Trivia Answers Thursday

How much did you remember about the Pirates’ 1990 season? The one memory that came back to me was getting ready to go to a Bucs/Mets game at Shea Stadium sometime that summer. I’d just moved (again) and I absolutely could not find my Dave Parker jersey or Pirates pillbox cap. My Brother the Mets Fan, who’d helped me move, swore up and down that he had nothing to do with the disappearance, despite the fact that he once claimed that he’d burn it should he get his hands on it. My sister-in-law assured me that no fires outside of barbecues took place at their home that year. Maybe when things get back to normal around here I’ll get a new one.

Let’s check how well you did this Trivia Tuesday.

What National League team had the most victories against the Pirates in 1990?

A. Atlanta Braves B. Montreal Expos C. Los Angeles Dodgers D. Chicago Cubs

Answer: B

The Expos were third in the NL East that year and in the top half of the NL overall, so they weren’t awful. They had the Pirates’ number though, compiling a 13-5 record against them.

How many games did eventual 1990 Cy Young winner Doug Drabek win in his longest streak?

A. Ten B. Seven C. Twelve D. Eight

Answer: B

Drabek had a fantastic year by any measure, and between April nineteenth and May twenty-sixth he reeled off seven straight wins. He also had two five-win streaks that season.

Which Pirate was the only pitcher to steal a base that season?

A. Stan Belinda B. Bob Walk C. John Smiley D. Neal Heaton

Answer: D

Heaton stole second base against the Cubs’ Paul Assenmacher in the top of the seventh inning on April twenty-second, 1990 at Wrigley Field. Although he won the game, his steal was negated by Wally Backman grounding out to end the inning.

In what stat did the Pirates not lead the National League that season?

A. Triples B. Walks C. On-base percentage D. Doubles

Answer: A

Triples are hard, yo. Well, not that hard for the Pirates; they were second in the NL after the Expos that year.

Which regular Pirates player had the highest fielding average in 1990?

A. Bobby Bonilla B. Wally Backman C. Sid Bream D. Jeff King

Answer: C

The guy who broke Bucs fans’ hearts in the 1992 NLCS did pretty well as the Pirates’ first baseman in 1990, wielding a decent bat (.270 BA with 15 homers and 67 RBI) and a formidable glove (.993 fielding average).

See you next Tuesday!