Posted on 04/22/2006 7:00:40 PM PDT by JellyJam
LOS ANGELES - Rick Monday never tires of answering questions about that memorable day 30 years ago, when he performed his own Patriot Act and unwittingly became an icon to millions of American war heroes and their loved ones.
Monday was playing center field for the Chicago Cubs on April 25, 1976, at Dodger Stadium when he noticed two protesters kneeling on the grass in left-center, intending to burn the American flag. He immediately bolted toward them and snatched it away.
"I was angry when I saw them start to do something to the flag, and I'm glad that I happened to be geographically close enough to do something about it," said Monday, now in his 13th season as a Dodgers broadcaster.
"What those people were doing, and their concept of what they were trying to do was wrong. That feeling was very strongly reinforced by six years in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. I still think it's wrong to do that."
(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...
I heard Lasorda talk about it on radio. It must have been something to see.
OMG I do remember it rack ittt
Hey Tomkow my dad was at game
The Baseball Hall of Fame recently named Monday's quick-thinking act as one of the 100 Classic Moments in the history of the game.
"Whatever their protest was about, what they were attempting to do to the flag - which represents a lot of rights and freedoms that we all have - was wrong for a lot of reasons," Monday said. "Not only does it desecrate the flag, but it also desecrates the effort and the lives that have been laid down to protect those rights and freedoms for all of us."
The Dodgers will acknowledge the event before the finale of a nine-game homestand on Sunday, two days before the actual anniversary of it. A video tribute will be shown before the game and Monday will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. On Tuesday, the Houston Astros will honor him as well when the Dodgers play the middle game of a three-game series.
Hey, Freepers, did any of you attend this game?!
HMMM my dad did
He was at game with my late uncle and two of his work buddies LOL!
ME I was at home watching the game with my mom and my brother
I was in a riot that started just about this way.
I remember that what Monday did was controversial in some circles. But it was a great thign to do.
Didn't the Dodgers acquire him the next year?
"Tommy Lasorda recalled in his book that starting softly, the crowd started singing "God Bless America", completely unprompted, until all of the tens of thousands of Dodger fans had joined together to sing it. It was one of the few unscripted and spontaneous patriotic displays in our Bicentennial, and one of the most moving at any time."
Thanks, So9. :)
Yep, he played on three pennant-winning Dodger teams and played a key role in their World Series win in 1981.
I did not attend the game, but I was listening on WGN in my room in Chicago that day.
What a cool guy. I remember watching him play during the Dodgers heyday with Garvey, Cey, Lopes, Russell, Yeager, and the rest.
HMM thank you I send him that link in his email LOL!
You know what Dodgers do have and had war veterans on thier team going back to WW1 and WW2 like aka Pee Wee Reese Jackie Robinson so I am not surprise
I going ping this to Cantten OH Canteen members it is trueeee about this story
I'm a huge sports fan I never heard about this! You'd think this would get an Outside the Lines episode or a special on Fox Sports.
Sad thing is that if he did the same thing today they would arrest him for theft and interfering with freedom of speech. God Bless America!
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