Horsehide Trivia

Monday, January 3, 2011

Answers for the week of December 20, 2010

MONDAY

Q. Which Padre is the only 40-year old to capture a Cy Young Award?

Hint: It wasn’t his first time winning the award, but it WAS the first time he won it in the NL.

Twint: His brother won the award 18 years earlier and 15 years younger.

A. Gaylord Perry (CYA 1978; won previously in 1972; Jim Perry AL CYA 1970)

First Correct Respondent – John Rickert, Terre Haute, IN

TUESDAY

Q. Which left-handed pitcher won 20 or more games 13 times during his career?

Hint: He holds the record for starting the most double plays in a career.

Hint: After playing 20 seasons for one club, he split his last season between the Mets and Giants.

Twint: He was the last player active before WWII to play in the majors.

A. Warren Spahn (82 DP; Career years 1942, 1946-65)

FCR - Chris Strohmier, Brookville, IN

TWOS-DAY

Q. Who is the only pitcher to lead his league in ERA more times than did Roger Clemens?

Hint: He was the first pitcher to win the Most Valuable Player award while playing for the A's.

Hint: Two of his teammates finished in the top 10 in the MVP voting that year.

Twint: His major league team purchased him from the minors for a then record amount.

A. Lefty Grove ( ERA lead 9X, Clemens, 6X; MVP 1931, Al Simmons [3^rd], Mickey Cochrane [9^th]; $100,600 paid by the A’s to the Baltimore Orioles)

FCR - Dan Wilcox, Wilsonville, OR

WEDNESDAY

Q. What Hall of Famer’s first win and final win were for the same team although he won games for four other teams in the interim?

Hint: He finished in the top five finalists in Cy Young Award voting five consecutive seasons, but never finish higher than third.

Hint: He lost his first 13 careers decisions against the Chicago Cubs.

Twint: He compiled the most career at-bats in the National League without ever hitting a home run there.

A. Don Sutton (L.A. Dodgers; CYA votes 1972-76; Cubs losses 23-Apr-1966-24-Jul-1969)

FCR - David Krassin, New York, NY

MID-WEEK BONUS

Q. Which Hall of Famer's .755 career slugging percent is the highest in World Series history?

Hint: He chose his college partly to avoid potential racial repercussions.

Hint: He is the only Hall of Famer to play in two perfect games.

Twint: Doctors told him he might never walk again after fracturing five of his cervical vertebrae in his final high school football game.

A. Reggie Jackson (Chose ASU)

FCR - Bill Carle, Lee's Summit, MO

THURSDAY

Q. What pitcher was sent to play for the Alaska Goldpanners to help Rod Dedeaux determine if he was worthy of a scholarship?

Hint: Rick Monday was the only player to hit 10 or more career HR against him.

Twint: A true artist on the mound, he authored the book The Art of Pitching.

A. Tom Seaver (1964 Goldpanner; 11 HR to Monday)

FCR - Dan Wilcox, Wilsonville, OR

FRIDAY

Q. What Hall of Fame pitcher was shuffled between the starting rotation and bullpen until his minor league skipper replaced Solly Hemus as manager?

Hint: He was lured out of retirement to become a pitching coach (on two teams) for a former teammate.

Twint: His performance in 1968 is often cited as one of the primary reasons the pitching mound was lowered.

A. Bob Gibson (Mets & Braves pitching coach under Joe Torre)

FCR - David Serota, Kalamazoo, MI

FRIDAY FREEBIE

Q. Which Hall of Famer routinely shook off pitches that he knew had been called by manager Gene Mauch?

Hint: He managed 4 different minor league teams between 1972-76, never finishing higher than third.

Twint: He served for a time as the minority leader in the KY State Senate.

A. Jim Bunning (1972 Reading Phillies [[5^th/4^th], 1973 Eugene Emeralds [7^th], 1974-75 Toledo Mud Hens [5^th, 7^th], 1976 Oklahoma City 89ers [3^rd]; minority leader as freshman state senator, 1977)

FCR - Andrew Milner, Bryn Mawr, PA

WEEKEND (I)

Q. Which player’s house was purchased by astronaut Buzz Aldrin?

Hint: He is the only Hall of Famer to die in Quebec.

Twint: He played with Roy Hobbs.

