Chicago Cubs: 40th Anniversary of Rick Monday’s greatest play

40 years ago as America celebrated its bicentennial, Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday made one of the greatest plays of that season at Dodger Stadium.

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It’s not a moment I got to see live. I was still just a twinkle in my father’s eye. But as he showed me that moment when I was older I quickly realized it was more than just disrespect for out nation’s flag. Rick Monday’s simple action was heralded around baseball when he dashed in to pull away and American flag right as two protestors were about to set it on fire in the Dodgers’ outfield.

Monday spent 19 years in baseball, and a few years later would end up playing for the Dodgers. He was a two-time All-Star and finished in the top 20  for the MVP in 1976 with the Cubs. Monday clearly was doing something right playing 19 years, but his numbers were simply average by definition. But on that day, he became somewhat of a hero, although that was never his intention.

Monday, who himself spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves had his reasons for making the last second save of the flag.

“What they were doing was wrong, and I wanted them off the field,” he told VICE Sports before a Dodgers spring training game in Glendale, Arizona. “I did not want them to be able to desecrate an American flag that some of my buddies lost their lives for, representing the rights and freedoms that you and I enjoy.”

Monday is now part of the Dodgers radio broadcast team and will be honored on the field before the game at Dodger Stadium on Monday. When asked if he’s disappointed that he’s best remembered for that moment over any other achievements, Monday simply says “if that’s all you’re known for, that’s not a bad thing”. Thanks again, Rick Monday.