Baseball Quick Quiz.(Brief Article)

Collect ten points for each question answered correctly. Answers on page 95. (If you score 80 or better, you are a baseball expert; 70 or better, superior; between 60 and 70, good, and between 40 and 60, average.

1. Going into the 2002 season, there were 14 switch-hitters who had 200 or more lifetime major league home runs. Collect ten points if you can name seven of the 14 switch-batters to hit 200 homers.

2. From 1991 through 2001, there were 30 different 20-game winners in the major leagues. If you can identify 12 of these pitchers who put together a 20-victory campaign during that span, collect ten points.

3. There have been only two catchers in baseball history to catch 150 or more games and hit .300 in the same season. Ted Simmons did it two times with the Cardinals when he caught 153 games in 1973 while batting .310 and in 1975 with 154 games caught and a .332 BA. Who is the only other catcher to accomplish this feat: Ivan Rodriguez, Yogi Berra, Carlton Fisk or Johnny Bench?

4. Who is the all-time record holder--through the 2001 season--for most home runs by a designated hitter with 235: Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez, Don Baylor, Jose Canseco or Chili Davis?

5. Among the 14 relief pitchers with 300 or more career saves at the start of the 2002 season, Doug Jones (303) is one of only two closers to earn 300 lifetime saves without ever leading his league in that category. Who is the other pitcher to match this feat: Jeff Montgomery, Rick Aguilera, John Franco or Rich Gossage?

6. Bobby Bonds is one of three players, since 1900, to steal 30 or more bases in a season for five different teams during his career. Collect five points for each of the other two players you can identify who accomplished this feat.