I had the pleasure of being a part of group of four Red Sox bloggers who took part in  "Playing Pepper 2021: Boston Red Sox." We were asked six questions concerning the club for 2021 by Daniel Shoptaw, who runs the fine St. Louis Cardinals blog "C70 At The Bat."

Every year Daniel asks bloggers from all 30 teams questions about their teams chances for the upcoming season. This is the eighth straight year I have taken part.

My thanks to Daniel for letting me take part again. Here are the questions and my answers:

 C70: Baseball in 2020 was like nothing we’ve ever seen before. What are your thoughts on that season? Did you like the rule changes? How was following baseball the same or different during the pandemic?

John: Let’s hope we never have another baseball season like 2020! It was beyond bizarre seeing no fans in the stands until the postseason. I understand some of the rule changes that were made for last season but the only one I liked was the DH in the National League. I am fully a proponent of the DH, and I hate to see pitchers hitting. I don’t like ANY of the other changes: starting a runner at second to begin the 10th inning or the 16-team playoff format. Call me a traditionalist with those two things, but starting a runner at second in the tenth is an artificial way to try to end a game. And we nearly had an under .500 team get to the World Series because of the expanded playoffs (Houston). Seven inning doubleheaders? I guess I can live with it for now.

 
C70: When is Chris Sale expected to return and what do you expect from him when he does?

 John: Alex Cora said he isn’t expecting Chris Sale back until after the All-Star Game. The Sox have to be careful with him, and rushing him back makes little sense unless the Sox surprise a lot of people in the standings this year.

C70: Alex Cora is back as manager after a year away. What are your thoughts about his return and how much of an impact will it have on the 2021 season?

John: I believe Alex Cora’s return will have a positive effect on the club, especially with J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers, who struggled mightily last season. I heard that every player who played under Cora in 2018-19 gave the thumbs up for his return. That’s good enough for me.

C70: There’s been a lot of trade rumors around former Arkansas Razorback Andrew Benintendi. Do you believe he will be traded? Should he be traded? [Note: Every year at least one team does something after I send out questions that invalidates one.  Boston did this last year to me as well!  So everyone just told me what they thought about the trade.]

John: I was sorry to see Andrew Benintendi leave. I understand the trade as his stock had fallen since 2018. Still he’s still a young player and I thought he would bounce back from his injury-riddled 2020 season. I remember seeing Franchy Cordero play in San Diego. I just hope he’s not the second coming of Wily Mo Pena.

C70: What is your expectation for this team this coming season?

John: A lot has to go right for the Red Sox to compete in 2021. I don’t see them making the playoffs but I think they can surprise the naysayers. I’m hoping for a 82-83 win season.

C70: Overall, what sort of grade would you give this organization and why?

 John: Chaim Bloom has a plan, and it will take time to bear fruit. So the fans have to be patient this year. He has improved the farm system, and has brought in some versatile position players. The pitching has the bigger question marks. Hard to give the Sox a grade on this off season until we see how some key players perform.

 Hello everyone. I am finally back on my blog, after a long absence! My computer went out on me in late October of last year, and it took me a while to getting around to get a new one. And now, finally, I am back! I also decided to take a little break from blogging. But it's good to be back!

I am still doing Facebook Live Trivia Night, but a little more infrequently, now about twice a month. I will return to posting the Q&A back here soon. Our next Trivia Night is this coming Thursday night, March 18th at 8 PM ET.

Today is the 15th anniversary of starting The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, so I thought this would be a good day to re-start. It was always fun to blog, and a friend suggested a few weeks ago that I go back to writing again. So I will be posting a little more frequently.

I hope everyone is doing well, and it's good to be back!

Facebook Live Trivia Night is taking this week off, with the presidential debate happening tonight. Enjoy the circus, we will be back again next Thursday night, October 29th at 8 PM. See you then and have a great week!

With this continuing pandemic going on all around the world, I had to find ways to pass the time while in my house. I watched plenty of TV and movies, and read and re-read lots of books. But I received a book to review that I really enjoyed reading, and naturally it was on baseball: "The Wax Pack: On the Open Road In Search of Baseball's Afterlife" (University of Nebraska Publishing) by Brad Balukjian. The book is based on a concept I can relate to, as Balukjian took a pack of baseball cards from 1986 from Topps, and decided to check out the post-baseball lives of the 15 men he unwrapped. I grew up collecting baseball cards, and I thought it sounded like such a great idea. 

