Fans who never saw Duke Snider play center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers can never forget him. Not only is he part of the triumverate of center fielders to own New York City, and all of baseball for that matter, during the 1950s, but his legacy is captured in Terry Cashman’s “Talkin’ Baseball.” Kids who hear the song but don’t recognize the names get a lesson in baseball history by doing their research to discover who the players are Cashman sings about.

One of those is Snider, who based away Sunday and is our inspiration for today’s Spring Training Trivia question.

To listen to a version of “Talkin’ Baseball,” click here.

Now, we better get caught up on the last question from last week.

Dr. Frank Jobe, left, and Tommy John during a Dodgers game when Jobe was honored by the club.

Here was the question …

Who performed the ulnar collateral ligament surgery on Tommy John in 1974?

And the answer …

Dr. Frank Jobe performed the radical surgery and now has people, specifically in the Dodgers organization, saying he should be honored by the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Unwilling to retire due to his injury in 1974 when he led the NL with a 13-3 record at the time, Tommy John asked Dr. Jobe to find a way to get him back in the game. On September 25, 1974, Dr. Jobe performed the procedure, now known as Tommy John surgery. The surgery mended John’s injured elbow by removing a tendon from his non-pitching right arm and placing it in the wounded elbow. The surgery last three hours, and John came back to pitch 14 more years during which he won 164 games without ever missing a start due to elbow problems.

Since then, Dr. Jobe has performed about 1,000 Tommy John surgeries on pitchers of every level, helping to resurrect the career of countless big leaguers. Currently, more than 80 active big league pitchers have undergone the surgery.

Now on to today’s question …

In 1955, a ballot for the National League MVP listed one name on it twice and proved to be the difference in one of the closest votes ever. Which player was listed twice on the same ballot?

Check back Tuesday for the answer.

Adam Wainwright’s 2011 season is officially over as he will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. It’s a major blow for the Cardinals’ chances of winning the NL Central, but it provides us with a topic for Thursday’s Spring Training Trivia question.

First, we have to catch you up with the answer of the previous question.

Here was the question …

What pitcher chewed black licorice and brushed his teeth in the dugout between innings?

And the answer …

Former Cubs reliever Turk Wendell was known for his superstitious antics. That included chewing four pieces of black licorice while pitching. At the end of each inning, he’d spit them out, return to the dugout, and brush his teeth. A hunter and outdoorsman, Wendell also took the mound wearing a necklace adorned with trophies from animals he had harvested, including mountain lion claws.

Wendell also demanded his contract value end in 99, which was his jersey number.

Wendell pitched for four teams over 11 seasons, finishing his career with a 36-34 record and a 3.93 ERA.

Luckily, Wendell never endured what Wainwright is going through. That leads us into the next question.

Here it is …

Who performed the ulnar collateral ligament surgery on Tommy John in 1974?

Come back Friday for the answer.

Quincy University men’s basketball coach Marty Bell caught a glimpse of his future Wednesday night.

It could be good. Very good.

That depends on what Dalton Hoover decides to do.

Hoover, Pittsfield’s 6-foot-6 junior forward who has received a scholarship offer from QU, showcased a variety of moves and the ability to play facing or with his back to the basket in the Saukees’ 64-33 victory over Beardstown. Hoover won the head-to-head matchup with the Tigers’ Drake Vermillion, a 6-foot-8 senior forward who has already signed with QU.

Hoover finished with 15 points, going 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 4 from the line. He had seven rebounds and altered several shots. Meanwhile, Vermillion had more fouls (2) than points and rebounds combined (1) through three quarters. Vermillion, who the QU coaching staff apparently plans to redshirt next season, finished with just five points.

Hoover is receiving recruiting interest from several NCAA Division II schools and some Division I programs. Hoover plans to play on the AAU circuit this summer, which would increase his visibility and the chances a Division I coach might wind up interested.

If QU is lucky enough to get Hoover, it would be a major recruiting coup. Just don’t count on it, not until Hoover signs on the dotted line next November or later.

Obviously, the news of the day that Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright may be lost for the season because of ligament damage to his pitching elbow has some St. Louis fans wondering if they are cursed. First, Albert Pujols can’t get a contract worked out and appears headed for free agency. Now, a Cy Young candidate goes down.

