What do you think the wildest incident of a fan or fans running onto the field was?

There's an even earlier incident of rushing the field that wasn't mentioned here: the 1917 Fenway Park Gamblers Riot. On June 16, 1917, about 300 spectators at a game between the Red Sox and White Sox invaded the field in the 5th inning. There was a drizzling rain, and they had previously been shouting "Call the game!" for an inning or so. These fans had bet on the Red Sox, and wanted the game called for rain before it became official so they wouldn't lose their money. The players were run off the field (there was actually violence against some White Sox players), but the game was later resumed and the White Sox won 7-2.

I remember the police on horseback at the end of the ‘86 World Series…in retrospect that was the point baseball said “no more”.

Please take this constructive criticism bro, turn down that music. I can barely hear you and its like I got some girl falling asleep to tiktok next to me.

My aunt told me her generation was the reason my generation can't do anything anymore. Definitely agree with her.

Several of these older, original stadiums, fans in the bleachers were allowed to walk on the field after a game to exit the stadium. Game 5 of 73 was the first MLB game I ever went to.

If there's one thing this excellent video taught me about the history of major league baseball, it's that the hatred for disco music led to more violence than even free beer did!

The first time I ever saw a perfect security display to avoid the on field rush by fans was the 1980 World Series. Philadelphia fans were (are?) notorious for their stadium demeanor, but the Philly PD were the first police department ever to show up prior to the ninth inning with horseback cops in tow, to say to the fans, no, not tonight! And no fans entered the field after the Phillies won their first championship.

Lisa's husband, Andy here. Hi, I'm a huge baseball fan from England. Wow! and I thought our football/soccer fans were lively during this era. 😁👍Great video.

Running on the field is extremely rare in Japanese baseball. The field itself is treated like a sacred shrine. A ground that demands respect. To step on it when not being on a team, umpiring crew, or groundskeeping crew is to bring dishonor.

The saddest part of this video is that the creator had to explain to younger fans what an actual doubleheader is since the real thing has essentially vanished, at least in MLB.

In 1980, I recall watching the Phillies win the World Series over the Royals at Veterans Stadium, and on TV seeing the mounted police with mean guard dogs to deter fans from rushing the field. It was the Phillies' first World Series championship, so undoubtedly the fans were poised to release years of pent-up frustration. However, it appears that the deterrent actions of the police to thwart fans from rushing the field began to lead to the decline of such incidents.

As a kid I went to Wrigley Field a lot. There was no "basket" then. They installed that fence around the outfield to keep people from jumping onto the filed.

I'm not that old but I remember going to a Dodger game at Dodger Stadium in 1996. On a foul ball down the line in left field, I saw a fan sitting in the first row hop the low railing, scoop up the ball like a second baseman, then hop back over the railing, and sit in his seat like nothing happened. Granted this was the first full year four baseball since the strike of 1994 (144 games in 1995), and I do remember that baseball was really suffering with poor attendance, so they wouldn't kick you out unless you really asked for it, but it didn't seem strange that no one threw him out of the game or no usher came down to even talk to him. The problem with zero tolerance rules is that all common sense goes out the window. This guy didn't hurt anyone, he didn't stop the game, he just got a souvenir and got right back over the railing. There was no reason to kick him out and the game was a lot better when it was informal like that.

The 84 tigers hold the distinction of the last fans to rush the field following a World Series win.

Nice video. Only thing id say you could improve is the background music. It was just too loud and faced paced for the content of the video. A lof of times I listen to baseball videos in bed and this one the music was too loud behind your voice. Just a thought. Great video though!

24:04 Also because the Red Sox and Cubs were both the road teams...

Mariners fans stormed the field in 1995 after they won the AL West for the first time. That’s the last time that it happened on a large scale. Not the Mets in 1986.

The double header game you got to see to games for the price of one game 😊

Couple things. 1. It wasn't Bill himself that did the promo, it was his son, Mike Veeck. Very common misconception. 2. The front office of the White Sox still remember Disco Demolition night. You can't even throw a baseball back onto the field without risking being ejected. I have seen a lot of Yankee and Cubs fans enter the stadium who are so used to being able to toss homers onto the outfield grass, suddenly get met with security when they do so (or consider it), and then get indignant about it when warned. The only alcohol they allow you to have is the stuff inside the park (I know some people might say Reinsdorf just wants you to pay him more money for concessions). Before every single home game, Gene Honda issues a warning about rushing the field and throwing things onto the field. That date is embedded onto the White Sox as a team and as a franchise post-1970s. Even if MLB lifted their league-wide regulations and rules about it, I don't see that happening on the south side of Chicago. Party poopers, I know. In the 2000s and 2010s, I couldn't tell which was stricter, TSA at O'Hare or security at Comiskey. The weird thing is, despite such strict measures even going as far as to require clear bags, someone in the bleachers got hit with a bullet almost a year ago.

I remember watching the final game of the 1980 World Series on TV from Vet Stadium in Philadelphia. Just before the final out you could see policemen leading German Shepards on the filed. That stopped any nonsense. Back then Philly cops didn't play.

