Opinion | George Wills baseball quiz: Put your thinking caps on

Mets outfielder Cleon Jones once asked the home plate umpire whether a player could get thrown out of a game for thinking. The umpire said no. So Jones said: Well, then, I think youre doing a lousy job. Do a good job thinking about:

Mets outfielder Cleon Jones once asked the home plate umpire whether a player could get thrown out of a game for thinking. The umpire said no. So Jones said: “Well, then, I think you’re doing a lousy job.” Do a good job thinking about:

Question 1 of 41

Who hit the most home runs in a final season.

Mike SchmidtBarry BondsHarmon KillebrewDavid Ortiz

Question 2 of 41

The players who hit 200 home runs in each league.

Adam Dunn, Dave Winfield, Jose Canseco, Jeff Bagwell, Dave KingmanFrank Robinson, Fred McGriff, Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Carlos Beltrán and Vladimir Guerrero.Eddie Murray, Nelson Cruz, Andre Dawson, Carlos Delgado, Frank Thomas, Reggie JacksonMiguel Cabrera, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Willie Mays, Rafael Palmeiro, Gary Sheffield

Question 3 of 41

Who got more than 10 hits in a World Series with two different teams.

Stuffy McInnisRoger MarisPaul MolitorLonnie Smith

Question 4 of 41

The three pitchers who notched 15 strikeouts in their first major league starts.

Bob Feller, Karl Spooner, J.R. RichardFernando Valenzuela, Hoyt Wilhelm, Warren SpahnJohn Tudor, Walter Johnson, Juan MarichalNolan Ryan, Max Scherzer, Jim Kaat

Question 5 of 41

The team with the best record when the players’ strike ended the 1994 season.

Los Angeles DodgersNew York YankeesChicago White SoxMontreal Expos

Question 6 of 41

The hitter with 43 home runs — on pace for 60.6 — when that season ended.

Kirby PuckettMatt WilliamsPaul O’NeillKen Griffey Jr.

Question 7 of 41

Who holds the Royals’ career home run record.

George BrettSteve BalboniBuddy Biancalana

Question 8 of 41

The three players since World War II to win batting titles with two different teams.

Rod Carew, Carlos Beltrán, Tony GwynnBryce Harper, Alex Rodriguez, Frank RobinsonBill Madlock, D.J. LeMahieu, Luis ArráezWade Boggs, Vladimir Guerrero, Vada Pinson

Question 9 of 41

The youngest player to reach 3,000 hits.

Tris SpeakerStan Musial

Question 10 of 41

The first three players whose careers began after World War II to hit 500 home runs.

Frank Robinson, Ernie Banks, Willie MaysWillie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Eddie MathewsWillie McCovey, Reggie Jackson, Ernie BanksEddie Mathews, Willie McCovey, Frank Robinson

Question 11 of 41

Who is second to Brooks Robinson in most games played at third base.

Adrián BeltréGraig NettlesMike Schmidt

Question 12 of 41

Who is second to Nolan Ryan in most 10-strikeout games.

Roger ClemensBob GibsonChristy MathewsonRandy Johnson

Question 13 of 41

Which team started three future Hall of Famers in consecutive games in two different World Series.

1910 and 1911 Philadelphia Athletics1995 and 1996 Atlanta Braves1998 and 1999 New York Yankees1972 and 1973 Oakland Athletics

Question 14 of 41

The four players with 10 Gold Gloves and 400 home runs.

Willie Mays, Mike Schmidt, Ken Griffey Jr., Andruw JonesRoberto Clemente, Gary Sheffield, Chipper Jones, Johnny BenchAndre Dawson, Mike Piazza, Dale Murphy, Al KalineCal Ripken Jr., Joe Carter, Jim Edmonds, Ivan Rodriguez

Question 15 of 41

The first player to hit 50 home runs with two different teams.

Alex RodriguezMark McGwireAlfonso SorianoJimmie Foxx

Question 16 of 41

Who hit 40 or more home runs in five consecutive seasons in the 1950s.

Stan MusialDuke SniderMickey MantleHenry Aaron

Question 17 of 41

The two players since 1900 who had consecutive .400 seasons.

