Holy Cow: The Life of Harry Caray Online Quiz | Sports

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1. In which city, home of two major league franchises at the time, was Haray Caray born in 1914?

Answer: St. Louis, MO

Haray was born as Harry Christopher Carabina on March 01, 1914, in St. Louis, MO. Early in his career, a station manager suggested he change his on-air surname to Carey as it would be less awkward to pronounce. Harry was said to be a good baseball player as a youth. He was offered a spot on the team for the University of Alabama, but could not afford the tuition.

2. Harry attempted to enlist in the US Armed Forces as a young man. What physical ailment prevented him for enlisting?

Answer: bad eyesight

Harry was turned down because of poor eyesight. A trademark of Harry's physical appearance was his eyeglasses, with lenses that grew thicker as he grew older. When I have seen the ZOOperstars mascots at various minor league games, Harry is represented by a yellow bird named "Harry Canary" that has a prominent pair of eyeglasses.

3. Harry is probably best known as a baseball announcer. For which of the following teams did he *NOT* serve as an announcer?

Answer: Houston Astros

The first part of Harry's career was spent in his hometown of St. Louis, calling games for the Cardinals (1945-1969) and Browns (1945-1946). After one season with the Oakland Athletics (1970), he moved to Chicago, calling games for the White Sox (1971-1981), and Cubs (1982-1997). Previous to his work in St. Louis, Harry worked at radio stations in Joliet, IL, and Kalamazoo, MI.

4. With which song is Harry Caray particularly associated -- often leading the crowd?

Answer: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

Harry leading the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seven inning stretch dates to his time with the Chicago White Sox in 1976. Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck put Carey on microphone and had him accompanied by the organist. Veeck felt that the fans at the ballpark would feel comfortable singing along with Harry since his singing was not "pretty" enough to intimidate them.

5. Harry Caray broadcast literally thousands of baseball games. Did he ever broadcast any World Series games?

Answer: Yes

Harry broadcast games for the World Series in 1964, 1967, and 1968, while he was working for the St. Louis Cardinals. The games were broadcast on NBC and he worked alongside Jack Buck (father of MLB/NFL broadcaster Joe Buck). The Cardinals won the first two of the three World Series.

This would cap Harry's time with the Cardinals as his contract with the team was not renewed following the 1969 season.

6. Harry Caray was known for his on-air expression "Holy Cow". What alternate title did a team owner want Caray to use in 1970?

Answer: Holy Mule

This occurred during Harry's one season with the Oakland Athletics. Some sources suggest that Harry and Oakland owner Charles O. Finley had a strained relationship while other sources suggest that they got along relatively well. Harry's 1989 memoirs were titled "Holy Cow".

The Chicago Cubs issued a special pin in 1994 commemorating Harry's 50th season as a baseball announcer that included the caption "Holy Cow".

7. Harry described this May 13, 1991 broadcast as "one of the proudest moments of his career". Why was this so?

Answer: He broadcast a game with family members

Harry shared innings in the booth with his son Harry "Skip" Caray Jr. (1939-2008) and Harry "Chip" Caray III (born 1965). Skip was a long-time announcer for the Atlanta Braves from 1976 until his death. Chip would work as an announcer for several teams including the Chicago Cubs (1998-2004) for several seasons after Harry Caray's death.

8. In the middle of a double header on July 12, 1979, Harry Caray tried in vain to implore a large group of fans who had run onto the field to return to their seats. What event had occurred on that day?

Answer: A large number of record albums were destroyed

This was the infamous "Disco Demolition Night". In a year that was marked by both anti-disco backlash and a lackluster season by the Chicago White Sox, the team brought in anti-disco radio personality to detonante thousands of collected disco albums between the two games of a Chicago White Sox-Detroit Tigers doubleheader.

Many members of the crowd, which was much larger than expected, rushed the field. Harry's repeated appeals for the fans to return to their seats went largely unheeded and they were only removed with the presence of Chicago police in riot gear.

The White Sox were forced to forfeit the second game to the Tigers by the American League.

9. To what enterprise did Harry Carey lend his name in 1987?

Answer: restaurant

Harry Caray's Italian Steakhouse, like its name, specializes in steaks and Italian-American food. While the first location was established in Chicago's River North neighborhood, several others have since been established in the Chicago area. The restaurant chain's website features a gallery a famous stars (in baseball and other endeavors) standing by a bust of Harry Caray.

10. Harry Caray died on February 18, 1998. Which player dedicated his home runs that season to Harry?

Answer: Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa (born 1968) spent thirteen seasons (1992-2004) of his Major League career as a player with the Chicago Cubs. There was a lot of dedication to Harry that season as Sosa hit 66 home runs in 1998. This was a fine cap to a career that saw Harry Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

The Cubs also wore a caricature of Harry on their uniforms during the 1998 season.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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Holy Cow: The Life of Harry Caray Quiz

See if you can answer these 10 questions about the long time baseball announcer Harry Caray.

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