But a lot of people in the publishing world weren't so taken with it, as Balukjian was rejected 38 times before he finally found a publisher. Balukjian actually opened the pack of cards thirty years after it first came out, chewed on the gum enclosed inside (which wasn't a pleasant experience) and decided to see what became of the players who were in his pack. The players range from a Hall of Famer (Carlton Fisk), highly decorated pitchers (Dwight Gooden and Rick Sutcliffe), infielders who made their mark (Garry Templeton, Randy Ready, Rance Mulliniks), and guys who never really made it in the game (Jaime Coconower). 

Balkujian starts in California where he lives (he's a writer and a biology teacher at Merritt College in Oakland) and criss-crosses the country to find all the players. (One he could not visit was Al Cowens, who died in 2002.)  He did this in 2015 and drove over 11,000 miles to speak with all his subjects. He would cross 30 states in 48 days. Previously he did nearly a year of research in contacting the 14 former big leaguers, following up with emails and phone calls. He met with all but two (Vince Coleman and Carlton Fisk with the only ones who declined to participate). 

In his interviews with the players, he made it clear that he was more interested in them as people than as ex-ballplayers. Many of them opened up to him about their personal lives, like the divorces they went through and the relationships that broke apart in their lives. Balukjian also retraces his own past, reconnecting with an old girl friend, and is very upfront about his lifelong battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Brad Balukjian has written a very different type of baseball book, one that I found fascinating, especially about how most of these former heroes view their lives after baseball. It was a very enjoyable read, following him on the road, and one very much worth your time to read, whether we are in a pandemic or not.

We had another fine night of Trivia on Thursday night, our eighteenth so far, and my parents each made an appearance, having just returned from Florida earlier this week. It was another close race to the finish, but Francine Hamilton won her third Facebook Live Trivia Night, with 49 points, just edging out Larry Fleisher, who had 48 points, and Gillian DiPietro's team of "I Wish This Microphone Was a Red October", who had 47 points. Congratulations to Francine, and I'll see you all again next Thursday night!

Red Trivia
1. What author wrote the best-selling novel "The Hunt For Red October?"
2. What actor/director won an Oscar for Best Director for the 1981 film "Reds?"
3. Which MLB team has won the most World Series in their history: the Red Sox or Reds?
4. Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding was a main character in what 1994 Oscar nominated film?
5. What two red card suits in a standard deck of cards are colored red?
6. What pop singer's 2012 album "Red" featured the hit song "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together?"
7. What Asian country's flag has a red circle centered on a green background?

Blue Trivia
1. What 19th century classical composer wrote "The Blue Danube?"
2. "True Blue" was a 1986 album by what pop singer?
3. What was the name of Paul Bunyan's Blue Ox?
4. John Popper was a member of what rock band?
5. "Blue Devils" is the nickname for what teams from what major university?
6. "Big Blue" is a nickname for what major American company?
7. Dennis Franz and Jimmy Smits starred in what 1980s TV crime drama?

The Q Train: Beer Brands Trivia (Name the Country)
1. St. Pauli Girl
2. Labatt's
3. Heineken
4. Yuengling
5. Carlsberg
6. Asahi
7. Guinness
8. Kronenbourg
9. Hoegaarden
10. Foster's

General Knowledge
1. In "E.T.", what candy does Elliott leave a trail of for his alien friend? ( 1 pt)
2. What is the stretch of water between Russia and Alaska called? ( 1 pt)
3. Bruce Jenner won what athletic event at the 1976 Summer Olympics? ( 1 pt)
4. The oldest existing McDonald's restaurant is located in what US state? ( 2 pt)
5. What continent has most landlocked countries? ( 2 pt)
6. Between animal attacks, drowning and falling from heights, which is the number 1 cause of deaths at national parks? ( 2 pt)
7. What European country produces about 75% of the world's olive oil each year? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Who was the first actor to be nominated for an Oscar in which he portrayed 3 different characters in one film? ( 4 points)
2. What is the only country in Central America with English as its official language? ( 4 points)
3. What South American country had 5 different presidents over a span of 10 days in 2001? ( 5 points)
4. What 19th century US president officially dedicated the Statue of Liberty? ( 4 points)
5. What is the biggest holiday in the US every year in terms of greeting card sales? ( 3 points)

Answers
Red Trivia
1. Tom Clancy; 2. Warren Beatty; 3. Red Sox (9-5); 4. The Shawshank Redemption; 5. Diamonds and Hearts; 6. Taylor Swift; 7. Bangladesh.

