1987 Sports Cube Baseball Trivia Quiz

Each year, The Crimson Sports Cube challenges its readers to a baseball trivia quiz. With the Red Sox in the midst of their first homestand of the '87 season, it is time once again for this annual rite of spring. Give yourself 6 points for each correct short answer and 4 points for each correct multiple choice. If you score...

94-100: Baseball is your life

84-92: You're an avid fan

74-82: You're fan of the game

64-72: You think you're a fan of the game

SHORT ANSWER

1. One of the most widespread phenomenons in baseball is that of "changing faces" throughout the league. Many recall how New York Mets' General Manager M. Donald Grant traded away the likes of Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, John Matlack, Rusty Staub, and Dave Kingman--all within a year. Then again, they remember how quickly the same Mets acquired such superstars as Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, Ron Darling and Sid Fernandez in just as little time. It has been only six years since the Montreal Expos appeared in the split-season playoffs with one of the most promising teams in the majors. And yet, only one starting player from that '81 playoff team remains. Who is he?

2. Most know that pitcher Al Dowling served up Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th homerun. But can you name the pitcher who surrendered the homer that tied Aaron with the immortal Babe at number 714?

3. Many believe that Boston third baseman Wade Boggs has the best chance among present major leaguers to become the first player since Ted Williams to reach the coveted .400 mark in batting. In fact, Boggs is currently the fourth-best hitter of all time with his career mark of .352 entering the 1987 campaign. The three hitters ahead of him just happen to be Ty Cobb (.367), Rogers Horns by (.358), and Joe Jackson (.356). Obviously, there are many American League pitchers Boggs loves to hit against, but if the Chicken Man were to face this one veteran hurler everyday, he would have a good chance of hitting close to .500. Name him.

4. Billy Martin's Oakland A's of 1980 were one of the most exciting teams in major league baseball. "Billyball," as it was known, captivated fans with its style of play. The A's depended on speed, Billy's smarts and strong starting pitching. Yet, Martin was often criticized for the mishandling of his pitching staff. Name Oakland's four ironman starters who led this promising staff but were never the same again.

5. The history of the Fall classic in the 1980s has not been one of repetition. No team that his appeared in the World Series has been able to repeat next year--a clear case of "from champs to chumps." Yet, three teams have played in at least two World Series in the '80s. Name these three teams.

6. Wally Joyner sprang onto the American League scene last year, posting several outstanding rookie numbers by the All-Star break. Between banging out singles and covering the bag on defense, Joyner spent a good deal of his 1986 seasons on first base. For the batter, a hit represents only one of eight ways to reach first. Name the other seven.

7. During Pete Rose's magical summer of 1978, when he tied Wee Willie Keeler's National League mark of hitting safely in 44 consecutive game, the Cincinnati legend failed to collect a hit against the Braves in game 45. How did Rose make his final out and which pitcher denied him a place in the record book on that final plate appearance?

8. Don Mattingly's many offensive accomplishments in his first four years have led several to compare him to such legends as Stan Musial, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig. Mattingly has already snagged an MVP award, a batting title and an RBI title--something no player has done in his first three full seasons. In 1986, Mattingly led the American League in hits, doubles and slugging percentage. Perhaps even more amazing is that Mattingly struck out only 35 times in 677 at bats. Yet, the Yankees first baseman was not first in this category. In fact, he finished third behind two Red Sox. Name them.

9. Middle-inning relief is often considered pivotal in setting up the ace of the bullpen. Whenever the starting pitcher gets past the seventh inning, the manager considers it an extra advantage, as the middle relievers get some needed rest, Last year, one hurler pitched at least seven innings in 30 games, leading the majors, Name him.

10. Montreal's Tim Raines has joined Rich Gedman and Ron Guidry as one of many unsigned free agents in 1987. Last year, he led the National League in batting with a mark of .334. If Raines had sat out the 1986 campaign and not this year, who would have captured the NL batting crown?

II. MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. The Atlanta Braves have followed the lead of several other Major League clubs this season and returned to their uniform style of old. For the first time in many years, the Braves sport a tomahawk on the front of their jerseys. Where did the Braves play the last year they boasted that symbol?

A. Boston

B. Milwaukee

C. Atlanta

D. St. Louis

2. Baseball sluggers have always had memorable nicknames. From the Bambino to Kong, fans shave always appreciated the powerful skills of these free swinging players. Home Run Baker of the Philadelphia A's was the first player to have the round-tripper accredited to his name. What was the greatest number of homers the Philly slugger ever banged out in a single season?

