Posted on 06/05/2013 5:57:23 PM PDT by FlJoePa
...The '74 Indians were a smorgasbord of mediocre and forgettable talent playing in an open-air mausoleum. That year, in a city that fielded one of the founding professional teams (the Forest Citys, incorporated there in 1869), 85 percent of the seats at home games went unsold. All those empty seats meant a balance sheet written in red. The team's executive vice president, Ted Bonda, could put up with losing teams and an ugly stadium (he had inherited both in 1972), but he would not tolerate insolvency. Bonda called a meeting to discuss options for improving attendance, which must have felt a little like trying to figure out how to get people excited about a trip to the orthodontist. Someone, apparently a team employee likely acting out of desperation, suggested copying the Texas Rangers, who had recently hosted a successful "10-Cent Beer Night." We can imagine the grim silence in the boardroom as the group considered this obviously dangerous remedy. How interested would Cleveland be in such a promotion?...
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
Funny thing, I used to enjoy US$2.50 admissions tickets and US$.50 a beer (US$.25 for a hot dog or brat) at Columbus Clipper (AAA) games. No troubles.
I just realized this is an old story. Had never seen it before though. I remember the events. The writing is good - for espn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dh2g0TUKgc
The Ballad of Ten-Cent Beer Night
I’ve been to plenty of NASCAR races with some serious drinking going on and have never even seen a fight.
What about Disco Demolition Night in Chicago 1979?
I was there.
Best game ever? I was at the Meadowlands for the Jets-Bills “Pumpkin Game.”
We screamed “Joe Must Go” and got to witness several fires and total lunacy.
I believe that was the game that ended beer sales in the 4th quarter.
Cleveland city of light city of magic
Cleveland city of light you’re calling me
Cleveland, even now I can remember
Cause the Cuyahoga River
Goes smokin’ through my dreams
Bump. Tonight is the 40-year anniversary.
The White Sox also did a mini bat night around then. That didn’t go well either.
If an Astro hit a HR when the little red light was on, it was free beer for everyone the rest of the night. You know how that goes.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.