Tuesday Trivia

Minnesota has hosted three MLB All-Star games

The internationalization of the Major League Baseball was on clear display at the 1965 All-Star Game at Metropolitan Stadium. There were eight Latin-American players on the rosters. They were (from left) Felix Mantilla, Roberto Clemente, Tony Oliva, Cookie Rojas, Juan Marichal, Zoilo Versalles, Vic Davalillo and Leo Cardenas.

This is the second of three editions of Tuesday Trivia that center around the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

The theme this week is the three All-Star games that have been played in Minnesota. The Twins have hosted the game three times, once at each of their home stadiums, Metropolitan Stadium, the Metrodome and Target Field.

The 94th All-Star Game will be held July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Tex.

Answers are below.

Questions

1. Who led off the 1965 game at Metropolitan Stadium with a home run while wearing a Chicago Cubs batting helmet even though he played for the San Francisco Giants?

2. A pitcher from the winning National League team was named Most Valuable Player in the 1965 game. Who was it?

3. Which team had the most players in the 1965 All-Star Game?

4. The first All-Star Home Run Derby was held in 1985 at the Metrodome. Which National League slugger won it?

5. One of the American League starters in the 1985 game packed his socks and uniform pants for the trip to Minnesota, but didn’t have a jersey, cap, helmet, glove, spikes, or batting gloves. Who was it?

6. Who is the only player to appear in each of the first two All-Star Games played in Minnesota?

7. Who was the Most Valuable Player of the 1985 All-Star Game?

8. A former Twins pitcher returned to Minnesota for the 2014 All-Star Game and would take the loss in a 5-3 American League win.

9. The ninth-inning battery for the American League were a pair of Twins teammates. Who were they?

10. Who was the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 All-Star Game?

Answers

Willie Mays wearing a Cincinnati Reds batting helmet during the 1965 All-Star Game at Met Stadium. He also wore a Chicago Cubs helmet during the game.

1. Willie Mays homered off Baltimore’s Milt Pappas to lead off the 1965 game wearing the helmet of Billy Williams of the Chicago Cubs. The Giants were on the road for their final game before the All-Star break and his equipment was sent back to San Francisco rather than Minnesota. His uniform arrived for the game, but his helmet did not. He also wore Williams’ helmet for his second at-bat but then switched to the helmet of Cincinnati’s John Edwards.

Juan Marichal of the Giants was the MVP of the 1965 game.

2. San Francisco’s Juan Marichal (who also was without a uniform the morning of the game) started and pitched three shutout innings in the NL’s eventual 6-5 win. He allowed one hit and did not walk or strike out a batter. Marichal also had a hit in his lone plate appearance.

Twins shortstop Zoilo Versalles throws to first base to complete a double play after forcing out Frank Malzone in a 1965 game at Fenway Park. Take note of where the players are in relation to the base. Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images

3. The hometown Minnesota Twins had six players in the 1965 game. Earl Battey was the starting catcher. Also named to the team were pitcher Mudcat Grant, first baseman Harmon Killebrew, shortstop Zoilo Versalles and outfielders Jimmie Hall and Tony Oliva.

Dave Parker won the first All-Star Game Home Run Derby in 1985 at the Metrodome.

4. Dave Parker of the Cincinnati Reds. The Home Run Derby was structured as a two-inning event with each participant getting five outs per inning. Parker hit six home runs.

Detroit’s Lou Whitaker forgot his jersey for the 1985 game so a clubhouse attendant bought a blank Tigers jersey from a Metrodome souvenir stand.

5. Detroit second baseman Lou Whitaker, well known His All-Star teammates stepped up to help: Cleveland pitcher Bert Blyleven let Whitaker wear his helmet; Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr. had an extra glove; Damaso Garcia of the Blue Jays came through with batting gloves. A clubhouse attendant bought an adjustable Tiger cap and a jersey from a souvenir stand at the Metrodome. The problem was that it was a generic Tigers jersey – there was no number or name on the back. A clubhouse attendant took a black marker and wrote in Sweet Lou’s #1 using a stencil.

Pete Rose pinch hits at the 1985 All-Star Game at the Metrodome. Photo by The Associated Press, John Swart

6. Pete Rose played in 16 All-Star Games. He was the NL’s starting second baseman in the 1965 game at Met Stadium and entered the 1985 game at the Metrodome as a pinch hitter.

San Diego’s LaMarr Hoyt pitches in the first inning of the 1985 All-Star Game in Minneapolis with fellow Padre Steve Garvey playing first base.

7. LaMarr Hoyt of San Diego was the MVP. He was the starting pitcher in the NL’s 6-1 win. He pitched three innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Pat Neshek delivers during the fifth inning of the 2014 All-Star Game at Target Field. Photo by Elsa Garrison, Getty Images

8. Pat Neshek, a Brooklyn Park native and Park Center High School graduate, was named to the NL team as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He came on in the bottom of the fifth inning and retired Josh Donaldson on a ground out but then allowed singles to Derek Norris and Alexei Ramirez and a double to Mike Trout before giving way to Tyler Clippard.

Minnesota Twins teammates Kurt Suzuki and pitcher Glen Perkins celebrate closing out the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Photo by Jeff Curry, USA TODAY Sports

9. Pitcher Glen Perkins and catcher Kurt Suzuki. Perkins recorded a save as he pitched one inning, not allowing a hit and striking out one.

Angels center fielder Mike Trout hits a run-scoring triple during the first inning of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game. Photo by Rob Carr, Getty Images

10. Center fielder Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was the 2014 MVP. He was 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and a double, two RBI and scored a run.