The World Series serves as the end of another season of the quintessential summer game that is America's favorite pastime.
This best-of-seven affair is also knows as the Fall Classic - and for good reason. It's steeped in tradition and is known for many a memorable moment. Whether it's Don Larsen's perfect game, Babe Ruth calling his shot, Bill Wambsganss' unassisted triple play, Carlton Fisk waving his home run fair or Kirk Gibson's walk-off homer, everyone has a favorite memory.
The World Series defines some teams, whether for better (New York Yankees) or for worse (Boston Red Sox). It's also the highlight of some players' careers - after all, former Yankee Reggie Jackson wasn't called Mr. October for nothing.
The first modern World Series was played in 1903 and featured baseball greats Cy Young and Honus Wagner. That series, and its fans, set the tone for what was to come: the annual fall event that has fans clamoring for a spot to watch the games - whether in front of a big-screen TV or at the ballpark via a highly sought-after ticket.
The Fall Classic has seen many changes during its storied history: Games broadcast on radio and then TV; the addition of the league championship series and "wild card" teams; and steeper ticket prices.
But there's one thing that hasn't changed: The World Series is still about players on two teams competing for the right, if just for a year, to call themselves world champions - the best in baseball.
The Fall Classic is on the horizon, with all its glory. And whether you epitomize the term "fanatic" or are more of a casual fan, you can test your knowledge of World Series history with this trivia test.
1. He hit three home runs in a Wolrd Series game.
A. Carlton Fisk
B. Reggie Jackson
C. Pete Rose
D. Ted Williams
2. The first modern World Series was set up as a series of how many games?
A. 11
B. Five
C. Three
D. Nine
3. In what stadium famous as a venue for football and the Olympics did the Dodgers play their home games in the 1959 World Series?
A. Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
B. Rose Bowl
C. San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium
D. Candlestick Park
4. He was the Most Valuable Player of the 1998 World Series (New York Yankees vs. San Diego Padres).
A. Scott Brosius
B. John Wetteland
C. Tony Gwynn
D. Sterling Hitchcock
5. Who came back from a serious heel injury to help the New York Yankees win the 1949 World Series?
A. Johnny Lindell
B. Phil Rizzuto
C. Joe DiMaggio
D. Tommy Henrich
6. In the 1932 World Series, Babe Ruth "called his shot" and then homered in this ballpark.
A. Shibe Park
B. Yankee Stadium
C. Fenway Park
D. Wrigley Field
7. What Baltimore Orioles defensive wizard was the MVP of the 1970 World Series?
A. Mark Belanger
B. Luis Aparicio
C. Brooks Robinson
D. Paul Blair
8. What team, led by Lou Pinella, upset the Oakland Athletics to win the 1990 World Series?
A. Cincinnati Reds
B. New York Yankees
C. New York Mets
D. St. Louis Cardinals
9. What team did Tug McGraw lead to a World Series victory in 1980?
A. Oakland Athletics
B. New York Mets
C. Toronto Blue Jays
D. Philadelphia Phillies
10. Game 2 of the 1989 World Series was postponed due to what event?
A. Tsunami
B. Hail storm
C. Massive electrical failure
D. Earthquake
11. Who scored the winning run in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series when the ball went through Bill Buckner's legs?