Twint: Unless Chipper Jones retires this winter, he will retain the record for longest career played exclusively for one manager.

A. Don Drysdale (Was a Van Nuys High School baseball teammate of Robert Redford; 14-year career under Walter Alston)

FCR - Andrew Milner, Bryn Mawr, PA

WEEKEND (II)

Q. For which player is the MWL South Bend Silver Hawks’ stadium named?

Hint: He learned to throw a spitball while pitching for the Portland Beavers in 1915.

Hint: He and his brother agreed never to pitch against each other, a promise they kept throughout their careers.

Twint: He and catcher Steve O’Neill knew each other so well that they did not use signs.

A. Stan Coveleski

FCR - Robert Yahr, Elmhurst, IL

WEEKENDER

Q. Which minor leaguer took Christy Mathewson’s place on the Giants-White Sox world tour after the 1913 season?

Hint: Minneapolis teammate Harry Peaster taught him how to throw a spitball.

Hint: His family immigrated from Luxembourg.

Twint: He was on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster in 1910, but didn’t make his Major League debut until 1914.

A. Red Faber (teammates w-Peaster 1911 Minneapolis Millers)

FCR - Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara, CA

WEEKLY THEME – Hall of Famers who struck out in 25% or more of their career at-bats (minimum 1,000)

Bunning 28.4

Coveleski 28.7

Drysdale 31.7

Faber 37.7

Feller 39.4

Gibson 31.3

Grove 43.3

Jackson 26.3

Perry 34.3

Seaver 36.9

Spahn 26.0

Sutton 30.0

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No one

Answers for the Week of December 13, 2010

MONDAY

Q. Who is the only player to hit 50 home runs in a season while striking out fewer than 50 times?

Hint: He was an All-Star for one league, then played for a team from the other league in that season's World Series.

Hint: He is the only player to hit three home runs in a game twice in a season twice during his career.

Twint: He has hit three home runs in a game for three different teams.

Twint: He was a cousin of Babe Ruth's second wife.

A. Johnny Mize (51 HR, 42 K 1947; 1949; 3XHRX2: 1938, 1940)

First Correct Respondent -

TUESDAY

Q. Which Hall of Famer led the National League in stolen bases in 1945, just after being discharged from the US Army?

Hint: It was his first season in the majors.

Hint: He never led again in his 19-year major league career and finish with fewer than 100.

Twint: He suffered through a broken finger, pleurisy and bruised ribs in 1958 before sitting out the 1959 season with tuberculosis.

Twint: His name means "beautiful servant" in German.

A. Red Schoendienst (26 SB 1945; 89)

FCR -

WEDNESDAY

Q. Who is the only manager to lead the Kansas City Royals to 100 wins in a season?

Hint: He said, "Baseball has been good to me since I quit trying to play it."

Twint: He was hit by a batted ball on the day the leagues sent out a directive to umpires warning them to watch for intentional interference by runners?

A. Whitey Herzog (102-60 in 1977; 25-Apr-1977)

FCR -

THURSDAY

Q. Whose place did Cliff Mapes take in the outfield?

Hint: One season he led his league in home runs while striking out fewer times than he had home runs.

Twint: He once broke a Hall of Famer’s jaw with a line drive.

A. Joe DiMaggio (Was benched 11-Aug-1950; 1948 39 HR 30 K; George Kell 29-Aug-1948. Kell crawled over to complete a force-out at third, but missed the rest of the season.)

FCR -

FRIDAY

Q. Whose .388 batting average is the highest in a season ever recorded by a shortstop?

Hint: He led his league in errors committed a record five times.

Twint: He hit a home in an old-timers game against Warren Spahn at age 75, despite hitting only 45 home runs in a 20year major league career.

A. Luke Appling (.388 in 1936)

FCR -

IN MEMORIAM

Q. Who had the most total bases in a season as a teenager?

Hint: He was the first player to reach base five times in an All-Star game.

Hint: He hit for the cycle in his first game as a pro.

Hint: He was the first manager to be fired during Spring Training when he gave the team owner his frank opinion about the team’s chances. (It turned out he was right.)

Twint: He broke his ankle sliding against the Giants in May of 1939 and again in June of 1940.

Twint: He was the last pre-expansion Cub to win a batting title.

