25 MLB All-Star Trivia

                                           credit mlb.com

In light of the 2013 All-Star Game approaching this Tuesday, RBTS would like to provides some interesting tidbits leading up to the game. Go through our questions and see how knowledgeable you are. Some of the questions require no effort at all; but hopefully there are some that will require a little thought. If by chance you don't know the answer, the key is below the questions. So check out the list of questions and see how many you can answer without peeking!

1. The first ever All-Star game was July 6, 1933. In which major league ballpark was it held?  

2. What future Hall-of-Famer is the only player to strike out four times in an All-Star Game?

3. Who has the most career stolen bases in All-Star history?
4. How many All-Star Games ended up in a tie?


5. What HOF slugger struck out a record 17 times in All-Star Games?

6. Who was the first player to hit two homers in a single All-Star Game?

7. Name the three players who won the Home Run Derby and then hit a home run in the All-Star Game that same year?

 8. In 1963, an entire starting infield from one team made the National League All-Star roster. Can you name which team?

9. What two players were named All-Star MVP while playing for the losing team.

10. In the 1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game there was a superstar playing two sports  that lead the game off with a monstrous home run, who was he?
 
11. How many positions did Cal Ripken Jr. play in one All-Star Games?
                                       credit msn.foxsports.com
 12. In 1983 Fred Lynn hit the only grand slam in All-Star history, who was the pitcher that gave up the grand slam?  
13. What father and son ballplayer each won a All-Star MVP award?  

14. In 1982, what city hosted the first All-Star game outside the United States?  

15. In the last play of the 1970 All-Star Game Pete Rose famously collided with what catcher at home plate for the winning run?  

16. Who was the first player to steal home in All-Star Game history?

17. How many home runs did Josh Hamilton hit in the first round of the 2008 Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium?

                                        
 18. Who is the only player to hit two triples in the All-Star Game?

19. Who was first player to win the All-Star MVP and the World Series MVP in the same year? 20. Stan Musial, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron all appeared in the same amount of All-Star 
Games, how many?  

21. Who is the only player to hit an inside-the-park home run in an All-Star Game?

22. What years did Major League Baseball play two All-Star Games in each season?

23. Who famously struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Al Simmons, and Joe 
Cronin all in a row during an during an All Star Game?   

24. Who has the most innings pitched career in All-Star games?  

25. Who has pitched in the most All-Star games?

1. Comiskey Park, Chicago 2. Roberto Clemente 3. Willie Mays 4. two,1961 & 2002 5. Mickey Mantle 6. Arky Vaughn 7.(Cal Ripken Jr. 1991, Frank Thomas 1995, Garret Anderson 2003) 8. St. Louis Cardinals (3BKen Boyer, SS Dick Groat, 2B Julian Javier, and 1B Bill White.) 9. Brooks Robinson (1966) and Carl Yastrzemski (1970) 10. Bo Jackson 11. six 12. Atlee Hammaker 13. Ken Griffey Sr'80 & Jr.'92 14. Montreal 15. Ray Fosse 16. Harold Traynor(1934) 17. 28 18. Rod Carew(1978) 19. Derek Jeter 20. 24 21. Ichiro Suzuki (2007) 22. (1959-62) 23. Carl Hubbell, (1934) 24. Don Drysdale (18 1/3) 25. Roger Clemens (10)

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Watch Chris Davis ties Reggie Jackson with home run #37

courtesy of cbssports.com

The last person who needs a mid-season break is Chris Davis, who went yard again for the fourth consecutive game. Davis hit his league leading 37th home run which ties Reggie Jackson's American League record for the most home runs hit before the all-star break. Barry Bonds holds the major league record with 39 home runs back in 2001. Davis also joins Miguel Cabrera as the only players to have at least 30 plus homers and at least 90 RBI going into the break.  Here is a look at home run #37: courtesy of mlb.com

Chris Davis has already surpassed his last year's home run(33) and rbi(85) totals so what are the predictions for the rest of the season. In 1969 Reggie Jackson had 37 home runs at the break. Do you believe he only hit eight home runs the rest of the season. In 2001 Barry Bonds had 39 home runs at the break, as you may have known, Bonds hit an additional 34 home runs which gave him the current single-season home record of 73. If you listen to Chris Davis speak about his views of Barry and his home run record, I think he would be just as content hitting an additional 25 home runs. In baseball purist numbers that would be #62!

