How Well Do You Know Your ’90s Baseball Trivia?

SPORTS

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wikicommons by Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA

About This Quiz

Baseball in the 1990s was filled with ups and downs. New franchises won their first championships while long-established teams returned to the top of the baseball world, sluggers put themselves back in the spotlight of the sport after two decades dominated by pitchers, and a players' strike almost tore the game apart. Can you remember the details of all these events and many more? Here's your chance to find out.

With pitchers like Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson on the mound and sluggers like Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds beside home plate, there were plenty of baseball stars in the '90s to keep the action going and fans interested in the game. During the decade, these players earned awards and broke records, sealing their place in baseball history. 

Major League Baseball also expanded in the '90s, as four teams were added to the league, giving the sport the 30 teams it has today. One of those new teams even went on to win its first World Series before the decade was over. 

Are you ready to find out how big of a baseball fan you really are with this '90s trivia quiz? If you are, get started and see if you're fit for the majors or if you should have retired after your stint in tee-ball. 


Can you identify this player who was the first draft pick in the 1990 MLB draft?

Debuting in 1993, Chipper Jones was one of the biggest stars for the Atlanta Braves for 19 seasons. During his career, he made eight All Star Games, was the NL MVP in 1999 and was the MLB batting champion in 2008.

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In 1996, Joe Torre took over as the manager of which team?

The New York Yankees regained their dominance as soon as Joe Torre took over the team in 1996. In his first season with the team, the Yankees won 92 regular season games before advancing through the playoffs to win the World Series.

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Do you know with what team Cal Ripken Jr. spent his entire '90s career?

Known for his durability, Cal Ripken Jr. was nicknamed "The Iron Man" because he barely missed a game. At one point, he played 2,632 straight games between 1982 and 1999 with the Baltimore Orioles, setting an MLB record for consecutive games played.

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Are you familiar with this pitcher who won the Cy Young Award after winning 23 games in 1999?

There's no doubt that Pedro Martinez was in his prime playing in 1999 when he won his second of three Cy Young Awards. His greatest accomplishment would come in 2004, though, as he helped the Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since 1918.

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Are you familiar with which position Barry Bonds played when he won his first of seven NL MVPs in 1990?

Barry Bonds is well known for his offensive prowess, but for a time, he was just as good on the defensive side of the ball. The 14-time All Star earned eight Gold Glove Awards in the '90s, making him one of the best all around players in the game.

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To keep the game interesting, what did MLB introduce in the 1997 regular season?

The Texas Rangers played the San Francisco Giants in the first interleague regular season game in MLB history. The Giants walked away with a 4-3 victory, in part because of a home run hit by Stan Javier.

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Mariano Rivera won the 1999 World Series MVP playing which position?

Nicknamed "Sandman," Mariano Rivera was one of the greatest closers to ever take the mound to finish a game. The Hall of Fame honored him by making Rivera the first player to ever be elected unanimously to the Hall.

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Can you name the team that Bobby Cox managed throughout the '90s?

No team won more regular season games than the Atlanta Braves throughout the '90s, reaching the playoffs eight times. Bobby Cox was the manager throughout that entire run, though he didn't have much postseason success.

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Do you know with which team Juan Gonzalez spent his entire '90s career?

Debuting in 1989, Juan Gonzalez played his final season with the Texas Rangers in 1999. Following the season, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians with only a single year left on his contract.

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The winner of 10 Gold Gloves in the '90s, which position did Greg Maddux play?

A balanced threat from the mound, Greg Maddux was one of the best pitchers in the game throughout the '90s. Evidence of his ability lies in the four straight Cy Young Awards he won between 1992 and 1995.

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Who won back-to-back AL MVP titles in 1993 and 1994?

From earning an AL batting title to being elected to five All Star Games, Frank Thomas' career was filled with accomplishments. However, the two-time MVP never won a World Series to add to his resume.

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Are you able to identify this pitcher who won two NL Cy Young Awards in the '90s?

Tom Glavine is a Hall of Fame pitcher who played for both the Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets. During his career, he compiled a record of 305 wins against only 203 loses and struck out 2,607 batters.

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The is the winner of the 1999 NL Cy Young Award. Do you recognize this player?

Consistently throwing over 100 mph, Randy Johnson had one of the most lethal fastballs in the game. His pitching power earned him five Cy Young Awards, a Triple Crown and a World Series MVP.

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What accomplishment did Kenny Rogers complete on July 28, 1994?

Kenny Rogers was only the 14th player in baseball history to pitch a perfect game. He accomplished the feat while playing for the Texas Rangers, which makes him the only player from the franchise to pitch a perfect game.

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Alex Rodriguez was drafted with the first pick in the 1993 MLB draft by which team?

Alex Rodriguez played for the Seattle Mariners from 1994 until 2000. During that stint, he made four All-Star Games and earned four Silver Slugger Awards. Despite his success in Seattle, he left the team after the 2000 season to sign with the Texas Rangers.

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In what year did a players' strike keep Major League Baseball from playing a postseason?

The 1994 players' strike damaged Major League Baseball, as fans turned to other leagues that were growing in popularity, like the NBA and NFL. Luckily, the home run explosion that took place in the following years helped to draw those fans back in.

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The Atlanta Braves went to five World Series in the '90s. In what year did they win?

The Atlanta Braves dominated the '90s during the regular season, but they often struggled in the playoffs, especially when they reached the World Series. Having appeared in five World Series, the team only walked away with a victory in 1995.

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A 14-time All Star, who won the 1999 NL MVP?

Ivan Rodriguez had an outstanding year on both sides of the field during his 1999 MVP season, earning both a Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove Award. He set many firsts for catchers that season, including hitting the most home runs for a catcher ever to play in the American League.