A. Ray Knight
B. Gary Carter
C. Mookie Wilson
D. Keith Hernandez
12. In what city was the first modern World Series game played?
A. Cincinnati
B. New York
C. Boston
D. St. Louis
13. What was the first year that a Canadian team won the World Series?
A. 1948, Montreal Royals
B. 1962, Ottawa Senators
C. 1990, Montreal Expos
D. 1992, Toronto Blue Jays
14. Why was the 1994 World Series cancelled?
A. Stadium collapse
B. Players' strike
C. War
D. Solar eclipse
15. This player was the last batter in Don Larsen's perfect game.
A. Pee Wee Reese
B. Roy Campanella
C. Gil Hodges
D. Dale Mitchell
16. Who had the game-winning RBI single in game 7 of the 1997 World Series for the Florida Marlins?
A. Jeff Conine
B. Edgar Renteria
C. Juan Pierre
D. Gary Sheffield
17. This domed stadium has played host to the World Series.
A. Hoosier Dome (now the RCA Dome)
B. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
C. Louisiana Superdome
D. All of the above
18. This Milwaukee Braves pitcher won games 2, 5, and 7, in the 1957 World Series.
A. Lew Burdette
B. Warren Spahn
C. Johnny Sain
D. Bob Buhl
19. This pitcher most recently notched both a win as a starter and a save as a reliever in the same World Series.
A. Kevin Brown, 1998 Padres
B. Roger Clemens, 2002 Yankees
C. Randy Johnson, 2001 Diamondbacks
D. No one; this feat has never been accomplished
20. The Yankees are the team that most recently won three consecutive World Series. Prior to that, this was the last team to win three consecutive World Series. Extra credit (one point): Name the years the team won.
A. Los Angeles Dodgers
B. Brooklyn Dodgers
C. Philadelphia Athletics
D. Oakland Athletics
21. What year did Ted Williams and Stan Musial play in the same World Series?
A. 1946
B. 1948
C. 1951
D. 1954
22. In which game did Los Angeles' Kirk Gibson hit a game-winning home run in the 1988 World Series?
A. Game 1
B. Game 3
C. Game 6
D. Game 7
23. Who hit a game-winning home run for the Minnesota Twins in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series?
A. Kirby Puckett
B. Kent Hrbek
C. Harmon Killebrew
D. Tony Oliva
24. Willie Mays made his famous "back to home plate" catch in center field in the Polo Grounds in 1954 against what Cleveland Indians batter?
A. Al Rosen
B. Bobby Avila
C. George Strickland
D. Vic Wertz
25. Don Larsen's perfect game vs. the Dodgers in 1956 was saved by a backhanded, all-out running catch by this New York Yankee.
A. Duke Snider
B. Mickey Mantle
C. Yogi Berra
D. Billy Martin
26. What Detroit Tigers pitcher defeated Bob Gibson in Game 7 of the 1968 World Series?
A. Denny McLain
B. Frank Lary
C. Mickey Lolich
D. Jack Morris
27. What New York Yankees pitcher lost three games in the 1981 World Series?
A. Ralph Terry
B. Ed Figueroa
C. George Frazier
D. Luis Arroyo
28. What team did Sandy Koufax defeat 2-0 in Game 7 of the 1965 World Series?
A. Boston Red Sox
B. Kansas City Royals
C. Minnesota Twins
D. New York Yankees
29. In the 1947 World Series, Dodgers left fielder Al Gionfriddo made a great catch racing into the corner in Yankee Stadium. Who was the batter?
A. Yogi Berra
B. Mickey Mantle
C. Phil Rizzuto
D. Joe DiMaggio
30. Which all-New York World Series featured a tie game?
A. 1911
B. 1919
C. 1922
D. 1929
SCORING
0-9: Minor Leaguer. Youve got potential, but it's time to start paying more attention to your coach as you round third base. Be sure to read those scouting reports whenever possible. Remember, the best players are those who appreciate the history of the game. See you in the Arizona Instructional League.
10-19: Rookie. You haven't landed that big contract yet. Just watch and learn from the veterans - they'll steer you in the right direction. Perhaps you couldn't make up your mind and got caught in a run-down, or maybe it was as simple as a balk or a couple of wild pitches. That's why there's always next year. See you in spring training.
20-29: All-Star. You might snag a few votes for MVP, but there's still room for imporovement. Just look at Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens; The best keep making themselves better. With a good regime of off-season conditioning, maybe you can avoid that fade down stretch next year. See you in October, if you're lucky.
30: Mr. October. See you in the Hall of Fame.
Answers: 1. B; 2. D; 3. A; 4. A; 5. C; 6. D; 7. C; 8. A; 9. D; 10. D; 11. A; 12. C; 13. D; 14. B; 15. D; 16. B; 17. B; 18. A; 19. C; 20. D. Extra Credit: 1972-74; 21. A; 22. A; 23. A; 24. D; 25. B; 26. C; 27. C; 28. C; 29. D; 30. C. (The Final Score of Game 2 between the Giants and the Yankees was 3-3.)
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