Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 27, 2026

Celebrating 10-Cent Beer Night in photos

Forty years ago, the Indians forfeited a game because their fans were too wasted. Here is the pictorial history.

This Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of 10-Cent Beer Night, one of the most infamous games in the history of professional sports. The idea was simple: Get people to buy tickets to the Rangers/Indians game at Cleveland Stadium with the promise of 10¢ beers. At no point did anyone stop the initial planning session and ask, “So what happens when there’s a crowd of 40,000 completely hammered people in our stadium?”

Chaos. That’s what happens. Billy Martin, manager of the Rangers, put it well:

It’s the closest I’ve ever seen anybody come to getting killed in my more than 25 years in baseball.

With the help of the Getty Images archives, here are the 12 best pictures from 10-Cent Beer Night.

And to think, science tells us that 50 Cent’s first pitch was five times as horrible.

See More:

More in MLB

MLB
Jacob Misiorowski is doing things no pitcher should be able to doJacob Misiorowski is doing things no pitcher should be able to do
MLB

Jacob Misiorowski’s season is flirting with baseball history

By Oliver Fox
MLB
American League contenders ranked by World Series chancesAmerican League contenders ranked by World Series chances
MLB

Let’s rank World Series contenders in the AL.

By Oliver Fox
MLB
Men’s College World Series Finals: What you need to know about UNC-OklahomaMen’s College World Series Finals: What you need to know about UNC-Oklahoma
MLB

Everything you need to know about the Men’s College World Series Finals

By Mark Schofield
MLB
Oklahoma-Georgia gave us an incredible family moment at the Men’s College World SeriesOklahoma-Georgia gave us an incredible family moment at the Men’s College World Series
MLB

Kolby Branch’s final collegiate swing capped off a bittersweet night for the Branch family in Omaha

By Mark Schofield
MLB
Men’s College World Series 2026: Schedule, scores, and how to watchMen’s College World Series 2026: Schedule, scores, and how to watch
MLB

Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Men’s College World Series, from the full schedule to how to watch

By Mark Schofield
MLB
Owen Hull and UNC knock off West Virginia to advance to the MCWS FinalsOwen Hull and UNC knock off West Virginia to advance to the MCWS Finals
MLB

UNC is headed to the Men’s College World Series Finals after knocking off West Virginia in Omaha

By Mark Schofield