<P> The phrase "Holy cow!" was used by baseball players at least as early as 1913 and probably much earlier . It became associated with several American baseball broadcasters . The phrase may have originated with (and certainly was introduced to the baseball lexicon by) reporter and broadcaster Halsey Hall, who worked in Minneapolis from 1919 until his death in 1977 . According to Paul Dickson, New Orleans radio announcer Jack Holiday also used the phrase on broadcasts of the minor - league New Orleans Pelicans in the 1930s . </P> <P> Harry Caray, who was the broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals (1945 - 1969), Oakland Athletics (1970), Chicago White Sox (1971 - 1981), and Chicago Cubs (1982 - 1997), began using it early in his career, in order to prevent himself from lapsing into vulgarity . New York Yankees shortstop and announcer Phil Rizzuto was also well known for the phrase; when the Yankees honored him following his retirement, the ceremony included a real cow with a halo prop on its head . 1950s Milwaukee Braves broadcaster Earl Gillespie was also known for this expression . </P> <P> The cartoon strip Common Grounds was originally titled Holey Crullers, a play on this catchphrase . </P>

Where did the phrase holy hannah come from