We can\u2019t think of a better way to look forward to 2022 than to look back at some milestones of baseball seasons past<\/b>
\nAs Billy Crystal said to Meg Ryan at a New Year\u2019s Eve party in \u201cWhen Harry Met Sally,\u201d I have no idea what the song \u201cAuld Lang Syne\u201d is talking about. However, I want to wish you all the happiest and the healthiest new year, and with 89 days until Opening Day, let\u2019s get negotiating so that we can say, \u201cPlay ball!\u201d Good luck with this week\u2019s quiz. 1. Five years ago in 2017, Giancarlo Stanton led the majors with 59 homers. Who led Chicago? a. Anthony Rizzo\t c. Kyle Schwarber b. Jose Abreu\t d. Kris Bryant 2. Ten years ago in 2012, Gio Gonzalez led the majors with 21 wins. Who led Chicago? a. Jake Peavy\t c. Chris Sale\t b. Jeff Samardzija\t d. Gavin Floyd 3. Fourteen years ago in 2008, Carlos Zambrano pitched a no-hitter against the Astros. Where was the game played? a. Wrigley Field\t b. Minute Maid Park in Houston c. Miller Park in Milwaukee d. U.S. Cellular Field 4. Fifteen years ago in 2007, Ryan Howard led all hitters in the majors with 199 strikeouts. Who led Chicago? a. Jim Thome c. Josh Fields b. Alfonso Soriano\t d. Adam Dunn 5. Twenty years ago in 2002, Randy Johnson led all pitchers in the majors with 334 strikeouts. Who led Chicago? a. Kerry Wood\t c. Mark Prior b. Matt Clement\t d. Mark Buehrle 6. Twenty-five years ago in 1997, Tony Gwynn led the majors with 220 hits. Who led Chicago? a. Mark Grace\t c. Sammy Sosa b. Albert Belle\t d. Frank Thomas 7. Thirty years ago in 1992, Cecil Fielder led the majors with 124 RBI. Who led Chicago? a. Andre Dawson\t c. Frank Thomas\t b. George Bell\t d. Robin Ventura 8. Fifty-five years ago in 1967, righty Joel Horlen pitched a no-hitter for the White Sox against the Tigers. Horlen made his MLB debut 61 years ago in 1961, which was interesting because…? a. He pitched left-handed\t b. It was also against the Tigers c. He had no uniform number d. He allowed 11 runs 9. Forty-nine years ago today, on Jan.1,1973, we woke up to find that \u201cThe Great One,\u201d Roberto Clemente had been killed in a plane crash the night before while on a humanitarian mission. There are many people who would like to see his number retired throughout baseball. Roberto wore: a. Number 41\t c. Number 21\t b. Number 31\t d. Number 12 ANSWERS 1. In 2017, Ed Sheeran\u2019s \u201cShape of You\u201d was the No.1 song, and Jose Abreu hit 33 homers while Anthony Rizzo hit 32.2. In 2012, the Best Picture Oscar went to \u201cThe Artist,\u201d which describes Chris Sale, who had 17 wins.3. Because of Hurricane Ike, with its 110 mph sustained winds, the game was played in Milwaukee.4. Adam Dunn whiffed 165 times, but he was playing for the Reds, so the dubious honor went to Jim Thome and his 134 strikeouts in 2007, when \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d was the top TV show.5. In 2002, Brazil won the World Cup and Kerry Wood whiffed 217 opponents, while Matt Clement had 215.6. In 1997, the year Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. was born, Frank Thomas put a big hurt on pitchers 184 times.7. \u201cMad About You\u201d debuted in 1992, and we were crazy about Frank Thomas, because every season, from 1991 to 1998, Thomas had over 100 RBI. In 1992, he had 115.8. Horlen was supposed to debut the next day and had a blank uniform number as he sat in the bullpen.9. Clemente wore number 21, which was the number of letters in his full name, Roberto Clemente Walker. For those of you scoring at home, last week my brain said Gregg Allman but my fingers typed Duane Allman as the singer of \u201cI\u2019m No Angel.\u201d Score that \u201cE-QM (Quiz Master)\u201d<\/p>\n