A. 25

B. 49

C. 12

D. 32

3. Yankee shortstop great Phil Rizzuto once again failed to garner the necessary votes to gain entrance into baseball's Hall of Fame the last time around. While Rizzuto waited, 1986 produced one of the finest crops of shortstops in many years. In fact, one shortstop collected more hits (213) last season than any other player at that position in the 20th century. Name him

A. Cal Ripken Jr.

B. Shawon Dunston

C. Julio Franco

D. Tony Fernandez

4. 1986 was Roger Clemens' year. The Boston righthander from Texas probably had one of the greatest single seasons for a pitcher in the history of baseball. It's no surprise that he grabbed both the Cy Young and MVP awards. He was probably the biggest reason why the Bosox won their first American League championship since 1975. Yet, although Clemens dominated the 1986 seasons, he did not lead all major pitching categories amongst starters in the American League. In which category did Clemens not place first?

A. Wins

B. ERA

C. Strikeouts

D. Fewest hits per game

5. The 1986 Baltimore Orioles would like to forget last year. Despite the return of skipper Earl Weaver, the O's finished dead last in the American League East with a 73-89 mark. Yes, both the Brewers and Indians finished ahead of Earl's once-proud Birds. Name the last season Baltimore sported a losing record.

A. 1967

B. 1963

C. 1974

D. 1972

6. Daryl Strawberry of the Mets is considered to be one of the bright young sluggers in the National League. Many remember his monstrous homer two years ago in St. Louis off of John Tudor in extra innings to keep the Mets in the Pennant race. Or his homer in Game Seven of the 1986 World Series? Last year, Strawberry had 27 regular-season round-trippers and finished third in homerun ratio (he had 5.68 homeruns for every 100 at bats). The Phillips's Mike Schmidt finished, but can you name the other slugger who topped Strawberry's mark?

A. Glenn Davis

B. Kevin McReynolds

C. Eric Davis

D. Kevin Bass

7. Last season saw a trend in the National League of everyday players relieving in lopsided games. Managers not wanting to waste pitchers frequently allowed roster players to throw the seams for an inning or two. Out of the following four players, all of whom saw action on the mound last season, name the one who pitched in the most game.

A. Sal Butera

B. Vance Law

C. Greg Gross

D. Craig Reynolds

8. Spike Owen and Dave Henderson will remember 1986 for a long time. After playing in the lonely confines of the Seattle Kingdome for the lowly Mariners, Owen and Henderson didn't complain when they were traded to the Red Sox. But a large number of major leaguers have spent their entire careers watching the Fall Classic in their living rooms. Who leads al active players for most regular-season contests played without ever participating in the World Series?

A. Dave Kingman

B. Jose Cruz

C. Buddy Bell

D. Brian Downing

9. Last week, Phil Niekro and Steve Carlton established a new major league record when they became the first tandem of 300-game winners to pitch in the same game for the same team. They also join Don Sutton, Tommy John and Phil's brother Joe as pitchers with ages over 40. Name the oldest pitcher to have ever pitched in a major league game.

A. Warren Spahn

B. Hoyt Wilhem

C. Cy Young

D. Satchell Paige

10. Many cite the 1985 Kansas City Royals as an example that the best team doesn't always win. The Royals took a .562 winning percentage into the World Series against the Cardinal's mighty .616, but Kansas City prevailed in seven games. Name the World Series team brought the worst-ever regular-season winning percentage into the Fall classic.

A. The 1973 New York Mets

B. The 1969 Baltimore Orioles

C. The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

D. The 1975 Boston Red Sox

STUMPER

The 1986 World Series between the Mets and Red Sox will long be remembered as one of the most dramatic in Fall Classic history. Undoubtedly the most memorable play was Mookie Wilson's ground ball that eluded Bill Buckner's glove in the 10th inning of Game Six, enabling the Mets to tie the Series and force a seventh game. What many may not remember, however, is how Wilson managed to stay alive at the plate again and again against Boston's Bob Stanley. For 3 bonus points, how many two-strike pitches did Wilson foul off before drilling the fateful grounder?

Answers:

I.

1. Tim Wallach.

2. Jack Billingham (Reds).

3. Phil Niekro (Boggs hit .478 against him last year)

4. Jim Langford, Mike Norris, Steve McCatty and Matt Keough.

5. Phillies (1980, 1983); Royals (1980, 1985); Cardinals (1982, 1985).

6. Sacrifice; fielder's choice; catcher's interference; hit by pitch; dropped third strike; walk; error.

7. Rose fouled off bunt attempt for called third strike; pitcher was Gene Garber.

8. Bill Buckner (25 strikeouts in 629 at-bats; Marty Barrett (31 strikeouts in 625 at-bats).

9. Mike Scott (Houston Astros).

10. Steve Sax (Los Angeles Dodgers), .332

II.

1. b

2. c

3. d

4. c; Mark Langston, 245 strikeouts (Clemens, 238 K's)

5. a

6. c

7. b; Vance Law pitched in three games

8. b; Cruz has played in 2196 games

9. d; 59 years, 2 months

10. a

III. 3