Can You Identify These MLB Teams From the Back of Their Jerseys?

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By: Gavin Thagard

6 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Ken Lund

About This Quiz

If you're truly a dedicated Major League Baseball fan, then you've put together a collection of jerseys from all 30 teams across the entire league. Are you the type of fan who pulls those jerseys out to wear them on the regular, or do you just leave them hung up to waste away in the back of your closet? This quiz will be a telltale sign for you to find out.

No matter what team you root for, players and staff come and go. Even for franchise legends, their time is eventually called, and they either retire or spend their last years with another team. One aspect of the game that stays constant, other than minor alterations (except in extreme cases ... we're looking at YOU, Astros), are team jerseys. An MLB jersey is the one identifying sign you will find when you go to a ballpark to watch a game.

Why not spend some time reflecting back on all of the MLB games you've been to and the teams you've seen play by taking this jersey identification quiz? You'll have to really know your jerseys, though, because we are only showing you the backside, and some of those team colors might start to blend together in your head. 

Get started and see how far your jersey knowledge really extends. 

If you hate the Yankees, then surely you'll recognize this team's jersey. Who is it?

Behind the management of Alex Cora, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2018 World Series to win the ninth title in franchise history. After hitting three home runs in the series, Steve Pearce was named the World Series MVP.

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Do you recognize this team that finally delivered their city a championship in 2016 after 108 years?

Chicago Cubs fans will forever remember the name Steve Bartman, and not because he was an important player for the team. Bartman was the fan who interfered with a foul ball, costing the Cubs a trip to the 2003 World Series. The worst part for Bartman was that he was an avid Cubs supporter.

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Clayton Kershaw has been winning Cy Young awards while wearing this jersey for which team?

The Dodgers, located in Brooklyn at the time, became the first professional baseball team to sign an African American player when they added Jackie Robinson to their squad in 1947. Robinson immediately proved his worth, earning Rookie of the Year honors while leading the NL in stolen bases.

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No MLB team has won more titles than the players wearing this jersey. Can you identify the team?

The Yankees were founded in 1901, the same season the American League started, as the Baltimore Orioles. The team moved to New York City in 1903 and was renamed the Yankees in 1913.

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Which team established in 1962 currently wears this jersey during games?

The New York Mets have always been looked at as the little brothers to the Yankees, as no team can attract fans quite like the Yanks. However, there was a period in the '80s where the Yankees fell from the top of the MLB world as they tried to rebuild, so New York became a Mets town for a while.

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You'll find a big, green mascot roaming the sidelines of the team that wears this jersey. What team is it?

Dating back to the 19th century, the Philadelphia Phillies are one of the oldest teams in baseball. However, it took the team 77 years after the first World Series was played in 1903 to win a title.

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Can you name the team that suits up in this jersey each season?

The Houston Astros retired No. 34 to honor their former player and pitching legend Nolan Ryan. After 27 seasons, Ryan finished his MLB career as the all time leader in strikeouts, a record that few other pitchers have even come close to surpassing.

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This jersey is worn by one of the oldest franchises in baseball. Who are they?

When the Twins moved into Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in 1982, they posted a 60-102 record, which was the team's worst record since they moved to Minnesota. The Twins topped their losses from that season in 2016 when they went 59-103.

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Since 1920, there have only been three decades where this team hasn't won a title wearing these colors. Do you know the team?

While playing for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1998, Mark McGwire competed against Sammy Sosa for the single season home run record set by Roger Maris at 61. Sosa finished the season with 66 home runs, but McGwire topped him with 70.

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Mike Trout just signed on to wear this team's jersey for 12 more years. Who's he wearing the jersey for?

The Los Angeles Angels have been running bases in Angel Stadium since 1966, when it replaced the team's previous stadium, Chavez Ravine. The Big A, as many call it, is the fourth oldest stadium in MLB.

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What team wears this jersey in their new stadium at SunTrust Park?

In his official rookie season with the Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones was instrumental in helping the team reach the 1995 World Series. The Braves won the series by defeating the Cleveland Indians in six games, giving Jones the only title of his career.

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You might grab a drink before watching which team play with this jersey on?

The Milwaukee Brewers played a single season in Seattle, where they were known as the Pilots, before moving cities. The move to Milwaukee was so quick that the team didn't even have time to purchase new jerseys when the 1970 season opened, forcing them to sew "Brewers" over the Pilots logo.

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Do you have any idea which team puts this jersey on for 162 regular season games each season?

The Toronto Blue Jays became a championship contenting team when Cito Gaston took over as manager in 1989. Utilizing an explosive offense, Gaston led the team to back to back titles in 1992 and 1993 behind star players like Jack Morris and Roberto Alomar.

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The team that wears this jersey is still looking for their first World Series title. What's the name of the team?