Blue Trivia
1. Johann Strauss; 2. Madonna; 3. Babe; 4. Blues Traveler; 5. Duke; 6. IBM; 7. NYPD Blue.

The Q Train: Beer Brands Trivia
1. Germany; 2. Canada; 3. Netherlands; 4. USA; 5. Denmark; 6. Japan; 7. Ireland; 8. France; 9. Belgium; 10. Australia.

General Knowledge
1. Reese's Pieces; 2. Bering Strait; 3. Decathlon; 4. California; 5. Africa; 6. Drowning; 7. Spain.

IQ Trivia
1. Peter Sellers (Dr. Strangelove); 2. Belize; 3. Argentina; 4. Grover Cleveland; 5. Christmas.

We had another great turnout for our seventeenth edition of "Facebook Live Trivia Night" on Thursday, and thankfully we had another night where everything went smoothly. We had a terrific race to the finish, but night ended in a tie between Larry Fleisher and the team of Molly Vallon and Brad Cook, both teams rolling up 49 points. Congratulations to this week's co-champions! See you all again next Thursday night!

Emmy Awards Trivia
1. Which show has won more Emmy Awards in its history: Saturday Night Live or The Simpsons?
2. What 1990s comedy series has the most Emmy wins among comedy shows, with 37?
3. Name 1 of the 2 actresses who hold the record for the most Emmy wins ever, with 8?
4. What HBO drama series holds the record for most wins by a fictional series, with 38?
5. In 2013, Netflix became the first streaming platform to win a Primetime Emmy Award and what drama series won it?
6. What comedy actor is the only actor to be nominated for portraying the same character on three different shows?
7. What comic legend hosted the Emmys four times in the 1970s, the most times anyone has hosted the awards?

Famous Seconds Trivia
1. What European capital city was the second city to host the Olympic Games in 1900?
2. Who was the second man to walk on the Moon?
3. What is the second smallest state in the US by area?
4. Who was the second vice-president of the US?
5. What was the second James Bond film released in the famous film series?
6. What was the second album released by the pop singer Adele?
7. What was the name of the second wife of King Henry VIII?

The Q Train: Movie Heroes and Villains Trivia (Name the Film)
1. Andy Dufresne
2. Alex Forrest
3. Sarah Connor
4. Tommy DeVito
5. Biff Tannen
6. George Bailey
7. Alonzo Harris
8. Ellen Ripley
9. Travis Bickle
10. Little Bill Daggett

General Knowledge
1. What country has won the most Olympic titles in men's basketball? ( 1 pt)
2. "E" and "O" are worth how many points in Scrabble? ( 1 pt)
3. The Barbary Coast is located along what body of water? ( 1 pt)
4. At an average depth of 62 feet, which is the shallowest of the Great Lakes? ( 2 pt)
5. Coca-Cola's world headquarters is located in what US city? ( 2 pt)
6. What day every year does the Atlantic hurricane season begin? ( 2 pt)
7. In 2013, what pop singer became the first person with 40 million Twitter followers? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What country in Central America, following a civil war in 1948, disbanded its armed forces and is one of the largest countries in the world with no standing army?  ( 4 points)
2. In the film "Miss Congeniality", Gracie Hart joins the Miss United States pageant representing what state? ( 4 points)
3. What was the name of the very first book in the Harry Potter series? ( 3 points)
4. In 2012, the Tower that houses Big Ben in London was renamed what? ( 5 points)
5. "Suicide Is Painless" is the theme song to what 1970s/1980s TV series? ( 4 points)

Answers
Emmy Awards Trivia
1. Saturday Night Live (54-32); 2. Frasier; 3. Cloris Leachman and Julia Louis-Dreyfus; 4. Game of Thrones; 5. House of Cards; 6. Kelsey Grammer; 7. Johnny Carson.

Famous Seconds Trivia
1. Paris; 2. Buzz Aldrin; 3. Delaware; 4. Thomas Jefferson; 5. From Russia With Love; 6. 21; 7. Anne Boleyn.

The Q Train: Movie Heroes and Villains Trivia
1. The Shawshank Redemption; 2. Fatal Attraction; 3. The Terminator; 4. Goodfellas; 5. Back to the Future; 6. It's a Wonderful Life; 7. Training Day; 8. Alien; 9. Taxi Driver; 10. Unforgiven.

General Knowledge
1. USA; 2. 1 point; 3. Mediterranean Sea; 4. Lake Erie; 5. Atlanta; 6. June 1; 7. Justin Bieber.

