An Act of Patriotism
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)
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:57 pm
What an experience! Had to be great to be down on the field at Dodger Stadium hanging out with the stars. I’m very jealous!
Ron
July 2nd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Rick Monday was a very good player for a long time. He didn’t get the credit he deserved, even for the flag-saving play. If that had been today, it would be all over the internet and sports radio.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:01 pm
My dad was a huge fan of Rick Monday. He told me this story once when Monday was on ESPN talking about the Dodgers. I can’t imagaine watching that happen, but I know my dad never forgot about it.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Thanks for reliving that great memory. Rick Monday has always been a classy guy!
Plus, any mention of Jose Cardenal makes me smile. I loved his hair.
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
My gosh, I had completely forgotten about this. I remember feeling the same as you. I knew something unusual happened. I just didn’t quite know what it meant. Now, I realize exactly the impact of Rick Monday’s actions.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:49 am
APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE! APPLAUSE!
My own little standing ovation for Rick Monday, a true and proud American!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:21 am
Amen! This is a Celebration of Life Through Sports!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:36 am
Wow, I would love to have a few minutes to talk to Monday about his career. He was one of my favorites, even though I was a Padres’ fan when I grew up.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
Sports today can use more people like Rick Monday. Actually, the world in general could use more people like Rick Monday. Thanks for posting this.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
Thanks for sharing this patriotic story. Events like this and people like Rick Monday shape this great country and make us all proud.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:54 am
Monday really was an excellent player. He just missed the World Series run of the Oakland A’s, but was a huge part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 1981 World Series. In a different era than today’s monster stats, Monday put up some really good numbers. He’s a class act. I have had the pleasure of hearing him on the broadcasts here in LA for many years.
His act of heroism in saving the flag is one of the most wonderful things I have ever seen in sports. It is good to see you give him a little recognition for this patriotic day. Monday deserves so much more.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:12 am
Can you imagine being there while that happened? I can’t imagine what Monday had to feel like. I never heard this story, but it is one that needs more publicity. Monday is a real hero.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:30 am
That is fantastic. I never heard of that story. I knew Monday played (like a lot of broadcasters), but I had no idea about the flag burning incident.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:45 am
It’s always good to hear a story like this instead of the usual police blotter news.
Rick Monday was an excellent player and is an excellent broadcaster. His effort in saving the flag makes for one of the most dramatic, surprising and patriotic moments in sports history.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:28 am
I love that Global Traveler takes the time and space to highlight stories like this. I plan on talking about this as I fly across country tomorrow.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:42 am
I remember crying when the A’s traded him to Chicago for Ken Holtzman. It’s a shame Monday was not part of the Oakland World Series run.
At least California (LA) eventually got him back, just in time for a Dodgers’ World Series run.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I was/am a HUGE fan of Rick Monday! This is one of my favorite stories.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Baseball needs more guys like Rick Monday. We could all take lessons from his actions. Thanks for sharing this tale.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
This reminds me of another story about a class act on the athletic field. A young girl was struggling with the national anthem before an NBA game. One of the coaches was Maurice Cheeks. He calmly walked over, put his hand on her shoulder and started to accompany her for the rest of the song (guiding her through the rough spots). Like Monday, Cheeks is a true American!
July 5th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Great blog. It’s good to see Monday remembered. This act was indeed a patriotic act of historical significance!
Great to see GT recognize such a man.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
My brother was a big fan of Rick Monday. I knew very little about baseball back then, but I knew about Rick Monday. It’s good to see Mr. Monday still getting recognition!
July 7th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Monday has always been a great guy. The Dodgers are lucky to have him in the family.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Monday was the first ever player selected in MLB’s first amateur player draft. He had an excellent career and was an even better person. Congrats to you for giving Monday some props!
July 7th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
How ironic that Monday would be traded to LA the season after this great act took place. Monday was the perfect role player for the Dodgers for their WS in 1981.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:52 am
I never heard about this event. That’s a shame, b/c it is an outstanding story. Thanks for sharing it with us readers.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:53 am
It’s great to see this event revisited. Monday is a great guy and this was a fantastic moment is sports history.
July 10th, 2008 at 8:06 am
To qoute the late great Jack Brickhouse, “Hey Hey…it’s a home run…weeeeeeeeeeeee.” This was a homerun of a play if ever there was one!