Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 74,420 fans who attended the Cleveland Indians’ home opener on April 7, 1973, witnessed a classic game that has become a lost memory for most. But for one Northeast Ohio couple, that day at Cleveland Stadium remains a cherished moment from their youth that they’ve held onto for the past 50 years.

Why it matters

The 1973 Indians home opener was a significant event in Cleveland sports history, drawing the largest crowd ever to see a baseball game in the city. While the details of the game itself have faded over time, the experience of attending that day has become a treasured memory for longtime Indians fans who were there.

The details

On April 7, 1973, the Cleveland Indians hosted the New York Yankees in their home opener at Cleveland Stadium. The game drew a record crowd of 74,420 fans, the largest attendance ever for a baseball game in Cleveland. The Indians went on to win the game 2-1 in 12 innings, capping off an exciting day for the passionate home crowd.

• The 1973 Indians home opener took place on April 7, 1973.
• The game drew a record crowd of 74,420 fans to Cleveland Stadium.

What they’re saying

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for a fugitive wanted for violating parole.

Terence Barnwell, 53, is known to frequent the Youngstown, Warren, and Cleveland area, according to the U.S. Marshals.

Barnwell is 5′6″ and about 156 pounds.

If you have any information, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or you can send a web tip at the following webpage www.usmarshals.gov/what-we-do/fugitive-investigations/submitting-a-tip.

Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James made headlines for signaling out Memphis and Milwaukee as places he doesn’t enjoy playing when he was on a golf YouTube video with Bob Does Sports. Those comments — particularly saying he doesn’t enjoy playing in Memphis — made people angry.

“A random f***** Tuesday in Milwaukee,” James said on the YouTube video when talking about life in the NBA. “Staying at the f****** Hyatt at 41 years old. You think I want to do that shit? Being in Memphis on a f****** random ass Thursday? I’m not like the first guy to even talk about it in the NBA. We’re all like, ‘You guys have to move. Go over to Nashville.’”

Advertisement

James was asked to clarify those comments on Saturday. And in the process, he decided to do a drive-by on his hometown.

“41 years old, it’s two cities I do not like playing in right now,” James said on Saturday. “That’s Milwaukee, and that’s Memphis. What is the problem? I don’t like going home either. Shit, and I’m from there.”

James tried to clarify that he wasn’t taking a shot at the city or their people when listing places he doesn’t enjoy going to.

“I’m not talking about the city, like the people in Memphis,” James said. “I don’t like staying at the Hyatt Centric. What’s wrong with that?”

Support us and Let ‘Em Know with Homage!

Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can find the awesome Cavs’ Starter jacket HERE. Homage’s entire Cavs collection can be found HERE.

Advertisement

How much you want to read into him saying he doesn’t enjoy going home to Cleveland for games is up to you. In context, it seemed like he was saying he doesn’t like going to the hotel and traveling there in the winter, as was the case this season when the Lakers made their lone trip to play the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, you could read it another way if you wanted to as well.

What we do know is that James is in the last year of his current contract with Los Angeles. And while things have been working out well for him and the Lakers over the last month, it’s clear that he isn’t the focal point of the franchise anymore. He’s adjusted to that well on the court, taking a tertiary role alongside both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves when the trio is healthy, which they won’t be heading into the playoffs. Whether or not James wants that to continue to be his reality off the court remains to be seen.

Some of the buzz about James joining the Cavs next season has died down. Even last week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that he’s not seeing a return to Cleveland “at the top of the probability list” for James next summer.

That said, it’s difficult to picture James playing anywhere but Cleveland and Los Angeles next season. We’ll see how this all unfolds this summer. A lot can change between now and July.