It's Time For A Baseball Pub Quiz!
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Sports
There's a reason baseball is referred to as America's Game. While Major League Baseball (MLB) no longer reigns as the most popular professional sports league in the United States, at least in regard to annual revenues and TV ratings, the sport itself has the deepest roots in the country and hearkens people back to a simpler time - even if it's not exactly a simple game to understand for new fans. There's just something soothing and relaxing about a midday baseball game in the bright summer sun when you can hear the crack of the bat hitting the ball and the sound of a glove popping. The sport might have undergone slight rule changes over the past century-plus, but the heart of the game hasn't changed. That's why even non-hardcore baseball fans at least know general rules as well as which team has been the most dominant throughout MLB history, all of which will come up later in the quiz. But this 40-question quiz isn't just about MLB history; instead, it includes questions relating to current MLB players and popular baseball movies. The Sandlot, A League of Their Own, Field of Dreams, and Major League, are just a handful of baseball films that have captured the imagination of entire generations and, in part, help maintain the sport's popularity.
What is the name of the MLB's year-end championship?
Baseball was popular in the United States during the 19th century, but it wasn't until the 20th century when the MLB was formed and a championship series was created to determine the best team out of both the AL and National League. Boston defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first ever championship series and, while it wasn't contested in 1904 and 1994, it has been played every year since. It was been won by 23 different organizations since its inception.
What year was the MLB founded?
As previously mentioned, the MLB didn't come into existence until the early 20th century, when the National League and AL merged following a longstanding conflict between the two in which player contracts and legal disputes arose regularly. Each league had eight teams when they merged, although they never played teams from the opposing league during the regular season; the only time a team from the AL would play one from the National League was during the World Series.
How many players can a team field at any one time?
In regard to how it's played, baseball is similar to football. Whereas teams in hockey, basketball, and soccer are playing both offense and defense depending on possession, baseball is divided into nine innings in which both teams take a turn at the plate. They can score as many runs as possible, but their turn on offense is over when the opposition records three outs. Including the pitcher, the fielding team is permitted to have how many players on the diamond?
What position exists in the AL that doesn't in the NL?
Despite the AL and National League all but acting as different conferences in the MLB today, there was once a drastic separation as teams from the two leagues hardly, if ever, played each other. They also had slightly different rules. Today, the MLB has interleague play, which sees teams play 20 of their 162 games outside of their respective leagues and, while rules are mostly the same, there's one significant difference, that being that pitchers don't hit in the AL.
Who is the current MLB commissioner?
Despite being formed in 1903, the MLB didn't officially have a commissioner until 1920, when federal judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis took over the position as appointed by the owners of the league's teams. He was given a lifetime contract and held the position until his death in 1944, following which Happy Chandler took over for a five-year period. There has since been eight different commissioners, including the current one, who was appointed in 2015 after a 13-year stint by the previous commissioner.
What is it called when a player hits a single, double, triple, and home run in the same game?
There's only so many types of hits a player can get in baseball. The most common is a single, in which the batter is safe at first base. A batter records a double when he is safe at second base and so on. It's a rare feat when a batter records a single, double, triple, and home run in a single game, which shouldn't be all that surprising since it's hard to get four hits in a single game to begin with. No player has recorded the accomplishment this season, while seven did in 2017, and only two did in 2016.
Which team has won the most World Series championships?
The first ever World Series in 1903 was won by Boston and other teams to have won the championship since then include the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, and Detroit Tigers. But none of those teams lay claim to being the most successful MLB franchise of all-time. That distinction belongs to this AL team that has appeared in 40 World Series and won 27 of them for an impressive .675 winning percentage. They most recently won in 2009.
What is the name of this popular baseball movie?
Released in 1989, this film stars Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella, an Iowa corn farmer who, through commands he hears from the voices in his head, builds a baseball diamond in his field, following which it is inhabited by players of the 1919 Chicago White Sox as well as other all-time MLB legends, including Shoeless Joe Jackson, who is portrayed by Ray Liotta. The film also stars James Earl Jones, Gaby Hoffman, and Amy Madigan. Despite its ridiculous premise, it is regarded as one of the all-time classic baseball films.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
One of the most unassuming superstars in all of professional sports, this 27 year old doesn't seek out publicity or popularity and instead prefers to blend into the background. However, his talent doesn't exactly allow that to happen. The 27 year old outfielder is a seven-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, two-time AL MVP, and two-time All-Star Game MVP. Not surprisingly, he also won AL Rookie of the year in 2012 after leading the league in runs (129) and stolen bases (49) to go along with an impressive 30 home runs and .326 batting average.
