Vintage Baseball Card and Player Trivia
 

Don't know whether this has been tried before or not. If not, I think it could be an interesting thread.

Simple Rules:

1. Ask a trivia question related to Vintage Baseball Card collecting, pertaining to a card, a set or a player. No strict restrictions as to content, as long as it complies with the guidelines for this Board. (Vintage Board Compliance Rule)

2. Do not answer the question. If someone answers your question incorrectly, you may provide a hint, but are not obligated to do so unless there are more than three incorrect answers. (All Questions Must Have An Answer Ultimately Rule)

3. You may answer a previously posted question, if you know the answer (Quoting the original question will help). If you answer a question, you should also be prepared to ask another question (Thread Survival Rule)

4. You may also ask another question at any time. (Second Thread Survival Rule)

5. If the correct answer to your question is posted, please acknowledge that it is the correct answer. (Trivial Verification Rule)

6. Any disputes regarding the correct answer to a question will be settled in the Net54 parking lot after hours. (Dispute Resolution Rule)

7. Unanswered questions may get buried in this thread. If you asked a question that goes unanswered, please repost the question indicating it as a "Second Chance" (similar to bumping an unsold item on the BST board). (Corollary to the All Questions Must Have An Answer Ultimately Rule)

If this works, the Net54 community will all share the trivial knowledge and nuances that our hobby provides.

I'll start off with a sample question.

A high percentage of nineteenth century ball players sported mustaches. By 1909 they were no longer in style. Name all the T206 players with a mustache.

Not too difficult to get this started. I'm sure there are plenty of tougher questions out there. Have fun.

Titus
 

If my memory is correct... John Titus is the only one.


Patrick

Correct, but you are now required to ask a question

(Thread Survival Rule 1)

What was the nickname given to the Brooklyn Federal League Team?
 

I recently won a 1915 Frank Owen Cracker Jack, who played for the Brooklyn Federal League Team. What is the team nickname, and where did the team nickname originate?


Patrick

The Brooklyn Tip-Tops. Owner of the team was a fellow named Ward, he owned the company making Tip-Top bread....

I'm working on a scan of a bit of ephemera associated with that.


Next question, a pitcher for the Tip-Tops died the same day Ty Cobb died, who was he?

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...rdephemera.jpg
And I think this is Ward-Mackey Co., invoice is the comany that made Tip-Top bread, and would be associated with those almost square Tip-Top Bread cards showing the 1909 World Champions Pirates... This invoice is dated June 22, 1904.

Correct answer Frank
 

Frank,

You are correct!

Thanks for keeping the game going!


Patrick

Ed Reulbach and Ty Cobb died on July 17, 1961
 

Frank,

Both Ed Reulbach and Ty Cobb died on July 17, 1961.

I think you threw us a curve ball since according to Baseball Reference.com Ed played for the Brooklyn Robins (NL) in 1914, and the Newark Peppers (FL) in 1915.


Patrick

A Nuts and Bolts Question
 

What did Reulbach's catcher buy at the Hardware Store?

And why?

Yikes!!!! He was with Newark in the Fed League, I was mistaken, his Brooklyn affiliation was in the NL... but Ed Reulbach is the guy I was after...

As for the catcher and the hardware store, I have no idea. Don't know if you're talking Kling, Archer, or someone else.




Big Ed would have liked the "curve ball".

trivia
 

Frank,
Might it have been white paint. Reulbachs eye site was so poor his catchers would paint the inside of thier gloves.

White paint is correct. Now post your own question. This doesn't have to be a single thread. Hopefully there will be several questions in play at the same time. The trunk is growing, we need branches.

trivia
 

I have to go a little more modern so lets try this one
Name the 6 Italian baseball players to have hit 40 or more Home Runs in 1 year.

Petrocelli

Colavito ?

Piazza

Joe DiMaggio

Campanella.

40 hrs
 

Guys between the 3 of you all 5 are correct 1 more needed:eek:

Bob very nice with Campanella.

Paul Konerko
 

The #6 Italian would be Paul Konerko. The power of google.


Patrick

That would be incorrect Konerko is polish. His father and his given last name is polish his mother is Italian.

A Hint the final player had something to do with the M+M boys.

Ken Caminiti

trivia
 

No to Caminiti

I will give the answer so someone can take over.
Jim Gentile 1961 Baltimore Orioles Hit 46 HRs.
Story was as Maris and Mantle were fighting it out for the HR crown and the record ,Jim Gentile was also having a great year. In his contract it was written that Jim was intitled to a bonus of 5000 dollars if he finished first in the RBI lead. Maris finished with 142, Jim with 141. Many years later it was determinded that 1 of Rogers rbis had scored on an error. So jim had finished tied for the rbi lead. The orioles made good on thier word many years later by having a Jim Gentile night and giving him a check for the 5000 dollars I believe some 25+years later that he had won for the rbi title.

