Big Baseball Quiz: Are You A Baseball Expert?

John Russell was hired as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates for the 2008 season. This was his first managerial role at the Major League level. Russell had previously managed in the minor leagues and served as a coach for the Pirates. He managed the team for three seasons, from 2008 to 2010.

George Sisler, a first baseman for the St. Louis Browns, had an incredible season in 1922, hitting .401. However, he lost the batting title to Rogers Hornsby of the St. Louis Cardinals, who also hit .401. In those days, the batting title was awarded to the player with the most hits, not necessarily the highest batting average. Hornsby had 250 hits to Sisler's 246, giving him the edge.

The Hall of Fame Game is an annual exhibition game played as part of the Hall of Fame induction weekend festivities. It is traditionally held at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York, the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

Carlos Pena had two stints with the Tampa Bay Rays. He first played for them from 2007 to 2010 and then returned for the 2012 season, wearing his familiar #23 jersey. Pena was known for his power hitting, particularly his home runs, during his time with the Rays.

Miguel Cabrera, then playing for the Detroit Tigers, had a monstrous offensive season in 2008, showcasing his incredible power. His .571 slugging percentage was second only to Alex Rodriguez in the American League. Slugging percentage measures a hitter's ability to hit for extra bases, and Cabrera excelled in this area, hitting 37 home runs and 40 doubles.

Carlos Beltran, a talented outfielder, achieved a significant milestone in 2008 when he hit his 300th career home run. He accomplished this feat while playing for the New York Mets. Beltran was a consistent power hitter throughout his career, known for his ability to hit for both average and power.

The Cleveland Indians' pitching staff put together an impressive streak in September 2008, shutting out three consecutive opponents. Shutouts are relatively rare in baseball, so achieving three in a row is a testament to the dominance of the Indians' pitching during that stretch.

This interview, which garnered some attention for its candid nature, took place in 2000, during Pat Burrell's early years with the Philadelphia Phillies. Burrell, a rising star at the time, revealed his admiration for Jennifer Lopez, who was a major pop culture icon at the turn of the millennium.

Scott Podsednick, a speedy outfielder for the Chicago White Sox, played a pivotal role in their 2005 ALCS victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was named the series MVP for his clutch hitting and game-changing plays. Most notably, he hit a walk-off home run in Game 2 to give the White Sox a 2-0 series lead. This was a surprising outcome, as Podsednick wasn't known for his power hitting. His performance throughout the series helped propel the White Sox to their first World Series title since 1917.

Ty Wigginton's MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2002 didn't go exactly as planned. He entered the game as a pinch hitter but unfortunately struck out in his first at-bat. Despite this initial setback, Wigginton went on to have a respectable major league career, playing for several teams over 10 seasons.

This might come as a surprise, but it was indeed the legendary Babe Ruth who first accomplished this unusual feat. In 1921, Ruth hit a then-remarkable 59 home runs for the New York Yankees. However, his teammate, Bob Meusel, outdid him by hitting 64 home runs that same year. This highlights just how potent the Yankees' offense was during that era.

Chone Figgins, known for his speed and base-running prowess, hit his first inside-the-park home run at Angel Stadium while playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This type of home run is quite rare, requiring a combination of hitting the ball into the right spot in the field and having exceptional speed to round the bases before the fielders can retrieve the ball.

While the exact number can fluctuate slightly depending on the source, the actual number of double plays turned in the 2006 MLB season was significantly lower than the options provided. It was around 5,613.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have the unique distinction of playing both their spring training games and regular season games in the same city, Phoenix, Arizona. Their home stadium, Chase Field, serves as the venue for both. This is convenient for the team and fans, as they don't have to relocate for spring training.

Ty Cobb, one of the greatest players in baseball history, transitioned to a player-manager role with the Detroit Tigers in 1921. He was signed to this position by Frank Navin, who was the owner of the Tigers at that time.

The Houston Astros had a difficult season in 2012, finishing with the worst record in Major League Baseball. They were in a rebuilding phase and struggled throughout the year, ultimately leading to a major roster overhaul in the following seasons.