Where is the Baseball Hall of Fame located?
Established in 1939 by a local hotel owner Stephen Carlton Clark, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum not only serves to preserve the history of baseball, but is also the pinnacle and ultimate goal of an aspiring baseball player. For players, as well as managers and executives, there's no better honor than earning entry into the Hall of Fame. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner were included in the first ever induction class.
What is the name of the trophy awarded to the best defensive player at each position?
The major awards handed out in the MLB are the Rookie of the Year, Cy Young (Pitcher of the Year) and MVP in both the AL and the NL, however there is also a hitting- and fielding-based award for every position in both leagues. For instance, the shortstop who has the best offensive season in the AL earns the Silver Slugger Award. A similar award is given to the best-fielding shortstop. What is the name given to this prestigious award?
Which team won the 2017 World Series?
The MLB playoffs is comprised of divisional winners in both the AL and NL as well as a Wild Card representative that earns entry through a play-in game. To win the coveted championship, a team must win a best-of-five Divisional Series, a best-of-seven League Championship Series and, of course, the best-of-seven World Series. The 2017 playoffs included the likes of the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Did either of those teams win the World Series or was it another team?
Who is this MLB All-Star?
Selected first overall by the Washington Nationals in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft, this 25 year old outfielder is a six-time All-Star who won the National League Rookie of the Year in 2012 and, three seasons later, won the National League MVP. He led the National League in runs (118), home runs (42), on-base percentage (.460) and slugging (.649) that season and, while he hasn't been able to replicate those numbers since, he has still be extremely productive at the plate.
How many teams are in the MLB?
This should be a fairly easy question for anyone who is a fan of professional sports in general as most leagues have the same amount of teams, although the National Football League is an exception and the National Hockey League, with the addition of the Vegas Golden Knights, now has an odd number of teams. The MLB had 16 teams (eight in both the AL and National Leagues) up until the 1961 season, when the AL added two teams. The National League added two teams the following season and, by 1969, both leagues added two more teams.
What is the name of this popular baseball movie?
While there have been some baseball films that lean toward the drama category, this 1989 film is a comedy classic that spawned a pair of sequels over the course of the next 10 years, although neither film was as good as the original. One of the few baseball films to use an actual MLB team, it tells the story of the under-performing Cleveland Indians, which is purchased by a new owner with hopes of moving the team. However, once the owner's true desires are uncovered, the team finally comes together and starts to win.
Who won the 2017 National League MVP?
The 2017 National League MVP was won by a member of the Miami Marlins. The 28 year old outfielder earned the award after leading the league in home runs (59), RBI (132), and slugging (.631). He previously finished second in MVP voting during the 2014 season. Despite winning the award in a close vote over Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, he was dealt by the Marlins to the New York Yankees in December 2017 in exchange for Starlin Castro and a pair of minor league prospects.
Who won the 2017 AL MVP?
The 2017 AL MVP was won by a six-time All-Star, three-time Batting Title winner, and four-time Silver Slugger. Despite being one of the league's smallest players at 5-foot-6 and 165 pounds, the 28 year old Venezuelan second baseman had one of the best offensive seasons of his career in 2017 as he tied his career-high in home runs (24) and recorded 81 RBI. He also led the AL in hits (204) for the fourth consecutive season and batting average (.346) for the second consecutive season.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
A seven-time All-Star, this 6-foot-6, 180-pound pitcher has surprisingly never won a Cy Young Award, despite being one of the most dominant pitchers in the AL over the course of the past five seasons. Originally selected 13th overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft, he spent the first seven years of his career with the team before being dealt to the Boston Red Sox in the 2017 offseason. He has finished among the top five in AL Cy Young voting every year since 2013.
What is the name of the award given to the best pitcher in each league?
Most professional sports league name its trophies after prominent players at each respective position and the MLB is no different. For instance, the top goaltender award in the NHL is called the Vezina Trophy in honor of Hall of Fame goaltender George Vezina. While the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the MLB are without namesakes, the award for Pitcher of the Year is named after a Hall of Fame pitcher who played from 1890 to 1911. The award was named in his honor in 1956, one year after his death.
