[BobK]

[The 2024 trivia thread is here:
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=24724]

Who was the first 49er to be all pro NFL?
What position all pro as the first 49er ?

[BobK]

[The 2024 trivia thread is here:
https://thecardboard.org/board/showthread.php?tid=24724]

Who was the first 49er to be all pro NFL?
What position all pro as the first 49er ?

[lex24]

Who was the first 49er to be all pro NFL?
What position all pro as the first 49er ?

Leo Nomelini. Defensive tackle

[lex24]

Who was the first 49er to be all pro NFL?
What position all pro as the first 49er ?

Leo Nomelini. Defensive tackle

[BobK]

Leo the Lion is correct. Leo played both ways his first several years. However his first All Pro honor was as an Offensive Tackle

[BobK]

Leo the Lion is correct. Leo played both ways his first several years. However his first All Pro honor was as an Offensive Tackle

[Mick]

I was born in Indiana and raised in the South, and learned to catch a baseball. I was so obscure, I wasn't drafted, signing as a free agent. I made the All-Star team one season when I wasn't on the ballot, but I was hitting .337 with 18 HRs and 77 RBIs at the All-Star break and All Star Team Manager Gil Hodges put me on the team. For a catcher, I was a terrific hitter. My career on-base percentage was .390, third lifetime among all catchers. I had more than 100 RBIs one season and was third in league-wide WAR that year.

I was involved in a controversy. When Don Drysdale was in the middle of his MLB record 58 2/3rds inning scoreless streak, he was pitching against us, the bases were loaded with no outs and I was hit by a pitch...and umpire Harry Wendelstadt refused to allow me to take first base, claiming I did not attempt to avoid being hit. 

Worse still, I was the team's player representative during bitter negotiations with ownership in the early 1970s. As a retaliatory measure, I was waived by management when I hit .252/.387/.419/.806 with 19 HRs and 19 doubles as a starter and our team's bitter rival picked me up for the price of the waiver fee.

The next year was my last season in MLB. I hit .295/.474/.432/.905, a 145 OPS+, which would have been 11th in MLB if I'd had enough ABs. I have caught multiple Hall of Fame pitchers. But MLB has a long memory, and even though I was 31, no team wanted any part of me, and I was blackballed by major league baseball.

Who am I?

[Mick]

I was born in Indiana and raised in the South, and learned to catch a baseball. I was so obscure, I wasn't drafted, signing as a free agent. I made the All-Star team one season when I wasn't on the ballot, but I was hitting .337 with 18 HRs and 77 RBIs at the All-Star break and All Star Team Manager Gil Hodges put me on the team. For a catcher, I was a terrific hitter. My career on-base percentage was .390, third lifetime among all catchers. I had more than 100 RBIs one season and was third in league-wide WAR that year.

I was involved in a controversy. When Don Drysdale was in the middle of his MLB record 58 2/3rds inning scoreless streak, he was pitching against us, the bases were loaded with no outs and I was hit by a pitch...and umpire Harry Wendelstadt refused to allow me to take first base, claiming I did not attempt to avoid being hit. 

Worse still, I was the team's player representative during bitter negotiations with ownership in the early 1970s. As a retaliatory measure, I was waived by management when I hit .252/.387/.419/.806 with 19 HRs and 19 doubles as a starter and our team's bitter rival picked me up for the price of the waiver fee.

The next year was my last season in MLB. I hit .295/.474/.432/.905, a 145 OPS+, which would have been 11th in MLB if I'd had enough ABs. I have caught multiple Hall of Fame pitchers. But MLB has a long memory, and even though I was 31, no team wanted any part of me, and I was blackballed by major league baseball.

Who am I?