The people who approved Disco Demolition Night in 1979 should have lost their jobs. That stunt was a disaster in the making. Exploding vinyl records on the outfield in close proximity to fans violated several safety regulations. Did they stop and think about the possibility pieces of vinyl could become bits of dangerous shrapnel? Or that some dumb fan might get close to the explosion and be seriously injured or killed? MLB was lucky no lawsuits were filed against them in the wake of this disaster.

One nitpick: several of the photos in the 10 cent beer night section are from Disco Demolition, featuring the distinctive Comiskey Park scoreboard.

*Well done, Editor!*

10¢ beer night in Cleveland? That's an even worse promotion than bat night at Yankee Stadium in the 1970s. Giving free full sized Louisville sluggers to 30,000 people in the South Bronx.

15:54 Chambliss looking like a hockey player with that shoulder check lol

Hard to explain to my children how different things were "back in my day".

People still occasionally run on the field in European football (aka soccer), such as when Bayer Leverkusen secured their first ever championship this year. It's in a bit more of a controlled manner, however. They actually opened the gates to the field at the end of the game and had lots of security and cordoned off a section close to the benches.

In 1978, fans rushed the field in LA for game 6 even though the road team Yankees won, though it wasn't total chaos like 77 in NY, just maybe a few hundred fans.

I was 13 and at Yankee Stadium when they beat the Brewers in Game 5 in '81 strike season. Me and my friend ran on the field and I remember jumping up and down on the mound. I even saved some dirt from the infield(which I lost somewhere...ugh!!) My dad didn't want to go on the field so he said he'd meet us at the car. Nowadays, he'd be arrested for abandoning children. Good times!!

Then of course there was that father-son duo who jumped on the field to cold cock that Royals bench coach in 2002. Wasn’t a complete fan storming but adds to the reason why MLB takes as hard a stance as they do.

The "beer night incident" is the best argument in sports history for the USA to have a federal law against alcohol related promotions at sports events

In '73 McGraw and Mets infielders had no choice but to escape to the dugouts and outfielders like Mays to the bullpen gates. By '74 Mets installed chain-link fencing and gates to restrict access to field level seats.

The 70's and 80's were a wild time in part because the economy was so bad, violent crime was high, and life was hard for a lot of people. They were very motivated to act out like this as a release given the life they had to lead (not to mention how many of the people storming the field and rioting were violent criminals themselves!). Along with leagues cracking down on storming the field, life getting better in the subsequent years certainly helped take the edge off of the fans as well.

Only time I saw this was the 1969 Mets. Stealing the bases and players hats were common items stolen.

We won't know for sure that there's a permanent stop to the issue until the Mets win #3 😂

I watched MLB back in the 70s... missing from this video, that I expected to see... I remember at least one game where the fans were anxiously waiting for the game to end, and they kept pressing up against a (I think) temporary fence down the 3rd base line, and play had to be stopped so the fence could be stood back up. If anyone else remembers this or has link to video of it, I'd love to see it again.

Not baseball but football. In 1981 my dad took me to my first Browns game vs the Steelers. Seated in the east endzone ( a few laters become the dawg pound) 2 Browns fans next us rushed the field, running full speed the first guy made it to the 15 yardline and Mean Joe Greene had his back exposed. He turned around just in time to clothesline the guy, absolutely destroying the guy and KO'd the guy. Greene immediately locked on to the guy and beelined towards him. The fan made a wise decision and changed course backed to the stands. Being a Browns fan you just hate the Steelers but those few minites I was cheering for Mean Joe to deliver 2 massive hits bit definitely enjoyed the first fan takedown.

Thank you so much for this video have waited years and years for A video like this

How about the 1908 Merkle game?

13:35 - NESS-ter SHY-lack.

I always thought as a kid it was cool to see the fans rush, but now I can see....PROBABLY not a great idea!

In the late '50's, a fan in Yankee Stadium charged the field to attack Indian's center fielder Jim Piersall, Right fielder Willie Kirkland kicked the fan in the head with his cleted shoe. I understand it was the last time such an event was shown on TV.

No mention of the SCARIEST incident of fans running on the field when Hank Aaron hit #715... I can't imagine what was going through his mind. Sure, he wasn't injured, and in hindsight they said that they were actually congratulating him, but he couldn't have known that when people started running toward him as he rounded the bases

The fields where getting destroyed. Bases, equipment, grass all taken!

The 2004 Red Sox and 2016 Cubs both clicnched the World Series on the road. I think it's safe to say if they were at home, the fields would have been rushed.

I'm a Life long Angel /Dodger fan and a security guard at Angel stadium I had no idea there was such a dark history of filed intrusions

What’s craziest is someone considered Gladys Knight and The Pips “Imagination” as a disco record at 18:20 💔💔💔

So now, instead of rushing the field, fans turn over cars and vandalize property outside the field.

10 cent beer night was the dumbest idea anybody ever had in the history of ideas

Absolutely loved this video. RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

Why keep showing Comiskey Park's "Disco Demolition" riot when you're discussing Cleveland's 10-cent Beer Night?