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Fans...Here is the reason to VOTE for Yasiel Puig this week

                                     credit photo to sports.yahoo.com

To all baseball fans, this is the week to vote for the most exciting player in the National League. If you don't know him by now he is Los Angeles Dodgers rookie, Yasiel Puig. Yasiel has taken Major League Baseball by storm in his short tenure batting a healthy .409 with 16 multi-hit games, 8 home runs, 52 hits to go along with some amazing defensive highlights in his first 32 games.

Fans, don't listen to the likes of Jonathan Papelbon, who has made it known that he isn't impress with the young hot-shot that has brought the Dodgers back from the dead, giving them a realistic shot at winning the NL West. As of Sunday, Los Angeles is only 4 1/2 games out of first place, only trailing Arizona.

If you haven't seen what Puigmania is all about, take a look at this past Sunday's highlights against the World Series Champs, San Francisco Giants. What you are about to see is a man on a mission. When watching this guy, you will notice that this guy plays the game like its his last. He uses his God-given-talent to the fullest. Take a look:

courtesy of mlb.com

If you are interested in voting for the budding star you have until Thursday, July 11, 2013 to get it done. You can vote here by selecting the Fan's All-Star Vote to make your selection. The all-star game needs Yasiel Puig in this game. If Yasiel Puig continues his torrid pace and the Dodgers win the NL West don't be surprise if he easily walks away with a MVP award.

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Carlos Gomez takes a for sure home run away from Marlon Byrd

                                     credit prosportsextra.com

 The last thing New York Mets slugger, Marlon Byrd wants to see after smoking a Greg Burke's pitch in the seventh inning is to see a magnificent catch made by Milwaukee Brewers centerfielder Carlos Gomez. It has become a habit of Gomez, who in fact is having his best season as a pro, making unbelievable plays in the outfield. Gomez is one of the most exciting players in the majors today and the league is starting to notice a Gold Glover in the making. Watch the home run robbing catch made by Mr. Gomez. courtesy of mlb.com

Well, all Marlon Byrd can think of is what if, in the meantime a simple tip of the hat will do. Have to admit, it was a great catch.

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Watch Beltran scores off a double steal

                                                   credit photo to sports.yahoo.com

One of the most exciting plays you will ever see is in baseball is the double steal. Especially when one of the base stolen is home. That is what St. Louis Cardinals right-fielder, Carlos Beltran, succeeded to do in the third inning of the Miami/St. Louis game today. It all started when Matt Holliday attempted to steal second base with Beltran already hovering over at third. Miami Marlins catcher, Jeff Mathis, threw to second without hesitant to get Holliday out but Matt stopped and was involved in a run down. The Marlins didn't consider Beltran, who has over 300 lifetime stolen bases in the majors, a threat to take off. Watch the savvy base-running by Matt Holliday that allowed Beltran to steal home.

courtesy of mlb.com

Every run counts in baseball as that stolen base was the difference in today's game. Cardinals squeaked by the Marlins 3-2.

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Watch Avisail Garcia hits for the cycle after getting demoted

                               credit photo to www.toledoblade.com

Usually when a big league team sends a player back to the minors, that player's body language could be a little on the piss poor side. Don't tell that to recently demoted Tigers outfield prospect Avisail Garcia, who hit for the cycle Sunday night for Triple A affiliate, Toledo Mud Hens . Avisail went 4-5 tonight, 3RBI and scoring four times. Garcia started the cycle off with a double in the first inning, followed by a home run in the third. He singled in the fifth and hit a two-run triple in the eighth to break a 6-6 tie. The Mud Hens needed every hit provided by Avisail as they held on to beat the Indianapolis Indians 9-7.