Bad timing or bad luck?

In baseball, you take the superstitious approach. That sets the stage for Wednesday’s trivia question.

First, though, we have to catch up with the answer to Tuesday’s question.

Here was the question …

Who has won the most Gold Gloves at first base?

And the answer is …

Keith Hernandez. The baseball player some younger fans know better as the guy who appeared on “Seinfeld,” Hernandez won 11 Gold Gloves while splitting time with the Cardinals and the New York Mets. Hernandez won his first Gold Glove in 1978, starting a string of 11 consecutive seasons in which he was voted the National League’s best defensive first baseman. He won five with St. Louis, five with New York and one in 1983 when he spent time with both clubs.

A career .296 hitter with 2,182 hits and the 1979 NL co-MVP, Hernandez never received more than 10.8 percent of the votes needed to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame during his time on the ballot. If that surprises you, it shouldn’t. Of the seven first basemen with the most Gold Gloves — Hernandez with 11, Don Mattingly with nine, George Scott with eight, Vic Power and Bill White with seven and Wes Parker and J.T. Snow with six — none are in the Hall of Fame.

To see a complete list of Gold Gloves won by first basemen, click here.

Now, on to today’s question …

What pitcher chewed black licorice and brushed his teeth in the dugout between innings?

Check back Thursday for the answer.

Defense is the name of the game. Few in the outfield have ever been better than Willie Mays. That’s what led us to Monday’s question. We’ll stick with the defensive theme for Tuesday’s Spring Training Trivia question.

Keep sending in your answers. Either offer them up in the comments section below or e-mail them to me at mschuckman@whig.com.

Now, let’s answer Monday’s brain teaser.

Here was the question …

In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Giants center fielder Willie Mays made a defensive play simply known as “The Catch.” Playing at the Polo Grounds, Mays made an on-the-run, over-the-shoulder catch largely considered one of the best defensive plays in the game’s history. Who hit the shot Mays tracked down?

And the answer is …

With the game tied at 2 in the top of the eighth inning, Giants starter Sal Maglie ran into trouble. He walked Larry Doby and gave up a single to Al Rosen. That forced Giants manager Leo Durocher to bring in left-handed reliever Don Liddle to face the left-handed swinging Vic Wertz.

Facing a 2-1 count, Wertz drilled a Liddle fastball approximately 420 feet to straightaway center field. In the spacious outfield of the Polo Grounds, Willie Mays sprinted back and made his famous catch.

The Giants won the game in the bottom of the 10th inning and swept the series.

Wertz, who played 17 first base and outfield, spent 17 seasons in the big leagues. He finished his career with a .277 average, 266 home rns and 1,178 RBI. A World War II veteran, Wertz was elected to the American League All-Star team four times.

Now for another web gem and the next question …

Who has won the most Gold Gloves at first base?

Check back Wednesday for the answer.

DeAngelo Dean was the first option when the Quincy High School boys basketball team needed a game-tying 3-pointer. Mason Fairley was the second option when the Blue Devils needed a game-winning shot. Both proved to be the right option.

Dean buried a 3-pointer from just to the right of the top of the key with three seconds remaining Saturday night at Blue Devil Gym, tying Neuqua Valley at 66.

In case you missed or just want to relive it, here’s the video courtesy of YouTube.

After Neuqua Valley threw the inbounds pass away with 2.1 seconds remaining, the Blue Devils were able to inbound the ball under their own basket, leading to Fairley hitting a 10-foot jumper from the right baseline as time expired for a 68-66 victory over a team that is now 21-6.

Here’s the chance to see Fairley’s game-winner, thanks to YouTube.

Quincy’s Luke Guthrie is one of 26 collegiate golfers named to the 2011 Ben Hogan Award watch list. Guthrie, a junior at the University of Illinois, and teammate Scott Langley are up for the award which is given annually to the top men’s collegiate golfer taking into account all collegiate and amateur competitions during a 12-month period.

The semifinalists will be announced April 14 with the three finalists invited to the Colonial Country Club in Ft. Worth, Texas, on May 16 for the announcement of the award winner.

