The Baseball Challenge Quiz! Trivia

William Eckert became Commissioner of Major League Baseball on November 17, 1965.

Mickey Welch is the correct answer because he is known for striking out the first 9 hitters he faced in a single game. Welch was a pitcher in the late 1800s and had a successful career in the major leagues. This achievement of striking out the first 9 hitters is a rare and impressive feat, showcasing Welch's skill and dominance on the mound.

The San Francisco Giants had the mascot "The Crab." This mascot was introduced in 1984 and was a popular feature at Giants games. The crab mascot represented the team's connection to the city of San Francisco, which is known for its seafood and crab fishing industry. The mascot was a fun and unique way to engage with fans and add to the team's identity.

Ty Cobb is the correct answer because, other than Reggie Jackson, he is the only Major Leaguer who had a candy bar named after him. Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Hack Wilson did not have candy bars named for them.

Dizzy Dean last pitched for the St. Louis Browns.

The "7th inning stretch" originated at Manhattan College.

"Duffy's Cliff" was a raised area in left field in Fenway Park, named after outfielder Duffy Lewis. It was created to compensate for the deep left field and allowed outfielders to play closer to the wall.

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Frank Hahn was a professional pitcher who was nicknamed "Noodles".

Frank Hahn is the correct answer because he was the first pitcher to win 20 games with a last place team. This achievement is impressive because it is difficult for a pitcher to have a high win total when their team is not performing well overall. Hahn's accomplishment showcases his individual skill and success despite playing on a team that was not competitive.

Don Larsen is the correct answer because he had a record of 3-21 in 1954. This means that he won only 3 games and lost 21 games during that season.

Eddie Plank, a Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, won his 300th win as a member of the St. Louis Terriers team.

Ron Santo was the first Major Leaguer to veto a trade with the "10 and 5 Rule." The "10 and 5 Rule" refers to a rule in Major League Baseball that grants players who have played in the league for at least 10 years and have spent the last 5 years with the same team the right to veto any trade involving them. Santo, who played for the Chicago Cubs for 14 seasons, exercised this right and refused to be traded to another team.

Frank Shea was known as the "Naugatuck Nugget" in baseball. This nickname refers to his hometown of Naugatuck, Connecticut, and his skill as a pitcher. Shea had a successful career in the Major Leagues, playing for teams like the New York Yankees and Washington Senators. He was known for his fastball and was particularly effective in his rookie season, helping the Yankees win the World Series in 1947. The nickname "Naugatuck Nugget" became synonymous with Shea's pitching prowess and his connection to his hometown.

Pete La Cock hit a grand slam off Bob Gibson's final career pitch.

Lynwood Rowe is the correct answer because he is the only pitcher in history to hit a grand slam in both the American and National Leagues. The other options, Jack Coombs, Ken Holtzman, and Milt Pappas, did not achieve this feat.

Steve Dunning was the last pitcher to hit a grand slam in the American League before the designated hitter was introduced. This means that he hit a home run with the bases loaded while also being the pitcher in the game. This is a rare feat for a pitcher, as their primary role is to pitch rather than hit. Dunning's achievement is notable because it occurred before the designated hitter rule was implemented, which allowed a player to bat in place of the pitcher.

Benny Kauff was called the "Ty Cobb of the Federal League" because he was known for his exceptional skills and aggressive playing style, similar to Ty Cobb. Kauff was a talented outfielder who played in the Federal League, a short-lived rival league to Major League Baseball in the early 20th century. He was known for his speed, base-stealing ability, and aggressive approach at the plate, much like Cobb. Kauff's playing style and performance earned him the comparison to Cobb, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in baseball history.

Don Larsen is the correct answer because he is the only pitcher in Major League Baseball history to throw a perfect game in the World Series, which he accomplished in 1956. In that same season, Larsen also hit a grand slam, making him the first pitcher to achieve this rare feat.

Martin Dihigo was nicknamed "El Maestro" because of his exceptional skills and versatility in multiple positions. Dihigo was a standout player in the Negro Leagues, known for his ability to pitch, hit, and play various positions with great success. His all-around talent and dominance on the field earned him the nickname "El Maestro," which translates to "The Master" in English. Dihigo's versatility and impact on the game made him one of the most respected and revered players in the history of the Negro Leagues.

Juan Samuel is the correct answer because he was the first player in the Major Leagues to achieve the feat of hitting over 10 doubles, 10 triples, 10 home runs, and stealing over 10 bases for four consecutive years. This demonstrates his exceptional all-around skills and consistency in multiple offensive categories.

Lave Cross is the correct answer because he is the first Major Leaguer to drive in more than 100 runs during a season without hitting a home run. This means that he was able to accumulate a significant number of RBIs solely through base hits, sacrifice flies, and other means of driving in runs without hitting the ball over the fence.

The Chicago Cubs were the first Major League franchise to have a million customers pass through their turnstiles in a season. This indicates that the Cubs had a large and dedicated fan base, making them a popular team to watch and support.

Sam Jones was the first African American to throw a no-hitter in the Majors. He achieved this feat on May 12, 1955, while playing for the Chicago Cubs. Jones pitched a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates, making him the first African American pitcher to accomplish this milestone in Major League Baseball history.

George Uhle is the correct answer because he holds the record for the most hits by a pitcher in a single baseball season, excluding Babe Ruth. While all the other options were successful pitchers, George Uhle had the highest number of hits in a single season, making him the pitcher with the most hits, aside from Babe Ruth.

Harriet Bird is the correct answer because in the baseball movie "The Natural," she is shown shooting Roy Hobbs.

Sandy Koufax hit his 2 career home runs against Warren Spahn and Denny Lemaster.

Johnny Evers was nicknamed "The Crab" due to his aggressive and scrappy playing style. He was known for his ability to "scuttle" around the bases and his tenacious fielding skills. Evers was a key player for the Chicago Cubs during the early 1900s and was a vital part of their double play combination with shortstop Joe Tinker and first baseman Frank Chance. His nickname reflects his determination and relentless approach to the game.

George Gore went by the nickname "Piano Legs" because he was known for his incredible speed and agility on the baseball field. His ability to run quickly and smoothly earned him the nickname, as it was said that he moved as gracefully as a piano player's fingers on the keys. Gore was a talented outfielder who played in the late 19th century and was known for his exceptional base stealing skills.

Lon Warneke was called "The Arkansas Hummingbird" because of his exceptional speed and agility on the baseball field. He was known for his ability to quickly dart around the bases and make swift defensive plays. Warneke, a pitcher, played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs during the 1930s and 1940s. His nickname, "The Arkansas Hummingbird," reflects his quick and agile playing style, making him a standout player in his era.