With the government shut down, the Slate News Quiz is also on furlough this week. In its place is a special quiz celebrating the Major League Baseball playoffs, which began Tuesday. How much do you know about the legends and lore of the national pastime's postseason? I hope you dominate this quiz like Kirk Gibson taking Dennis Eckersley deep, like Don Larsen pitching his perfect game, like Pedro Martinez decking Don Zimmer. Play ball!

Question 1 of 12

It was revealed in 2001 that, when Bobby Thomson of the Giants hit his famed "Shot Heard 'Round the World" in a 1951 playoff game, he had what secret advantage?

Question 2 of 12

During a 2007 division series game, Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain gave up the game-tying run to the Indians due partly to which of these biblical plagues?

Chamberlain was swarmed by a cloud of midges in the eighth inning. While under attack, he gave up two walks and threw two wild pitches; the Yankees lost 2-1.

Question 3 of 12

When Curt Schilling's video game company went under last year, he raised $92,613 by auctioning off what famous possession, still soaked in blood from the 2004 World Series?

The first "bloody sock," which he wore in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series, will never be sold or exhibited in the Hall of Fame. Schilling threw it away in the clubhouse after the game.

Question 4 of 12

Who is the only athlete ever to play in both a World Series and a Super Bowl?

On Oct. 11, 1992, Sanders played cornerback for the Falcons in Miami, then took a charter jet to Pittsburgh to suit up for the Braves' NLCS game against the Pirates.

Question 5 of 12

Who put out Vic Wertz in the legendary World Series fielding play known simply as "The Catch"?

Question 6 of 12

What was the umpire's call on the controversial Steve Bartman play in 2003 that helped keep the Cubs from their first World Series in almost 60 years?

The Cubs haven't won a single playoff game since Bartman, a fan seated in the left field corner, fatefully reached for a foul ball that Moises Alou had a play on.

Question 7 of 12

More than 20 years before a major league team was ever named for the city of Miami, what science fiction movie predicted a Miami team would play in the 2015 World Series?

According to the copy of USA Today seen in the movie, the Cubs swept the unnamed Miami team in the series. It's not revealed why a paper newspaper is still being printed in 2015.

Question 8 of 12

By a wide margin, Manny Ramirez holds the major league postseason record for most what?

Ramirez hit 29 postseason homers during his 19-year career, well ahead of runners-up Bernie Williams (22) and Derek Jeter (20).

Question 9 of 12

In the 1985 National League Championship Series, the Cardinals were forced to bench eventual Rookie of the Year Vince Coleman when he suffered what freak diamond injury?

The Coleman-less Cardinals eventually lost the World Series in seven games to the Royals.

Question 10 of 12

Tim McCarver, who will be calling his last World Series this year for Fox, performed what rare feat as a player during the 1964 World Series?

It was the front end of a double steal. The short list of other players who have stolen home in a World Series includes Ty Cobb and Jackie Robinson.

Question 11 of 12

Amazingly, these all-time major league stars have only one postseason series appearance between them. Which of them did eventually see playoff action?

Mattingly's Yankees finally made the American League Division Series in 1995, the last games of his career.

Question 12 of 12

What was "Merkle's Boner," which cost the New York Giants the National League pennant in 1908?

Rookie Fred Merkle committed the base-running error amid a wild end-of-game celebration, only to have the apparent win nullified by the umpires.