1.
Which player has not had his number retired by the A's?
Correct Answer
A. Jose Canseco
Explanation
Answer A. Jose Canseco has not had his number retired. Eckersley's No. 43 was retired in 2005, Fingers' No. 34 in 1993
2.
Which of these players who began their career in Oakland did NOT have more than one tour of duty with the A's?
Correct Answer
C. Mark McGwire
Explanation
Answer: C. Canseco and Reggie both had two tours of duty -- two fewer than Rickey Henderson..
3.
The A's of the early 1980s were known for playing "Billyball." For whom was it named?
Correct Answer
B. Billy Martin
Explanation
Answer: B. Martin was hired as manager after a 54-108 finish in 1979 and led the A's to the 1981 playoffs with an aggressive style of play that was dubbed "Billyball" by Oakland Tribune columnist Ralph Wiley.
4.
How many bases did Rickey Henderson steal in his record-breaking 1982 season?
Correct Answer
C. 130
Explanation
Answer: C. Henderson's 130 steals broke Lou Brock's 1974 record of 118. (In the modern era, only two other players -- Maury Wills and Vince Coleman-- have stolen 100 bases or more in a season.)
5.
The A's have been involved in six playoff series since 2000. How many have they won?
Correct Answer
A. 1
Explanation
Answer: 1. The A's beat the Twins in the ALDS in 2006 for their only series victory. They lost the ALDS in 2000 (Yankees), 2001 (Yankees), 2002 (Twins), and 2003 (Red Sox) and the ALCS in 2006 (Tigers).
6.
Right-hander Rick Langford started 33 games for the A's in 1980. How many did he complete?
Correct Answer
C. 28
Explanation
Answer: C. Langford had 28 complete games. He also pitched twice in relief and finished with 290 innings and 19 wins.
7.
What was the name of the mechanical rabbit that popped out of the ground at the Oakland Coliseum to deliver baseballs to the home plate umpire?
Correct Answer
B. Harvey
Explanation
Answer: B. Harvey was one of the many innovations of A's owner Charlie Finley, who also introduced the game to orange baseballs, Hot Pants Day and Farmers Day, where one highlight was the opportunity for selected fans to catch greased pigs in the outfield. .
8.
At which position did Mark McGwire begin his major league career?
Correct Answer
B. Third base
Explanation
Answer: B. McGwire began his career at third base because the A's had another young phenom at first base named Rob Nelson.
9.
Which former A's slugger chose to wear the name of his high school on the back of his jersey for part of one season?
Correct Answer
B. Dick Allen
Explanation
B. The controversial Allen, who graduated from Wampum High in Pennsylvania in 1960, chose to wear uniform No. 60 with "Wampum" on his back while with the A's in 1977.
10.
Which A's player was "fired" by the team in the middle of a World Series?
Correct Answer
B. Mike Andrews
Explanation
B. Second baseman Mike Andrews committed two errors in a Game 2 loss at the 1973 World Series. Owner Charlie Finley was so angered that he forced Andrews to sign a document saying he was injured, which would have removed him from the roster. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn vetoed the transaction.
11.
Who has worn the highest uniform number in A's history?
Correct Answer
A. Willie Crawford
Explanation
A. Willie Crawford, an outfielder who played 10 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, wore No. 99 for the A's in 1977.
12.
Who was the first hitting coach in Oakland A's history?
Correct Answer
A. Joe DiMaggio
Explanation
A. Joe DiMaggio was hired as hitting coach in 1968, another Finley ploy to generate fan interest. He spent three seasons on the job and is credited with helping, among others, Sal Bando, Reggie Jackson, and Joe Rudi.
13.
Who is the Oakland A's all-time leading hitter?
Correct Answer
C. Jason Giambi
Explanation
C. Giambi is the only player in Oakland history with a .300 batting average as a member of the A's - he hit .300 in 1,036 career games.
14.
Which pitcher has the most career home runs in Athletics franchise history?
Correct Answer
A. Blue Moon Odom
Explanation
A. John "Blue Moon" Odom hit 12 home runs in his A's career, one more than Philadelphia A's Hall of Famer Lefty Grove.
15.
Who led the A's in RBI during their 1989 World Series sweep of the Giants?
Correct Answer
C. Terry Steinbach
Explanation
C. Steinbach had seven RBI, iincluding three in the 9-6, title-clinching Game 4 win on Oct. 28, 1989.