The age of the Baseball Doesn’t Exist imitators has arrived

The final Washington Senators game should have been mentioned.

Crazy how Mike Hargrove became an Indians player later in his career. He eventually became the Indians manager from 1991 through 1999 leading them to 2 World Series appearances in the process.

Thank you for the seatgeek plug

"Bill Vee-k?" You really are a jabroni. The title of his autobiography (hands down the funniest baseball book ever written) says it all. "Veeck, As In Wreck".

This Tigers fan is still bitter about disco demolition night.

Wild that with everything you talked about in the video that the NCAA allowed(not sure if they still do) court storming, i swear i remember seeing that happen multiple times when i was younger around like 2008-2013 or so when i stopped watched college basketball

Beer Night 1974 sounds awesome!

Billy Martin egging on fans in Cleveland. Martin seems the tyoe that would be rushing the field and stealing things himself if he were a fan.

Baseball used to be fun

Funny the Indians fans went after Hargrove. Little did they know he would be beloved in Cleveland later.

I went on the field when the Mets clinched in 1986.

In 1908, "Merkle's Boner" was caused when the crowd stormed the field during a walk-off single. Merkle, who had been on first, figured the game was over and walked off through the chaos without ever touching second. Oops--- the astute second baseman got the ball (or some ball) and an ump, tagged second for the third out, cancelling the run that scored. They lost the win and it eventually cost them the pennant.

I'm glad it's illegal now. Why risk injury and ruining the field?

Because the powers that be don't like the fans having fun when their teams win.

bring back the streakers from the 70's.....you never see that now

10 cent Beer Night is the best story in baseball.

Disco Demolition really needs to be made into a movie

The crackdown started in Philly in 1980. But that was temporary because i remember fans rushing the field in st louis in 82 and Detroit in 84

Basing a promo on conflict and hate - what could possibly go wrong? Getting your fans as drunk as possible - what could possibly go wrong?

Reggie turned into Earl Campbell to get off that field😂

Imagine if they had a "10-cent beer night" nowadays 😂

1971. Last game of the Washington Senators. Forfeited because of fans swarming the field. Bud Harrelson was a shortstop, not a second baseman.

Rick Monday

Promotional event at baseball stadium started a riot..why? Because some fools didn't like a particular genre of music. Go figure.

I might actually watch baseball if this still went on.

Actually an earlier account of people storming the field was 1908 WS…this is part of an account of the infamous Merkle Boner.. “Giants fans poured out of the stands and mobbed the field; fans sitting behind home plate crossed the field (customary in this era) to exit the ballpark via the outfield”

The Cubs in 2016 and the Red Sox in 2004 won their World Series on the road, so it would not be likely there would be many fans rushing the field.

She was escorted away in tears??? There's no crying in baseball!!!

Reggie Jackson played football at Arizona State only played baseball so he could miss practice

Mets seem to be on here quite often.

Who thought that 10 cent beer night was a good idea???

I like that the rangers and Cleveland ball players rally together

10cent unlimited beer? What could go wrong?

The party was really over after the Tom Gamboa assault.

Also, naked, sliding into second base. Pass.

1:45 You forgot to mention, it was the first, of at least 3 Washington Major League teams. I don't blame you. Most fans were not alive, or like to pretend. That the current Washington Nationals, were (with a ton of help from MLB, stole the Montreal Expos, wouldn't let them make trades, the last year they contended and neatly buried the whole story under Bud Selig's Ass). FTR I only blame MLB for this 'swindled of, the only two Baseball teams Canada has ever had!! Would make for a great video, if you think you can untangle the entire mystery :) Cheers from Montreal Quebec Canada P.S. to any 'fan's that respond with, 'it was a lack of attendance.' I say, Be Brave enough to Google, (or just learn) the true story! And Don't forget Jackie Robinson's year in Montreal, playing for the Montreal Royals!! Montreal will always Love Baseball, more than MLB cares for us and it's a bloody shame!!

Being a babyboomer is still fun, life goes on!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Sparky couldn't catch a break 😂

No wait a minute everybody brings fireworks to ballgames don’t they

Billy Mar’in. 😵‍💫

Are you Jabroni Mike?

Need to be chain link fences. NASCAR STYLE!

The good old days before crime

Reggie Jackson no doubt could’ve played running back

I think fans just settled down. Lets be real if the fans want to they coukd all rush the field and nobody will stop them. Only 1 fan will be stopped nowadays but if the whole crowd rushes the field its over the fans are just on the field now. I dont care how much security there is. Security is not gonna get trampled trying to stop a sea of drunk people. The only reason this doesnt happen anymore is fans arent this crazy and passionate anymore and dont get nearly as drunk as they once could

Pete Rose was an ass on his best day

And that Rangers game is why whenever you go to an event there is cost $10 and just so you know it’s because poor people are more likely to cause problems. The rich people that can afford $10 beer and still get drunk probably aren’t going to do that, say what you want to do about my comment, but that is literally the economic effort. Ask me how I know.