Today in sports history - April 13: The Nathan Brown slap heard around the rugby league world

The COVID-19 pandemic has wiped out live sport all around the globe, but history will never be erased.

While you contemplate streaming yet another Netflix drama or rewatching another replay of your favourite sporting moments, here are some stories that were making news in years past on April 13.

1954

Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves' great Hank Arron makes his Major League Baseball debut. Aaron held the MLB record for career home runs for 33 years, and he still holds several MLB offensive records. 

He hit 24 or more home runs every year from 1955 through 1973 and is one of only two players to hit 30 or more home runs in a season at least fifteen times. 

Aaron is ranked fifth on The Sporting News' "100 Greatest Baseball Players" list.

1986

American golfing great Jack Nicklaus wins his record 18th major with a 1-stroke victory over Greg Norman and Tom Kite at the Masters at Augusta National. The then 46-year-old still holds the record for most Major wins, as well as being the oldest Masters winner in history. 

1997

Tiger Woods sinks the winning putt in 1997
Tiger Woods sinks the winning putt in 1997 Photo credit: Getty

Tiger Woods wins his first Major crown at the Masters by a whopping 12 strokes - a record that still stands today. Woods, whose 18-under was a four-round tournament record, has claimed a further four Green Jackets and his 15 Major titles sits second only to Jack Nicklaus. 

2003

Britain’s Paula Radcliffe topped the women’s field at the 26th London Marathon.

Having started running marathons only a year earlier, Radcliffe broke her own world record in a time of two hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds.

She was a favourite for the gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, but a leg injury days before the event and the after-effects of anti-inflammatory drugs caused her to struggle, forcing her to withdraw at the 23-mile mark.

2003

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown sparked a sensation when he slapped captain Trent Barrett on the face in full view of television cameras during a break in play.

"I gave him a bit of a clip," Brown said later. "That was me showing how poor I was under pressure. I’m no different."

The Dragons were hammered 38-12 by the Manly Sea Eagles.

Birthdays 

1956 - Kiwi rally motorsport legend Possum Bourne

Today in sports history - April 13: The Nathan Brown slap heard around the rugby league world
Photo credit: Photosport

1963 - Russian chess Grandmaster Gary Kasparov 

1983 - Former Springbok flanker Schalk Burger 

1992 - Spot-fixing Pakistani cricket Mohammad Amir

Deaths 

1999 - Ortvin Sarapu, New Zealand chess player, dies aged 74

Newhub's top sports story 12 months ago…

Live updates - New Zealand Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs 

The Warriors blew a last quarter 24-12 lead, conceding three late tries, including a 79th minute Cody Walker four-pointer with the scores level.