Column: Too much useless information can be a good thing

There is so much to worry about in today’s world that we can get drug down by doom and despair.

Never fear, today’s column is all about having some fun with some not-so-serious sports trivia. It’s time to play “25 in 25.”

Good luck, and if you get into double figures correctly, consider yourself a sports guru.

Sports trivia

1. This former NFL player was known as “He Hate Me” with the XFL Las Vegas Outlaws.

2. This man rode Secretariat to triple crown history in 1973.

3. Successfully create a Hall of Fame lineup from the 1987 MLB opening day starting lineups (complete with LF, CF and RF; a DH; and two starting pitchers).

4. Aside from Pete Rose being banned from Major League Baseball for life, what MLB manager received the stiffest suspension in MLB history?

5. In 1990 this nobody upset “Iron” Mike Tyson, who at the time was 37-0 with 33 KOs, to claim the undisputed heavyweight title.

6. Name all six quarterbacks taken in the 1983 NFL Draft’s first round.

7. Name the only NFL quarterback to throw for 500 yards in a single game three times.

8. Who owns the record for most passing yards in a single game for the Cleveland Browns?

9. What tennis players have respectively won the most men’s and women’s singles titles in professional tennis?

10. Four MLB players have hit 19 or more grand slams in their careers. How many can you name? (hint: two played for Cleveland, and two played for the New York Yankees).

11. What NFL player owns the dubious record for most career fumbles?

12. What nonquarterback owns that same record and also claims the record for longest rushing touchdown of 99 yards set in 1982?

13. What NFL running back tied that 99-yard record last season?

14. Who holds the record for most goals in World Cup Soccer history? (Hint: it's close.)

15. What former NBA player holds the record for most points scored in an NCAA career?

16. This international crooner also played in goal for Real Madrid.

17. This NBA bricklayer at the charity stripe owns a career worst free throw 41.4%.

18. What MLB players own the most Gold Gloves in the NL and AL respectively?

19. What NASCAR driver has the most wins in this century?

20. What Cleveland Browns defensive back holds the team’s career record for interceptions?

21. On Sept. 12 of this year, what PGA player set a new record for highest score on a single hole of 19?

22. When was the last time the Cleveland Browns had back-to-back winning seasons?

23. What NFL franchise owns the record for most consecutive appearances in the playoffs?

24. What NBA players hold the record for most steals in a career?

25. Who is the only MLB player to go 7-for-7 in a nine-inning game? 

Answers

1. Rod Smith.

2. Ron Turcotte.

3. C - Gary Carter, 1B - Eddie Murray, 2B - Ryne Sandberg, 3B - Schmidt/Molitor/Brett, SS - Ripken, LF- Jim Rice, CF - Yount/Puckett/Henderson, RF - Winfield/Dawson, DH - Fisk/McGriff/Reggie, and SP - Jack Morris/Blyleven.

4. Oddly enough, it was Peter Rose, suspended for 30 games for shoving an umpire.

5. Buster Douglas (the oddsmakers had Tyson as a 42-1 favorite).

6. John Elway (first overall), Todd Blackledge (sixth), Jim Kelly (14th), Tony Eason (15th), Ken O’Brien (24th) and Dan Marino (27th).

7. Ben Roethlisberger.

8. Jameis Winston threw for 497 yards last season versus Denver.

9. Jimmy Connors (109) and Martina Navratilova (167).

10. Alex Rodriguez (25), Lou Gehrig (23), Manny Ramirez (21) and Eddie Murray (19).

11. Brett Favre.

12. Tony Dorsett.

13. Derrick Henry.

14. Germany’s Miroslav Klose.

15. Pete Maravich of LSU scored 3,667 points, three points ahead of Antoine Davis of Detroit Mercy.

16. Julio Iglesias.

17. Sorry Shaq, this one belongs to Ben Wallace.

18. Braves pitcher Greg Maddux has 18 of those on his mantle. Brooks Robinson owned the AL with 16 of them down at the hot corner for the Orioles.

19. Jimmy Johnson (88).

20. Thom Darden had 45 picks. The NFL record is 81 set by Paul Krause.

21. John Daly.

22. 1988 (10-6) and 1989 (9-6-1).

23. New England Patriots did it 11 straight seasons from 2009-19.

24. Utah legend John Stockton recorded 3,265 thefts in his career.

25. Pittsburgh’s Rennie Stennett did the deed, lashing a triple, two doubles and four singles against the Chicago Cubs in 1975.