5 craziest fan brawls that shook MLB stadiums ft. the infamous Ten Cent Beer Night

Like other professional sports, baseball is not exempt from its share of fan brawls. Throughout its rich history, the ballgame has seen everything from isolated fights between a few spectators to full-blown riots. It hasn't always been a simple day at the ballpark.

Here's a look at 5 notable fan brawls at MLB stadiums

#5 - Cleveland Guardians fans vs. Cleveland Guardians fans

Cheering for the same team doesn't always mean agreeing on everything else. This was clear during a fan brawl between two sets of Guardians fans in May 2023.

Two separate couples can be seen getting into a dispute in the stands, with one woman spitting at the other couple. This caused an instant eruption, with both taking shots at one another. To make matters worse, one man dropped his nachos before joining the fight.

Watch a rundown of the brawl below:

#4 - LA Dodgers fan vs. Houston Astros fan

There has been no love lost between fans of the Houston Astros and the LA Dodgers in the wake of the 2017 sign-stealing scandal. In May 2021, the tension boiled over when a Dodgers fan, rocking a Mookie Betts jersey, took a swing at an Astros fan in Minute Maid Park.

Watch a detailed description of the fight below:

#3 - New York Mets fans vs. Pittsburgh Pirates fans

Another notable modern fan brawl took place in June 2023 between fans of the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates. While the exact cause of the fight remains unclear, it was apparent that both groups were caught up in the frenzy. Punches were thrown in every direction, including a jumping punch from the section above.

Here is a clip of the dispute:

#2 - Disco Demolition Night

The Chicago White Sox have made their share of questionable decisions in their history (look at the 2024 standings), but none top the infamous "Disco Demolition Night" in 1979. Chicago radio host Steve Dahl helped organize the event between a doubleheader between the White Sox and Detroit Tigers.

Fans received discounted tickets if they brought a vinyl disco record to smash between games. Naturally, this idea blew up in their faces (literally). The high-energy night catalyzed into a full-blown riot, causing damage and fights throughout the stadium.

Here's a recording of the night:

#1 - Ten Cent Beer Night

When speaking of bad promotional ideas, "Ten Cent Beer Night" is in the starting lineup. The then-Cleveland Indians hosted this affair during their 1974 matchup against the Texas Rangers. With tensions already running high between fan bases and no limits on the number of beers one could purchase, things went exactly as one might fear.

Here is how those who were there described the situation:

Fan brawls, vandalism and violence, this was the pinnacle of baseball fans at their worst. But at least the beer was cheap.