Nap Lajoie and George SislerWillie Keeler and Tris SpeakerTy Cobb and Rogers HornsbyEddie Collins and Ted Williams

Question 18 of 41

The Hall of Fame second baseman who got two or more hits in a record 13 consecutive games.

Rogers HornsbyNellie FoxFrankie FrischJoe Morgan

Question 19 of 41

The two managers who won division titles with four different teams.

Terry Francona and Tony La RussaSparky Anderson and Buck ShowalterDavey Johnson and Billy MartinJim Leyland and Lou Piniella

Question 20 of 41

Who played the most games at shortstop.

Omar VizquelCal Ripken Jr.Derek JeterOzzie Smith

Question 21 of 41

The manager with the most victories (1,902) without winning a pennant.

Felipe AlouChuck DressenJoe CroninGene Mauch

Question 22 of 41

The pitcher who in 1945 in 29 consecutive starts allowed fewer hits than innings he pitched.

Bob FellerHal NewhouserSpud ChandlerJohnny Sain

Question 23 of 41

The two MVP “Jackies.”

Smith and JonesGleason and MasonRobinson and JensenCollins and Chan

Question 24 of 41

Who has the lowest single-season WHIP (walks plus hits per innings pitched) since 1945.

Pedro MartinezDean ChanceSandy KoufaxEric Gagné

Question 25 of 41

The number of complete games pitched in 2023.

Question 26 of 41

The pitcher with most complete games in a season since 1945.

Tom SeaverJim “Catfish” HunterFerguson JenkinsBob Feller

Question 27 of 41

The four third basemen with 3,000 hits.

George Brett, Paul Molitor, Wade Boggs, Adrián BeltréEdgar Martinez, Brooks Robinson, Chipper Jones, Eddie MathewsGeorge Brett, Eddie Mathews, Brooks Robinson, Mike SchmidtKen Boyer, Graig Nettles, Ron Santo, Wade Boggs

Question 28 of 41

The three first basemen to win consecutive MVP awards.

Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Ryan HowardWillie McCovey, Paul Goldschmidt, Hank GreenbergJimmie Foxx, Frank Thomas, Albert PujolsOrlando Cepeda, Johnny Mize, Cap Anson

Question 29 of 41

The player who won Gold Gloves with the Mariners, Indians and Giants.

Félix HernándezOmar VizquelIchiro SuzukiRoberto Alomar

Question 30 of 41

The team that has lost the most World Series.

Atlanta BravesChicago CubsNew York YankeesDetroit Tigers

Question 31 of 41

Who has the career highest percentage (20.7) of walks per plate appearances.

Ted WilliamsHenry AaronHonus Wagner

Question 32 of 41

The youngest 20-game winner.

Joe NuxhallRandy JohnsonClayton KershawDwight Gooden

Question 33 of 41

The only reliever to lead the American League in saves four consecutive seasons.

Mariano RiveraDan QuisenberryTug McGraw

Question 34 of 41

The Hall of Famer who played in the postseason with five different teams.

Rickey HendersonGoose GossageGaylord PerryWaite Hoyt

Question 35 of 41

The two who played the most seasons (23) with one team.

Tony Gwynn, Lou GehrigCraig Biggio, George BrettCarl Yastrzemski, Brooks RobinsonBill Dickey, Ernie Banks

Question 36 of 41

Who had the most 40-home run seasons in the 1960s.

Henry AaronHarmon KillebrewWillie MaysRocky Colavito

Question 37 of 41

Who hit only 11 home runs in his first five seasons but ended with 573.

Manny RamirezAlex RodriguezHarmon KillebrewReggie Jackson

Question 38 of 41

Who had just three home runs before June 1 but finished a season with 51.

Roger MarisRalph KinerMickey Mantle

Question 39 of 41

The St. Louis Browns’ only MVP.

Heinie ManushLuke SewellGeorge SislerGoose Goslin

Question 40 of 41

The only hitter since 1945 to lead the majors in batting by 50 or more points in a season.

Roberto ClementeTed WilliamsLarry Walker

Question 41 of 41

Bonus question: Who said, “The only thing worse than a Mets game is a Mets doubleheader.”

Marv ThroneberryCasey StengelRalph KinerKeith Hernandez

You need to answer every question to see your result. You’re missing questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41.

Your score: 0 out of 41

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