Q 01/05

In which year did all four of Philadelphia's major teams play for their league championship?

A) 1974

B) 1977

C) 1980

D) 1983

Answer · why

C) 1980

Only the Phillies won; the Eagles lost Super Bowl XV to Oakland, and the Flyers and 76ers both lost their finals too.

Q 02/05

Founded in 1883, the Phillies hold what distinction in American pro sports?

A) Oldest continuous one-name, one-city franchise

B) First team with a mascot

C) First team to play under lights

D) Oldest team in any league

Answer · why

A) Oldest continuous one-name, one-city franchise

They are also, per the Elias Sports Bureau, the losingest franchise in pro sports.

Q 03/05

In 2007 the Phillies became the first franchise in any pro sport to reach which unwanted milestone?

A) 100 last-place finishes

B) 1,000 shutout defeats

C) 50 losing seasons in a row

D) 10,000 losses

Answer · why

D) 10,000 losses

They then won the World Series the very next year, ending the Curse of Billy Penn.

Q 04/05

Whom did the Phillies beat to win their first World Series in 1980?

A) Baltimore Orioles

B) Toronto Blue Jays

C) Kansas City Royals

D) Houston Astros

Answer · why

C) Kansas City Royals

Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton led six playoff trips in eight years; the second title came in 2008 over Tampa Bay.

Q 05/05

The 1950 'Whiz Kids', led by pitcher Robin Roberts, were swept in the World Series by which team?

A) New York Yankees

B) Cleveland Indians

C) Detroit Tigers

D) Brooklyn Dodgers

Answer · why

A) New York Yankees

Between 1918 and 1948 the franchise had managed just one winning season.