Are you bush league or big show? Take a crack at the ultimate baseball quiz

By: Sean Walker
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Calling all baseball trivia experts! Is there anything in the world that brings out more trivia experts than baseball? When it comes to having more baseball knowledge than the next guy, the competition is fierce! Do you know what opposing team did Babe Ruth hit his first home run against? Which pitcher was the first to hit 100 miles an hour, did you know that? What manager for the Baltimore Orioles was ejected from a record 91 games?

There is something out baseball that brings out the trivia expert in all of us, far more than any other sport. Baseball is rich in history, and the statistics that are kept, and the big personalities of some of its players, eclipse those in any other sport. Maybe it is because you used to talk a lot of baseball with your dad when you were growing up, or perhaps it is because you're a total stats geek, but either way, you know your baseball.

So maybe it is time to prove it. What pitcher has no right hand? Who had the nickname of "Mr. November?" Who was the first major league player to have his number retired? Put on your batting helmet, step into the box, and take this quiz.

Who holds the single-season home run record with 73?

Barry Bonds set new records for walks in a season, home runs per at bat and slugging percentage that same season. Mark McGwire had set the home run record at 70 just three years prior to Bonds' epic 2001 season.

Whose hitting streak -- at 56 consecutive games -- still stands as the all-time record?

“Joltin' Joe” was also known as the Yankee Clipper. After his playing days, DiMaggio went on to be known as "Mr. Coffee."

This would-be Hall of Famer said, “I’d be willing to bet you, if I was a betting man, that I have never bet on baseball.”

Pete Rose remains banned from baseball amidst allegations that he bet on baseball. In 2004 Rose admitted to betting on baseball when he was a manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

Which Yankee great played in 2,130 consecutive games and was the first Yankee to win the Triple Crown?

Gehrig was forced to retire after being diagnosed with ALS. The disease was commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease for decades after his death.

Which all-time MLB leader in no-hitters threw his seventh at the age of 44?

After a 27-year career, Ryan ended his Hall of Fame career with more strikeouts than innings pitched. His record seven career no-hitters nearly doubled second-place Sandy Koufax's four no-no's.

Which legendary pitcher, nicknamed “Cyclone” set the standard by which today’s pitchers are measured?

Considered by many to be the best ballplayer ever, Young played 22 seasons in the Major Leagues. His first was with the Cleveland Spiders in 1890.

Which famous slugger, who was also a terrific pitcher early in his career, was a 12-time American League home run champion?

Ruth pitched for 10 seasons and had a winning record in all of them. But the "Sultan of Swat" will always be known for his power hitting prowess, ending his career with 714 home runs, a record that stood for 39 years.

This actor, in his role as manager of a World War II-era ladies baseball team, told his players that “there's no crying in baseball.”

Hanks began his career as Rick Martin on an episode of "Love Boat." He went on to star with Peter Scolari in the TV show "Bosom Buddies," before making it "Big" in the movies.

Which two-time Triple-Crown batting title winner served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps and flew 39 combat flights?

Ted Williams played 19 seasons, all for the Boston Red Sox. Williams even pitched two innings in relief against the Detroit Tigers in 1940.

Joe Adcock famously mused that trying to sneak “this” past Hank Aaron is like trying to sneak the sunrise past a rooster.

Joe Adcock played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues. Adcock played with Aaron on the Milwaukee Brewers.

Which left-handed pitcher, who threw four no-hitters, was the youngest person ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Koufax is the only pitcher to be unanimously selected as the Cy Young award winner three times. He is second on the all-time no-hitter list with four.

This Dodgers manager said, “there are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens.”

Tommy Lasorda was known for his colorful quotes. Lasorda pitched for the Dodgers for two seasons before leading them to two World Series titles as manager.

Which legendary outfielder hit four home runs in one game to help the San Francisco Giants beat the Milwaukee Braves in 1961?

Willie Mays made 24 All-Star teams. This legendary Giant, known as the Say Hey Kid, made "The Catch" in the 1954 World Series, considered one of the greatest catches in MLB history.

Who is the only pitcher to throw a perfect game in the World Series?

Although excellent in his World Series appearances, Larsen couldn't duplicate that dominance in the regular season, ending with a career ERA of 3.78. He pitched for six other teams, including the Houston Colt .45's / Astros.

At what legendary stadium did Babe Ruth hit his first recorded home run?

Babe Ruth hit his first home run at the Polo Grounds. It was just one of the 714 career home runs that earned him the moniker "Sultan of Swat."

This actor, in his 1988 role as Crash Davis, said "Strikeouts are boring. Besides that, they're fascist."

The year after "Bull Durham," Costner starred in the classic baseball movie, "Field of Dreams." Kostner has starred in several sports-themed movies, including "Draft Day," "For the Love of the Game" and the golf classic "Tin Cup."

What Chicago White Sox legend was accused of throwing the 1919 World Series, despite committing no errors and having the best batting average in the series?