I'm confused. Why isn't Caminiti part of an answer to your trivia question?

Meet me at 6 in the parking lot
 

Looks like we are headed for the parking lot (Rule 6)

Regardless we need another question. I'm okay with semivintage questions about Italian dingers and the like, but don't tell Leon. He might boot us to another board that fewer people see.

Here's another question

There is a misspelled name in the T206 set, that is unique for a reason not related to the spelling error. What is the error aand why is it unique?

lol.. Rule 6 isn't necessary here.. I always try to be civil on this forum, and far be it for me to hijack an interesting thread!:)

Juan Violat (Viola) - the only person whose last name starts with "V?" That was a complete stab in the dark...

This answer appears correct, but it is not the one I had in mind. Bad question, but a learning experience. There are two. Who is the other in addition to Viola(t).

Your answer is deemed correct, so please provide another question.

trivia
 

Ben,
After further review you are right . I have to revise it now to 7 Italian players.
Frank throw out the rules and I believe let ben have the next trivia question!:D:D

I can't come up with the second answer you wanted...clue us in?

My question: WHO IS THE ONLY PITCHER TO ACHIEVE A WINNING RECORD IN EVERY SEASON (TEN OR MORE) THAT HE REGISTERED A DECISION?

Hard to believe no one else has ever done this...

CC Sabathia...

Next question. Who is the only player to lead the entire major leagues in batting average, but not lead his league(AL or NL) in batting average for that season?

Just a guess. McIntyre, and unique because he's listed with 2 teams?

Well...I'll be...
 

David,

I just checked your answer and C.C. indeed tied this vintage pitcher. I had no idea he tied the record, as I have been telling this bit of trivia for years...

And Eddie Murray is the answer to your question...

So back to me:

Besides C.C. Sabathia...what pitcher has had a winning record in ten or more seasons with no losing seasons?

Yes, Murray. I believe the other is Spud Chandler. Possibly also Andy Pettitte, if you count a .500 season as a winning record(he at least never had a losing record).

Well Chandler was 0-0 one year which isn't a winning record...This pitcher had ten winning seasons with no .500 seasons or losing seasons.

Answer is-------Babe Ruth. He only got it because he had two one win seasons late in his career.

What player led two leagues in HRs in the same season?

What is the probability of a team scoring exactly one run in any half-inning?

Part B: two or more runs?

I hope these aren't considered o/t as not vintage.

Hope to see all in Baltimore.

Your question stated, which pitcher had a winning record in every year in which he recorded a decision. 0-0=no decisions. So I'd think Chandler would have to count based on how you worded the question. Tim Hudson has also had a winning record every season for 13 seasons...Currently researching if there are any others...I see that oldjudge anwered with Ruth. I believe Sabathia and Hudson are currently only other pitchers who would qualify without the "recorded decision" part. Perhaps the question should be changed to "every season he pitched in a game"..

Let's go with a two part question about bats. 1 vintage, 1 modern.

1)Who was the first player to order a bat with a knob?

2)Who was the first player to use a Maple bat?

Yes. Tim Hudson is another. So that's three now. As soon as C.C. and Hudson get their losing seasons or .500 seasons out of the way, Ruth will once again be the answer...

Sorry
 

Not correct. There is still a correct answer out there. A hint will be provided after the next incorrect guess.

Great to see we have more than one question in play now.

Rebel Oakes is the answer to #2.

I honestly have no clue as to whether or not that's true. I think I worded the question wrong.. Let me rephrase then, Who was the first player to use a major league sanctioned Maple bat?

ok. It took a while, but I thought of one. From reading this thread, this should be an easy one.:)

Name the players whom had at least a .330 lifetime batting average and fewer than 500 strikeouts at the time they hit their 300th home run.

(4 players)

I think Mr. Musial would be one of the four.

Musial
Williams
DiMaggio
Pujols

...was my guess this morning. I just checked my answer and my guesses were correct. Three pretty good guys for Pujols to be in company with. Good question...

Next question: WHO IS THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN SWITCH-HITTER TO WIN THE A.L. MVP AWARD?

I'm pretty sure that would be Vida Blue.

Here's one: Who was a major league teammate of both Hack Wilson and Ernie Banks?


Greg

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1...tchLeonard.jpg


Next question...


What Hall of Fame member struck out in his only major league at bat... in 1936?