IQ Trivia
1. Costa Rica; 2. New Jersey; 3. Harry Potter and The Philosopher's (or Sorcerer's) Stone; 4. Elizabeth Tower; 5. M*A*S*H".

We had another terrific night of Trivia on Thursday night, with no freezes and most of the usual suspects playing along. We had a great race to the finish, as three teams were tied for the lead heading into IQ Trivia. But Jen Kilburn and her team pulled out the win, running the table in that final round and ending up with 50 points. Congratulations to them on a fine victory, and I'll see you all again next Thursday night!

Baseball Trivia
1. What NL team has won the most World Series?
2. What Red Sox Hall of Famer got his 3000th hit against the Yankees in 1979?
3. What Yankees player won the most World Series in history with 10?
4. When Barry Bonds broke the single season home run record in 2001, who’s record did he break?
5. The Mets won their last pennant in what year?
6. What NL team did the Yankees defeat to win their last World Series in 2009?
7. What NL team plays their games at Petco Park?

NYC Movies Trivia
1. Gene Hackman won his first Oscar for playing a hardnose NY detective in what 1971 film?
2. “Dog Day Afternoon” was a 1975 film starring Al Pacino as a bank robber who tries to heist a bank in what NYC borough?
3. The 2007 film “American Gangster” was based on a NY drug dealer Frank Lucas and what Oscar-winning actor played Lucas?
4. What 1977 NY-based film did Woody Allen receive his only nomination for Best Actor?
5. In the 2004 film “The Terminal”, what actor starred as an Eastern European immigrant stranded at JFK?
6. What actor won an Oscar for Best Actor playing a struggling NY actor in the 1977 film “The Goodbye Girl”?
7. Between “New York, New York”, “Escape From New York” and “Gangs of New York”, which film wasn’t directed by Martin Scorsese?

The Q Train: Time Difference Trivia (From NYC)
1. Denver, CO
2. Tokyo, Japan
3. Phoenix, AZ
4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
5. Hong Kong
6. Honolulu, HI
7. Moscow, Russia
8. Paris, France
9. Sydney, Australia
10. Mexico City, Mexico

General Knowledge
1. Mount St. Helen's is located in what US state? (1 pt)
2. What US state is the largest lobster producer? (1 pt)
3. Between the elephant, the dog and the mouse, which animal has the best sense of smell? ( 2 pt)
4. What private company is the largest employer in the US? (2 pt)
5. The first Winter Olympics were held in 1924 in what country? ( 2 pt)
6. What creature is featured on the Alfa Romeo logo? (2 pt)
7. How many US presidents have died in office? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. According to Greek mythology, who was the first woman on Earth? ( 4 points)
2. Who is the only character in film that has won two different actors an Academy Award? ( 3 points)
3. What branch of the US Armed Forces uses the motto “Semper Paratus,” meaning “Always Ready”? (4 points)
4. What Asian country is the world’s second largest producer of coffee, accounting for 20% of the world’s coffee? (5 points)
5. Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3” was written for what 19th century historical leader? (4 points)

Answers
Baseball Trivia
1. St. Louis Cardinals; 2. Carl Yastrzemski; 3. Yogi Berra; 4. Mark McGwire; 5. 2015; 6. Philadelphia Phillies; 7. San Diego Padres.

NYC Movies Trivia
1. The French Connection; 2. Brooklyn; 3. Denzel Washington; 4. Annie Hall; 5. Tom Hanks; 6. Richard Dreyfuss; 7. Escape From New York.

The Q Train: Time Difference Trivia
1. 2; 2. 13; 3. 3; 4. 1; 5. 12; 6. 6; 7. 7; 8. 6; 9. 14; 10. 1.

General Knowledge
1. Washington; 2. Maine; 3. Elephant; 4. Walmart; 5. France; 6. Snake; 7. Eight.

IQ Trivia
1. Pandora; 2. Vito Corleone; 3. Coast Guard; 4. Vietnam; 5. Napoleon Bonaparte.

We had another great turnout for our fifteenth edition of "Facebook Live Trivia Night" on Thursday night, and thankfully no technical glitches of freezes. We had first time winners with Nancy and Jack Sullivan, who are known as Jaknan, and are also my sister and my brother-in-law. They rolled up 51 points and the win. Congrats Nancy and Jack! See you all next Thursday night!

Pop Music Trivia
1. What rock singer played a bar owner in the 1998 English gangster film "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels?"
2. Shawn Corey Carter is the real name of what rap star?
3. What female pop singer starred for three seasons in the reality TV series "Newlyweds?"
4. According to Billboard, who was the top selling album artist of the 1970s in the US?
5. Who replaced David Lee Roth as Van Halen's lead singer in 1986?
6. Andrew Ridgeley was a member of what 1980s pop group?
7. What rock star was killed in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin in 1990?