Who won the 2017 National League Cy Young?
This player has played for multiple teams throughout his illustrious career, including the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is currently a pitcher for the Washington Nationals and has really shown his stuff over the past few years, culminating in winning the prized Cy Young aware for his pitching skill. He was drafted in 2006, eleventh overall, by the Arizona Diamondbacks and was quick to show he had talent, winning MLB All-Star six times in his career so far.
Who won the 2017 AL Cy Young?
Established in 1956, the Cy Young Award has since been given out annually to the best pitcher in both the ALn and National League. The recipient of the 2017 National League Cy Young Award was a 33 right-handed pitcher for the Washington Nationals. It was his third time winning the award and second time in the National League. He won his first Cy Young Award in the AL as a member of the Detroit Tigers. He's also a six-time All-Star.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
Selected 32nd overall by the New York Yankees in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft, this 6-foot-7, 282-pound outfielder took some time to develop his swing in the minors, but is now regarded as one of the best power hitters in all of baseball. The 26 year old won the AL Rookie of the Year last season and finished second in MVP voting after hitting a league-best 52 home runs and has continued to produce at roughly the same level in 2018. Through 99 games, he has 26 home runs and 61 RBI to go along with a .285 batting average.
What is the name of this popular baseball movie?
Another film that features an actual MLB team, this one was based on a true story that was detailed in a book about the Oakland Athletics and their budget-friendly, analytics-driven approach to building a playoff-contending roster. The book was written by Michael Lewis in 2003 and adapted for the big screen in 2011 with Brad Pitt playing Athletics general manager Billy Beane. It was nominated for six Oscars and also stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill, Robin Wright, and Chris Pratt.
How many MLB teams are based in Canada?
Although the MLB's championship round is referred to as the World Series, it's not as though teams from all over the world compete for the coveted championship. While the NHL has seven franchises out of Canada and is largely more popular in the Great White North, baseball is known as America's pastime and the MLB has mostly been in line with that thinking. That isn't to say the league hasn't had Canadian teams; in fact, one even won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
A four-time All-Star, this longtime Baltimore Orioles shortstop and third baseman was recently traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he has two home runs and five RBI through his first 19 games. A native of Hialeah, Florida, he was selected third overall by the Orioles in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft and has since finished among the top five in MVP voting in 2013, 2015, and 2016. Highly regarded for his fielding abilities, he is also a two-time Gold Glove winner.
Which of these teams isn't a real former MLB team?
There are 30 teams in the MLB and while most have been in existence for decades, there are still some relatively new teams. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Rays came into existence near the turn of the 21st century, while the Washington Nationals played in Montreal as the Expos until 2004. Montreal was the last city to have its team relocated, but it was much more common in previous decades, especially in the early years of the league.
How many divisions are in each league?
Every league has a different way of managing its schedule and organizing its divisions. To continue using the NHL comparison, that league had two conferences with two divisions up until the 1990s, while other leagues operated in a similar capacity up until expansion made the addition of another division necessary. Teams are generally placed in geographical-based divisions to not only create rivalries among nearby cities, but also to lower travel times and costs throughout the course of a season. This is especially important in baseball as teams play 162 games per year.
How many teams in total make the MLB playoffs?
Playoff formats differ across all sports. Many soccer leagues just award a champion based on whichever team finishes atop of the league standings in any given year, while the NBA and NHL creates a 16-team bracket to determine the league championship. In the NFL, meanwhile, a top-seeded team only needs to win three games to become Super Bowl champions. World Series champions, however, need to win at least 11 games and 12 if they were a Wild Card entry. Do the math.
What is the name of this 2002 baseball film?
Directed by John Lee Hancock, this 2002 Disney film stars Dennis Quaid as Jimmy Morris, a Texas baseball coach who agrees to pursue a pitching position in the MLB if his high school team made the playoffs. To their surprise, the 39 year old Morris actually earns a contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The film is based on a true story. The real Jimmy Morris pitched 15 innings with the Devil Rays over the course of two seasons.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
A 26 year old native of Las Vegas, Nevada, this third baseman and outfielder was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the second overall pick in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft and has certainly lived up to expectations. The University of San Diego alumnus won Rookie of the Year in 2015 and followed that up by winning National League MVP in 2016, when he hit 39 home runs and recorded 102 RBI to go along with a .292 batting average. He also played an integral role in the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory as he hit two home runs in the 31 plate appearances.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in hits?
