backseat with 13.

Answer: Helene Britton

When St. Louis Cardinal owner Stanley Robison died in 1911, his niece, Helen Briton inherited the team. She ran the team until 1916 when she sold it. With her at the helm, the best she could do with the team was a third place finish in 1914. Marge Schott was a controversial female owner more than 50 years later with the Cincinnati Reds. Judy Johnson and Eppa Rixey are both men.

Answer: The balls with duck feather and rubber centers were replaced with balls that had cork and rubber centers.

The dead and soft duck-feathered ball was finally replaced. Joe Jackson batted .408 in 1911 but it wasn't good enough for Ty Cobb's .420. In 1910 there were three Major Leaguers who tied for the league lead by hitting 10 home runs. In 1911, Frank Schulte of the Cubs blasted out 21.

Answer: Babe Dahlen

Dahlen's record streak of 42 was broken by Willie Keeler of the Orioles in 1897 with 44 of his own. When Dahlen broke the record with 42, he surpassed George Davis' 33. Babe played for the Chicago Colts in 1894 when he set his record, and almost had an untouchable one.

Answer: Zack Wheat

While Carew accomplished this with the Twins in 1972, Carew played in the American League. Wheat was a Brooklyn Robin in 1918 when won the only batting title of his career with his .345 average, but could not hit a home run. He played for 19 seasons and hit 132 career four-baggers. Zack was also a Hall of Fame inductee in 1959.

Answer: Frank Robinson

After a Hall of Fame playing career, Robinson took the Indians in 1975 to a 79-80 fourth place finish. He became the first black NL manager in 1981 when he took over the Giants. Frank then took the helm of the Orioles in 1988, then the Montreal Expo franchise in 2002. His managing career of 16 seasons saw him go 1065-1176.

Answer: Dwight Gooden

Ironically, both leagues saw a new record set in 1985. American Leaguer Bret Saberhagen of the Royals won the Cy at the age of 21. Gooden was a New York Met in 1985 and won the Cy at the age of 20 years, 15 days. Gooden broke the NL record that belonged to Fernando Valenzuela of the Dodgers in 1981 who was also 20 years old.

Answer: 0

The decade was empty of the perfecto after seeing Jim Bunning, Sandy Koufax, and Catfish Hunter throw the three in the 1960s. The leagues would rebound in the 1980s while enjoying Len Barker, Mike Witt, and Tom Browning throw their perfect games.