2011 Philadelphia Phillies: How Well Do You Know the Team?

Opening Day (for the Philadelphia Phillies, anyway) is only eight days away!

I've been told that I can hardly contain my excitement, and I won't disagree with that assessment.

In that regard, I don't know if today's 30 degree, rainy weather is getting me more or less geeked up for the April Fools' Day opener.

The proximity of the regular-season baseball opener does have me staying up late posting the following Phillies quiz for all of you fans to enjoy.

And yes, some of these questions may be easy, but others may challenge you just a bit. And there are a few that may have you screaming: "Who gives a damn." Or worse.

All of the questions are focused on current players, but down the line (and still in fair territory), I may unleash some questions that will test your expertise on Phillies history.

Please close your books, sharpen your pencil, and get to it.

There are a dozen questions, so each is worth eight points, for a subtotal of 96. If you either spell or say Antonio Bastardo correctly, award yourself an extra four.

Good luck, and feel free to post your score in the comments section.

Question 1

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies signs an autograph before play against the New York Yankees February 27, 2011 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

I am the oldest player listed on the active roster:

A. Domonic Brown

B. Jose Contreras

C. Raul Ibanez

D. J.C. Romero

(answer key will be on the last slide —no peeking)

Question 2

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CINCINNATTI - OCTOBER 10: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the 5th inning against the Cincinnati Reds during game 3 of the NLDS at Great American Ball Park on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio

Chase Utley played his college ball for _____.

A. Arizona

B. Stanford

C. UCLA

D. USC

E. The School of Hard Knocks and Takeout Slides

(answer key will be on the last slide —no peeking)

Question 3

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 01: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies catches a throw to second base against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 1, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Jimmy Rollins won the NL MVP in _____.

A. 2005

B. 2006

C. 2007

D. 2008

(answer key will be on the last slide —no peeking)

Question 4

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Catcher Carlos Ruiz #51 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the New York Yankees February 27, 2011 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Carlos "Chooch" Ruiz was born in _______.

A. Nicaragua

B. Panama

C. Puerto Rico

D. South Philly

(answer key will be on the last slide—no peeking)

Question 5

Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 02: Cliff Lee #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs back to the dugout after the final out in the top of the seventh inning against the New York Yankees in Game Five of the 2009 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 2

Cliff Lee's given name is:

A. Cliff Huxtable

B. Clifton Phifer Lee

C. Clifton Phil Lee

D. Clifton Filbert Lee

E. Steve Carlton

(answer key will be on the last slide—be patient)

Question 6

Al Bello/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Ryan Howard #6 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double in fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

How many times has Ryan Howard blasted 45 or more homers in a season?

A. 2

B. 3

C. 4

D. 5

(answer key will be on the last slide—I said no peeking)

Question 7

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 21: Roy Halladay #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts on the mound during Game Five of the NLCS against the San Francisco Giants during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at AT&T Park on October 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Phot

Roy Halladay leads all active MLB pitchers in ______.

A. Complete games

B. ERA

C. Wins

D. All of the above

(answer key will be on the last slide—please, no peeking)

Question 8

Pool/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 9: Former Philadelphia Phillies Garry Maddox (R) and Gary Matthews throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Game One of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies duri

The only Phillies regular with a career batting average over .300 is _________.

A. Placido Polanco

B. Carlos Ruiz

C. Chase Utley

D. Shane Victorino

(The photo is of former Phillies outfielders Gary "Sarge" Matthews and Gary "Secretary of Defense" Maddox.)

(Save a tree, and some money—please don't print, or peek at answers yet)

Question 9

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - OCTOBER 10: Cole Hamels #35 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers the ball against the Cincinnati Reds on his way to a complete game shut-out during game 3 of the NLDS at Great American Ball Park on October 10, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The P

Cole Hamels came up to the Phillies in the middle of  _____.

A. 2005

B. 2006

C. 2007

D. a hailstorm of biblical proportions

(answer key will be on the last slide—no cheating)

Question 10

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 24: Outfielder Shane Victorino #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies stretches before play against the Florida State Seminoles February 24, 2011 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Shane Victorino has won ____ consecutive Gold Gloves.

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

E. 23

(answer key will be on the last slide—no peeking.  That means You)

Question 11

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: Roy Oswalt #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates after ending the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphi

Which Phillies player needs 30 more RBI to reach 1,000 for his career?

A. Ryan Howard

B. Raul Ibanez

C. Roy Oswalt

D. Jimmy Rollins

E. Chase Utley

(Answer key will be on the last slide—no peeking.  That means you.)

Question 12

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 08: Brad Lidge #54 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in Game 2 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park on October 8, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Before coming to the Phils, Brad Lidge pitched for _______.

A. the Astros

B. the Cardinals

C. the Dodgers

D. nobody else

E. peanuts

Double check your answers,  and go to the next slide to see how you did.

The Answers and What It All Means

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

CLEARWATER, FL - FEBRUARY 27: Pitcher Joe Blanton #56 of the Philadelphia Phillies starts against the New York Yankees February 27, 2011 at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

1. B,  Jose Contreras (subtract four points if you chose Domonic Brown)

2. C   UCLA

3. C   2007

4. B   Panama

5. B  Clifton Phifer Lee (though he may change his middle name to "Phil")

6. C  four times

7. A  ...in complete games (only)

8. A   Placido Polanco

9. B   in 2006 (add three points if you went with "D.")

10. C  three times

11. B  Raul Ibanez

12. A  the Astros

Now, multiply your correct answers by 8 and add four points (if you either spelled or said Antonio Bastardo correctly) to arrive at your final score. If you are a brave soul, post your score and any comments below.

WHAT THIS MEANS

Less than four points — Mets fan

4-50 points — John Felske would be proud

51-69 points — Double-A player

70-84 — Triple-A player

85-92 — Big leaguer

93-100 — A true Phillies fan