Think you’re ready for Opening Day? Here is an abbreviated baseball quiz from writer George Will. If you get more than half right, we say you’re an All Star Dad! Name the person or persons who:
1. Hit the most home runs in the 1960s.
2. In 2011, joined Hank Aaron, Brooks Robinson and Pete Rose as the only players to appear in at least 140 games for 16 consecutive seasons.
3. Played for the Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves and Atlanta Braves.
4. Had the most hits in the 1990s.
5. Holds the career record for grounding into double plays.
6. Pitched the most wins in the 1960s.
7. Led the majors in total bases in the 1980s, ahead of Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt, Eddie Murray, Robin Yount and Andre Dawson.
8. Is the only pitcher to hurl a shutout in four decades.
9. Allowed the fewest hits per nine innings in a career.
10. Started more World Series games than any other pitcher.
11. Played the most games of anyone whose entire career was with one team.
12. Won an American League batting title without hitting a home run.
13. Had the best career pitching record against the Yankees.
14. Leads all third basemen in combined hits and walks.
15. Is the last pitcher to win at least 20 games in four consecutive seasons.
16. Holds the National League career record for grand slam home runs.
17. Pitched the most consecutive strikeouts in one game.
18. Hit his last three home runs in one game.
19. Was hitting .394 when the players’ strike ended the 1994 season on Aug. 12.
20. Said, “It beats rooming with Joe Page.”
Answers:
(1) Harmon Killebrew (2) Johnny Damon (3) Eddie Matthews (4) Mark Grace (5) Cal Ripken (6) Juan Marichal (7) Dale Murphy (8) Jamie Moyer (9) Nolan Ryan (10) Whitey Ford (11) Carl Yastrzemski (12) Rod Carew (13) Babe Ruth, 17-5, .773 (14) Wade Boggs (15) Dave Stewart (16) Willie McCovey, 18 (17) Tom Seaver, 10 (18) Ruth (19) Tony Gwynn (20) Joe DiMaggio, about being married to Marilyn Monroe
By George F. Will, Published: March 30, 2012
“One of my favorite baseball memories growing up was ____. I say that because ____.”