Since the team's establishment in 1977, the Seattle Mariners have been one of the worst performing teams in North American sports. They've only been to the playoffs on four occasions and haven't made an appearance since 2001. Fans are looking for more success under Scott Servais, who was hired in 2016.

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Can you identify the West Coast team that this jersey belongs to?

If you were a San Francisco Giants fan in 1989, you'll certainly remember the earthquake that tore through the city during Game 3 of the World Series that year. The earthquake caused a ten day game delay and hurt any momentum that the Giants carried back to their home stadium after an 0-2 start in Oakland.

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This jersey's worn by a team that is currently suffering the longest championship drought in MLB. Who are they?

The Cleveland Indians had an opportunity to end their championship drought against the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series. After going up 3-1 in the series, the Indians lost three straight games to give away the championship in Game 7.

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Though they haven't been to the playoffs since 2014, which fanbase is still proud to wear this jersey to support their team?

When the American League started in 1901, the Detroit Tigers were one of the first teams added to the league. Since the franchise was founded in Detroit in 1894, the Tigers are the oldest team from the American League to not change cities or names.

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What's the name of the team that retired a jersey similar to this one for Roberto Clemente?

The Pittsburgh Pirates dominated the NL East Division throughout most of the '70s, winning six division titles. They also advanced to two World Series, securing victories over the Baltimore Orioles in both 1971 and 1979.

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This jersey is worn by one of the newer teams in MLB. Which team is it?

The Tampa Bay Rays have many traditions, but few are as ingrained in their culture as the cowbells that fans ring during home games. The team even has a night once a year where they give away free cowbells, allowing new fans to get in on the action.

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Are you familiar with the MLB team that takes the field with this jersey on?

The Chicago White Sox will forever be remembered for the Black Sox Scandal that ripped through baseball in 1919. The scandal involved the throwing of the 1919 World Series by many key players on the team who placed a bet on the series with a gambling ring.

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If you go to Baltimore, you'll see fans of which team sporting this jersey?

The Baltimore Orioles will forever be grateful for the contributions of Cal Ripken Jr. Though he only captured one championship, Ripken spent his entire career with the Orioles, reaching 19 All Star Games while winning two AL MVPs.

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This jersey fills the stands at Great American Ball Park for what team?

With players like Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan, the Cincinnati Reds put together a perennial playoff contender in the '70s. Known as the "Big Red Machine," they reached the playoffs six times throughout the decade and won back to back World Series in 1975 and 1976.

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Do you know which team only won 66 games in 2018 while wearing this jersey?

The San Diego Padres are still searching for their first World Series title since the team was founded in 1969. The Padres have reached the championship series twice, with their last appearance coming in 1998 when offensive juggernauts like Greg Vaughn and Tony Gwynn were playing.

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In 2002, what team reached the playoffs using sabermetrics with this jersey on?

Early in franchise history, the Athletics were a team on the move, once located in Philadelphia before moving to Kansas City. The team finally found its current home in Oakland in 1968, where they have played at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum ever since.

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Chris Woodward manages which team that plays with this jersey on their back?

After finishing 2018 with a losing season, the Texas Rangers hired a new manager in Chris Woodward. The hiring was the start of a rebuilding process that included the retirement of their star player, Adrian Beltre.

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The team that wears this jersey was located in Canada before moving to the U.S. in 2005. Do you recognize the team?

After seven years with the team, the Washington Nationals let their star right fielder, Bryce Harper, walk after contract negations went no where at the end of the 2018 season. Harper ended up signing one of the richest deals in baseball history with the Philadelphia Phillies.

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While wearing this jersey, which team won a World Series three years after they were founded?

Hall of Fame pitcher Randy Johnson had two stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and was part of the team's only World Series title in 2001. Johnson and fellow pitcher Curt Schilling were named co-World Series MVPs after several outstanding pitching performances.

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Giancarlo Stanton is no longer wearing this jersey after which team traded him away?

Former Yankees legend Derek Jeter purchased a stake in the Miami Marlins in 2017 when the team went up for sale. Jeter was put in charge of day to day operations after he was named the chief executive officer of the Marlins by the team's majority owner, Bruce Sherman.

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Do you remember which team earned a Wild Card berth in 2018 while playing with this jersey?

Since Colorado is close to the Rocky Mountains, the city named their team the Rockies when the franchise was added as an expansion team in 1991. The organization almost fell apart before it started after an accounting scandal left the franchise without an owner. Luckily, a new purchaser was found and play began in 1993.

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Can you identify the MLB team that's been competing with this jersey on?

The Kansas City Royals played the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1985 ALCS. The series was memorable because it required two miraculous comebacks by the Royals that included being down 2-0 in the series before later going down 3-1. The Royals forced a Game 7, winning the final game 6-2.

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