Based on OP's info it seems likely we are talking about
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n929xj
if so then it shows DL5041 MSP-CLE departing 36 minutes late and estimated to arrive two minutes early
I bet the people on the flight that "stole" the inbound are happier too; if I've followed the tail/flights correctly they were able to depart MSP after merely a ~1 hour delay instead of 2+ hours.
By all means, go back to AA over a single ancedotal experience if that makes you happy