The former Cleveland Indians player Tom Hilgendorf is best known for his role in the famous Ten-Cent Beer Night Riot of 1974. That year, the troubled Indians hosted the Texas Rangers. In a bid to raise attendance, management decided to sell ten-cent beer to anyone who would come – and come they did. The stadium was filled that night with tons of teenagers and young adults who weren’t exactly stadium regulars. Many were looking for free booze and drugs. Many of them were also looking for trouble, as evidenced by the number of weapons and fireworks brought into the stadium that night.
It suffices to say that after a series of streaker incidents, a riot broke out during the 9th inning. Fans attacked the entire Texas Rangers squad with chains, bats, and fireworks. In a display of solidarity, the Indians players closed ranks with their opponents and protected them, requiring them to fight their own fans. Tom Hilgendorf was on the front lines, receiving a blow to the head after a fan threw a steel folding chair at him.
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Miraculously, Hilgendorf and Texas Rangers player Joe Burroughs, who had been at the center of the riot, were the only players injured, per Cleveland News. Burroughs’ injury was to his thumb, so nothing life-threatening either. Cleveland, which had been winning the game up to that point, forfeited. Despite the hit, Hilgenford came back the next night for two innings in a 9-3 victory over the Rangers, notching three strikeouts. Not bad after the previous night’s excitement.