I knew that trivia question wouldn't last long on this board.:) I first heard about this in the Sports Illustrated Bryce Harper issue a couple of years ago. If I remember correctly, SI forgot the 500 strikeouts fact in that article. Leaving the strikeout part out of the question results in a field of around 10 players. --I think??

HINT and Rule Modification
 

David, you asked for a hint, which I am going to offer at this time, as this important question is getting buried.

The misspelled player had a major league career that spanned 8 years, during which he hit two home runs.

The thread is going fine now, but at some point i am going to have to collect and repost unanswered questions or perhaps I should ask those who have posted an unanswered question to repost it and label the post as a "Second Chance". The latter option would be easier for me, so by decree I am going to add a Rule 7 to this effect on Post #1 at the beginning.

New Question
 

I think Joe DiMaggio's most impressive statistic is his career strikeout total of 369. With 361 home runs he is the closest by far to achieving a HR/SO ratio of 1. In seven seasons Joe had more home runs than strikeouts. Can you name one Hall of Famer whose home run total exceeded his strikeout total in two separate seasons? There is at least one correct answer.

Walter Alston?

My first guess was Joe Sewell (since he almost never struck out), and a quick check of the records shows that he did do it twice. I'm guessing there might be others from the deadball era?

Greg

Correct. That one didn't last very long.

Walter Alston is correct, Mark.

And now you're turn to ask a question.

I tried one a couple pages back that was intended for math junkies but maybe unfair. I'll rack my brain for a more appropriate question.

What immortal pinch-hitter hit his first major league homer as a pinch-hitter for Roger Maris?

He was also the only man to ever pinch hit for Ted Williams.

Mr. Hardy
 

If I'm permitted to answer, my answer would be Carroll Hardy. I still have an unanswered question and hint pending on this thread.


Note also that this thread has exceeded 1000 views in less than 58 hours. I wonder what the record is for this milestone.

correct

Mr. Musial is in the Hall, he had more home runs than strikeouts in both 1943 and 1948.



What major league pitcher has the most career wins among those pitchers who DID NOT ever win the Cy Young Award?

Nolan Ryan

Or is this a trick question? Is the answer Cy Young?

My favorite trivia question with a twist
 

I am looking for two players who:

Were born in the same year,
Played the same position,
Played for and achieved their success with the same team,
and both made it to Cooperstown (not in the same year)
but never played in the same game, and in fact they were never even teammates.

Look at the first line again and post images of these two players.

Carroll Hardy also pinch hit for Yaz adding to his place in trivia history.

Rawn

If Lefty O'Doul had a couple more good years with the Giants, I would say him and Ross Youngs.

Not correct, Scott, but I learned something. Didn't know that Ross Youngs was in the Hall. Thanks for your guess.

A. Parks, it is Cy Young. Of the pitchers who did not win the Cy Young award, he has the most wins. I like that question!

Awwwwww....you sly dog!

I like that one too. Now, Frank, answer either of mine Post #23 with a clue at #48 or Post #61.

Frank

Frank, give me a clue - I wasted about two hours today trying to figure that one out, and now I actually HAVE two hours to waste while waiting to get outbid on all the Legendary lots I'm currently leading.

I'm guessing it's someone who got in as a player, and someone who got in as a manager....or a blockbuster mid-season trade between leagues, where one player's career went down and the other one's went up.

PM sent

Bump for Answer
 

Amos Rusie had three 500 inning seasons with the Giants by the age of 21 and was essentially finished by the age of 28.

McGinnity joined the Giants after Rusie was gone and pitched with them in the following decade and continued to pitch in the minors until he was 54.

Both were also in the Legendary Auction recently, although McGinnity was harder to fin in Lot #446 I believe.

Wow! Good question!

But what was the "twist?"

To display the answer in images

Oh! Gotcha!

A comment and an answer
 

There is a misspelled name in the T206 set, that is unique for a reason not related to the spelling error. What is the error and why is it unique?

The misspelled player had a major league career that spanned 8 years, during which he hit two home runs.

Whether this thread lives in infamy or dies a slow painful death remains to be seen. I personally will not keep feeding questions as my supply is finite. I have learned a few good additions to my repertoire. Hopefully I can use them to win a few drinks at bars that I do not frequent. I will continue to follow the thread to the grave though.

Having made my comment, I will provide the answer to the above question.
Violat (actually Viola) and George Brown (actually Browne) are both valid answers, but the unique answer I was looking for was Sid Smith (actually Sydney or Syd Smith), who is unique because he is the only T206 player whose card includes his first name on the front. Yes there are some initials on other cards (H Davis, L Tannehill, and F Smith to name a few) and of course Happy Smith, but Happy is a nickname.

I'm including an image of Syd to complete this post. Let's get some more questions.