TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

June 4, 1974, the Cleveland Indians hold “Ten-Cent Beer Night” at Municipal Stadium. The promotion results in a near riot, as fans storm onto the field with the score tied in the ninth inning, prompting the umpires to forfeit the game to the Texas Rangers.

Meant to boost attendance, the promotion offered 12-ounce beers for just a dime (about $0.64 today), with a limit of six per purchase—but no limit on how many times you could return. Fans turned out in droves, and with over 25,000 people in the stands, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.

Tensions were already high. Just six days earlier, the Indians and Rangers had brawled during a game in Texas. Local radio shows and newspapers fanned the flames leading up to the rematch. Add cheap beer to that powder keg, and mayhem was inevitable.

Throughout the game, fans streaked across the field, threw lit firecrackers, and even smoked marijuana in the stands. As the crowd grew more intoxicated, incidents escalated. One fan tried to steal a player’s cap, sparking a full-scale riot in the ninth inning. Players from both teams armed themselves with bats to defend against the unruly mob.

Ultimately, the game was forfeited to Texas. Dozens were injured, and nine arrests were made. The promotion's goal—to fill the seats—worked, but at a staggering cost to safety and sportsmanship.

Incredibly, Cleveland tried the promotion again a month later—this time with tighter beer limits and a heavy police presence. Order was restored, but the legacy of that first Ten Cent Beer Night remains a cautionary tale of when good promotions go bad.

Baseball may be America’s pastime, but on that June night, it briefly became a battlefield.

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June 4, 1932 – With new manager Bill Terry at the helm‚ the New York Giants sweep the Philadelphia Phillies 10 – 4 and 6 – 4‚ to move out of last place in the National League.

June 4, 1941, numerous baseball dignitaries attend the funeral of Lou Gehrig in the Bronx. Former New York Yankee great Babe Ruth, Yankee manager Joe McCarthy, and American League president Will Harridge pay their respects to Gehrig, who died on June 2.

June 4 1947 — In the 5th inning at Ebbets Field‚ Dodgers OF Pete Reiser crashes into the fence and is knocked unconscious. He still manages to hold onto the long fly by Culley Rikard to help the Dodgers win over Pittsburgh, 9 – 4. In the clubhouse, a priest administers the last rites of the Catholic Church to Reiser‚ who will be hospitalized for 10 days. Although Reiser suffers a fractured skull, he will survive the injury.

June 4, 1953, After batting practice at Forbes Field, the Pirates and Cubs announce a shocking trade. Pittsburgh sends slugger Ralph Kiner‚ along with C Joe Garagiola‚ P Howie Pollet‚ and OF Catfish Metkovich to Chicago for C Toby Atwell‚ P Bob Schultz‚ 1B Preston Ward‚ 3B George Freese‚ OF Bob Addis‚ OF Gene Hermanski‚ and $150‚000. The Pirates defeat the Cubs‚ 6 – 1‚ with Kiner getting a double in four at bats for the Cubs.

June 4 1953 — Philadelphia Phillies Pitcher Curt Simmons cuts off part of his left big toe with a power lawn mower.

June 4, 1957 At Ebbets Field Sandy Koufax strikes out 12 during a 7-5 Dodger Victory improving his record to 4-2. Homers from Duke Snider (10, off Dick Drott, 3rd inn, 0 on, 0 outs to CF); Gil Hodges (7, off Jim Brosnan, 5th inn, 0 on, 1 out to CF) and Ernie Banks in the 8th off Koufax.

June 4 1958 — After 32 scoreless innings, the Chicago White Sox score in the 3rd, and go on to win 7 – 4 over the first-place New York Yankees. Billy Pierce is the winner, despite giving up a moon shot to Mickey Mantle that lands in the left-center field bleachers. The drive is measured at 478 feet

June 4, 1964, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers no-hits the Philadelphia Phillies, 3-0, at Connie Mack Stadium. The hard-throwing lefty strikes out 12 batters and walks only one. Koufax joins fellow Hall of Famer Bob Feller as the only pitchers in modern day baseball to throw three no-hitters

June 4, 1968, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Don Drysdale pitches his sixth straight shutout, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5 – 0, and establishes two new major league records. Drysdale tops Doc White’s 64-year-old mark of five shutouts, and with 54 scoreless innings, he breaks Carl Hubbell’s National League string, set in 1933, by one-third, en route to a new record mark of 58 2/3 innings. Drysdale’s mark will eventually be broken in 1988, when Orel Hershiser hurls 59 scoreless innings.

June 4, 1972, the Dodgers’ franchise honors three of its all-time greats by retiring their uniform numbers. Sandy Koufax’s No. 32, Roy Campanella’s No. 39 and Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 are all retired during pre-game ceremonies at Dodger Stadium.

June 4, 1974, the Cleveland Indians hold “Ten-Cent Beer Night” at Municipal Stadium. The promotion results in a near riot, as fans storm onto the field with the score tied in the ninth inning, prompting the umpires to forfeit the game to the Texas Rangers.

June 4 1981 — The Cubs purchase Bobby Bonds from Texas and in his first game for the Cubs‚ Bonds trips on a seam in the field carpet at Three Rivers Stadium and breaks a bone in his right hand. He goes on the 21-day disabled list. The Pirates win‚ 5 – 4‚ in the 10th when Lee Lacy triples and Dale Berra singles him in.

June 4, 1989, Barry Bonds of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits his first major league home run in a 12-3 shellacking of the Atlanta Braves. The home run is one of four hits that Bonds collects in five at-bats.

TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Who is the only catcher to lead the majors in home runs for a season and then do it a second time?

Hint: #1 He also led the majors in Runs Batted In, three times.

Hint: #2 His childhood friends nicknamed him “Hands”.

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 ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA