This Day in Dodgers History: Rick Monday Edition- April 25th

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Dodger fans, Baseball is America’s Pastime. However America stands for much more than baseball. It stands for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” When someone is able to stand up for the happiness that we all deserve, shouldn’t be praised. Well on this day 35 years ago, one Rick Monday became a symbol for Country pride.

Rick Monday was a 19 year veteran of Major League Baseball. He led the Dodgers to the 1981 World Series crown. He hit a career high 32 home runs in 1976. However it was one play during the 1976 season while playing for the Cubs that defined a legacy for Monday. It is a legacy that beyond the diamond. This one play didn’t involve hitting a walk off homerun or making a game saving catch. However Rick Monday saved the pride of the nation with speed, determination and the love of the country in mind.

It was a game between the Dodgers and Cubs on April 25th 1976. It was America’s bicentennial year and Country pride was nationwide. In between the fourth inning, Rick Monday was set to take his position in Center Field when he noticed out of the corner of his eye, two fans sitting in the middle of the outfield. Monday was warming up in the outfield when he noticed the two fans pulling out an American Flag with a lighter and oil in their hands. Rick Monday, who was in the marine reserves for six years knew how hard people in this country work for their livelihood. He couldn’t let an injustice like this commence. Without any regard for himself or for anyone else, Monday took off.

Rick was not known for his speed (only 98 career stolen bases) but he ran like a cheetah on the prowl. Without the two fans even realizing what was going on, Rick grabbed the flag before the match was lit and saved it from being combusted. The fans were about to chase after him when the police finally made the scene. The fans stood up (after initially booing the two flag burners on the field) and gave Monday a standing ovation. The scoreboard would later read…

Great Play Just Made by Rick Monday!!!

The country responded to Rick Monday’s great play by sending him many fan mail. Even the President of the United States at the time sent him a thank you for saving the flag. To this day, Monday still has the flag at his home and he keeps it with pride in what he did.

Dodger fans, People can choose to do nothing in grave situations. However the bravery and country pride the Rick Monday showed was borderline heroic. This all happened on the day April 25th 1976.

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