Space Trivia
1. What is the smallest planet in our solar system?
2. What was the last Apollo mission to the Moon in 1972?
3. Within 5 million, how many miles from the Sun is Earth?
4. On July 20, 1976, Viking I became the first spacecraft to land where?
5. When Voyager I was sent into deep space in 1977, what 1950s rock and roll legend's song was included on it as an example of the sounds of Earth?
6. In 1962, who was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth?
7. What physicist gained worldwide fame with his best selling book about space, "A Brief History of Time?"

The Q Train: Oscar Winners Film Trivia (Name the Film)
1. Whoopi Goldberg
2. Tommy Lee Jones
3. Helen Mirren
4. William Hurt
5. Charlize Theron
6. George Clooney
7. Robert Duvall
8. Helen Hunt
9. Nicolas Cage
10. Jennifer Hudson

General Knowledge
1. How many squares are there on a standard chess board? ( 1 pt)
2. What foreign city was the home to the first Hard Rock Cafe? ( 1 pt)
3. The world's longest border is between what two countries? ( 1 pt)
4. What soft drink did John Pemberton create in 1886? ( 2 pt)
5. What musician received the Nobel Prize for literature in 2016? ( 2 pt)
6. At over 2300 miles, what is the longest river in the US? ( 2 pt)
7. Which of the original 13 states was the last to ratify the Constitution? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. What is the only US state name that can be typed using just one row of the traditional QWERTY keyboard? ( 5 points)
2. In what religion would you find the gods Vishnu and Ganesha? ( 4 points)
3. What place in the US has the most suicides in history occurred at? ( 4 points)
4. What actor made his screen debut playing a corpse in the 1984 film "The Big Chill?" ( 3 points)
5. In the second century BC, what was the first city in the world to reach a population of one million? ( 4 points)

Answers
Pop Music Trivia
1. Sting; 2. Jay Z; 3. Jessica Simpson; 4. Elton John; 5. Sammy Hagar; 6. Wham!; 7. Stevie Ray Vaughan.

Space Trivia
1. Mercury; 2. 17; 3. 93 million; 4. Mars; 5. Chuck Berry; 6. John Glenn; 7. Stephen Hawking.

The Q Train: Oscar Winners Film Trivia
1. Ghost; 2. The Fugitive; 3. The Queen; 4. Kiss of the Spider Woman; 5. Monster; 6. Syriana; 7. Tender Mercies; 8. As Good As It Gets; 9. Leaving Las Vegas; 10. Dreamgirls.

General Knowledge
1. 64; 2. London; 3. US and Canada; 4. Coca-Cola; 5. Bob Dylan; 6. Missouri; 7. Rhode Island.

IQ Trivia
1. Alaska' 2. Hinduism; 3. Golden Gate Bridge; 4. Kevin Costner; 5. Rome.

We had our fourteenth edition of Facebook Live Trivia Night last night, and unfortunately, we had another freeze late during the IQ Trivia round, so I ended up in my backyard, as darkness was falling with one of my neighborhood cats! We all had a great time otherwise, and Steve Thomas and Mary Reynolds, two of my Trivia regulars from my Professor Thom's days, emerged  victorious with 52 points, on the first Facebook Live Trivia Night, as they just joined the group earlier this week! My congratulations to Steve and Mary, and I'll see you all next Thursday!

France Trivia
1. What is the second most populous city in France after Paris?
2. What French author wrote the classic novel "The Count of Monte Cristo?"
3. Marie Antoinette was the wife of what French king?
4. The Eiffel Tower is more or less than 1000 feet (with its antenna)?
5. What country did France defeat in 1998 to win its first World Cup soccer title?
6. Jean Dujardin was the last French actor or actress to win an Oscar for what 2011 film?
7. What three words make up France's national motto?

July Trivia
1. In July 1971, Doors lead singer Jim Morrison died at the age of 27 in what city?
2. In July 2013, Mohamed Morsi, president of what Middle Eastern country, was overthrown from power by the nation's military?
3. Of the four US presidents who have been assassinated in office, which one was shot in July?
4. What is the birthstone for the month of July?
5. On July 13, 1985, the Live Aid concerts were held simultaneously in what two cities?
6. On July 29, 1982, pro wrestler Jerry Lawler slapped comedian Andy Kaufman in the face in a famous staged event on what network TV show?
7. On Jlu 29, 1981, Prince Charles married Lady Diana before an TV audience of 700 million worldwide at what London church?