[BobK]

Dick Dietz

[BobK]

Dick Dietz

[Mick]

Dick Dietz

Nicely done. I caught in Little League, he was my position hero (Willie McCovey was my favorite player).

https://tht.fangraphs.com/the-blackballi...ick-dietz/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Dietz

https://www.baseball-reference.com/playe...di01.shtml

[Mick]

Dick Dietz

Nicely done. I caught in Little League, he was my position hero (Willie McCovey was my favorite player).

https://tht.fangraphs.com/the-blackballi...ick-dietz/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Dietz

https://www.baseball-reference.com/playe...di01.shtml

[BobK]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

[BobK]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

[Mick]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

Dietz was pretty mad, too...

https://youtu.be/VrDyD0dzScY

[Mick]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

Dietz was pretty mad, too...

https://youtu.be/VrDyD0dzScY

[Mick]

Finished 2nd to Pete Rose for Rookie of the Year in 1963.
2x All-Star
Exceptionally low career strikeout ratio (382 strikeouts in 5,235 ABs)
Solid #1 and #2 hitter with .368 OBP.
His motto was "Some people give their bodies to science; I give mine to baseball,"
Once said to a reporter "Why would you hit me to face Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart?"

Who am I?

[Mick]

Finished 2nd to Pete Rose for Rookie of the Year in 1963.
2x All-Star
Exceptionally low career strikeout ratio (382 strikeouts in 5,235 ABs)
Solid #1 and #2 hitter with .368 OBP.
His motto was "Some people give their bodies to science; I give mine to baseball,"
Once said to a reporter "Why would you hit me to face Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart?"

Who am I?

[lex24]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

Dietz was pretty mad, too...

https://youtu.be/VrDyD0dzScY

Hershisher, of course, surpassed Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak.  And, like Drysdale's there was controversy involving the Giants.  During the streak (can’t recall the number of innings at the time but he was approaching Drysdale) he pitched a shutout against the Giants at Candlestick.  The Giants in one inning had first and third one out.  Ground ball.  Dodgers tried, but failed, to turn 2.  Giants score.  But wait!  The second base ump (name forgotten) called interference on the runner.  A call almost never made in those days when it was common for base runners to wipe out the middle infielder to break up the DP. The result – double play.  No run. 

It’s not as well known as the Wendlestaadt  call  because it was not in the middle of a pennant race.

---

Finished 2nd to Pete Rose for Rookie of the Year in 1963.
2x All-Star
Exceptionally low career strikeout ratio (382 strikeouts in 5,235 ABs)
Solid #1 and #2 hitter with .368 OBP.
His motto was "Some people give their bodies to science; I give mine to baseball,"
Once said to a reporter "Why would you hit me to face Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart?"

Who am I?

Ron Hunt.

[lex24]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

Dietz was pretty mad, too...

https://youtu.be/VrDyD0dzScY

Hershisher, of course, surpassed Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak.  And, like Drysdale's there was controversy involving the Giants.  During the streak (can’t recall the number of innings at the time but he was approaching Drysdale) he pitched a shutout against the Giants at Candlestick.  The Giants in one inning had first and third one out.  Ground ball.  Dodgers tried, but failed, to turn 2.  Giants score.  But wait!  The second base ump (name forgotten) called interference on the runner.  A call almost never made in those days when it was common for base runners to wipe out the middle infielder to break up the DP. The result – double play.  No run. 

It’s not as well known as the Wendlestaadt  call  because it was not in the middle of a pennant race.

---

Finished 2nd to Pete Rose for Rookie of the Year in 1963.
2x All-Star
Exceptionally low career strikeout ratio (382 strikeouts in 5,235 ABs)
Solid #1 and #2 hitter with .368 OBP.
His motto was "Some people give their bodies to science; I give mine to baseball,"
Once said to a reporter "Why would you hit me to face Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart?"

Who am I?

Ron Hunt.

[Mick]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

Dietz was pretty mad, too...

https://youtu.be/VrDyD0dzScY

Hershisher, of course, surpassed Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak.  And, like Drysdale's there was controversy involving the Giants.  During the streak (can’t recall the number of innings at the time but he was approaching Drysdale) he pitched a shutout against the Giants at Candlestick.  The Giants in one inning had first and third one out.  Ground ball.  Dodgers tried, but failed, to turn 2.  Giants score.  But wait!  The second base ump (name forgotten) called interference on the runner.  A call almost never made in those days when it was common for base runners to wipe out the middle infielder to break up the DP. The result – double play.  No run. 

