Q 01/05

What was the Houston franchise called when it entered the National League in 1962?

A) The Buffaloes

B) The Wildcatters

C) The Colt .45s

D) The Rockets

Answer · why

C) The Colt .45s

The name came from a fan contest won by William Irving Neder; the Colt .45 was 'the gun that won the West'.

Q 02/05

Which other expansion team joined the National League alongside Houston in 1962?

A) New York Mets

B) San Diego Padres

C) Montreal Expos

D) Los Angeles Angels

Answer · why

A) New York Mets

The two clubs took turns picking unprotected players in an expansion draft after the 1961 season.

Q 03/05

What did the team's new name, adopted for 1965, reflect?

A) Houston's oil industry

B) A local brand of boots

C) The Texas Rangers rivalry

D) Houston's role in the space program

Answer · why

D) Houston's role in the space program

The change was announced on December 1, 1964, as the domed stadium was rising nearby.

Q 04/05

What was the Astrodome nicknamed when it opened in 1965?

A) The Big Bubble of Texas

B) The Eighth Wonder of the World

C) The Taj Mahal of Baseball

D) The Dome of Dreams

Answer · why

B) The Eighth Wonder of the World

Officially it opened as the Harris County Domed Stadium; attendance boomed because people came just to see the building.

Q 05/05

Why was AstroTurf invented for the Astrodome in 1966?

A) Grass would not grow after the roof panels were painted

B) The county banned watering during a long drought

C) Players complained about mud after every rain

D) The Oilers demanded a harder, faster surface

Answer · why

A) Grass would not grow after the roof panels were painted

The panels were painted to cut glare that had fielders losing routine pop flies, and the grass died.