Diversion Trivia

INbuc · Post by **INbuc** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:30 pm

As a possible respite from the talk surrounding more important issues here on the board, I have come up with a trivia quiz to test you intelligent Pirate Fans.

All these should be post-Forbes Field era questions. I will post the questions today come back with the answers tomorrow.

1. Which former Pirate is the last known MLB player to play catcher as a lefthander in almost three decades?

2. Who was the first Pirate to hit a home run into the Allegheny River on the fly?

3. What number did Richie Hebner wear before switching to number 3. Extra Credit – why did he switch?

4. Only 60 times in MLB history has a player hit 2 home runs in an inning. Three players, including Andre Dawson and Willie McCovey have done it twice. What former Pirate did in twice for the Bucs?

5. During the 1979 season fans hung banners in the outfield supporting the Bucs. One said “ Ed Ott is ___ ___.” Can you fill in the blanks?

6. This Buc played six seasons in the MLB (different teams) never registering more than 54 at-bats. In his 7th season he hit .338, with a .978 OPS. Had he had 50 more Abs, he would have led the NL in hitting and finished 2nd in OPS.

7. What Bucco infielder got a running start and jumped completely over broadcaster Joe Garagiola before a NBC game of the week?

8. Only 84 immaculate innings (striking out 3 batters on 9 pitches) have been pitched in MLB history—22 by active players. Can you name the 2 pitchers who played for the Bucs in 2017 that have done so?

9. This former Buc played in 8 different seasons with the Pirates but only hit only one home run—and the of the rarest form—an inside-the-park, grand slam. Can you name him?

10. Extra Innings Bonus Question: This overall number one draft choice by the Bucs was largely considered a bust. To narrow that pool, the player I am referring to married a stripper?

You can easily Google many of these answers. If you would rather strain your memory to prove you still have it--I can provide a few hints to help you along before I come back with the answers?

Let me know...and good luck.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:49 pm

Off the top of ny head.

1. Benny Distafano

2. Daryle Ward

4. Jeff King

6. Mike Easler

7. Jose Lind

10. Kris Benson

ArnoldRothstein · Post by **ArnoldRothstein** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 5:55 pm

I'll take one and leave one. Take:

3. Richie Hebner was previously No. 20. He switched to 3 because Pie Traynor had previously been number 20, and the team retired it for Traynor. (edit: come to think of it, I don't know why he chose No. 3.)

Leave:

5.a. What mid-70s pitcher often had a banner displayed for him in the right field corner that said, "Our Man (name)"?

Bobster21 · Post by **Bobster21** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 6:22 pm

5. Just a guess: Ed Ott is red hot?

8. Nicasio was one...I think.

SammyKhalifa · Post by **SammyKhalifa** » Mon Dec 18, 2017 7:31 pm

I wonder if any were hit into the river from Exposition Park though.

ArnoldRothstein · Post by **ArnoldRothstein** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 3:10 am

9. Frankie Taveras.

Edit: Raffy Belliard played in 9 seasons with just one homer, a three-tun shot that left the park.

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 11:50 am

20130F0E0D05330E1509121504080F610 wrote: 9. Frankie Taveras.

Edit: Raffy Belliard played in 9 seasons with just one homer, a three-tun shot that left the park.

Actually Frank Taveras hit 2 HR in his career. One as a Bucco and that is the one that INbuc is referring to and one as a NY Met.

Now for question 9a - Against what team did Taveras hit both of his homeruns?

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 11:56 am

557875646372652526170 wrote: 5. Just a guess: Ed Ott is red hot?

8. Nicasio was one...I think.

Nicasio and Nova! Great guess Bobster.

INbuc · Post by **INbuc** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 1:19 pm

RESULTS

First of all my delivery method was a debacle. I need to think that through. Meanwhile, you devoured this quiz like school of piranhas.

1. Benny Distefano was our southpaw catcher. I wonder if he had an advantage against left-footed baserunners?

2. We may need a ruling on this. Technically, Garrett Jones was the first player to hit a home run in the river while wearing a Pirate uniform. The Legend did it in 2013. Daryle Ward did it in the wrong order. He hit it in the water in 2002 then put on his Bucco uniform a few years later.

3. 20 is correct. And I know why Richie selected 3...to be like you--the Babe.

4. Jeff King is right. Maybe he could borrow Rafeal Palmeiro's idea, make a comeback, and break the tie with McCovey and Dawson. We do need a power hitting 3B man.

5. Ed Ott was Red Hot.

5a. Ramon Hernandez??? I found it is easier to come up with the answers when I make up the questions.

6. Mike Easler. In a league where everyone gets paid to hit, it says something when you are the "Hitman".

7. Aaron jumped all over this test like Chico jumped over Joe.

8. Bobster got Nicasio right. Then I went into the stretch. As Possum noted, Nova was perfect in 2013 as a Yankee.

9. Babe went deep to come up with Frank Taveras, the Pittsburgh Stealer. I listened to the double-header on the radio the night he did it in 1977. Taveras was beaned and then punched in the 1st game. He got the ultimate revenge in the nightcap. I will never forget it.

10. I may have been a little hard on Kris Benson. Unlike his wife, he wasn't a complete Bust.

Thanks for playing. Like Seinfeld, I will try to come up with some new stuff.

ArnoldRothstein · Post by **ArnoldRothstein** » Tue Dec 19, 2017 2:49 pm

05022E392F4C0 wrote:

3. 20 is correct. And I know why Richie selected 3...to be like you--the Babe....

5a. Ramon Hernandez??? I found it is easier to come up with the answers when I make up the questions.

3. I thought maybe Murtaugh suggested 3, to remind Richie what base he was supposed to stand beside.

5.a. John Morlan was "Our Man Morlan."