It’s not as well known as the Wendlestaadt  call  because it was not in the middle of a pennant race.

It was Paul Runge. Hershiser wasn't particularly sharp that day, he'd given up consecutive singles to the Giants 8th and 9th place hitters, Jose Uribe and Atlee Hammaker. Leadoff Brett Butler forced out Hammaker, leaving runners at first and third. Ernest Riles grounded to second base, Riles easily beat the throw to first. Runge ruled that Butler interfered with Dodger 2B Alfredo Griffin. Butler and Manager Roger Craig argued for five minutes to no avail.

Orel Hershiser's streak continues, with a controversial call - True Blue LA

Not sure if Runge, a native Southern Californian (lived in San Diego) who played in the Angels' minor league system, was a good or bad umpire. He had a long career and was the NL's director of umpres in 1998 and 1999. His dad, Ed, was an umpire from 1954-1970, and his son, Brian worked from 1999-2012 until he was kicked out for substance abuse. Paul Runge was turned down for a workmen's compensation claim for a game related knee injury.

---

Finished 2nd to Pete Rose for Rookie of the Year in 1963.
2x All-Star
Exceptionally low career strikeout ratio (382 strikeouts in 5,235 ABs)
Solid #1 and #2 hitter with .368 OBP.
His motto was "Some people give their bodies to science; I give mine to baseball,"
Once said to a reporter "Why would you hit me to face Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart?"

Who am I?

Ron Hunt.

Correct. Ron, 3rd most hit-by-pitch batter in MLB history (behind Craig Biggio and Don Baylor), went down that path because he was the Mets' first All-Star and the manager, Casey Stengel, offered spot bonuses for players who were hit by pitches leading to wins. Had a pretty good career, holds the single season HBP record with 50. Scored the only run in Gaylord Perry's no hitter.

[Mick]

I’m still mad that Dietz wasn’t awarded first base and the run scoring

Dietz was pretty mad, too...

https://youtu.be/VrDyD0dzScY

Hershisher, of course, surpassed Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak.  And, like Drysdale's there was controversy involving the Giants.  During the streak (can’t recall the number of innings at the time but he was approaching Drysdale) he pitched a shutout against the Giants at Candlestick.  The Giants in one inning had first and third one out.  Ground ball.  Dodgers tried, but failed, to turn 2.  Giants score.  But wait!  The second base ump (name forgotten) called interference on the runner.  A call almost never made in those days when it was common for base runners to wipe out the middle infielder to break up the DP. The result – double play.  No run. 

It’s not as well known as the Wendlestaadt  call  because it was not in the middle of a pennant race.

It was Paul Runge. Hershiser wasn't particularly sharp that day, he'd given up consecutive singles to the Giants 8th and 9th place hitters, Jose Uribe and Atlee Hammaker. Leadoff Brett Butler forced out Hammaker, leaving runners at first and third. Ernest Riles grounded to second base, Riles easily beat the throw to first. Runge ruled that Butler interfered with Dodger 2B Alfredo Griffin. Butler and Manager Roger Craig argued for five minutes to no avail.

Orel Hershiser's streak continues, with a controversial call - True Blue LA

Not sure if Runge, a native Southern Californian (lived in San Diego) who played in the Angels' minor league system, was a good or bad umpire. He had a long career and was the NL's director of umpres in 1998 and 1999. His dad, Ed, was an umpire from 1954-1970, and his son, Brian worked from 1999-2012 until he was kicked out for substance abuse. Paul Runge was turned down for a workmen's compensation claim for a game related knee injury.