Though Jackson and his accused teammates were acquitted, they were banned for life from Major League baseball. Despite that, Jackson continued to play under an alias. He continued unsuccessfully to clear his name for the rest of his life.

Which slugger was the first player to reach 3,000 hits and 500 home runs?

Hammerin' Hank Aaron was the first MLB player with 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. Aaron was selected as the National League MVP in 1957 after leading the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series title.

This famous Yankee said, ”there's three things you can do in a baseball game: you can win or you can lose or it can rain.”

Yankee Manager Casey Stengel was known for his "Stengelese." Kenesaw Landis, MLB's first commissioner, once said, "Casey Stengel just can't help being Casey Stengel.”

Who is the all-time leader in career batting average with a remarkable .366 over 24 seasons?

Cobb was considered by many of those who saw him play as the greatest all-around player ever. He played 24 seasons in the Major Leagues, 22 of them with the Detroit Tigers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

Who is the only pitcher in MLB history to throw two consecutive no-hitters?

Closing out the second no-hitter, Vander Meer walked three batters to load the bases in the ninth inning before getting the final two outs. He played 13 seasons in the big leagues, 11 of them in Cincinnati.

This U.S. president, a former MLB team owner, described Florida Marlins Manager Jack McKeon as ”the Donald Rumsfeld of baseball. He's kinda crusty, but knows what he's doing.”

43 was also once a partial owner of the Texas Rangers. He took office as president of the United States just eight years after his father left office.

Which player’s career, which consisted of two-innings in the field and did not include a single at-bat, was part of “Field of Dreams”?

His Major League career never saw the light of day. After one game in the big leagues, Graham went on to become a doctor.

This player, a former National League MVP, hit homers in 45 ballparks, the most in MLB history.

Sammy Sosa hit home runs in the most ballparks of any major leaguer. Sosa also joined the 30-30 club, hitting more than 30 home runs and stealing more than 30 bases 1993 and again in 1995.

Who is the only pitcher to strike out four batters in one inning in a World Series game?

Orval Overall truly went above and beyond in his World Series appearance. Overall was also on the mound to clinch the 1908 World Series for the Cubbies, their last World Series title until the 2016 Fall Classic.

Who is the only player to hit two grand slams in one inning?

Fernando Tatis hit both homers off pitcher Chan Ho Park. Park was the first pitcher to allow two grand slams in one inning in over 100 years.

This major leaguer-turned-actor said, “the way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until the ball stops rolling and then to pick it up.”

Mr. Baseball starred in the 80s sitcom "Mr. Belvedere." He was also known for a series of Miller Lite commercials in the 1980s.

This player was the fourth, and most recent, to hit 40 or more home runs and steal 40 or more bases in one season.

Soriano joined Jose Canseco, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez in one of baseball's most exclusive clubs.

This braggadocious Hall of Famer famously said, “if you can do it, it ain’t bragging."

Dean was voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953. He pitched for three teams for 12 seasons, and he never had a losing record.

Cleveland second baseman Bill Wambsganss made history as the only player to do this in a World Series.

Wambsganss started his Major League career with the Cleveland Naps in the 1914 season. In 1921, Wambsganss scored five runs in a single game, a feat matched by several Indians by never surpassed.

This Hall of Fame catcher famously said, “ninety percent of this game is half mental.”

Berra is famous for his "Yogi-isms." He's credited with the well-worn quote, "it ain't over till it's over."

Of the nearly 40 players to hit home runs in their last career at-bat, who is the only player to hit a walk-off, game-winning home run in his final plate appearance?

Gile played just four seasons in the big leagues, all with the Boston Red Sox. Despite this monumental feat, Gile hit just .049 in his final season with Boston.

Which Hall of Famer, the oldest living MLB player, played his first game on April 20, 1937?

Doerr joined the Boston Red Sox in 1937, and played all of his 14 big league seasons there. He was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 1986.

Which American League team fielded four managers in the 1977 season, the most in a single season in AL history?

The Rangers began their Dallas, Texas, life in 1972, when the Washington Senators moved to start an expansion team. In their final game in Washington, the Senators were forced to forfeit to the Yankees after fans rushed the field in the ninth inning.

This Hall of Famer said "A catcher and his body are like the outlaw and his horse. He's got to ride that nag till it drops.”

The two-time National League MVP won 10 Gold Gloves. Part of the famed "Big Red Machine," Bench was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989.

About HowStuffWorks Play

How much do you know about dinosaurs? What is an octane rating? And how do you use a proper noun? Lucky for you, HowStuffWorks Play is here to help. Our award-winning website offers reliable, easy-to-understand explanations about how the world works. From fun quizzes that bring joy to your day, to compelling photography and fascinating lists, HowStuffWorks Play offers something for everyone. Sometimes we explain how stuff works, other times, we ask you, but we’re always exploring in the name of fun! Because learning is fun, so stick with us!

Explore More Quizzes