A. Phil Cavarretta (238 TB in 1935. He turned 19 in July of that season. 1944 ASG 3b+1b+3BB; Cycle playing for the Peoria Tractors in 1934; Fired as Cubs’ mgr 29-Mar-1954. The Cubs finished 64-90, in 7^th place. Hit .355 in 1945, the last time the Cubs went to the WS.) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1219-cavarretta-cubs-chicago--20101218,0,901069.story

FCR - Scott Schleifer, Suffern, NY

IN MEMORIAM II

Q. Who was the first player to win the Rookie of the Year Award while playing for the Red Sox?

Hint: He had over 140 RBI that season, playing fewer than 140 games.

Hint: He was once traded for a Hall of Famer (other players were involved).

Twint: Shortly after being traded to Detroit in 1952, he tied a major league record that still stands when he got hits in 12 consecutive trips to the plate.

A. Walt Dropo (ROY 1950, easily outdistancing White Ford for the honor; 144 RBI, 136 G; George Kell) http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Former-Red-Sox-first-baseman-Walt-Dropo-dies-at-87-121810

FCR - Rod Nelson, Detroit

WEEKENDER

Q. Who was the first catcher to hit 30 home runs in a season?

Hint: He is the only National League catcher to hit a triple in the All-Star game.

Twint: He hit the famous Homer in the Gloamin’.

A. Gabby Hartnett (37 HR 1930; ASG 3b 07-Jul-1936)

FCR - Elmer Cowley, Berkeley, CA

WEEKLY THEME – Hall of Famers who coached the A’s when they were owned by Charlie Finley

DiMaggio 1968-69

Appling 1964-66

Hartnett 1965

Mize 1961

Herzog 1965

Schoendienst 1977-78

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – No One

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Answers for the Week of December 6, 2010

MONDAY

Q. Who was the first player to win a Most Valuable Player Award playing for a last place team?

Hint: It was his 12^th major league season, but his first with that team.

Twint: The team probably would have finished last without him.

A. Andre Dawson (MVP 1987 Cubs)

First Correct Respondent - Paul Vastola, Fanwood, NJ

TUESDAY

Q. What 300-game winner claims he learned his most famous pitch from journeyman pitcher Bob Shaw?

Hint: He won a Cy Young Award in the first full season he played for a certain team.

Twint: He was rebuffed by the makers of Vaseline about endorsing their product with a one-line postcard reading, "We soothe babies' backsides, not baseballs."

A. Gaylord Perry (The spitball; CYA 1978 Padres)

FCR - David Krassin, New York

WEDNESDAY

Q. Who, apart Murry Dickson, is the only National League pitcher to lead his league in losses for four consecutive seasons?

Hint: In one of those years, he also led in wins.

Hint: In three of those years, he led his league in innings pitched and hits surrendered.

Twint: His boyhood friend from Ohio is in the basketball Hall of Fame in Massachusetts.

A. Phil Niekro (Stats; John Havlicek)

FCR - John Rickert, Terre Haute

MIDWEEK BONUS

Q. Which Hall of Famer retired to manage a Louisiana rice plantation with his sister?

Hint: He holds the records for most career games pitched without ever striking 100 in a season.

Hint: His highest strikeout season was only 74, but he totaled over 1,000 for his career.

Twint: He appeared in relief in the first major league game he ever attended.

A. Ted Lyons (Sister Pearl "Polly" Lyons; debut 02-Jul-1923)

FCR - Fred Worth, Arkadelphia, AR

THURSDAY

Q. Who is the only non-NY Yankee to collect 140 runs-batted-in in three consecutive seasons?

Hint: He was the last player to collect eight RBI in a game in the 20^th century.

Twint: He is the only American League player to come within 10 home runs of matching his team's win total.

A. Ken Griffey, Jr. (140+ RBI 1996-98; 8 RBI game 08-Jul-2000; 40 HR for 49-63 Seattle in 1994)

FCR - David Krassin, New York

FRIDAY

Q. Who has the most career games started in the American League among left-handed pitchers?

Hint: He was the starting pitcher in the first games ever played in Kingdome and in the first games ever played in the new Comiskey Park.

Hint: He threw shut-out victories in both games.

Hint: He and Rick Reuschel surrendered home runs to Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.

Twint: Chris Berman regularly appended “daiquiri” to his name, as spoken on the air.

