The Pecan Park Eagle

(1) Left to right above, who are the two actors decked out here as Chicago Cubs personnel?

Since The Pecan Park Eagle is now charged with the responsibility for developing the March Meeting of SABR’s Larry Dierker Chapter Baseball Trivia Quiz, we thought it would be fun to get a little spring training here with a practice run for all our readers to take on as free agents. This time we will stay with the baseball movie theme and again post the correct answers as the first post in the column section which follows this piece. Give yourself a point for each correct item of information you are asked to supply and please demonstrate here that your self esteem has nothing to do with test results by posting your scores and other feedback as comments on this column.

And remember, the quiz began with the question posted under the above featured photo!

(2) What mid-20th century character actor played both a St Louis catcher in “It Happens Every Spring” (1949) and a Pittsburgh manager in the original “Angels in the Outfield” (1951)?

(3) In the re-make of “Angels in the Outfield” (1994), who played the manager of the angel-infested outfield? And what team suffered the blessing this time? Was it the Pirates again? Or some other club? Name it. (Hint: If you struggle over the club’s precise name for that season, getting the location and nickname of this remake site club will get you a correct answer, anyway.)

(4) In “The Stratton Story”, pitcher Monty Stratton lost a leg in a hunting accident. Name the city and alleged ballpark where Stratton made his rather limited “comeback” as a pitcher in an organized baseball game.

(5) In “The Pride of St. Louis” (1952), who played Dizzy Dean and his brother, Paul Dean?

(6) In “The Babe” (1992), Babe Rut started hitting home runs in bunches during the dead ball era of Wee Willie Keeler and his “hit ’em where they ain’t” batting philosophy. In that context, what did Babe Ruth supposedly say (at least, in the script) to defend his power approach to the press? (No exact words are required here. Expressing enough to get the gist of his remarks generalized will earn you credit.)

(7) All right. All right. All right. What currently still hot actor had a minor role in the 1994 version of “Angels in the Outfield”?

(8) Name the actor from “Bull Durham” who played catcher Crash Davis?

(9) In the silent movie, “Speedy” (1928), what famous baseball player actually appeared as a frightened rider in the cab of Harold “Speedy” Lloyd on a sinus-clearing drive from downtown Manhattan to Yankee Stadium?

(10) Who played outfielder Jimmy Piersall and his impossible-to-please father in “Fear Strikes Out” (1957)?

(11) In “The Babe Ruth Story” (1948), Babe Ruth signs a player contract with the Boston Braves under the mistaken impression that he eventually will move up and become the manager of the club. When he generally fails as a player, and in spite of his famous last hurrah 3-homer day in Pittsburgh, he learns that he is being released and there never was a clear guarantee of his future as the manager. When someone suggests he should “sue baseball” over this issue, the movie-Babe makes a statement that we invite you to finish:

“Sue Baseball? No. That would be like _____ ___ ______ !” (Finish the statement.)

(12) In “The Winning Team” (1952), what was Grover Cleveland Alexander’s day job before he became a professional baseball pitcher”

(13) Who played Rogers Hornsby in “The Winning Team” (1952)?

(14) When Ronald Reagan  (as Grover Alexander) in “The Winning Team” (1952) comes in to face Tony Lazzeri for that famous bases-loaded real moment in the bottom of the 7th of 1926’s World Series Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, he replaces Cardinal starter Jesse Haines on the mound. Question: What famous and excellent MLB pitcher played the role of Jesse Haines in this movie?

(15) At least ten (10) then current or former big leaguers also appeared in “The Winning Team” (1952) in minor roles. Name as many as you can. Right answers are all worth a point each.

(16) The mother of actress Jamie Lee Curtis played the female lead in the original “Angels in the Outfield” (1951) movie. Name her.

(17) Who played the dual role of Professor Vernon Simpson and Pitcher Mike “King” Kelly in “It Happens Every Spring” (1949)? And what actress played his always worried girl friend?

(18) In “It Happens Every Spring” (1949), what was the secret quality of the formula that allowed a college professor to become a virtually unbeatable pitcher until his magic elixir ran out?

Here’s where the quiz gets really easy. Nobody goes home with a zero on one of our quizzes. On these two, you get 1 point credit for each – but only if you post these answers as comments below – along with your test score, including these two potential points added in advance because you did post your results. – Got it? – Good! – And many thanks for your participation.

(19) Auto Point 1): Who is your pick for the most credibly athletic actor to ever have played a baseball player in a movie?

(2o) Auto Point 2): Who is your pick for the least athletic actor to ever have played a baseball player in a film?

… You say you want more? Here’s one final BONUS POINT, but only if you get it right! Finish the following quote by manager Tom Hanks in “A League of Their Own” (1992):

“There’s no crying in ——–!”

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Thanks for spending the time with us. Hope you now have the few extra minutes left to post your results for bonus credit in the comment section.

Thanks,

The Pecan Park Eagle