As we enter into the “playing Spring Training games” portion of the offseason, it’s time to continue our review of Opening Day starters for the White Sox. You might recall that I ran a similar series of Sporcles last offseason: weekly, we’ll be studying a series of positions to start Opening Day, and then it’ll culminate in a big ol’ quiz as the page turns from offseason to regular season.
One twist from last year, though, is that I’ve added ten years: you’ll now be tasked with naming the starting first and third basemen going back to 1980. In total, there are 78 names: how many can you get? Good luck!
Quiz Parameters
- I’ve allotted 15 minutes for completion attempts.
- For hints, I’ve grouped by year, and provided the position for reference.
Useless information to amaze, annoy, confuse, and/or confound your friends and family:
- Okay, so this may fall under “anger” or “trigger” rather than “annoy” given recent events, but: the 1980s really remind me of the current third base situation. The White Sox started 8 different players at third over that decade.
- Likewise, first base was just as stable as third was fluid: a couple of stalwarts manned that position for much of the ’80s.
- This should come as a surprise to no one: 1991-1997 represents the most stable pairing from the range. The same pair manned the corners for those 7 Opening Days.
All data from baseballreference.com
69/78. Missed all 3B’s 1985-1989 and 1997, 1999-2000 and 1998 1B.
76/78. Only missed 85-86 3rd basemen.
78/78. 1988 features a man in a position where he does not belong, so continuity with 2019.
I did it! 78/78! It took me a bit for the 1980 third baseman but I had 5 minutes plus to spare!
Boomer with 75/78. Chalk yet another one up for the Bad Guy!
I missed so many of the third basemen between
I just hope Moncada is not in that group 5 years from now . . .