James Rourke/Los Angeles Herald Examiner
- "That means something, because this wasn't just a flag on the field. This was a flag that people looked at with respect. We have a lot of rights and freedoms -- not to sound corny -- but we all have the option if we don't like something to make it better. Or you also have the option, if you don't like it, [to] pack up and leave. But don't come onto the field and burn an American flag."
Former Chicago Cub center fielder Rick Monday, commenting on his rescue of an American flag thirty years ago today in a game at Dodger Stadium. The whole story is available at MLB.com.
Comments (37)
Rick Monday was a Cub when ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 2:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Rick Monday was a Cub when he rescued the flag. Just pointing that out because I am a huge Cub fan and we still love him.
Monday, Monday......
"On April 25, the Chicago Cubs were visiting Dodger Stadium for a three-game series. Playing center field for the Cubs was Rick Monday, the first player taken in the amateur draft that was created 11 years earlier. Monday was born and raised in Santa Monica, Calif., so playing in front of his friends and family was always special to him. On this day, fate would hand Monday a moment that people still talk about with reverence 30 years later."
link
1. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 2:06 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 14:06
2. Posted by Smoke Eater | April 25, 2006 2:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You know what's sad? If some IDIOT were to get on the field (illegally I might add), and start to burn the U.S. Flag, they would sue anyone for stopping them because it would be "a denial of their right to free speech". Sad isn't it, that someone can BREAK THE LAW, and DESECRATE OUR FLAG, and anyone who has the nerve to stop them is "denying their rights" and therefore can be sued, and will probably lose.
2. Posted by Smoke Eater | April 25, 2006 2:14 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 14:14
3. Posted by Semanticleo | April 25, 2006 2:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The flag is a 'symbol' of what this country stands
for. It is not an end in itself. Why do you think
SCOTUS is loathe to restrict 1st Amendment rights
by sustaining laws that ban such demonstrations.
When the symbol becomes more important than what
it bespeaks, it beomes a graven image.
When Jesus healed the sick on the Sabbath, the
power elite tried to hang him on that petard.
His response? "The Sabbath was created for man,
not man for the Sabbath."
3. Posted by Semanticleo | April 25, 2006 2:27 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 14:27
4. Posted by Blackfive | April 25, 2006 2:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hey, just an FYI that Monday was a Cubbie...
4. Posted by Blackfive | April 25, 2006 2:34 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 14:34
5. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 2:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My previous comment got eaten alive because it had a link in it.
Rick Monday was a Cub when he rescued the flag.
Just sayin. He's still loved by Cub Nation and will never forget that moment.
5. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 2:38 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 14:38
6. Posted by Faith+1 | April 25, 2006 2:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I firmly believe if somewhat wants to assert their inalienable right to act like an ass then I reserve the inalienable right to treat them like one.
6. Posted by Faith+1 | April 25, 2006 2:39 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 14:39
7. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 3:00 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Blackfive and mesablue: That's why my boys picked him up the next year and he's still with them.
7. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 3:00 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:00
8. Posted by Cousin Dave | April 25, 2006 3:04 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
And I'll never forget the message they put up on the message board after that: "Rick Monday -- you made a great play!"
8. Posted by Cousin Dave | April 25, 2006 3:04 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:04
9. Posted by Kevin | April 25, 2006 3:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sorry I got a little confused about who he was playing for at the time. It's been fixed.
9. Posted by Kevin | April 25, 2006 3:11 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:11
10. Posted by DJ | April 25, 2006 3:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Now I suppose if the hippies doing the demonstrating had caught the ball park on fire what "right" would that fall under?
We had a counter-protester here in Arizona who burnt a Mexican flag a couple weeks ago who was cited for damage to the street, and burning without a permit (or some such crap).
10. Posted by DJ | April 25, 2006 3:29 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:29
11. Posted by McGehee | April 25, 2006 3:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Semanticleo, you realize, don't you, that you're defending pro-flagburning jurisprudence with a Bible reference?
Where's your respect for separation of church and state? ;-p
11. Posted by McGehee | April 25, 2006 3:35 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:35
12. Posted by Semanticleo | April 25, 2006 3:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Semanticleo, you realize, don't you, that you're defending pro-flagburning jurisprudence with a Bible reference?
I call the threesome, 'Holy Trinity'
12. Posted by Semanticleo | April 25, 2006 3:42 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:42
13. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 3:42 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Anybody know what happened to the 2 chuckleheads? MLB doesn't say. Just curious if they have any remorse over being jackasses. I probably know the answer to that already...
13. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 3:42 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:42
14. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 3:45 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Peter F.,
It was a father and son on the field. I do recall something a few years ago where the son said that he regretted the incident.
14. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 3:45 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:45
15. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 3:52 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Wasn't Monday a Dodger?
15. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 3:52 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:52
16. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 3:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
OK, he was a Cub as well. I remeber him as a Dodger when I was a kid in So. Cal.
I found this:
Share your memory
Rick Monday and his wife, Barbaralee, are putting together a book about the emotional impact of his flag-saving catch in Dodger Stadium.
If you want to share your thoughts, send a message of 500 words or less to mvpsports@aol.com or by mail to MVPSPORTS, 505 Beachland Blvd., Suite 1-220, Vero Beach, FL 32963
16. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 3:55 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:55
17. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 3:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Rick,
Monday played for KC/Oakland, Chicago Cubs and the Dodgers.