The Q Train: Born in New York or New Jersey Trivia
1. Jimmy Fallon
2. Joe Pesci
3. Lady Gaga
4. Peter Dinklage
5. Eddie Murphy
6. Shaquille O'Neal
7. Danny DeVito
8. Robert Downey Jr.
9. John Travolta
10. Michael Jordan

General Knowledge
1. Victoria is the capital of what Canadian province? ( 1 pt)
2. Robert F. Kennedy served as a senator from what state? ( 1 pt)
3. Harpo Productions is a company founded by what famous person? ( 1 pt)
4. What is the most downloaded iPhone application of 2020 so far? ( 2 pt)
5. The IKEA company is now headquartered in what European country? ( 2 pt)
6. What country is the most populous democracy in the world? ( 2 pt)
7. What Midwestern state is the only state whose two-letter postal abbreviation is a preposition? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. Robert Baden-Powell, a British war hero, is widely credited with founding what youth group in July 1907? ( 4 points)
2. In 1986, President Reagan signed a proclamation declaring what flower the national flower of the US? ( 3 points)
3. What recording artists hold the all-time record with 37 top ten albums in Billboard's US charts? ( 4 points)
4. The success of the first vaccine discovered by Jonas Salk was announced in 1955 on the 10th anniversary of who's death? ( 4 points)
5. What European country celebrates "The First Day of Summer" as an annual public holiday every April? ( 5 points)

Answers
France Trivia
1. Marseille; 2. Alexandre Dumas; 3. Louis XVI; 4. More (1063 feet); 5. Brazil; 6. "The Artist;" 7. Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

July Trivia
1. Paris; 2. Egypt; 3. James Garfield; 4. Ruby; 5. London and Philadelphia; 6. "Late Night With David Letterman;" 7. St. Paul's Cathedral.

The Q Train: Born in New York or New Jersey Trivia
1. NY; 2. NJ; 3. NY; 4. NJ; 5. NY; 6. NJ; 7. NJ; 8. NY; 9. NJ; 10. NY.

General Knowledge
1. British Columbia; 2. New York; 3. Oprah Winfrey; 4. Facebook; 5. Netherlands; 6. India; 7. Indiana (IN).

IQ Trivia
1. The Boy Scouts; 2. Rose; 3. The Rolling Stones; 4. FDR; 5. Iceland.

 We had our thirteenth edition of Facebook Live Trivia Night on Thursday, and another good crowd turned out for it. And it's so nice to see so many of the same people tuning in week after week! And we had another Trivia Night with no interruptions, which is always a good thing. We had a close finish, but Jen Kilburn, who had a perfect score through the first three rounds, held on for the win with 50 points. Congrats to you and your team, Jen! Have a Happy 4th of July weekend, everyone, and I'll see you next Thursday night!

July 4th Trivia
1. Which two US presidents, both signers of the Declaration of Independence, died on July 4, 1826?
2. Which Asian country was granted their independence on July 4, 1946?
3. Ron Kovic, a Vietnam vet and peace activist, was born on July 4, 1946. What actor portrayed him in a movie based on his life?
4. "Alice's Adventures In Wonderland", this author's most famous work, was published on July 4, 1865?
5. Israeli commandos, on July 4, 1976, raided Entebbe Airport in what African country and rescued hostages being held by terrorists?
6. The Battle of Vicksburg was won by the Union during the Civil War on July 4, 1863. What southern state is Vicksburg located in?
7. What playwright, who authored such plays as "The Odd Couple" and "Lost In Yonkers", was born on July 4, 1927?

Canada Trivia
1. What US state has the longest border with Canada?
2. Of Canada's three largest cities, which one is located on an island?
3. At nearly 600,000 square miles, what is Canada's largest province?
4. What is Canada's largest religious denomination?
5. What was the last Canadian city to host an Olympic Games?
6. Who was the last Canadian hockey team to win a Stanley Cup?
7. What eastern Canadian province was the last to join the Canadian confederation in 1949?

