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On April 19, 1996, the Rangers scored 16 runs in the eighth inning in a 26-7 win over Baltimore. PAUL K. BUCK/AFP via Getty Images

April 19 in sports history: Rubbing it in? Rangers 26, Orioles 7

By Yardbarker Staff | Last updated 4/17/20

Here's a look back at notable sports news on April 19 through the years.

1996: In a 26-7 victory over the Orioles in Arlington, Texas, the Rangers scored 16 runs in the eighth inning -- one short of the modern major-league record for an inning.

"A T-ball score," Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco told the Baltimore Sun.

"It's a fluke," Baltimore starter Kent Mercker said. "I bet you anything that'll never happen again. Ever." Mercker was knocked out in the fifth after allowing eight runs in 4.1 innings.

In the eighth, three Orioles relievers gave up eight hits, eight walks and two home runs. All 16 runs were earned. Called on to pitch, infielder Manny Alexander got the final two outs of the inning but not before giving up five runs.

Baltimore manager Davey Johnson thought the Rangers were rubbing it in. Perhaps Texas' Mickey Tettleton tagging up from second on a fly ball with a 15-run lead was the big hint. "Ridiculous," Johnson said.

The Rangers, on the other hand, were simply amused.

"It was funny," said Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez, who homered and drove in six runs. "A walk, a walk, a base hit, a home run. It was great for us."

Eleven years later, the Rangers pounded the Orioles, 30-3, in Baltimore. Johnson, thankfully, was long gone by then. He resigned as Orioles manager in 1997.

ALSO

1949: With Babe Ruth's widow in attendance on Opening Day, the Yankees unveiled a monument to the slugger at the base of the flagpole in center field at Yankee Stadium. Ruth died the previous year of cancer. "A great ball player -- a great man -- a great American," read the inscription on the memorial.

In 1951, Eddie Gaedel made one plate appearance for Bill Veeck's St. Louis Browns. Ten years later, Veeck hired him a vendor for the White Sox. Getty Images

1961: Responding to complaints that vendors sometimes obstructed the view of fans, White Sox owner Bill Veeck hired eight people of small stature on an "experimental basis" to hawk concessions in box seats. One of them was Eddie Gaedel, who, at 3-foot-7, became the smallest player in big-league history when he made a single plate appearance for Veeck's St. Louis Browns in 1951. (He walked.)

1968: In a sign of things to come, 21-year-old Mets right-hander Nolan Ryan struck out the side on nine pitches in New York's 3-2 loss to the Dodgers. Ryan struck out 133 in 134 innings that season. He finished his 27-year big-league career as the all-time leader in strikeouts with 5,714.

1986: In a heavyweight title bout, 29-year-old champ Michael Spinks survived a slow start and trouble in the late rounds to win a 15-round split decision over Larry Holmes.

1987: "The Clippers Little Shop of Horrors is finally over," the Los Angeles Times wrote about the merciful end to a horrid Clippers season.

In losing to Golden State, the team that most of Los Angeles had long forgotten finished 12-70 -- the second-worst record in NBA history at the time for an 82-game season. The all-time worst record still belongs to the 1972-73 76ers (9-73), followed by the 2015-16 76ers (10-72), 1992-93 Mavericks (11-71) and 1997-98 Nuggets (11-71).

"Well, it's over, thank God," Clipper Coach Don Chaney said. "It's been a horrendous season, and there probably will never be another one like it for a long time. I didn't sleep this year; it's been a nightmare. I never thought we'd have a year like this. Whatever negative could happen happened this season. ..."

Said Michael Cage, one of the Clippers' few decent players: "Basically we were running on flat tires this year. It was like a hotel. Guys were checking in and out all the time."

1997: In the first regular-season MLB game played in Hawaii, St. Louis edged San Diego, 1-0, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. It was the first of three games for the teams in the Padres Paradise Series.

1997: 26-year old tennis star Andre Agassi married 31-year-old actress and model Brooke Shields in a ceremony in scenic Monterey, California. As four helicopters circled overhead, the couple slipped into a small church, where about 100 guests awaited.

The stars reportedly were introduced at a tennis match in 1993 and kept in touch by fax until their first date. "Both are the nicest unassuming kind of people," said a guest. "They were very simple, straightforward and kind."

Less than two years later, they divorced.

Former Steelers safety Troy Polamalu is 39. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Happy birthday ...

Former major-league pitcher Frank Viola, who won the Cy Young with the Twins in 1988 (60).
Formers Steelers star safety Troy Polamalu, who is scheduled to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer (39).
Former Twins catcher, first baseman and DH Joe Mauer (37).
Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft (34.)
Former tennis star Maria Sharapova (33).