Rangers Score 30, Set American League Record
The hapless Texas Rangers spotted the Baltimore Orioles a 3-run lead last night and then proceeded to score 30 unanswered runs, setting a “a modern MLB record, surpassing the mark of 29 runs that were scored by the Red Sox (June 8, 1950) and White Sox (April 23, 1955). It’s the second-most runs all-time as the Chicago Colts (now the Cubs) scored 36 against the Louisville Colonels on June 29, 1897.”
Orioles fan Soccer Dad, writing at OTB Sports, wonders, “What would it have been like if Teixeira was still in Texas?”
A good line but, actually, the key player the Braves sent to Texas for him had a great night: “Jarrod Saltalamacchia led the Rangers’ charge, going 4-for-6 with two homers, five runs and seven RBIs.”
Actually, this is wrong.
I don’t know what the record is, but I do know that the Chicago White Stockings [later the Colts, then the Cubs] defeated the St. Louis Unions on April 29, 1870 by a score of 47-1.
The article that I have, from the Chicago Tribune [“Opening of the Base Ball Campaign in St. Louis” April 30, 1870] also has this interesting tidbit:
“A vast deal of interest was taken in the game by the St. Louis people, who were curious to see if the Chicago club would administer as severe a beating to the Unions as did the Red Stockings, in 1869, when the score stood 70 to 9–the prevailing opinion being that it would not be done.”
The Red Stockings were based out of Cincinnati and were defunct by 1871.
One other interesting note: The White Stockings followed up their shellacking of the hapless Unions by beating the unions’ crosstown rivals, the Empires, the very next day by a score of 36-8.
the 30 score is not the second highest record, there were others above 30 and below 36. however, 36 is the official major league record. the NL, generally considered the first true “major” league, was founded in 1876. even if you go back to the predecessor National Association, that was founded in 1871. I believe the games you are describing took place in the even-earlier National Association of Base Ball Players, (“the” NA is the “National Association of Professional Base Ball Players”), which is not considered a major league. (or even a “professional” league) so the scores are not considered part of the “major league record”.
now back to your regularly scheduled non-baseball discussion. 😛