The Q Train: Red, White and Blue Flags Trivia (Yes or No)
1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Sweden
4. France
5. Spain
6. Russia
7. Dominican Republic
8. Argentina
9. Cuba
10. Italy

General Knowledge
1. Who named his fast-food chain after his daughter Wendy? ( 1 pt)
2. What city was supposed to host the 2020 Summer Olympics Games before they were postponed? ( 1 pt)
3. How many chambers are there in the human heart? ( 1 pt)
4. What medical condition often causes sufferers to suddenly and unexpectedly fall asleep? ( 2 pt)
5. Before becoming a film star, actress Claire Danes starred on what TV show? ( 2 pt)
6. If you were standing on Mars watching the sunset, what color would the sky around the sun appear? ( 2 pt)
7. What South American country has had the most Miss Universe winners, with 7? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. The world's oldest active volcano is located in what country? ( 4 points)
2. Art Fleming was the original host of what TV game show? ( 3 points)
3. What 20th century artists's work has been stolen more than any other's, with over 500 of his works still listed as missing? ( 5 points)
4. What country was once known as New Holland? ( 4 points)
5. In 1993, what late comedian regularly called the cast of the film "Schindler's List" to "cheer them up?" ( 4 points)

Answers
July 4th Trivia
1. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson; 2. The Philippines; 3. Tom Cruise; 4. Lewis Carroll; 5. Uganda; 6. Mississippi; 7. Neil Simon.

Canada Trivia
1. Alaska; 2. Montreal; 3. Quebec; 4. Roman Catholic; 5. Vancouver; 6. Montreal Canadiens (1993); 7. Newfoundland.

The Q Train: Red, White and Blue Flags Trivia
1. Yes; 2. no; 3. no; 4. yes; 5. no; 6. yes; 7. yes; 8. no; 9. yes; 10. no.

General Knowledge
1. Dave Thomas; 2. Tokyo; 3. four; 4. Narcolepsy; 5. "My So-Called Life;" 6. Blue; 7. Venezuela.

IQ Trivia
1. Italy (Mount Etna); 2. Jeopardy; 3. Pablo Picasso; 4. Australia; 5. Robin Williams.

Another fine crowd of folks turned out for our twelfth edition of Facebook Live Trivia on Thursday night, as I was celebrating Liverpool's first English title win in 30 years. And by coincidence, we did a round of England Trivia, with the answer to the first question being "Liverpool." (I really didn't plan that, I swear!) We also had another night with no technical problems, so hopefully they are long behind us. Anyway, my pal and longtime Trivia regular Larry Fleisher got the win, rolling up 43 points and gaining his first win on Facebook Live Trivia Night. Congrats, Larry! Have a great week everyone, and I'll see you next Thursday night!

England Trivia
1. What England port city is located on the River Mersey?
2. Speaker's Corner is found in what famous London park?
3. What English city was the home to Lady Godiva?
4. What month of the year is Guy Fawkes Day commemorated in England each year?
5. Former prime minister Tony Blair was a member of what political party?
6. What is the largest city in England by population after London?
7. Who is England's patron saint?

US States Trivia
1. The largest indoor shopping mall in the US is found in what state?
2. The College World Series is played every year in what midwestern state?
3. Ronald Reagan was born in 1911 in what state?
4. What is the only US state to have had the flags of six nations fly over it?
5. The Wright Brothers, Paul Newman and Drew Carey were all born in what state?
6. What state is bordered by 8 other states, the most of an US state?
7. What state is the number one producer of three "Ps": peanuts, pecans and peaches?

The Q Train: Classic TV Cities Trivia
1. Married With Children
2. Breaking Bad
3. Dharma and Greg
4. Dexter
5. Frasier
6. The Wire
7. Billions
8. Ally McBeal
9. Home Improvement
10. Happy Days

General Knowledge
1. Who is the most decorated Olympian of all-time? ( 1 pt)
2. Which Star Wars film contains the oft-quoted line: "Luke, I am your father?" ( 1 pt)
3. Which one has more bones: the average human or the average shark? ( 1 pt)
4. The Galapagos Islands belong to what South American country? ( 2 pt)
5. In 2013, Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater set the NFL record for the longest field goal of how many yards? ( 2 pt)
6. In what Asian country are the majority of the world's eggplants grown? ( 2 pt)
7. What year did the last manned mission to the Moon take place? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. In 2003, who became the youngest actor at 29 to win the Academy Award for Best Actor? ( 4 points)
2. What 1998 comedy film led to the creation of an officially recognized religion? ( 4 points)
3. The first World's Fair was held in what European capital city? ( 4 points)
4. An otoscope is a device used to examine what part of the human body? ( 3 points)
5. Twisted Brown Trucker is the backing band since 1994 for what American musician? ( 5 points)

Answers
England Trivia
1. Liverpool; 2. Hyde Park; 3. Coventry; 4. November; 5. Labour; 6. Birmingham; 7. St. George.

