Why Didn't I Do That? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Hank Aaron

Hank played 21 of 23 with the Braves from 1954-1976. He retired with 755 career home runs and amazingly never hit the 50-mark in a season. His consistent bat was evident in every single season. Aaron's season high was 47 in 1971, hit 45 in 1962, and matched his jersey number of 44 four times. Hank won only one NL MVP in 1957. Aaron was the final ballplayer to play in Major League Baseball who came from the Negro Leagues.

After retiring, he was inducted in his first year of eligibility in 1982 with a tremendous 97.8% of the balloting.

Answer: Johnny Podres

Podres was a left-handed pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was a Dodger in 13 of his 15 seasons from 1953-1969. It was 1955 with the Dodgers winning the National League pennant by 13.5 games over the runner-up Milwaukee Braves. They met the Yankees in the World Series, and Podres won game three and game seven to earn the award after the Dodgers won their first-ever World Series four games to three.

Answer: Ernie Banks

Banks, known as "Mr. Cub," played his entire 19 seasons in Chicago and retired in 1971. The shortstop won his MVPs over Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in 1958, then Eddie Mathews and Hank Aaron in 1959. Ernie was an All-Star more than 10 times and also hit 512 home runs in his career. He was inducted into the Hall in 1977 in his first year of eligibility and died in 2015 at the age of 83.

Answer: Greg Maddux

Maddux was a right-handed fireball pitcher from 1986-2008. He won his first Cy Young in 1992 with the Cubs, then three more consecutive with the Braves from 1993-1995. The Braves got a real deal when they signed Greg as a free-agent from the Cubs. Maddux threw a 355-227 career record over 23 seasons. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.

Answer: Gaylord Perry

Perry was known for throwing the spitball and pitched from 1962-1983. He won the Cy Young as an Indian in 1972, then as a Padre in 1978 thus becoming the first pitcher in history to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. Gaylord was also the Cy Young runner-up in 1970 with the Giants.

He also pitched for the Rangers, Mariners, Royals, Braves, and Yankees. The Hall inducted him in 1991.

Answer: Joe Medwick

Medwick was a St. Louis Cardinal outfielder for 11 of his 17 seasons from 1932-1948. In addition to the Triple Crown, he won the NL MVP also in 1937 over Gabby Hartnett of the Cubs. Joe also played for the Dodgers, Giants, and Braves. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1968, then died eight years later.

Answer: Pete Rose

Rose was nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for his style of play. He went to the World Series with the Reds in 1970, 1972, 1975, and 1976 while winning two with the 'Big Red Machine'. He went to two as a Phillie in 1980 and 1983 while winning the 1980 series with the help of third baseman Mike Schmidt who won the series MVP Award. Pete managed the Reds from 1984-1989 but could not help find them a pennant.

Answer: Chuck Tanner

Tanner had a talented roster in 1979 including Bill Madlock, Phil Garner, Dave Parker, Willie Stargell, and others. Stargell co-shared the season NL MVP with Cardinal Keith Hernandez. The Pirates put down the Orioles four games to three in the World Series. Chuck managed for 19 seasons between the White Sox, Athletics, Pirates, and Braves while retiring in 1988.

Answer: Tony Gwynn

Tony was a career Padre outfielder for 20 seasons wearing the familiar number 19. He won his first NL batting crown in 1984 and his final in 1997. He went to two World Series in 1984 and 1998 but lost both. Gwynn retired with a .338 career average in 2001, was inducted into the Hall in 2007, then died in 2014 at the age of 54.

Answer: Jimmy Dykes

Dykes was a player from 1918 to 1939. He was primarily a third baseman and went to three World Series as a player with the Philadelphia Athletics and won two of them. He tried his hand at managing the White Sox, Athletics, Orioles, Reds, Tigers, and Indians. He retired in 1961 and never saw a playoff game or pennant.