BASEBALL TRIVIA

Name the first black player to win four or more consecutive batting crowns?

A. Bill Madlock
B. Rod Carew
C. Tony Gwynn
D. Willie Mays

Answer: B.

If you want a picture of dominance, look at the ink in the record book showing Minnesota's Rod Carew snatching seven batting titles in ten years between 1969 and 1978. His four consecutive wins came from 1972 through 1975, a span when he also led the league twice in hits.

The Panamaian's high-water mark came in 1977, when he hit a personal best .388, posted a .449 on-base mark, and won the American League MVP award.

Name the Cubs' hurler who holds the record for saves in a season.

A. Bruce Sutter
B. Lee Smith
C. Randy Myers
D. Mitch Williams
E. Ted Abernathy

Answer: C.

The four-time All-Star saved 53 games in 1993, one of three times he led his league in saves.

Name the oldest participant in the All-Star Game.

A. Stan Musial
B. Willie Mays
C. Satchel Paige
D. Hank Aaron

Answer: C.

The future Hall of Famer pitched for the American League in the 8th inning of the July 14, 1953, Midsummer Classic at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. Then 47 years old and on the St. Louis Browns, Paige came into the game with the American League trailing 3-1 and allowed three hits, a walk, and two earned runs. He had retired Gil Hodges and Eddie Mathews before surrendering run-scoring singles to Enos Slaughter and Murry Dickson.

The American League lost 5-1.

Name the last team to have a Cy Young Award winner and MVP winner in the same year.

A. Blue Jays
B. Red Sox
C. Dodgers
D. Cubs

C.

Clayton Kershaw snatched  both awards in 2014, when he led the National League in wins by posting a 21-3 record, a 1.77 ERA. He nearly doubled runner-up Johnny Cueto in Cy Young vote points and easily beat Giancarlo Stanton in the MVP voting, with 18 first-place votes to Stanton's eight.