It might be Tuesday on your calendar, but today belongs to Monday – Rick Monday. 30 years ago today, Monday grabbed an American Flag from two idiots trying to burn it out in center field in Dodger Stadium. They soaked it with lighter fluid and they were in the process of attempting to light it when Monday ran up and snatched it from them.
Rick's words from MLB.com:
"What they were doing was wrong then, in 1976. In my mind, it's wrong now, in 2006. It's the way I was raised. My thoughts were reinforced with my six years in the Marine Corp Reserves. It was also reinforced by a lot of friends who lost their lives protecting the rights and freedoms that flag represented.
"So I started to run after them. To this day, I couldn't tell you what was running through my mind except I was mad, I was angry and it was wrong for a lot of reasons.
His actions earned him a huge standing ovation from the crowd while the scoreboard proclaimed, “Rick Monday…You made a great Play!” As for the two crapsicles that tried to burn it, were ignominiously marched off the field and relegated to the trash heap of history. No one knows who they were and no one cares.
Today belongs to Monday!
Hat Tip: Wizbang
VW
What a great story.
I'm surprised he didn't get stoned to death. We all know it's unpatriotic to wave a flag, raise a flag, salute a flag, or love your flag. At least these days.
In fact I brought that up today at my blog. When did it suddenly become evil to love your country????
Posted by: JENN | Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 18:29
Ehnh, the day's of people respecting the flag are long gone.
I got so pissed off the other day waiting to pay 2.78 per gallon of gas. The Marathon station had six flags flying in front of it, alternating American flags, and the flags of 'Marathon Oil.'
Shows what the bastards who run oil companies think of America when they feel like their company flag deserves to fly at the same height as our national flag!
I see that all the time. People with moldy flags rotting on the pole, haven't taken it down in years. Just like being a citizen, flying a flag also has responsibilities.
Posted by: Aurelius | Wednesday, April 26, 2006 at 05:49