The First MLB Player to _____: Can You Identify These Historical MLB Players?

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Douglas Sacha/Moment/Getty Images

About This Quiz

There's something about human nature that makes us all want to be the first at something, and when it comes to a professional athlete, that competitive drive to be first is much more prevalent. They spend their entire career competing, after all, and it's hard to drive out a player's competitive nature when it has been ingrained for so many years.

From certain home run marks to steals to the most All-Star Game appearances, there is always a goal out there that players can compete for aside from just team wins. Besides, as one player sets a record, the players behind them are ready to be the first to surpass the record holder by setting a new standard to be met, and although individual accolades should be put after the team, there's something special about watching a player be the first at something.

How well do you know the MLB players who were the first to accomplish a goal in the league? That doesn't mean they are always the record holder, but it does mean they set the bar for future players to meet.

If you think you know all the first from MLB history, here's a quiz where you can find out. Get started and see if you can be the first person to ace this quiz!

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His name is short for Tyrus. Five MLB players were included in the inaugural class for the 1936 Baseball Hall of Fame. At 98.2 percent, Ty Cobb received the most votes of any of those players from the initial class. He was part of the inaugural class for the Baseball Hall of Fame. Who is he?

Joe DiMaggio

Mark McGwire
Hank Aaron

Ty Cobb

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He was called "The Bambino." Babe Ruth helped MLB transition from the dead-ball era to the live-ball era during the 1920s. The transition saw a significant increase in home runs, as Ruth hit over 50 home runs four different times throughout the decade. The first player to hit over 50 home runs in a season, can you identify this slugger?

Babe Ruth

Hack Wilson
Hank Aaron

Lou Gehrig

Wiki Commons By Paul Thompson

He has the shortest first name. Playing baseball from 1890 until 1911, Cy Young was one of the earliest stars of the game. After his death, Major League Baseball created an award, the Cy Young Award, in his honor, which is given annually to the best pitcher in each league. Do you know the name of this player, who was the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in the modern era of baseball?

Don Larsen

Cy Young
Sandy Koufax

Mike Witt

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His name is short for Louis. Nicknamed "The Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig barely missed a game during the prime of his MLB career. Sadly, his consistency ended when he was diagnosed with ALS, forcing Gehrig to leave the game at the age of 36. Selected as the first baseman for the American League in the first All-Star Game, who is this?

Todd Helton

Will Clark
Lou Gehrig

Fred McGriff

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His initials are J.P. The 1955 World Series pitted the Brooklyn Dodgers against the New York Yankees. The Dodgers won the series in seven games, giving the franchise their first-ever championship. Can you identify this player who won the first World Series MVP in 1955?

Ralph Terry

Johnny Podres
Bob Gibson

Frank Robinson

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His first name rhymes with "bonus." A crafty offensive player, Honus Wagner won eight NL batting titles during his time in the majors. He was also quite sneaky when he got on base, leading the league in stolen bases five times. The first player in the modern era to record 3,000 hits, what's the name of this former star?

Rickey Henderson

Derek Jeter
Honus Wagner

Stan Musial

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He was nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank." Hank Aaron had a stellar season in 1957, winning the NL MVP and leading the Braves to a World Series. In the 1957 World Series, the Braves defeated the Yankees in seven games. He was the first player to break Babe Ruth's career home run record. Do you recognize him?

Mark McGwire

Barry Bonds
Willie Mays

Hank Aaron

Wiki Commons By Andy Witchger

He's from Japan. Ichiro Suzuki holds the MLB single-season record for hits at 262, which he accomplished in 2004 with the Seattle Mariners. The legendary batter also has 10 consecutive 200-hit seasons. Do you know this player who was the first in the modern era to record over 200 singles in a season?

Ichiro Suzuki

Pete Rose
Derek Jeter

Eddie Collins

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He was a left-handed pitcher. One of the greatest pitchers to ever take the mound, Lefty Grove achieved a Triple Crown twice in his career, including his 1931 MVP season. The Triple Crown is earned when a pitcher leads the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA. The winner of the first MVP award for the American League, who is this?

Lefty Grove

Jimmie Foxx
Joe DiMaggio

Ted Williams

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Some people might call him Bob. The Yankees lost the 1960 World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the loss had little to do with the play of Bobby Richardson. In the series, Richardson had 12 runs batted in, including a grand slam in Game 3. This player was the first to win the World Series MVP on the losing team. Do you know who he is?

Sandy Koufax

Ralph Terry
Bobby Richardson

Brooks Robinson

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His first and last initials are the same. Barry Bonds holds the career home run record in MLB. However, his 762 home runs will forever have an asterisk beside them because of Bonds' association with the steroid era in baseball. What's the name this player who was the first to be walked 2,500 times?

