Where My Roots Are Quiz | MLB Historical

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Washington Nationals team came into existence by name when the franchise moved from which city in 2004?

Answer: Montreal

The Montreal Expos were an expansion team in the National League in 1969. In their first seven seasons under the management of Gene Mauch, the team never finished better than fourth place of six teams in their division. The franchise finally reached the playoffs in 1981 but lost to the Dodgers who went on to win the World Series against the Yankees.

After not making the playoffs for more than 20 years after that, and also dealing with very low fan attendance, the franchise moved in late 2004 to become the new Washington Nationals with Hall of Fame great Frank Robinson at the helm.

The Nationals finished their first season with a 81-81 record.

2. The Milwaukee Brewers went to the NLCS in 2011 but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. This franchise was an expansion team in 1969 and moved from which city after only one season?

Answer: Seattle

The franchise began in the American League as the Seattle Pilots in 1969 under the management of Joe Schultz. After finishing in last place by 33 games behind the division-winning Minnesota Twins, the franchise moved to Milwaukee to become the Brewers.

In 1970, they still finished 33 games behind the division winner. It would not be until 1982 before the Brewers found their first World Series with the help of Robin Yount's bat, came close but lost the Cardinals four games to three. In 1994, Major League Baseball moved the team to the AL Central Division, then in a controversial move, relocated the team to the National League in 1998.

3. The Atlanta Braves had a great decade in the 1990s while appearing in five World Series bids. The team moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta in late 1965. Prior to playing in Milwaukee, which city did they play in?

Answer: Boston

The Braves' franchise began it all in the new National League in 1876 as the Boston Red Stockings. With some name changes including Beaneaters, Doves, Rustlers, and Braves, they continued to play in Boston until early 1953 when the franchise moved to Milwaukee.

In 1914, the franchise won its first and only World Series in Boston, then in another win in Milwaukee in 1957 with the help of Hall of Fame greats Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn and Eddie Mattews. Although going to five World Series in the 1990s, the Atlanta Braves could bag only one title in 1995 against the Indians.

4. The Pittsburgh Pirates franchise started it all in the late 1800s in the American Association before making the move to the National League. What was the Pittsburgh team called before becoming the "Pirates"?

Answer: Alleghenys

The Alleghenys began their franchise endeavors in the American Association in 1882 before joining the National League in 1887. With a name change to the Pirates in 1891, the team was eventually taken over by the legendary Connie Mack as their manager in 1894 for three seasons.

At the turn of the century the Pirates were evolving into a big name by finishing second in the NL in 1900, then winning three NL crowns from 1901-1903, including appearing the first-ever World Series in 1903. They lost to the Boston Americans five games to three.

5. The only highlight that the St. Louis Browns of the American League had throughout their roots in St. Louis was their time with the power-hitting George Sisler who set a season batting record in 1922 for batting .420. After being in St. Louis for more than 50 seasons, the franchise finally moved to which city in the 1950s?

Answer: Baltimore

The franchise went farther east and settled in the city of Baltimore in 1954. The team came alive in the 1966 season with an all-star cast of pitchers including Jim Palmer and Dave McNally, along with the bats of Brooks Robinson, Boog Powell, and Frank Robinson. They defeated the heavily-favored Los Angeles Dodgers four games to none in the World Series.

6. The storied St. Louis Cardinals of the 20th Century were in the National League for more than 100 seasons after beginning their franchise in the American Association. When the franchise left the AA and first joined the National League, which team name did they have?

Answer: St. Louis Browns

The franchise began it all in the AA in 1882 as the Brown Stockings of St. Louis. The following season they changed their team name to "Browns". After the 1891 season and still carrying the Browns' name, the franchise moved to the National League still under the same name.

The franchise changed their team name to Perfectos in 1899, then changed it again to Cardinals in 1900. They retained the Cardinal name throughout the entire 20th Century.

7. After more than 50 seasons in Philadelphia and with the American League, the Athletics moved to a different city. That move didn't work out very well and the franchise was again relocated to Oakland in 1968. Which city did the franchise move from before planting roots in Oakland?

Answer: Kansas City

The Athletics of Philadelphia were managed by the great Connie Mack for 50 seasons before the team moved to Kansas City in 1955. Never finishing better than sixth place in Kansas City, the franchise moved to Oakland in 1968 while bringing in a future all-star cast of Sal Bando, Bert Campaneris, Reggie Jackson, Rick Monday, Catfish Hunter, and Blue Moon Odom.

After finishing second in their division in 1969 and 1970, the Athletics won five consecutive division titles while winning three consecutive World Series from 1972-1974.

8. The National League's Chicago Cubs were one of eight inaugural teams when the National League began it all in 1876. The franchise was called the Chicago White Stockings and they won the first-ever National League pennant. In which season did the franchise change their name to the "Cubs"?

Answer: 1903

The White Stockings changed their name to the Colts in 1890, then from 1898 to 1902 were named the Orphans. In 1903 the franchise became the Cubs and kept the name during the entire 20th Century. In 1906 the team began a streak of appearing in four World Series over the next five seasons while winning two.

The Cubs played at Cubs Park in 1920 before the name was changed to the famously named Wrigley Field in 1926. The ballpark was originally built in 1914.

9. The Houston Astros began their franchise as an expansion team in the National League in the 1960s with which team name?

Answer: Colt .45s

The franchise started it all in 1962 in the NL under the management of Harry Craft. In 1965 the franchise moved into the newly built Astrodome and changed their name to the Astros. After moving from the NL West to the NL Central in 1994, the franchise finally found their first World Series in 2005, but lost to the White Sox four games to none.

In 2013, Major League Baseball moved the franchise to the American League Western Division.

10. The Kansas City Royals franchise won their first World Series in 1985. What was the franchise called when they started as an American League expansion team?

Answer: Kansas City Royals

The Royals found their first season in 1969 along with Pilots from Seattle in the American League. The Pilots became the Milwaukee Brewers the following season while the Royals finished out their first season in fourth place under manager Joe Gordon. From 1976-1981, the Royals had a playoff spot in five of those six seasons, including their first World Series appearance in 1980 but lost to the Phillies.

They won their first Worlds Series against the Cardinals in 1985, then their second against the Mets in 2015.

Source: Author dg_dave

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Where My Roots Are Trivia Quiz

A look at some Major League Baseball franchises, some of their roots and team names.

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