He was a Cub when he rescued the flag.
17. Posted by mesablue | April 25, 2006 3:56 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:56
18. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 3:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Rick13, he was a cub when it happened. The DODGERS picked him up next season and he's been a DODGER ever since (currently announcing for the sainted DODGERS)
18. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 3:56 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 15:56
19. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 4:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The good ol' days! Garvey, Cey, Lopez, Yeager, Lasorda, Who else am I missing?
19. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 4:02 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 16:02
20. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 4:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Bill Russell, Jerry Reuss, Jay Johnstone, Ken Landreax...
20. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 4:17 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 16:17
21. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 4:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Dodgers suck. Except for Rick Monday, we'll give him a pass.
Love,
A Giants Fan
21. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 4:35 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 16:35
22. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 4:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
BLASPHEMY! BEGONE, FOUL DEMON!
22. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 4:40 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 16:40
23. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 4:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
As I am wont to remind the G***ts fans who surround me, the DODGERS' team colors are red, white, and blue. The colors of America and all her glory.
G***ts colors are orange and black, the color of a... moldy pumpkin.
23. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 4:43 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 16:43
24. Posted by Moqui | April 25, 2006 4:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If burning the flag is an expression of political speech, then so is beating the shit out of a flag burner.
24. Posted by Moqui | April 25, 2006 4:43 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 16:43
25. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 5:02 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yeah, well, uh, our team takes more Geritol than yours!
And, and...our ballpark is better than yours, lots better!
(OK, I'm outta ammo after that. LOL.)
25. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 5:02 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 17:02
26. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 5:05 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
'Salright, Peter. I'm surrounded by a sea of G***ts fans, including my office mate! I'm used to it.
26. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 5:05 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 17:05
27. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 5:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
You win Ken! Good job!
I can't believe I forgot Russell!
27. Posted by Rick13 | April 25, 2006 5:06 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 17:06
28. Posted by Moqui | April 25, 2006 5:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Ken, I'm pretty sure that Reuss, Johnstone and Landreaux didn't get there till around 1980. They for sure weren't on the 76 squad
28. Posted by Moqui | April 25, 2006 5:29 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 17:29
29. Posted by OregonMuse | April 25, 2006 7:09 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oy, I'm feeling my age. When I think of the Dodgers I remember, it's Koufax, Drysdale, Reese, Wills, etc.
Since I'm a Giants fan, I have to mention the men I used to watch play: McCovey, Mays, Davenport, Cepeda, Marichal, Perry, and all 3 Alou brothers.
29. Posted by OregonMuse | April 25, 2006 7:09 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 19:09
30. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 7:10 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Been so long, Moqui, I honestly can't remember who all was on which squad. I just lump that crew into "70s" in my mind (which, of course, can stretch into the early 80s if I squint right)
30. Posted by Ken Summers | April 25, 2006 7:10 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 19:10
31. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 7:50 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Hey. OM, it could be worse (or maybe you just have a mental block) but at least your memories don't include the likes of Johnnie LeMaster, Mike Ivie, Ed Haliki, Roger Metzger...
My hero? Jack "Hey, where'd all my money go? Oh yeah, race cars!" Clark.
31. Posted by Peter F. | April 25, 2006 7:50 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on April 25, 2006 19:50
32. Posted by Imhotep | April 25, 2006 7:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mesablue,
Vin Scully had the play by play today on ESPN's Dan Patrick show, so I don't know if the incident occurred when Monday was a Cub or Dodger, but if he were a Cub at the time, why wouldn't they play ......oh what's his name, Mike Shannon, no it's the other guy. Jack Buck's old friend......ooohhhhhh
32. Posted by Imhotep | April 25, 2006 7:53 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 19:53
33. Posted by wave_man | April 25, 2006 8:37 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
My favorite quote from the MLB page...
"Tommy Lasorda was in his last year as third-base coach before he took over for Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston. Tommy ran past me and called these guys every name in the longshoreman's encyclopedia."
33. Posted by wave_man | April 25, 2006 8:37 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 20:37
34. Posted by Imhotep | April 25, 2006 9:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Harry Carey that's it.....damn, I've gotta get that checked out.
34. Posted by Imhotep | April 25, 2006 9:13 PM |
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Posted on April 25, 2006 21:13
35. Posted by fatman | April 26, 2006 12:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
How about Ron Cey, aka "The Penguin"?
35. Posted by fatman | April 26, 2006 12:10 AM |
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Posted on April 26, 2006 00:10
36. Posted by Ken Summers | April 26, 2006 9:15 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
We mentioned him, dude.
36. Posted by Ken Summers | April 26, 2006 9:15 AM |
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Posted on April 26, 2006 09:15
37. Posted by mesablue | April 26, 2006 10:34 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Imhotep,
Jack Brickhouse was the annnouncer for the Cubs back then, Harry didn't make it to the Cubs until 1982. He was still with the White Sox then.
The game was plated at Dodger Stadium so Scully was making the call that day. Vin is another legend. I listened to him call a Cubs/Dodgers game last week. Total class.
37. Posted by mesablue | April 26, 2006 10:34 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on April 26, 2006 10:34