Twint: Although born a Catholic, he converted to Protestantism after the death of Lyman Bostock.

A. Frank Tanana (587 AL starts; Kingdome opener 06-Apr-1977, Comiskey opener 18‑Apr‑1991)

FCR - Fred Brillhart, Mechanicsburg, PA

SATURDAY

Q. Which flashy Dominican led American League shortstops in errors in consecutive seasons?

Hint: He collected 4,229 career hits as a professional. Only Pete Rose and Ty Cobb had more.

Hint: His two-out bad-hop grounder in the 9^th inning on 24-Sep-1988 deprived Dave Stieb of a no-hitter.

Twint: He managed the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2009.

A. Julio Franco (36 E 1984, 35 E 1985; Played for Chiba during 1995 strike; 2586 MLB hits, 618 minor league, 316 MX Lg, 286 Japanese Lg [NPB], 267 Dominican Winter Lg, 156 Korean BB Org)

FCR - Phil Oppenheim, Sacto

WEEKEND BONUS

Q. Whose record for consecutive saves converted did Eric Gagne break in 2003?

Hint: He pitched in 480 games after being told by the Red Sox there was an 80-85% chance he would never pitch again.

Hint: One season, he was Baseball America’s Minor League Player of the Year playing for three teams at three levels.

Twint: His son Dee is currently a shortstop in the Dodgers’ organization.

A. Tommy Gordon (1988 Class A Appleton Foxes, AA Memphis Chicks & AAA Omaha Royals; 54 SV streak 1998-99)

FCR - Dan McCourt, Port Chester, NY

SUNDAY

Q. Who was the last Yankee pitcher to hit a home run?

Hint: In his 16^th season as a major leaguer, he tied the Yankees’ record for saves in a season.

Hint: He scribed a newsletter for his church entitled "Pitching for the Master".

Twint: When he retired he trailed only Hoyt Wilhelm for most career pitching appearances.

A. Lindy McDaniel (HR 28-Sep-1972 off Mickey Lolich, 29 SV 1970, tying Luis Arroyo's 1961 total; 987 G)

FCR - Roger Erickson, Kansas City

WEEKLY THEME – Major leaguers logging more than 20 major league seasons without appearing in a World Series

Dawson 21

Franco 23

Griffey 22

Gordon 21

Lyons 21

McDaniel 21

Niekro 24

Perry 22

Tanana 21

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Jeff Miller, Brookeville, MD

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Answers for the Week of November 29, 2010

MONDAY

Q. Who is the youngest player ever to appear in an All-Star game?

Hint: He struck out the first three batters he faced in his two innings of work, but surrendered hits to two future Hall of Famers in the next frame.

Twint: His nephew was a nine-time All-Star.

A. Dwight Gooden (ASG 10-Jul-1984; Tony Gwynn, Eddie Murray; Gary Sheffield)

First Correct Respondent – Dan Silverberg, Aventura, FL

MONDAY MONDAY

Q. Who has hit more home runs than any second baseman in history?

Hint: He had 90 runs-batted-in in each of nine consecutive seasons.

Twint: Some of his teammates have already been elected to the Hall of Fame. Many more are sure to follow.

A. Jeff Kent (351 HR; 1997-2005; Dave Winfield, Eddie Murray)

FCR - Lost due to the machinations of gmail, but YOU know who you are.

IN MEMORIAM

Q. Who was the first New York Yankee to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award?

Hint: He was the first rookie to hit a grand slam in a World Series game.

Hint: In his rookie season, he tied a major league record with six runs runs-batted-in in one inning.

Hint: He was the first American League player to win the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.

Hint: He guest starred on the TV’s Phil Silvers Show and made an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Twint: He was born in San Francisco, home town of his teammate Joe DiMaggio.

Twint: In the 1958 contest at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, he drove home the game-winning run with a sixth-inning single in a 4-3 American League win.

A. Gil McDougald (ROY 1951; WS GS Game 5 1951 3^rd inning off Larry Jansen, scoring Hall of Famers Berra, DiMaggio and Mize ahead of him; Gehrig Award 1958; Phil Silvers Show 01-Oct-1957; Sullivan Show, then known as “The Toast of the Town” 14-Oct-1951; 1958 ASG) He passed away on Sunday at age 82. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/sports/baseball/30mcdougald.html

FCR - Paul Hirsch, Danville, CA

TUESDAY

Q. Who hit the first home run against the Washington Nationals?

Hint: He and Red Rolfe are the only 20th Century players to score a run in 18 consecutive games.

