It's Memorial Day weekend. The Cubs are playing the Dodgers in LA. Rick Monday was a Cub who went on to play for, and now broadcast for, the Dodgers. So this has been on my mind.In 1976, the Cubs were playing the Dodgers in LA. Rick Monday was still wearing Cubbie blue (as opposed to Dodger blue, which, truth to tell, is not all that variant a hue) and playing centerfield. Two LA fans somehow got onto the field during the game and, to protest, set an American flag on fire.
He ran at them full bore. Remember, he's a major league ballplayer in his prime. Fast, strong, with phenomenal reflexes. He knocked the kids over and saved the flag.
What were they protesting? I don't know. In 1976 the Viet Nam War was finally over. Did they get arrested? I don't remember.
I like to think that Rick Monday saved the flag out of respect to those valiant souls who went to Viet Nam and died there. That's how I remember it, anyway. If you know otherwise, please keep it to yourself. I need to believe in baseball and patriotism. Especially as I celebrate Memorial Day.
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