Ted Williams

Barry Bonds
Mark McGwire

Sammy Sosa

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His last name will occur if you touch a fire. George Burns played two different stints with the Cleveland Indians during his lengthy MLB career. In 1920, he helped the franchise win its first of two World Series when they defeated the Robins in seven games. The first batter with over 60 doubles in a season, can you identify this player?

Yogi Berra

Stan Musial
George Burns

Bob Elliot

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His name is short for Calvin. Cal Ripken Jr. was lucky enough to spend his entire 21-year career with the Baltimore Orioles. First selected in 1983, Ripken went to 19 straight All-Star Games with the team. The only player to start over 2,500 consecutive games, do you recognize who he is?

Everett Scott

Cal Ripken Jr.
Billy Williams

Eddie Yost

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His initials are R.H. Finishing his career with 1,406 steals, Rickey Henderson is the only player to ever record over 1,000 stolen bases in a career. The next closest player is Lou Brock with 938. What's the name of this player who was the first to record over 1,000 steals in a career?

Eddie Collins

Billy Hamilton
Lou Brock

Rickey Henderson

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His first name rhymes with "sank." With two World Series championships and various awards, few players are as decorated as Frank Robinson. His Hall of Fame career also resulted in three teams retiring his number 20. He was the first outfielder to win the World Series MVP. Do you know who he is?

Frank Robinson

Roberto Clemente
Reggie Jackson

Manny Ramirez

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

His first and last name start with the same letter. Frankie Frisch was one of the first few star players to serve as both a manager and a player at the same time. Frisch played for and managed the Cardinals from 1933 until 1937 when he retired as a player. Can you identify this player who won the first MVP award for the National League?

Carl Hubbell

Stan Musial
Frankie Frisch

Bob Elliot

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His initials are R.C. Roberto Clemente was well-known for his charity work throughout Latin America. However, his charitable nature eventually led to his death when his plane crashed while he was trying to deliver relief aid to Nicaragua, where an earthquake had recently hit. The first Latin American player to win an NL MVP award, who is this?

Roberto Clemente

Albert Pujols
Miguel Cabrera

Alex Rodriquez

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His name is short for Reginald. Despite racking up the most strikeouts of any batter, Reggie Jackson still had a Hall of Fame career. He was a 14-time All-Star and won five World Series, including two World Series MVPs. He was the first batter with over 2,500 strikeouts. What's his name?

Jim Thome

Sammy Sosa
Tony Perez

Reggie Jackson

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His initials are D.L. Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in postseason history in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. Helping the Yankees secure a championship, Larsen was named the MVP of the series. Do you know the name of this player who was the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in the postseason?

Jim Bunning

Len Barker
Don Larsen

Mike Witt

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His first name rhymes with "colon." Over the course of four decades, Nolan Ryan played 27 seasons in the majors. He was part of four different teams during his incredible run to 5,714 strikeouts. The only pitcher to record over 5,000 strikeouts, do you recognize this player?

Randy Johnson

Nolan Ryan
Roger Clemens

Tom Seaver

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His name is short for Stanley. Stan Musial was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2011. The award is the highest that a civilian can receive from the U.S. government. Can you identify this player who was the first to 6,000 total bases?

Ted Williams

Willie Mays
Stan Musial

Pete Rose

Wiki Commons

It's a three part name. A left-handed pitcher, Johnny Vader Meer posted a 119-121 win-loss record during his time in the majors. He finished his career with a total of 1,294 strikeouts. He was the first player to throw two consecutive no-hitters. Do you know his name?

Randy Johnson

Johnny Vander Meer
Gaylord Perry

Jim Palmer

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His name is short for Donald. Playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Don Newcombe competed in the 1956 World Series against the New York Yankees. Newcombe pitched the deciding Game 7, but he gave up five home runs on his way to a loss. Do you recognize this player who was the first to win the Cy Young Award?

Don Newcombe

Jack Morris
Roy Halladay

Justin Verlander

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His initials are B.R. The winner of 16 Golden Glove Awards, Brooks Robinson was a stellar defensive player at the third base position. His defensive play also earned him 18 All-Star appearances. The first MLB third baseman to win the World Series MVP, who is this?

Pete Rose

Mike Schmidt
Ron Cey

Brooks Robinson

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His name is derived from Jack. The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson leading into the 1947 season. Robinson came into the majors ready to play, leading the NL in stolen bases his first season on his way to being named the MLB Rookie of the Year. Do you know the name of this player who was the first African American in MLB?

Jackie Robinson

Willie Mays
Willard Brown

Dan Bankhead

Wiki Commons By Keith Allison

His first name rhymes with "toy." Roy Halladay spent part of his leisure time as a pilot when he wasn't playing baseball. However, his joy of flying led to his death when his plane crashed into the Gulf of Mexico in 2013. This is the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the regular season and postseason. Who is he?

Bob Gibson

Jack Morris
Roy Halladay

Randy Johnson

Wiki Commons By Keith Allison

His nickname was "Sandman." Mariano Rivera was a relief pitcher who spent his entire MLB career with the New York Yankees. Known for his control of the ball, Rivera recorded 652 career saves. Can you identify this player who was the first unanimously elected Hall of Famer?