Twint: He was the last American League player to collect 75 stolen bases in a season.

A. Kenny Lofton (HR 5^th inning off Livan Hernandez 04-Apr-2005; R streak 15‑Aug thru 03‑Sep‑2000; 75 SB 1996)

FCR - Ira Kotel, Short Hills, NJ

TUESDAY BONUS

Q. Who was the first relief pitcher to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award?

Hint: He led his high school to four consecutive Nebraska state championships.

Hint: His wicked curve was called “Uncle Charlie”.

Hint: His only career hit was a home run, which came in his last career at-bat.

Twint: Drop a G and he becomes a catcher.

A. Gregg Olson (1989 ROY; Northwest HS in Omaha, NE; HR 7^th inning 20-Apr-1998, had 1 PA [BB] on 08-Sep-1999; Greg Olson was ML C for 5 seasons)

FCR - David Krassin, New York

WEDNESDAY

Q. Who replaced Sparky Anderson as the manager of the Tigers?

Hint: He was the second generation of a three-generation major league family.

Hint: Rico Carty, Frank Robinson and Leo Cardenas played with both him and his father.

Hint: Barry Larkin and Norm Charlton played with both him and his son Mike.

Twint: He also replaced Jim Leyland as Rockies manager.

A. Buddy Bell (replaced Anderson in 1996; son of Gus, father of David and Mike; replaced Leyland in 2005)

FCR - David de la Fuente, San Francisco

MIDWEEK BONUS

Q. Who is the only Kansas City Royals manager to win a Manager of the Year Award?

Hint: He was the Most Valuable Player of the 1986 Major League All-Stars exhibition series in Japan.

Hint: He often sat down on the job.

Twint: He, Joe Girardi and Don Mattingly were the final candidates to replace Joe Torre.

A. Tony Pena (MOY 2003; known for his seated catching stance)

FCR - Kevin Johnson, Broken Arrow, OK

THURSDAY

Q. Who broke his franchise’s 39-year-old season home run record by OVER 25%?

Hint: He fell 14 shy of breaking the franchise’s season RBI record, held by the same player.

Twint: It was only recently discovered that his RBI total that year led the league.

Twint: He makes no pretentions of being Jewish.

A. Jim Gentile (49 HR in 1961. Previous record of 39 by Ken Williams when the Orioles were the St. Louis Browns; 141 RBI same year—Williams still holds the franchise record at 155; A correction of the record put Gentile’s RBI total into a tie with Roger Maris for the ’61 season. He received a $5,000 bonus based on his contract at the time. No interest calculation was made.)

FCR - No one

THURSDAY BONUS

Q. Who was the youngest member of the 1984 US Olympic baseball team?

Hint: He was the second overall selection in the 1986 amateur draft.

Twint: Famously chubby as a young player, he was nicknamed Flounder after the Animal House character.

A. Greg Swindell (19 year-old Olympian; Jeff King chosen 1^st in 1986)

FCR - Rod Nelson, Detroit

FRIDAY

Q. Which player won the AL Rookie of the Year Award and his first Gold Glove Award in his 5^th Major League season?

Hint: He was part of the package that brought Rocky Colavito back to the Indians.

Twint: After joining his new team, he promptly broke his hand during spring training.

A. Tommie Agee (1966 ROY & GG after September call-ups from 1962-65; part of 3-way trade between Indians, White Sox and A’s 20-Jan-1965)

FCR - Fred Brillhart, Mechanicsburg, PA

IN MEMORIAM

Q. Who was the first 10-year veteran to refuse a trade to another team?

Hint: His annual “Walk for Diabetes” has raised over $40,000,000 for diabetes research since its inception in 1979.

Hint: Although consistently supported among fans for election to the Hall of Fame, he has never received more than the 43.1% of the vote he received in 1998.

Hint: In spite of being an All-Star nine times, he never experienced postseason play.

Hint: As his team made a serious run at the 1969 pennant, he became known for his jubilant heel clicks.

Hint: He reportedly once hit a grand slam while having a diabetic reaction.