There have been thousands of players to record a hit in the big leagues but none were as accomplished as the league's all-time hit leader - a 77 year old native of Cincinnati, Ohio who is primarily known for playing for his hometown Reds. The outfielder, first baseman, and third baseman is a 17-time All-Star, three-time World Series champion, three-time Batting Champion, and one-time MVP. He played for the Reds from 1963 to 1978 before joining the Philadelphia Phillies for five seasons. He retired with the Reds in 1986 after registering 4,256 hits throughout his 24-year career.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in home runs?
This 14-time All-Star and seven-time MVP is widely regarded as one of the best players of all-time, despite the fact his career was shrouded in controversy as he was linked to the steroid scandal that rocked baseball in the early 2000s. Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the sixth overall pick in the 1985 MLB Amateur Draft, he won his first MVP award in 1990 after hitting 33 home runs, accumulating 114 RBI, and stealing 52 bases. He topped 40 home runs regularly and hit a single-season high of 73 during the 2001 season. He retired in 2007 with 762 career home runs.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in RBI?
This all-time great player's career home run record was broken by Barry Bonds, but he still holds the all-time record for RBI with 2,297. A 25-time All-Star, the outfielder won MVP award in 1957 after hitting 44 home runs and registering 132 RBI. He led the league in RBI in four separate seasons and topped 100 RBI 11 times in his storied career. His RBI record is going to be tough to beat as only one current player (Albert Pujols) has more than 1,900 RBI and he's 38 years old.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in steals?
It's rare to see a player with such a big lead in any all-time statistical category, but that's the case for this former longtime Oakland Athletics outfielder who recorded 1,406 stolen bases throughout his career. The second-most stolen bases recorded by a player throughout his career was 938, while only 16 others have topped 600. The Hall of Fame inductee and former MVP who holds the stolen bases record topped 100 steals in three seasons early in his career and even led the league in stolen bases with 66 as a 39 year old.
What is the name of this popular baseball movie?
Long before he was an acclaimed Hollywood actor and even well before he was an awkward teenager on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Joseph Gordon-Levitt played a young child who wanted nothing more than for his father to come back into his life in this 1994 Disney film. Unfortunately, his father said he would only come back if the Los Angeles Angles win the pennant. The under-performing team, led by manager George Knox (played by Danny Glover) goes on an inspiring run with some help from angelic forces.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
A 25 year old native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this pitcher was drafted seventh overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft and has since rapidly risen through the organizational ranks to become the team's best starting pitchers as well as one of the best in the National League. As of August 9, he boasted an impressive win-loss record of 12-3 to go along with a 2.37 ERA and 144 strikeouts in 148 innings pitched. He was also recognized as an All-Star for the first time in his career this season.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in wins?
It's not that difficult to guess the all-time leader in wins by a pitcher after completing most of this quiz. The leader in that category has an award named after him and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937. A native of Gilmore, Ohio, he routinely started more than 40 games per season, which rarely, if ever, happens in the modern age. As a result, he registered more than 30 wins in five different seasons; today's pitchers, meanwhile, are celebrated if they reach 20 wins.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in strikeouts?
While wins are the most important statistic for a pitcher, the ability to strike out batters is extremely crucial. Some pitchers are able to work themselves out of trouble by pitching to contact and recording ground ball outs, but the swing-and-miss ability that some pitchers have becomes vital in helping them get out of trouble on the mound. The Hall of Fame pitcher and eight-time All-Star who holds the record for most strikeouts accumulated 5,714 during his remarkable 27-year career.
Who is the all-time MLB leader in saves?
Only six relief pitchers in MLB history have recorded more than 400 saves. Being a closer is one of the toughest positions in the sport as the pitcher is required to come into a game in either the eighth or ninth inning in a high-pressure situation and secure the win for his team. The all-time record holder in that regard closed out 652 games during his career as a member of the New York Yankees. The second-most saves recorded by a closer is 601, while the third place pitcher has 478 career saves.
Who is this MLB All-Star?
This three-time AL All-Star was selected by the Cleveland Indians with the eighth overall selection in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft and has since become one of the best middle infielders in the entire MLB. Still only 24 years old, he finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and finished in the top 10 of MVP voting in the following two seasons, while also winning a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. He currently leads the AL in runs (99) and doubles (37).