---

Finished 2nd to Pete Rose for Rookie of the Year in 1963.
2x All-Star
Exceptionally low career strikeout ratio (382 strikeouts in 5,235 ABs)
Solid #1 and #2 hitter with .368 OBP.
His motto was "Some people give their bodies to science; I give mine to baseball,"
Once said to a reporter "Why would you hit me to face Willie Mays, Willie McCovey and Jim Ray Hart?"

Who am I?

Ron Hunt.

Correct. Ron, 3rd most hit-by-pitch batter in MLB history (behind Craig Biggio and Don Baylor), went down that path because he was the Mets' first All-Star and the manager, Casey Stengel, offered spot bonuses for players who were hit by pitches leading to wins. Had a pretty good career, holds the single season HBP record with 50. Scored the only run in Gaylord Perry's no hitter.

[Giants]

Recently signed Justin Verlander (by SF) has also pitched for the Tigers, Astros and Mets. 

What do all four clubs have in common?

[Giants]

Recently signed Justin Verlander (by SF) has also pitched for the Tigers, Astros and Mets. 

What do all four clubs have in common?

[skip75]

The color orange.

[skip75]

The color orange.

[cardcrimson]

The color orange.

Nice one. . . .

[cardcrimson]

The color orange.

Nice one. . . .

[Giants]

The color orange.

You got it.

I guess the Giants will trade him to the Orioles at the deadline…..

[Giants]

The color orange.

You got it.

I guess the Giants will trade him to the Orioles at the deadline…..

[Mick]

Five NFL teams have won just one Super Bowl.  All five teams had at least one player from Stanford (4) or Harvard (1).

Name the five teams and the players. And if you care, the four teams with Stanford players also had at least one player from Cal. Feel free to name that player if you like.

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS: Only one university had an alum on all five Super Bowl winning teams. Which university?

[Mick]

Five NFL teams have won just one Super Bowl.  All five teams had at least one player from Stanford (4) or Harvard (1).

Name the five teams and the players. And if you care, the four teams with Stanford players also had at least one player from Cal. Feel free to name that player if you like.

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS: Only one university had an alum on all five Super Bowl winning teams. Which university?

[lex24]

Five NFL teams have won just one Super Bowl.  All five teams had at least one player from Stanford (4) or Harvard (1).

Name the five teams and the players. And if you care, the four teams with Stanford players also had at least one player from Cal. Feel free to name that player if you like.

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS: Only one university had an alum on all five Super Bowl winning teams. Which university?

Tampa Bay - Lynch
Eagles-  Ertz
Jets-   Don’t know 
Indianapolis. Don’t know 
Bears. Margerum

[lex24]

Five NFL teams have won just one Super Bowl.  All five teams had at least one player from Stanford (4) or Harvard (1).

Name the five teams and the players. And if you care, the four teams with Stanford players also had at least one player from Cal. Feel free to name that player if you like.

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS: Only one university had an alum on all five Super Bowl winning teams. Which university?

Tampa Bay - Lynch
Eagles-  Ertz
Jets-   Don’t know 
Indianapolis. Don’t know 
Bears. Margerum

[skip75]

Partial answer
Seattle - Richard Sherman & Doug Baldwin + Marshawn Lynch
Philadelphia - Zach Ertz + ??
New Orleans - ???
New York Jets - ???
Chicago - ???

[skip75]

Partial answer
Seattle - Richard Sherman & Doug Baldwin + Marshawn Lynch
Philadelphia - Zach Ertz + ??
New Orleans - ???
New York Jets - ???
Chicago - ???

[lex24]

Partial answer
Seattle - Richard Sherman & Doug Baldwin + Marshawn Lynch
Philadelphia - Zach Ertz + ??
New Orleans - ???
New York Jets - ???
Chicago - ???

You got all 5 teams.  I missed two.  

Bears is Margerum

New Orleans- - Peat?

No idea on Jets.

