World Series Firsts And Lasts Quiz | World Series

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which team was the first to appear in a Series for a second time?

Answer: Chicago Cubs, in 1907

The first 3 Series, in 1903, 1905, and 1906, featured 3 different teams winning in each league. In 1907, however, the Cubs repeated as NL champs, and then won their first World Championship by defeating the Tigers in the Series.

2. Which team was the first to lose a Series without winning a single game?

Answer: Detroit Tigers, in 1907

The Tigers lost the 1907 Series to the Cubs without winning a game. The first game ended in a 3-3 tie, called after 12 innings because of darkness.

3. Who is the first pitcher to win three games in a best-of-seven Series?

Answer: Christy Mathewson, in 1905

Amazingly, all three of Mathewson's wins were shutouts.

4. How many times has the Series been played with a best-of-nine format, rather than a best-of-seven as it is today?

Answer: 4

The first one in 1903 was a best-of-nine, as were the three from 1919 to 1921.

5. Which team was the first to appear in four straight World Series?

Answer: New York Giants, 1921-1924

John McGraw's Giants were one of the dominant teams in the early years.

6. Which Series was the first to be played in one city?

Answer: 1906, in Chicago

In the 1906 Series the Chicago Cubs, winners of a record 116 games during the regular season, played the Chicago White Sox, known as the 'hitless wonders' because they finished last in the American League in hitting. But amazingly, the Sox prevailed 4 games to 2 over the Cubs.

The Cubs 116 wins that year is still the Major League {record;} the Yankees made a run at it recently but fell 2 games short.

7. Which Series was the first in which all games were played in the same ballpark?

Answer: 1921, Yankees-Giants

Both the Yankees and the Giants called the Polo Grounds home during the 1921 season. The same held true for the following year. In 1923 Yankee Stadium opened, and the Yankees have played ever since in the so-called 'house that Ruth built'. The 1944 Series was also played in only one ballpark--Sportsman's Park in St. Louis.

8. In what year did the Philadelphia Phillies win their first World Championship?

Answer: 1980

Although the Phillies appeared in the World Series in the other years listed, their first (and only) victory did not come until they bested the Royals 4 games to 2 in 1980. Although it was strenuously denied at the time, Royals' players now admit that the knockdown pitch Dickie Noles threw to George Brett in game 5 was the turning point, effectively taking the wind out of the Royals' sails.

The Phillies, by the way, can lay claim to being one of baseball's most inept franchises, being the only team to ever lose 100 games five seasons in a row, which they did 1938-1942. No wonder their fans are so notoriously cranky!

9. In what year did the Washington Senators win their only World Series of the 20th century?

Answer: 1924

Although the Senators played in the Series in the other years listed, 1924 was their only win. In one of the most memorable game 7's ever, the Senators were able to come from behind and beat the Giants in extra innings, thanks to a series of Giants mishaps that included two ground balls bouncing over the head of third baseman Freddie Lindstrom, shortstop Travis Jackson bobbling what should have been an inning-ending grounder, and catcher Hank Gowdy missing Muddy Ruel's foul pop when he caught his foot in his mask.

10. In what year did the Chicago White Sox win their last World Series in the 20th century?

Answer: 1917

Although not granted the same 'lovable loser' status in baseball lore as the Cubs and Red Sox, the White Sox history of futility is equally noteworthy. They won only in 1906 and 1917, and then came the 1919 'Black Sox' scandal, so memorably depicted in the book and move 'Eight Men Out'. Since then, only the 1959 team has even made it to the World Series.

11. When was the last time in the 20th century the Cincinnati Reds won a Series?

Answer: 1990

The 1990 sweep over the Oakland Atheltics was one of the most startling upsets in Series history. The A's were being proclaimed as baseball's next dynasty, but Lou Piniella's Reds dominated in the Series, led by Jose Rijo's 2 wins and 0.59 ERA, and Billy Hatcher's .750 hitting.

12. Which was the last Series won by the Boston Red Sox in the 20th century?

Answer: 1918

The Sox beat the Cubs 4 games to 2 in 1918. The next year they sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees, and the 'curse of the Bambino' has been haunting them ever since.

13. When did the Cleveland Indians last win a Series in the 20th century?

Answer: 1948

The 1920 and 1948 Indians remain the only World Champions for this franchise. The 1954 Indians set an AL record with 111 wins, but were swept by the Giants, highlighted by the famous catch Willie Mays made of the 425-foot Vic Wertz fly. The Indians finally got back to the Series in 1997, and were within one inning of defeating the Marlins in game {7;} but alas, the Marlins tied it in the 9th and then won it in extra innings.

14. In which Series were two brothers the winning pitchers in all 4 games won by the Series winner?

Answer: 1934 Cardinals

After winning 7 games in 10 days to give the Cardinals the pennant on the last day of the regular season, brothers Dizzy and Paul Dean continued to dominate in the Series, winning 2 games each for the 'Gashouse Gang' Cardinals.

15. Which team won the World Series despite getting outscored 55 runs to 27?

Answer: 1960 Pirates

The scores of the 3 games won by the Yankees in 1960 were 16-3, 10-0, and 12-0. The Pirates won by 6-4, 3-2, 5-2, and then, in the climactic game 7, they won 10-9 on Bill Mazeroski's dramatic 9th-inning homer over the left field fence at Forbes Field. Mazeroski, by the way, was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame, a much-overdo honor in this writer's opinion.

He was perhaps the best defensive player ever.

Source: Author chessart

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

World Series Firsts And Lasts Trivia Quiz

Here is a look at World Series history, emphasizing the history of individual teams and cities.

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