Chicago Cubs: 'Rick Monday... You made a great play'

Chicago Cubs: ‘Rick Monday…You made a great play’

NEW YORK - CIRCA 1976: Outfielder Rick Monday #7 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the New York Mets during an Major League Baseball game circa 1976 at Shea Stadium in the Queens borough of New York City. Monday played for the Cubs from 1972-76. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

4 of 4

(Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /

Chicago Cubs: For Chicago, and America

Following the near-catastrophic incident, Monday came up to the dish at the start of the fifth inning to more loud cheers and a message across the big board in the outfield which read “Rick Monday… You Made A Great Play…”.

After the game, reporters spoke to Monday about the moment of his decision and the choice he made for not only himself but also his country.

"“If you’re going to burn the flag, don’t do it around me. I’ve been to too many veterans’ hospitals and seen too many broken bodies of guys who tried to protect it.”"

Monday was a jack of all trades as, during his major league career, he also served part-time with the United States Marine Core, for six years. He respected the land and his home and was not someone to have an agenda pushed on, of which he did not agree. So he did something about it and became a national hero that day.

Next. Will Bryant be hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic?. dark

In 2008, at Dodger Stadium, Monday was presented with a Peace On Earth medal and lapel pin. He was also given an American flag that had been flown previously in honor of his bravery and heroic actions that day. Maybe Rick Monday will go down as a great Dodger, but, that day, as a member of the Cubs, Monday cemented his legacy in Major League Baseball history.