Derek Jeter

Roger Clemens
Pedro Martinez

Mariano Rivera

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His last name rhymes with "dairy." Gaylord Perry didn't win his first Cy Young Award until 1972 when he was 34 years old. He won his second award six years later at the age of 40. The first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in each league, who is this?

Bob Gibson

Gaylord Perry
Tom Seaver

Jack Morris

Wiki Commons By Charles M. Conlon

His last name is an animal. Jimmie Foxx was the AL home run leader four times in his MLB career. This slugger's power hitting made him only the second player in MLB history to record over 500 home runs in a career. He was the first player to win back-to-back AL MVPs. Do you know his name?

Joe DiMaggio

Hank Greenberg
Hal Newhouser

Jimmie Foxx

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His name is short for Gregory. Eighth on the all-time wins list, Greg Maddux won more games throughout the '90s than any other pitcher in baseball. He finished his career with a 355-227 record. This pitcher was the first to win the Cy Young Award four straight years. Who is he?

Randy Johnson

Greg Maddux
Roger Clemens

Pedro Martinez

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His last name has two capital letters. Joe DiMaggio had an on-and-off relationship with movie star Marilyn Monroe. The couple married and divorced before getting back together right before her early death in 1962. What's the name of this player who was the first to record a 50-game hitting streak?

Joe DiMaggio

Willie Keeler
Pete Rose

Bill Dahlen

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His first name is good if you're tired. Nap Lajoie served as a player-manager for the Cleveland Naps from 1905 until 1909. Lajoie was well-accomplished throughout his MLB career, but he never won a championship. The first player in the modern era to bat over .400, can you identify him?

Joe Jackson

Bill Terry
Nap Lajoie

Rogers Hornsby

Wiki Commons By Harris & Ewing

His name is short for Joseph. Joe Cronin played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball at the shortstop position. He spent most of that career with the Boston Red Sox, who retired his number 4 and added him to the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. Do you recognize this player who was the first shortstop to make an All-Star Game for the American League?

Al Simmons

Rick Ferrell
Joe Cronin

Bill Terry

Wiki Commons By Charles M. Conlon

He has a three-part name. Nicknamed "Old Pete," Grover Cleveland Alexander posted an overall winning record as a pitcher at 373-208. In fact, he was such a dominant pitcher that he led the National League in wins six different seasons. He was the first pitcher in the modern era to record 15 or more shutouts in a season. What's his name?

Bob Gibson

Dean Chance
Bob Feller

Grover Cleveland Alexander

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He has the shortest name. Ron Cey helped the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the New York Yankees in the 1981 World Series. After a spectacular series, he shared the MVP award with teammates Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager. Can you identify this player who was the first World Series MVP to share the award?

Ron Cey

Allan Trammell
Dave Stewart

Jack Morris

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He threw left-handed. Receiving his first selection in 1933, Lefty Gomez made the first seven All-Star Games in MLB. Every All-Star selection he received was with the New York Yankees, who he also won five World Series with. The first pitcher to start three straight All-Star games, who is this?

Bill Walker

Dizzy Dean
Lefty Gomez

Mel Harder

Wiki Commons By Keith Allison

His name is short for Donald. Don Mattingly might have been the most unlucky Yankees' player of all time, as he was part of the worst championship drought in Yankees' history. Adding to his lack of luck, the Yankees won a championship both the year before he joined the team as a rookie and the year after he retired. Do you know the name of this player who was the first MLB slugger to hit six grand slams in a season?

Albert Pujols

Don Mattingly
Ray Boone

Jason Giambi

Wiki Commons

His last name is where you get money. Ernie Banks is widely regarded as the greatest Cubs' player of all time, even earning the nickname "Mr. Cub." He spent his entire MLB career with the team, which lasted from 1953 until 1971. This was the first Cubs' player to have his uniform number retired. Do you recognize him?

Ernie Banks

Billy Williams
Greg Maddux

Ron Santo

Wiki Commons By Keith Allison

He called "A-Rod." In 2013, MLB determined that Alex Rodriguez was involved in a performance-enhancing drugs scandal that ripped through baseball. Rodriguez was suspended for 162 games, causing him to miss the entire 2014 season. The first slugger to hit 25 grand slams in a career, can you identify this player?

Robin Ventura

Eddie Murray
Alex Rodriguez

Manny Ramirez

Wiki Commons

His last name rhymes with "song." Dale Long had a relatively uneventful stint in the majors, making only one All-Star Game during his career. However, despite only having 132 home runs over the course of his career, Long cemented a place in baseball history by hitting eight home runs in eight straight games. He was the first player to hit a home run in eight consecutive games. Who is he?

Ryan Howard

Dave Kingman
Ken Griffey Jr.

Dale Long

7 Minute Quiz 7 Min

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