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First Generation of Black Stars Quiz: Very Difficult Solutions

  
 
 

Here are the correct answers and explanations to the very difficult quiz.

 
 
1. Who was the second black player to appear in the World Series?
a. Dan Bankhead
b. Satchel Paige
c. Larry Doby
d. Roy Campanella
The correct answer is (a), Dan Bankhead, 1947 Brooklyn Dodgers. He never took the mound but scored as a pinch-runner.
 
2. Who was the second black home run champ in the major leagues?
a. Luke Easter
b. Larry Doby
c. Roy Campanella
d. Willie Mays
The correct answer is (b), Larry Doby, 1954 Cleveland Indians. He slammed 32 HRs and also led the league with 126 RBIs for the pennant winners, but lost out to Berra for MVP.
 
3. Who was the first black pitcher in organized baseball?
a. Nate Moreland
b. Don Newcombe
c. Roy Partee
d. Johnny Wright
The correct answer is (d), Johnny Wright, 1946 Montreal Royals. Wright pitched for Montreal (International League) a few days after Robinson's historic debut.
 
4. Who was the first black left-handed pitcher in the major leagues?
a. Jehosie Heard
b. Lino Donoso
c. Ruben Gomez
d. Webbo Clarke
The correct answer is (a), Jehosie Heard, 1954 Baltimore Orioles. This 34-year-old rookie was also the first black Oriole. (PS - Gomez was a righty.)
 
5. Who was the first black left-hander to win an American League game?
a. Jehosie Heard
b. Webbo Clarke
c. Al Downing
d. Juan Pizarro
The correct answer is (d), Juan Pizarro, 1961 Chicago White Sox. He won 14 that year to tie Connie Johnson (1957 Orioles) for the American League high by a black hurler at that time.
 
6. Who was the first black player on the Chicago Clubs roster?
a. Gene Baker
b. Ernie Banks
c. Sam Jones
d. Solly Drake
The correct answer is (a), Gene Baker, 1953 Chicago Cubs. Baker was injured when he joined the Cubs. Banks was signed a few days later and became the first to appear in a game.
 
7. Who was the first African-American to play for the Detroit Tigers?
a. Ozzie Virgil
b. Billy Bruton
c. Larry Doby
d. Jim Proctor
The correct answer is (c), Larry Doby, 1959 Detroit Tigers. Doby was the second black Tiger after Virgil (1958 debut), who was from the Dominican Republic.
 
8. Who was the first black second baseman in the major leagues?
a. Jackie Robinson
b. Larry Doby
c. Hank Thompson
d. Jim Gilliam
The correct answer is (c), Hank Thompson, 1947 St. Louis Browns. Robinson played first base his rookie season.
 
9. Who was the first black third baseman in the major leagues?
a. Jackie Robinson
b. Larry Doby
c. Hank Thompson
d. Roy Dandridge
The correct answer is (a), Jackie Robinson, 1948 Brooklyn Dodgers. He was the regular second baseman that year, but made six appearances at third.
 
10. Who was the first black shortstop in the major leagues?
a. Ernie Banks
b. Larry Doby
c. Artie Wilson
d. Jim Pendleton
The correct answer is (b), Larry Doby, 1947 Cleveland Indians. He played one game in relief of Lou Boudreau; Doby was an infielder in the Negro Leagues.
 
11. Who was the first black outfielder in the major leagues?
a. Minnie Minoso
b. Larry Doby
c. Hank Thompson
d. Willard Brown
The correct answer is (d), Willard Brown, 1947 St. Louis Browns. This future Negro League Hall-of-Famer got a 21-game trial as a 36-year-old rookie.
 
12. Who was the first black American League Cy Young winner?
a. Luis Tiant
b. Vida Blue
c. Mudcat Grant
d. Mike Cuellar
The correct answer is (d), Mike Cuellar, 1969 Baltimore Orioles. Cuellar (23-11, 2.38) actually tied Denny McLain of the Tigers (24-9, 2.80).
 
13. Who was the first black American league batting champ?
a. Tony Oliva
b. Al Smith
c. Vic Power
d. Minnie Minoso
The correct answer is (a), Tony Oliva, 1964 Minnesota Twins. Oliva hit .323 as a rookie. In 1951 Minoso hit .326 as a rookie and finished second.
 
14. Who was the first black 20-game winner in the American League?
a. Luis Tiant
b. Juan Pizarro
c. Mudcat Grant
d. Mike Cuellar
The correct answer is (c), Mudcat Grant, 1965 Minnesota Twins. Grant finished 21-7 for the American League pennant winners but Koufax was the unanimous Cy Young winner (two years later the award would be given for each league).
 
15. Who was the first black player to lead the American League in hits?
a. Al Smith
b. Vic Power
c. Minnie Minoso
d. Tony Oliva
The correct answer is (c), Minnie Minoso, 1960 Chicago White Sox. Minnie was thought to be 37 at the time.
 
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