Robert James “Rick” Monday Jr.
A 2x All-Star during his 19 year career with 241 HR, 1,619 H, 775 RBI, and a 1981 World Series ring won with the Dodgers, Rick Monday is often remembered by baseball fans for one patriotic moment on April 25th, 1976.
Born in Batesville, Arkansas, Rick moved to southern California and became a feature baseball player at Santa Monica High School earning league honors on the way to being recruited by numerous colleges and even offered a contract from the Los Angeles Dodgers lead scout at the time, Tommy Lasorda. However, Monday would agree to go to Arizona State University.
A star for the Bobby Winkles managed Sun Devils, Rick teamed with future hall of famer Reggie Jackson to create a dynamic duo in the lineup, leading the team to a 1965 College World Series championship over Ohio State while garnering All-American and College Player of the Year honors while putting up a .359 batting average and 34 extra base hits as just a sophomore.
That year, following the season, the MLB had its first ever draft. With a draft class consisting of future legends Johnny Bench, Tom Seaver, and Nolan Ryan it was Rick Monday who was selected first overall by the Kansas City Athletics, three years before the moved to Oakland.
Still only 19 years old when he was drafted, Rick signed with the A’s with a $104,000 bonus on June 15th and starting playing in Single A. Batting .271 while hitting 13 HR and 44 RBI in 72 games, the teenager was turning some heads.
After the season, Rick and teammate Dave Duncan entered boot camp for the U.S. Marine Corps to honor their ROTC commitment from college for a six year reserves term. After boot camp, Monday was called up to Double A ball in Mobile, Alabama playing for the Mobile A’s. After the team won the league title that year five members of that squad were called up to the major leagues to finish out 1966 with the big club.
After spending 7 years with the A’s and their affiliates, Rick was traded in November of 1971 to the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Ken Holtzman. Throughout all his highlights in the Windy City, one stands out.
The American Flag Incident
The 6-7 Chicago Cubs were playing the third of a three game series against the 4-9 Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 25th, 1976. Rick went 3/5 that day with 2 runs and a 2 out rbi in the 8th inning, but his play earlier in the game is what people have talked about for 42 years.
At the bottom of the 4th inning, after a Ted Sizemore pop out, William Thomas, a protester, and his 11 year old son ran out and into left center field. Draping the American Flag onto the ground as if it were a picnic blanket and began dousing it with lighter fluid. As William pulled a lighter from his pants pocket, Rick Monday went into a full stride sprint. Closing in on the two attempting to attempting to light the Red, White, and Blue on fire, he was able to snatch the flag from the ground before the flame reached it’s target. Roaring cheers were heard throughout the stadium as Rick ran towards the Dodger’s dugout and handed the flag to pitcher Doug Rau. Officers arrested William Thomas and escorted he and his son out of the stadium to face charges of trespassing.
The Dodger crowd of 25,000+ gave Monday and standing ovation in the 5th inning when he came up to bat as the message board behind the left field bleachers read “RICK MONDAY…YOU MADE A GREAT PLAY” After the game, Rick told reporters, “If you’re going to burn the flag, don’t do it around me. I’ve been to too many veteran’s hospitals and seen too many broken bodies of guys who tried to protect it.”
He was presented with the very flag that he saved on May 4th, 1976 at Wrigley Field by an executive with the Dodger’s organization. A day now known as…Rick Monday Day.
He had several other highlights in his career. He was traded to the Dodgers in 1977 where he won a World Series championship years later in 1981 and was known as Tom Seaver’s kryptonite hitting 11 homers and batting .349 against the legendary pitcher. After his playing days he became a broadcaster and still calls games to this day.
To baseball fans, he’ll always be a 2x All-Star and 1981 World Series Champ, but to everyone in the USA, he’ll be an American who made patriotic save.
