2009 Red Sox Trivia Questions & Answers
Total Questions: 31
April 28
Prior to Kevin Youkilis, who was the last Red Sox player to hit an extra-inning walk-off home run against the Yankees?
In the regular season, it was Jim Gosger (6/4/66 in the 16th inning). In the post-season, David Ortiz did it in the 12th inning of Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS.
First to answer correctly: Jim Wolfrum in Camden, ME
May 4
Who was the last Red Sox player to hit a home run in the original Yankee Stadium?
Dustin Pedroia, in the 8th inning of the Red Sox's 11-3 victory over the Yankees on August 27, 2008.
First to answer correctly: Alan Ginsberg in Somerville, MA
May 11
Who was the first African American player ever signed by the Red Sox?
Although he never played for the Red Sox, Piper Davis was the first African American player signed by them in 1950. Davis played for Boston's minor league team in Scranton, PA.
First to answer correctly: Jim Wolfrum in Camden, ME
May 18
Who is the only Red Sox pitcher to ever win a Gold Glove Award?
Mike Boddicker, in 1990.
First to answer correctly: Jim Wolfrum in Camden, ME
May 25
No Red Sox player has worn the number 9 since Ted Williams. Who was the last player to wear it before him?
Ben Chapman, in 1938.
First to answer correctly: Dave Sawtelle in Rockford, IL
June 1
Who was the last Red Sox pitcher to win 25 games in a season?
Mel Parnell, who went 25-7 in 1949.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
June 8
In what year did the Jimmy Fund become an official Red Sox charity?
1953
First to answer correctly: Jim Wolfrum in Camden, ME
June 15
Who holds the Red Sox career record for most times being hit by a pitch?
Earning his nickname "Hit Dog," Mo Vaughn was plunked 71 times during his eight seasons with Boston.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
June 22
Who was the first Red Sox player to steal 30 bases before the All-Star break?
Otis Nixon, who stole 34 bases before the 1994 All-Star game was played.
First to answer correctly: Fritz Dostie in Kittery, ME
June 29
Who was the last Red Sox pitcher to throw an extra innings complete game shutout?
Bruce Hurst, who on 8/7/88 beat the Tigers 3-0 in 10 innings at Detroit.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
July 6
Who was the last Red Sox pitcher to hit a grand slam?
Ellis Kinder, on 8/6/50 at Chicago's Comiskey Park.
First to answer correctly: Doug Eugley in Sidney, ME
July 13
For which team did Terry Francona begin his Major League coaching career?
Tito got his start with the Detroit Tigers in 1996 as their 3rd base coach.
First to answer correctly: Mike Toohey in Madison, CT
July 20
Who was the first player ever drafted by the Red Sox?
The first amateur draft was held in 1965, when the Red Sox's #1 pick was Billy Conigliaro.
First to answer correctly: Jim Davidson in Medford, MA
July 27
Only one player whose last name began with the letter "I" has ever played for the Red Sox. Who was he?
Daryl Irvine, who made 41 appearances out of the Boston bullpen from 1990-92.
First to answer correctly: Alan Ginsberg in Somerville, MA
August 3
Who holds the single-season record for assists by a Red Sox outfielder?
Tris Speaker, with 35 in both 1909 and 1912.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
August 10
Who was the first Red Sox pitcher to strike out more than 15 batters in a game?
Bill Monbouquette, who struck out 17 Senators on 5/12/61 at Washington.
First to answer correctly: Jim Davidson in Medford, MA
August 17
Who was the last Red Sox hitter to have 40 RBIs in a month?
Clyde Vollmer, who in July 1951 batted in 40 runs in 29 games.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
August 24
How many times have the Red Sox won the AL East?
Divisional play began in 1969 and the Red Sox have won the AL East 6 times since then (1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2007).
First to answer correctly: Alan Ginsberg in Somerville, MA
August 31
Who holds the Red Sox record for most consecutive at-bats with a hit?
Mike "Pinky" Higgins, with 12 straight in 1938.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
September 7
Who holds the Red Sox record for most multiple-hit games in a season?
Wade Boggs, with 72 in 1985.
First to answer correctly: Jim Wolfrum in Camden, ME
September 14
Who holds the Red Sox record for most pinch-hit RBIs in a season?
Joe Cronin, with 25 in 1943.
First to answer correctly: Bill Burgess in Augusta, ME
September 21
Who holds the single-season Red Sox record for most saves by a left-handed pitcher?
Tom Burgmeier, with 24 in 1980.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
September 28
Who was the first Harvard graduate to play for the Boston Red Sox?
Tony Lupien, in 1940 and 1942-43.
First to answer correctly: Jim Wolfrum in Camden, ME
October 5
Who is the only Japanese-born position player (non-pitcher) to ever play for the Red Sox?
Dave Roberts, who was born in Okinawa in 1972 and briefly played for Boston 32 years later.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
October 12
Who was the first Red Sox hitter to homer from both sides of the plate in a game?
Reggie Smith, on 8/20/67 in the first game of a doubleheader against the Angels at Fenway Park.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
October 19
Which member of the Red Sox organization is related to Cubs manager Lou Piniella?
Hitting Coach Dave Magadan is Lou's cousin.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
October 26
Which current Red Sox's father is the Deputy Director of the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame?
Jonathan Papelbon, whose Dad, John, lives in Jacksonville and commutes to Tropicana Field, where the Hall relocated to in 2006.
First to answer correctly: Alan Ginsberg in Boston, MA
November 2
Who was the manager for Pawtucket during their first year as the Red Sox's Triple-A affiliate?
Pawtucket became Boston's Triple-A affiliate in 1973, when future Boston Red Sox skipper Darrell Johnson guided them to the International League championship with a 3-2 series win over future Red Sox manager Joe Morgan's Charleston Charlies.
First to answer correctly: Doug Eugley in Sidney, ME
November 9
During World War II, who was the sole Red Sox player to see combat duty in the Battle of the Bulge?
Earl Johnson, who earned the Bronze Star, a Bronze Star with clusters, and the Silver Star during his tour of duty.
First to answer correctly: Don Dudley in Pomfret, CT
November 16
Who was the only player in Red Sox history to have an ownership stake in the team during his playing days?
Jake Stahl, who on November 10, 1911 became a player-manager-part owner under a two-year deal that reportedly give him a 5% ownership stake in the Red Sox. At the time, the Red Sox were owned by a syndicate led by James McAleer, who began to fear that Stahl would mount a coup, and thus Stahl was forced to resign midway through the 1913 season. Shortly thereafter he officially retired to become a banker in Chicago.
First to answer correctly: Alan Ginsberg in Boston, MA
November 16 (Bonus)
There have been 12 players who have played on World Series winning teams for both the Yankees and Red Sox in their careers. In every instance but one, each player was first a champion as a Red Sox. Name the sole player who won a ring as a Yankee before doing so as a Red Sox.
Ramiro Mendoza, who was a champion in Boston in 2004 after winning it all in the Bronx in 1996, 1998-2000. A couple of astute readers also pointed out that Mike Lowell played for the 1998 Yankees championship team (as an 8-game September call-up) and therefore would qualify.
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