Take a look at Avisail Garcia's Cycle

Avisail Garcia hit for THE CYCLE in the Mud Hens 9-7 comeback win over Indy on Sunday night! http://t.co/CC02v8nd1V — Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) July 8, 2013

In 12 games with Toledo, Avisail Garcia is batting .483. The last player to hit for the cycle for the Mud Hens was Cleveland Indians outfielder, Ryan Raburn.

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2013 Major League All-Star Rosters

credit photo to mlb.com

The 84th Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at Citi Field in Queens, New York, home of the New York Mets. This year's All-Star Game managers are Bruce Bochy (Giants) and Jim Leyland (Tigers), who earned the honor by being the pennant winning manager in their respective leagues in 2012. The All-Star Game starters and full rosters were revealed on Sunday and featured a record 30 first-time participants.

   
American League Starters
C: Joe Mauer, Twins 1B: Chris Davis, Orioles* 2B: Robinson Cano, Yankees SS: J.J. Hardy, Orioles 3B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers OF: Mike Trout, Angels OF: Adam Jones, Orioles OF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox

Pitchers
RHP: Clay Buchholz Red Sox (!) LHP: Brett Cecil, Blue Jays* RHP: Bartolo Colon A's (#) RHP: Jesse Crain White Sox (!)* RHP: Yu Darvish, Rangers RHP: Felix Hernandez, Mariners RHP: Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners* RHP: Justin Masterson, Indians* RHP: Joe Nathan, Rangers LHP: Glen Perkins Twins (#)* RHP: Mariano Rivera, Yankees LHP: Chris Sale, White Sox RHP: Max Scherzer, Tigers* RHP: Justin Verlander, Tigers

Reserves C: Jason Castro, Astros* C: Salvador Perez, Royals* 1B: Prince Fielder, Tigers 2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians* 2B: Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2B: Ben Zobrist, Rays SS: Jhonny Peralta: Tigers 3B: Manny Machado, Orioles* OF: Nelson Cruz, Rangers OF: Alex Gordon, Royals* OF: Torii Hunter, Tigers DH: Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays*

  
National League Starters
C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals 1B: Joey Votto, Reds 2B: Brandon Phillips, Reds SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies 3B: David Wright, Mets OF: Carlos Beltran, Cardinals OF: Carlos Gonzalez OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals  

Pitchers
LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants* LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Reds LHP: Patrick Corbin, D-backs* RHP: Jose Fernandez, Marlins* RHP: Jason Grilli, Pirates* RHP: Matt Harvey, Mets* LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Braves LHP: Cliff Lee, Phillies LHP: Jeff Locke, Pirates* RHP: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals LHP: Travis Wood, Cubs* RHP: Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals*

Reserves
C: Buster Posey, Giants 1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs* 1B: Allen Craig, Cardinals* 2B: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals* 2B: Marco Scutaro, Giants* SS: Everth Cabrera, Padres* SS: Jean Segura, Brewers* 3B: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates* OF: Domonic Brown, Phillies* OF: Michael Cuddyer, Rockies OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates OF: Carlos Gomez, Brewers* * - First time All-Star (!) - Injured (#) - Injury replacement The final vote will feature the much talked about Yasiel Puig in the NL, and a handful of relief arms in the AL

NL Fan Vote 
SS: Ian Desmond, Nationals 1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves 1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers OF: Hunter Pence, Giants OF: Yasiel Puig, Dodgers

AL Fan Vote
RHP: Joaquin Benoit, Tigers RHP: Steve Delabar, Blue Jays RHP: David Robertson, Yankees RHP: Tanner Scheppers, Rangers RHP: Koji Uehara, Red Sox The Detroit Tigers led the AL with 6 All-Stars, while the Cardinals led the NL with 5. Among the teams seemingly snubbed were the first place Oakland Athletics and Atlanta Braves only received 1 All-Star selection each (even the 49-loss Mariners and White Sox got 2 each). Bryce Harper has been injured most of the first half, but got the fan vote nod in the NL outfield. Big names notably missing this year include Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, Stephen Strasburg, and Justin Upton. As expected, 43 year-old Mariano Rivera was named to the AL Roster for the 13th and final time (leading all veterans). David Ortiz (9), Miguel Cabrera (8), and Carlos Beltran (8) are the next closest.

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