Hint: He had his left leg amputated below the knee following the 2001 season.

Twint: He was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when he was 18.

Twint: He kept his diabetic condition from the team until he made his first All-Star game in his fourth season, 1963.

Twint: He was the first third baseman to hit 30 home runs and win the Gold Glove Award in consecutive seasons.

A. Ron Santo http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-ron-santo-chicago-cubs-photos,0,5242250.photogallery (11-Dec-1973 refused to go to the Angels; GG 1964-67)

FCR - Ira Kotel, Short Hills, NJ

FRIDAY BONUS

Q. Who was the third baseman in the only Major League infield comprised of two sets of brothers?

Hint: He inadvertently voided his contract by getting injured in a pickup basketball game during the 2003 off-season.

Twint: This future National crushed the hopes of Red Sox Nation on 16-Oct-2003.

A. Aaron Boone (3B on 27-Sep-1998 with brother Bret at 2B, Barry Larkin at SS and Stephen Larkin at 1B; 11^th inning HR in Game 7 of 2003 ALCS to send Yankees to WS over Red Sox)

FCR - Diane Firstman, Queens, NY

SATURDAY

Q. What pitcher set the record for consecutive saves (since broken) on his 31^st birthday?

Hint: Although he was known as an elite closer, his fastball topped out in the mid-80s.

Hint: His father was a racecar driver.

Twint: At the time of his retirement he was the oldest player in the American League.

Twint: He was born on the day that the last episode of I Love Lucy aired on CBS.

Twint: He was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

A. Doug Jones (14^th consecutive save on 24-Jun-1988; oldest AL player 2000; born 24-Jun-1957)

FCR - John Rickert, Terre Haute

WEEKEND BONUS

Q. Who broke up Johnny Podres’ no-hit bid in the 9^th inning on 04-Aug-1963?

Hint: He was involved in a play that resulted in first basemen being required to change mitts when switching positions.

Twint: His baseball career ended following a fight with fellow coach Reggie Otero.

A. Johnny Temple (changed positions with George Crowe 14-Jun-1958; fought Reds coach Reggie Otero in 1964)

FCR - Jerry Greene, Naples, FL

SUNDAY

Q. Who gave up Willie Mays’s only career extra-inning grand slam?

Hint: Eight years earlier, he had gvien up a grand slam to opposing pitcher Bob Grim.

Twint: He also gave up the first of the Twins’ record-setting two grand slams in the first inning on 18-Jul-1962.

A. Barry Latman (EIGSHR 13-Jun-1967; Grim GSHR 15-Apr-1959)

FCR - David de la Fuente; San Francisco

WEEKLY THEME – All-Stars who played for the Indians and the Astros during their careers

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Gregg Gaylord, Chicago

Monday, November 29, 2010

Answers for the Week of November 22, 2010

MONDAY

Q. Who played the most seasons for the Boston Red Sox?

Hint: He was the last batter to win the Triple Crown.

Hint: His late son was a AA All-Star, but never made it to the majors.

Twint: His mother’s maiden name is Skonieczy.

A. Carl Yastrzemski (23 yrs 1961-83; Son Mike was an All-Star for the Birmingham Barons in 1986, passed away in 2004 following complications from hip surgery)

First Correct Respondent – Dave Serota, Kalamazoo, MI

MONDAY THE SECOND

Q. Who was the only person to both play and manage 500 games for the Cincinnati Reds?

Hint: He was 17-time National League All-Star.

Hint: He won two Gold Glove Awards at one position and a Silver Slugger Award at another.

Twint: He was pictured on his son’s rookie card.

A. Pete Rose (2,722 G played, 786 managed, 217 in both categorized; 1982 Fleer “Pete and Re-Pete”; GG OF 1969-70, SS 1b 1981)

FCR - Chris Strohmier, Brookville, IN

TUESDAY

Q. What batter holds the record for the most seasons with 200 hits?

Hint: He won a Gold Glove Award every season he played in the majors.

Twint: For only two seasons in his 10-year career did he not receive Most Valuable Player votes.

A. Ichiro Suzuki (2001-10 [Tied with Pete Rose]; no MVP votes in 2005, 10)

FCR - John Groulx, Canada

WEDNESDAY

Q. Out of deference to whom does Albert Pujols refuse the nickname “El Hombre”?

Hint: He was the first to make the All-Star team 20 times.

