The Beer Night Riot

Dark Side of the Land

It is arguably one of the darkest days in Cleveland baseball history. On June 4, 1974, the Indians held a "Ten Cent Beer Night" promotion to help boost fan attendance as the team struggled to fill seats. Their ploy worked, and over 25,000 fans descended upon Municipal Stadium to watch the Indians take on the Texas Rangers. But the cheap beer stunt also led to something never seen before, or ever again, on a Major League field - a violent, drunken riot. In this episode, 19 News investigators Brian Duffy and Jen Picciano revisit the chaotic game with a group of guests, including former Indians manager and first baseman Mike Hargrove, who was a rookie with the Rangers that night.