Baseball Crossword Puzzle By: Katherine Carriere

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Across
  1. 1. A strikeout
  2. 3. When the crowd boos
  3. 5. A fight or scuffle
  4. 6. A team's relief pitcher who finishes the game
  5. 7. A team's closer or late-inning relief pitcher
  6. 8. this baseball broke baseball's color barrier and bringing the Negro leagues' electrifying style of play to the Majors. He quickly became baseball's top drawing card and a symbol of hope to millions of Americans. With this baseball player as the catalyst, the Dodgers won six pennants in his 10 seasons. He dominated games on the basepaths, stealing home 19 times while riling opposing pitchers with his daring baserunning style. He was named National League MVP in 1949, leading the loop in hitting (.342) and steals (37), while knocking in 124 runs.
  7. 10. A home run
  8. 14. A cut fastball (one with a late break to it)
  9. 15. This baseball player thrived on the mound by physically and mentally challenging himself off the field. His out-pitch, a hard, biting slider, complemented a great fastball. He won 329 games -- second only to Warren Spahn among lefties -- and his 4,136 strikeouts were exceeded only by Nolan Ryan at the time of his retirement. Lefty once notched 19 strikeouts in a game, compiled six 20-win seasons and was the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards.
  10. 20. Third base
  11. 21. This player has earned the nickname Mr. October for his World Series heroics with both the A's and Yankees. In 27 Fall Classic games, he amassed 10 home runs -- including four in consecutive at-bats -- 24 RBIs and a .357 batting average. As one of the game's premier power hitters, he blasted 563 career round-trippers. A terrific player in the clutch and an intimidating cleanup hitter, Jackson compiled a lifetime slugging percentage of .490 and earned American League MVP honors in 1973.
Down
  1. 2. A brilliant defensive outfielder for the Boston Beaneaters, this baseball player also hit the ball with authority, showing remarkable power for his diminutive stature. He assembled a string of 10 straight .300 or higher seasons, and in 1894, he batted .438 while leading the National League in doubles (50) and home runs (18). This player’s stellar all-around play helped Boston to four pennants during his nine-year tenure with the club. Bob Gibson- Over 17 seasons with the Cardinals, this player won 20 games five times and established himself as the very definition of intimidation, competitiveness and dignity. One of the best athletes to ever play the game, the ex-Harlem Globetrotter posted a 1.12 ERA in 1968, the lowest figure since 1914, and was named the National League Cy Young Award winner and Most Valuable Player. Known as a premier big-game pitcher, he posted World Series records of seven consecutive wins and 17 strikeouts in a game, and was named World Series MVP in 1964 and '67.
  2. 3. As famed sportswriter Dan Daniel once said, "This player isn't just a catcher, he's a ballclub." A key performer for the Yankees on eight American League pennant-winners and seven World Series champions, the expert handler of pitchers with the deadly accurate throwing arm was also a clutch hitter, batting over .300 in 10 of his first 11 full seasons. Known for his durability, he set an American League record by catching 100 or more games 13 years in a row. He finished his 17-year career with a .313 batting average.
  3. 4. This player enjoyed six seasons in which he hit over .300, but he built a more lasting reputation as a superb defensive center fielder and a successful basestealer. The Pirates great still holds several National League records for fielding prowess and led the league in steals 10 times. In 1922, he approached perfection on the basepaths, stealing 51 bases in 53 attempts. In 1925 at age 35, he experienced his best season, hitting .343 during the regular season and .458 in the World Series.
  4. 8. Though he played just 12 Major League seasons, this player was a standout among 19th-century pitchers. His wide variety of curveballs and his outstanding ability to pitch to the batter's weakness propelled him to a lofty 327-177 career record. He won 53 games in leading the Chicago White Stockings to the 1885 National League pennant and twice hurled over 600 innings in a season. At the time he retired from the game, he was the winningest pitcher in National League history.
  5. 9. The “Man of Steal”, blazed a trail across baseball with his baserunning and hitting ability. In 1982, he set the modern major league record for stolen bases in a single season with 130. He went on to lead the American League in steals 12 times throughout his career and holds the all-time record with 1,406. He also tops the all-time lists in runs scored (2,295) and unintentional walks (2.129). This player - who played for nine teams – won the 1990 American League Most Valuable Player Award and took home World Series rings with the 1989 Athletics and the 1993 Blue Jays.
  6. 11. Home plate
  7. 12. Eight years after making his professional debut as an infielder-outfielder, This player realized his destiny as a pitcher. At the age of 25, he embarked on a Major League pitching career that included seven 20-win seasons over a nine-year span. The right-handed ace became a key factor in Cleveland's 1948 and '54 pennant drives, posting records of 20-14 and 23-7, respectively. After his playing days, he became a successful manager, leading the Yankees to the world championship in 1978.
  8. 13. A lanky left-hander, this player baffled the opposition with a blazing fastball and sweeping curve, while entertaining teammates with his wit and good humor. He was a 20-game winner four times during the 1930s and comprised half of the Yankees' devastating 1-2 punch, along with right-hander Red Ruffing, helping them to seven pennants. He twice won the pitching Triple Crown in 1934 and 1937. He set a World Series record by winning six games without a loss.
  9. 16. A rundown
  10. 17. A very long, high home run
  11. 18. An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate
  12. 19. This baseball player was an American original, baseball's first great slugger and the most celebrated athlete of his time. The southpaw hurler debuted with the Red Sox, winning 89 games in six years while setting the World Series record for consecutive scoreless innings. The Sultan of Swat converted to the outfield full-time after his sale to the Yankees in 1920 and led New York to seven American League pennants and four World Series titles. He finished with 714 home runs, leading the league 12 times, including a remarkable 60 round-trippers in 1927.
  13. 22. Not only was this baseball player one of the premier players of his day, he was also one of the most flamboyant. The catcher-outfielder sparked the Chicago Nationals to five pennants. Manager Cap Anson credited him with originating the hit-and-run play. After capturing the batting crown in 1886;