Twint: He’s quite the harmonica player.

Twint: In his final full year in the minors, he had an 18-5 record and a 2.62 ERA with 19 complete games.

A. Stan Musial (Pujols explained that there can only be one “The Man”, whatever language it’s spoken in; AS 1943-44, 46-61 et seq; Often plays the harmonica at Hall of Fame induction ceremonies; 1940 Daytona Beach Islanders)

FCR - Eugene Schwartz, New York

MIDWEEK BONUS

Q. Who was the Giants’ career home run leader for 33 years?

Hint: You ought to know this. Everyone ought to.

Twint: This Cajun was seldom ragin’.

A. Mel Ott (Became the Giants in 1932 and was passed by Willie Mays 1965; Born and raised in Louisiana.)

FCR - Larry Creeden, Boulder City, NV

THURSDAY

Q. What former All-Star Game Most Valuable Player invited President George W. Bush to his wedding?

Hint: Bush accepted and attended.

Hint: He is the oldest player to hit a grand slam in a major league game.

Hint: He is the oldest player to hit a pinch hit home run in a major league game.

Hint: He is the oldest player to hit a home run in a major league game.

Twint: He played his last game as a shortstop in 1987, his last game at second base in 1997 and his last game at third base in 2007.

A. Julio Franco (AS MVP 1990; Wedding 2004; 03-Jun-2004 45 yrs 286 days, 20-Apr-2006 47 yrs 239 days)

FCR - Buzz Brehm, Canby, OR

FRIDAY

Q. Who was the first National League player to receive six bases-on-balls in a game?

Hint: The only trade in his career was a famous one while he was still in the minors.

Twint: He hit for the cycle the same day Barry Bonds tied Mickey Mantle on the career home run list.

A. Jeff Bagwell (20‑Aug‑1999; Traded from Boston to Houston for Larry Anderson 30‑Aug‑1990; 18‑Jul‑2001)

FCR - Craig Hixon, Roanoke

SATURDAY

Q. Who collected his 3,000^th career hit on the day the U.S. first bombed targets inside Afghanistan?

Hint: He was the first regular-season Designated Hitter in Padres history.

Twint: He’d likely protest being the answer to a Saturday question.

A. Rickey Henderson (2b off John Thompson 07-Oct-2001; 12-Jun1997)

FCR - James Shimer, Nottingham, PA

WEEKEND BONUS

Q. What recently unemployed Hall of Famer was the final out in the first triple play that began with a strikeout.

Hint: He is only of only two players under 5’8” to hit 20 home runs in a season.

Twint: He was the first winner of the Commissioner’s Trophy.

A. Joe Morgan (06-Apr-1978 1-2-5-2 Driessen struck out, Foster and Morgan out stealing; 26 HR in 1973, Yogi Berra was the other; ASG MVP renamed the Commissioner’s Trophy in 1972)

FCR - Jay Berman, Manhattan Beach, CA

SUNDAY

Q. Who was the first player to hit 60 career home run against the Mets?

Hint: He was the 200^th person inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Hint: He was the first player to hit 30 home runs before the All-Star game twice.

Twint: Only he and Johnny Mize hit their first World Series home runs after turning 39 years of age.

Twint: He founded Black Athletes dedicated to finding the cause of sickle cell anemia.

A. Willie Stargell (HOF induction 12-Jan-1988; 30 Pre-AS HRs 1971, 73; WS HR 10-Oct-1979 39 years 7 months 3 days)

FCR - Gregg Gaylord, Chicago

WEEKEND BONUS DEUX

Q. Who broke Steve Garvey’s record for consecutive errorless games by a first baseman?

Hint: He has been a standout at five different positions for his team, the only one he’s played for in the majors.

Hint: He founded

Twint: Although he’s often thought to be of Greek extraction, he actually has Romanian Jewish ancestry.

A. Kevin Youkilis (194, extended to 234 by Youkilis, a record since broken by Casey Kotchman in 2010, who extended the record to 278; 1b, 2b, 3b, RF, LF; Hits for Kids)

FCR - P.L. Cohen, Brooklyn

WEEKLY THEME – Batters with unusually memorable batting stances

First Correct Respondent to Identify Theme – Joe Ullian, Santa Barbara (following the Franco question)