Guthrie is ranked 10th in the latest Golfweek collegiate rankings, having defeated nine players ranked in the top 25. He won the Jack Nicklaus Invitational last fall for his first collegiate tournament championship with rounds of 70, 70 and 65. He defeated a nationally-respected field, which included the world’s top amateur player, Peter Uihlein of Oklahoma State. Guthrie also placed 12th at the Jones Cup earlier this month and placed third at the Illinois Open last July. The first-team All-Big Ten performer led the Illini with a 71.58 stroke average last fall.

“Luke had a very good fall and a good Jones Cup,” Illinois head coach Mike Small said. “He is growing as a player and I’m anxious to see if he can continue that maturity.

For St. Louis Cardinals fans, the first Spring Training Trivia question was sort of like an Eephus pitch. You can take a good hack at it, and more often than not, you’re going to make solid contact.

With all the e-mails I received, I would say you drove that pitch right back up the middle.

Keep sending in your answers. Either offer them up in the comments section below or e-mail them to me at www.whig.com.

Before we get to today’s question, you need the answer to yesterday’s opener.

Here was the question …

Between 2005 and 2009, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols won three National League MVP awards, becoming the 13th player in franchise history to win at least one MVP. Prior to Pujols, who was the last Cardinals standout to win an MVP award?

And the answer is …

Willie McGee. In 1985, the Cardinals center fielder won the NL batting title with a .353 average as the Redbirds won the NL pennant before losing to the Royals in a seven-game World Series. McGee led the league with 216 hits and 18 triples, while belting 10 home runs and collecting 82 RBI. McGee also won a Gold Glove, one of three he won in his 18-year career. McGee received 280 points in the MVP balloting, edging Reds outfielder Dave Parker by 60 points. McGee received 14 of the 24 first-place votes.

McGee won a second batting title for the Cardinals in 1990 as he hit .335 in 542 plate appearances before being traded to Oakland on Aug. 29 for Felix Jose, Stan Royer and minor leaguer Daryl Green. A player needs 502 plate appearances to qualify for a batting title.

To see a complete list of MVPs, click here.

Now it’s time for the next trivia question. Since the initial question was tailored toward Cardinals, this one will be more general. Don’t worry, Cubs fans, questions in your wheelhouse will be coming soon.

Here is today’s question …

In Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Giants center fielder Willie Mays made a defensive play simply known as “The Catch.” Playing at the Polo Grounds, Mays made an on-the-run, over-the-shoulder catch largely considered one of the best defensive plays in the game’s history. Who hit the shot Mays tracked down?

Come back Tuesday for the answer.

With full-squad workouts under way at all Major League Baseball spring training sites, it’s time to start our baseball primer and bring back Spring Training Trivia for the third straight year.

Each day leading up to Opening Day, I will post a baseball-related trivia question. Some will have local flavor. Some will feature NL Central foes. Some will be about the game’s greatest players. Post your responses in the comment section below or e-mail me at mschuckman@whig.com.

We’ll start out with a couple of easy ones to get you loose. As we get closer to the baseball season, we’ll make the questions more difficult.

Check back each day to get the answer and the next question.

Here’s the first question to whet your baseball appetite …

Between 2005 and 2009, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols won three National League MVP awards, becoming the 13th player in franchise history to win at least one MVP. Prior to Pujols, who was the last Cardinals standout to win an MVP award?

Come back Monday for the answer.

Joining elite company

Mitch Marold’s two most significant plays in the Quincy High School boys basketball team’s 68-66 victory over Neuqua Valley were inbounds passes that led to DeAngelo Dean’s game-tying 3-pointer and Mason Fairley’s game-winning 10-foot jumper.

His first-quarter 3-pointer, however, led to a significant individual honor.

Marold became the sixth player in school history to make at least 50 3-pointers in a season. Marold, who went 3 for 8 from 3-point range, has made 52 3-pointers this season, placing him fourth on the single-season list. Andy Douglas holds the single-season school record with 68 3-pointers – a mark Marold likely won’t challenge – but the 6-foot senior guard has established himself as one of the top gunners in school history. He’s also clutch.

With the Blue Devils trailing 64-58 with 45.8 seconds remaining, sophomore guard Martin Kvitle found Marold open on the right wing. Although he was only a couple steps in front of the QHS bench, Marold drained a 3-pointer from 24 feet to set up Quincy’s closing rally. Quincy outscored Neuqua Valley 10-2 in the final 36.8 seconds.