[lex24]

Partial answer
Seattle - Richard Sherman & Doug Baldwin + Marshawn Lynch
Philadelphia - Zach Ertz + ??
New Orleans - ???
New York Jets - ???
Chicago - ???

You got all 5 teams.  I missed two.  

Bears is Margerum

New Orleans- - Peat?

No idea on Jets.

[Mick]

Partial answer
Seattle - Richard Sherman & Doug Baldwin + Marshawn Lynch
Philadelphia - Zach Ertz + ??
New Orleans - ???
New York Jets - ???
Chicago - ???

All five teams are accurate, Skip. The Seattle data is accurate and you can add Brandon Mebane of Cal, a DT.

Philly had Zach Ertz and a LB named Mychal Kendricks from Cal.

---

Five NFL teams have won just one Super Bowl.  All five teams had at least one player from Stanford (4) or Harvard (1).

Name the five teams and the players. And if you care, the four teams with Stanford players also had at least one player from Cal. Feel free to name that player if you like.

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS: Only one university had an alum on all five Super Bowl winning teams. Which university?

Tampa Bay - Lynch
Eagles-  Ertz
Jets-   Don’t know 
Indianapolis. Don’t know 
Bears. Margerum

Correct on Eagles/Ertz, Bears/Margerum. Bears (CHI and CAL) also had future coach/current LB Ron Rivera on the squad. I played both football and basketball against Ron in HS, he was an amazing athlete and a terrific guy. Bears also had Gary Fencik of Yale, the only other Ivy Leaguer across these teams.

Also Jets are correct. They had a DB from Harvard named John Dockery on the team, no Cal players though.

Saints had DB Leigh Torrance from Stanford, and LB Scott Fujita from Cal.

Texas was the only school with players on all five SB winning rosters, including:

Jets / DT Jumbo Elliott, SS Jim Hudson, TE Pete Lammons and DE George Sauer
Bears / DT Steve McMichael
Saints / TE David Thomas
Seahawks / FS Earl Thomas
Eagles / MLB Jordan Hicks

Tampa Bay won Super Bowls after the 2002 and 2020 seasons. Colts won Super Bowls after the 1970 and 2006 seasons.

[Mick]

Partial answer
Seattle - Richard Sherman & Doug Baldwin + Marshawn Lynch
Philadelphia - Zach Ertz + ??
New Orleans - ???
New York Jets - ???
Chicago - ???

All five teams are accurate, Skip. The Seattle data is accurate and you can add Brandon Mebane of Cal, a DT.

Philly had Zach Ertz and a LB named Mychal Kendricks from Cal.

---

Five NFL teams have won just one Super Bowl.  All five teams had at least one player from Stanford (4) or Harvard (1).

Name the five teams and the players. And if you care, the four teams with Stanford players also had at least one player from Cal. Feel free to name that player if you like.

EXTRA CREDIT BONUS: Only one university had an alum on all five Super Bowl winning teams. Which university?

Tampa Bay - Lynch
Eagles-  Ertz
Jets-   Don’t know 
Indianapolis. Don’t know 
Bears. Margerum

Correct on Eagles/Ertz, Bears/Margerum. Bears (CHI and CAL) also had future coach/current LB Ron Rivera on the squad. I played both football and basketball against Ron in HS, he was an amazing athlete and a terrific guy. Bears also had Gary Fencik of Yale, the only other Ivy Leaguer across these teams.

Also Jets are correct. They had a DB from Harvard named John Dockery on the team, no Cal players though.

Saints had DB Leigh Torrance from Stanford, and LB Scott Fujita from Cal.

Texas was the only school with players on all five SB winning rosters, including:

Jets / DT Jumbo Elliott, SS Jim Hudson, TE Pete Lammons and DE George Sauer
Bears / DT Steve McMichael
Saints / TE David Thomas
Seahawks / FS Earl Thomas
Eagles / MLB Jordan Hicks

Tampa Bay won Super Bowls after the 2002 and 2020 seasons. Colts won Super Bowls after the 1970 and 2006 seasons.