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Who was the first black manager to lead a team to a World Series victory when the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves?

When Cito Gaston took over the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989, the team immediately became a title contender, winning the American League East in his first season. The team won the division three more times from 1991 until 1993, walking away with two World Series during that span.

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The 1991 World Series between the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves went how many games?

Jack Morris, who started three of the seven games for the Minnesota Twins, was named the MVP of the 1991 World Series. He finished the series with a 1.17 ERA, allowing only three runs in 23 innings.

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Mark McGwire reset the single season home run record in 1998 when he slammed how many balls out the park?

Mark McGwire competed directly with Sammy Sosa for the MLB home run record in 1998. Sosa finished the season with 66 home runs, which would have been the new MLB record, but McGwire topped him with 70 home runs that season.

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Which team won its first World Series title in 1997?

Despite having played their first season in 1993, the Florida Marlins had built a championship team by 1997, which was their first year in the playoffs. In that postseason, the Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves in the playoffs. They went on to defeat the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series.

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Relief pitcher John Wetteland was named the MVP of the 1996 World Series after saving how many games for the New York Yankees?

The Atlanta Braves were up two games on the New York Yankees when John Wetteland came into make the save in Game 3, which the Yankees won 5-2. The Yankees would win four straight games to take the series.

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Can you name the team that played its first season in 1998?

Since their inaugural season, the Tampa Bay Rays have only reached the playoffs four times. They made it to the World Series in 2008 but lost the series to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games.

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Entering MLB in 1993, where did the Colorado Rockies first play their home games?

The Colorado Rockies only played in Mile High Stadium for two seasons before moving to Coors Field in 1995. Miles High Stadium was also home to the Denver Broncos until they moved to Broncos Stadium at Mile High in 2001.

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George Brett was the first player in the '90s to accomplish what feat?

It takes a true offensive talent or a lot of luck for a player to complete a hit for the cycle in a game. The accomplishment requires a player to hit a single, double, triple and home run in a single game.

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Which Hall of Famer won the only MVP of his career in 1990?

One of baseball's great leadoff hitters, Rickey Henderson finished his career with 3,055 hits and 297 home runs. However, he was his greatest at stealing bases, setting an MLB record with 1,406 career stolen bases.

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Are you familiar with the Cy Young Award-winning pitcher who won 27 games in 1990?

As of 2018, Bob Welch was the last pitcher to record over 25 wins in a season. His 27 win total earned him his second and final All Star appearance and a trip to the World Series, though his team lost the series.

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What year did the New York Yankees face off against the Boston Red Sox in the AL Championship Series?

The New York Yankees have a heated rivalry with the Boston Red Sox that dates back much further than their meeting in the 1999 ALCS. The rivalry is often traced back to when Babe Ruth was traded from Boston to New York in 1919, beginning what is known as "The Curse of the Bambino."

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Where was the 1992 MLB All Star Game played?

Jack Murphy Stadium, which houses the San Diego Padres, has been renamed several times since the 1992 All Star Game. It was named the Qualcomm Stadium from 1997 until 2017 and renamed the SDCCU Stadium in 2017.

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How many Silver Slugger Awards did Ken Griffey Jr. win in the '90s?

The Silver Slugger Award is given each season to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League. The award is voted on by coaches and managers across MLB.

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Cecil Fielder led Major League Baseball in home runs in 1990 when he hit how many?

The home run total was down significantly before Cecil Fielder hit 51 in 1990, launching a new home run era in baseball. Prior to that, no player had hit over 50 home runs since 1961.

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Can you recall what number Barry Larkin wore during his 1995 MVP campaign?

Barry Larkin spent his entire MLB career at shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds, where he was a 12-time All Star. To honor his contributions, the Reds retired his No. 11 and added him to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

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The Oakland Athletics lost the 1990 World Series in how many games, despite being heavy favorites?

Having won the World Series in 1989, the Oakland Athletics were ready to have another great season in 1990 and even won 103 games, finishing first in the American League West. However, they weren't prepared for the World Series and lost it in four games to the Cincinnati Reds.

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No team in the '90s lost more games than the Detroit Tigers. How many did they lose?

Throughout the '90s, the Detroit Tigers never reached the playoffs as the team didn't finish higher than second place in the AL East Division. Their highest win total was in 1993 when they recorded 85 wins, and their worst record was in 1996 when they lost 109 games.

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The winner of the 1995 AL MVP, what year did Mo Vaughn debut in MLB?

Though he wasn't the greatest defensive player to step on the field, Mo Vaughn was an offensive threat from an early age. During his MVP season in 1995, he hit 39 home runs while finishing the season with a .326 batting average.

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In a game that went 10 innings, where was the 1994 MLB All Star Game held?

Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Three Rivers Stadium hosted home games for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Steelers from 1970 until 2000. Both teams were given their own stadiums in 2001 when PNC Park and Heinz Field opened.

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Which news network famously sent a reporter to grill Pete Rose over gambling accusations during the 1999 World Series?

Jim Gray was the interviewer for NBC who pushed Pete Rose over and over into confessing to gambling accusations laid against him. These accusations have kept Rose out of the Hall of Fame, despite a career filled with accomplishments.

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Do you know which year MLB players had the best batting average as a whole?

Larry Walker led MLB in batting average for the second year in a row in 1999, finishing the season with an average of .379. For his career, Walker had 2,160 hits and a batting average of .313.

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In Game 6 of the 1993 World Series, how many runs were scored on Joe Carter's walk-off game winning home run?

The Toronto Blue Jays were down by one run in the ninth inning of Game 6 when Joe Carter stepped up to the plate. After a 2-2 count, Carter finally made good contact with the ball, sending it over the left-field wall and winning the series for the Blue Jays as three runs were scored.

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