“That was a wonderful pass for Martin,” Marold said. “off to him.”

Marold didn’t realize where his feet were or how far from the hoop he actually was, but he downplayed the shot in comparison to the screen and the pass that set him up.

“You have to give hats off to the rest of them,” Marold said. “I hit the shot, but they deserve the credit.”

Preparing for anything

Although Quincy coach Sean Taylor had practiced plays with DeAngelo Dean attempting a 3-pointer in a buzzer-beating situation, the junior forward never expected to actually be asked to take one.

“I figured he was just kind of messing around,” Dean said. “But I knew to be ready.”

All of the Blue Devils know that.

“Actually, we do situations like this in practice,” sophomore guard Mason Fairley said. “Coach even draws (freshman forward LuKa Radovic) up one where he gets to shoot one. Just in case for a situation like this. It happened to work out. It was almost the perfect situation.”

With 6.7 seconds left in regulation, Taylor drew up a play for Dean to catch the inbounds pass and attempt a 3-pointer from just off to the right of top of the key, with Marold as the second option. Marold inbounded the ball to Dean, who knocked down the shot to tie the game at 66 with 2.1 seconds left.

Piling up the points

The Blue Devils were down 47-40 at the end of the third quarter, but they saved their best for last. Quincy scored 28 points in the final quarter, scoring on its first five possessions and eight of its first nine chances. Dean had 14 of his career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter, while Marold buried a pair of 3-pointers.

Quincy went 9 of 12 from the field, 4 of 5 from 3-point range and 6 of 10 from the line.

Game-changing call

Neuqua Valley was on the verge of putting the game away when senior guard Sean Pyritz was whistled for traveling before he could finish a fast-break with less than three minutes remaining that would have put the Wildcats ahead by 10 points. Pyritz stole a pass above the top of the key and drove in for a layup with a Quincy defender in pursuit.

Feeling the oncoming defender, Pyritz decided to jumpstop and wait to go up with the layup, expecting the defender to overrun him. However, Pyritz traveled before he got the shot off. Neuqua Valley never increased its lead to double digits again and ultimately lost on Fairley’s 10-foot buzzer beater.

The boxscore

Quincy 68, Neuqua Valley 66
NEUQUA VALLEY (21-6)
Player    fg-fga    ft-fta    reb    pf    pts
Johnson    7-16    4-8    12    0    21
Sandifer    1-2    3-4    1    4    5
Stocki    6-14    4-6    5    0    21
Pyritz    1-2    2-3    1    2    4
Karkazis    1-3    0-3    5    3    2
Boudreau    1-1    0-0    2    1    2
Miskel    2-2    0-0    1    1    4
Catchings    2-3    0-0    1    0    5
Kenny    1-1    0-0    2    2    2
Team            2
22-43    13-24    32    13    66
QUINCY (11-13)
Player    fg-fga    ft-fta    reb    pf    pts
Dean    11-15    6-10    8    2    29
Marold    5-10    0-0    3    3    13
Forrest    1-4    0-0    3    5    3
Beebe    2-4    0-0    2    3    5
Givens    1-3    0-0    0    3    2
Fairley    4-6    0-0    0    3    9
Kvitle    1-2    1-2    3    3    4
Laws    1-2    0-0    0    1    3
Team            1
Totals    26-46    7-12    20    23    68
Neuqua Valley    23    12    12    19‹66
Quincy    19    6    15    28‹68
3-point field goals-Neuqua Valley (Stocki 5-8, Johnson 3-8, Catchings 1-2), Quincy 9-22 (Marold 3-8, Beebe 1-3, Fairley 1-3, Kvitle 1-2, Laws 1-2, Dean 1-1, Forrest 1-1, Givens 0-2). Assists-Neuqua Valley 12 (Sandifer 6), Quincy 17 (Marold 8). Steals-Neuqua Valley 10 (Sandifer 4), Quincy 8 (Beebe, Kvitle 2). Blocked shots-Neuqua Valley 1 (Johnson), Quincy 2 (Dean 2). Turnovers-Neuqua Valley 19, Quincy 17. Officials-Dave Gilliland, Dave Van Nest, Darryl Lamps.