This unusual situation occurred due to a baserunning mistake by Omar Vizquel. After hitting a home run, Vizquel, in his excitement, inadvertently passed teammate Emmanuel Burriss, who was ahead of him on the basepaths. In baseball, when a runner passes another runner, the runner who is passed is called out. As a result, Burriss was ruled out, and Vizquel was not credited with a run scored, even though he hit the home run.

The Colorado Rockies boasted two of the National League's top base stealers in 2008: Willy Taveras and Clint Barmes. Taveras, known for his exceptional speed, led the league with 68 stolen bases. Barmes, a shortstop, also contributed significantly on the basepaths, stealing 23 bases. The Rockies' aggressive baserunning was a key part of their offensive strategy.

Gary Sheffield, a powerful slugger known for his distinctive batting stance, reached a major milestone in 2008 when he hit his 500th career home run. He achieved this accomplishment while playing for the Detroit Tigers. Sheffield was one of the most feared hitters of his era, and joining the 500 home run club solidified his place among baseball's elite power hitters.

In the 2009 Hall of Fame voting, Jack Morris, a dominant pitcher known for his postseason heroics, received the most votes among the eligible candidates. However, he fell short of the 75% threshold required for induction, garnering 52% of the vote. Morris eventually was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 2018.

While Mark Loretta had a solid season in 2001 with the Houston Astros, his first All-Star selection actually came a few years later, in 2004, when he was playing second base for the San Diego Padres. That year, he showcased his versatility by playing both second base and third base, and he boasted a .335 batting average with 16 home runs. This earned him his first and only All-Star game appearance.

Matt Holliday was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both baseball and football. He was a highly sought-after quarterback prospect and initially committed to play college football at Oklahoma State University. However, he was also drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 MLB draft. Holliday ultimately decided to pursue a professional baseball career, a decision that proved wise as he went on to become a seven-time All-Star and a World Series champion.

The 2004 AL MVP race was a close one, with Vladimir Guerrero of the Anaheim Angels ultimately taking home the award. However, Gary Sheffield of the New York Yankees gave him a strong challenge, finishing as the runner-up. Sheffield had an exceptional season, hitting .330 with 36 home runs and 121 RBIs. Both players were offensive forces for their respective teams.

In a promising start to his major league career, Phil Hughes nearly threw a no-hitter for the New York Yankees in 2007. However, he had to leave the game after seven no-hit innings due to a hamstring injury. This unfortunately cut short what could have been a historic performance.

In 2006, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays secured the negotiating rights to Akinori Iwamura, a star infielder from Japan. Iwamura joined the Devil Rays in 2007 and played three seasons with the team. He was known for his solid defense and contact hitting.

The Washington Nationals had a stellar 2012 season, finishing with the best record in Major League Baseball at 98-64. This marked a significant turnaround for the franchise, which had struggled in previous years. Led by young stars like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper, the Nationals captured their first National League East division title and established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the National League.

In a game against the Seattle Mariners in July 2008, Texas Rangers pitcher Scott Feldman came out of the bullpen and delivered a remarkable relief performance. He pitched seven innings, throwing 103 pitches in the process. Long relief outings like this are uncommon, especially in modern baseball, where pitchers are often on stricter pitch counts.

In a rather unfortunate and memorable outing, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jake Woods faced only one batter in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on September 10, 2008. That one batter, Adam Jones, hit a home run off Woods's very first pitch. It was a tough break for Woods, but it became a quirky moment in baseball history.

Chris Coste, a backup catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, had an unforgettable game in 2008. After entering the game as a substitute, he went on to collect 5 hits, the most by any player in a single game that season after coming off the bench. It was a remarkable offensive outburst for a player who wasn't known for his hitting prowess.

Orlando Cabrera, a talented shortstop, achieved this impressive feat of endurance and durability not once, but twice during his time with the Montreal Expos. He played in all 162 games in both 2001 and 2003. Playing a full season without missing a game is a testament to a player's commitment, health, and value to their team. Cabrera was known for his reliable defense and consistent offensive contributions.