US States Trivia
1. Minnesota; 2. Nebraska; 3. Illinois; 4. Texas; 5. Ohio; 6. Tennessee; 7. Georgia.

The Q Train: Classic TV Cities Trivia
1. Chicago; 2. Albuquerque; 3. San Francisco; 4. Miami; 5. Seattle; 6. Baltimore; 7. New York; 8. Boston; 9. Detroit; 10. Milwaukee.

General Knowledge
1. Michael Phelps; 2. The Empire Strikes Back; 3. Human; 4. Ecuador; 5. 64; 6. China; 7. 1972.

IQ Trivia
1. Adrien Brody; 2. The Big Lebowski; 3. London; 4. eardrum; 5. Kid Rock.

We had another terrific turnout of Trivia folks for Thursday night's eleventh edition of Facebook Live Trivia Night, and the best news of all is that we had absolutely NO technical problems during the hour! We had a good race to the finish but last night's champions were my cousin Michael and his wife Lauren (aka Team FinniQuinn), who rolled up 40 points and took the night with their first win. Congrats guys!

Mob Movies Trivia
1. Robert DeNiro won his first Academy Award for what mob film?
2. The book "Wiseguy" was the basis for what 1990 mob film?
3. "Kill The Irishman" was a 2011 gangster film about mobster Danny Greene and his rise in the underworld in what US city?
4. In what mob film did Al Pacino portray a low level mobster named Lefty Ruggiero?
5. Martin Scorsese won his first Oscar for directing what mob film?
6. What actor portrayed gangster Frank Lucas in the 2007 film "American Gangster?"
7. Oliver Stone co-wrote what 1983 mob film?

Fathers Trivia
1. What actor/director directed the 2006 film "Flags of Our Fathers?"
2. Which of the Founding Fathers was the founder of the New York Post in 1801?
3. What month of the year is Fathers Day in the UK?
4. What 19th century biologist was known as "the father of evolution?"
5. Gene Hackman was the original first choice to play the father of the family in what beloved 1970s TV series?
6. What actor played the father of the bride in the 1991 film of the same name?
7. "Dance With My Father" was a 2003 song and the last top 40 hit song for what late R&B singer?

The Q Train: Colleges and Universities Trivia (Name the State)
1. Marquette
2. Occidental
3. The Citadel
4. Gonzaga
5. Drexel
6. Morehouse
7. Creighton
8. Wake Forest
9. Quinnipiac
10. Marshall

General Knowledge
1. How many degrees are in a right angle? ( 1 pt)
2. What US state borders both Wyoming and Missouri? ( 1 pt)
3. What is the most frequently transplanted human organ in the US? ( 1 pt)
4. Henry Kissinger served as secretary of state under which two presidents? ( 2 pt)
5. On the TV series "Dallas", what was the name of the ranch the Ewing family lived on? ( 2 pt)
6. Which is the only continent without an active volcano? ( 2 pt)
7. What sport would you make use of a cart called a sulky? ( 3 pt)

IQ Trivia
1. The Maurice Podoloff Trophy is awarded every year in what team sport? ( 5 points)
2. What was the first US state to join the Union after the Original 13? ( 4 points)
3. What movie star did Egypt ban in June 1956 when she converted to Judaism? ( 4 points)
4. About 90% of the world's licorice is used not for candy but in what non-edible consumer product? ( 4 points)
5. The Allegheny and Monogahela rivers join together to form the Ohio River at what US city? ( 3 points)

Answers
Mob Movies Trivia
1. The Godfather Part II; 2. Goodfellas; 3. Cleveland; 4. Donnie Brasco; 5. The Departed; 6. Denzel Washington; 7. Scarface.

Fathers Trivia
1. Clint Eastwood; 2. Alexander Hamilton; 3. June; 4. Charles Darwin; 5. The Brady Bunch; 6. Steve Martin; 7. Luther Vandross.

The Q Train: Colleges and Universities Trivia
1. Wisconsin; 2. California; 3. South Carolina; 4. Washington; 5. Pennsylvania; 6. Georgia; 7. Nebraska; 8. North Carolina; 9. Connecticut; 10. West Virginia.

General Knowledge
1. 90; 2. Nebraska; 3. kidney; 4. Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford; 5. Southfork; 6. Australia; 7. harness racing.

IQ Trivia
1. Basketball (NBA); 2. Vermont; 3. Marilyn Monroe; 4. cigarettes; 5. Pittsburgh.