From 1966 through 1984, Rick Monday was a very good outfielder for the Oakland A’s, the Chicago Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit 241 home runs in his career and one big home run to propel the Dodgers into the 1981 World Series (which they won). Monday has been a broadcaster for the Dodgers since 1993.

On April 25, 1976, Rick Monday jumped from the sports pages onto the front pages and became a part of the patriotic history of the United States. While playing centerfield for the Cubs during a game at Dodger Stadium, Monday made the play of his career.

It was during the fourth inning and the Dodgers were batting. Two fans jumped out of the left field stands and ran onto the field. They raced past left fielder Jose Cardenal and stopped around short left-centerfield. They spread out the U.S. flag and proceeded to attempt to set it on fire.

At this point, the alert Monday was already in full sprint towards the dastardly duo. Monday reached down and grabbed the flag without breaking stride. Monday received a standing ovation from the L.A. crowd, the first of many he would receive for the rest of the season.

In my recent interview with Monday before a Dodgers-Cubs game in Los Angeles, his emotions about the event were still strong. “I was mad. I was mad that in my mind what they were doing was wrong in 1976 and to this day nothing has changed that thought,” he stated. “They were trying to desecrate the flag, which represents a lot of rights and freedoms and people have given their lives representing those rights and freedoms.”

Monday still downplays his heroism, stating that he “was just geographically close enough to do something” about the flag burning attempt. “I just reacted because that’s the way I was raised,” Monday explained. His upbringing was reinforced by six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. Monday continued, “I was angered by the moment…fortunately, I don’t have to answer the question of why didn’t you stop it?”

As an 11-year-old Cubs fan, I just happened to be watching the historic game. I didn’t quite understand the gravity of what I was watching, but I knew Monday did something special, something that went well beyond the box score. Monday ended up getting 3 hits in the game, but it is the defensive play he made which will remembered always.

AP Photo/Los Angeles Herald Examiner, James Roark

-John Wroblewski, patriotic distribution specialist (and Rick Monday fan)