Veterans Day with Rick Monday

Elemenopeo

I imagine many of you know who Rick Monday is, but for those who may not -- he was a two-time All-Star outfielder whose professional career spanned from 1966 to 1984, playing for the A's, Cubs and Dodgers. His most memorable moment came in 1976 while playing for the Cubs. During a game at Dodger Stadium, two yahoos managed to run onto the field and were about to torch an American flag when Monday ran up behind them and snatched the flag away before they could light it. Here's a link to a video clip. And here's a link to an mlb.com article about the 30th anniversary of the incident.

Anyway, Monday was the grand marshall for our Veterans Day parade today here in Charlotte, NC. I'm normally not much of a parade goer, but I couldn't resist. I gathered up my 2-year-old daughter and my 1973 Topps Rick Monday card and headed downtown. The parade was great, and afterward the line was short to get a commemorative poster of the flag-saving grab. Monday signed the poster and my card with a smile and a handshake. Of course, bumbling moron that I am, I put the card back in the holder before the ink was dry and smudged it.

Here are a couple pics (that's THE flag Monday has with him) and scans of the card and part of the poster (the thing's about three times the size of my scanner)... Overall, definitely the best Veterans Day I've ever had -- a fun day with my daughter, a couple autographs and some food for thought as well.

ctsoxfan

I always like hearing that story about Monday from 1976 - and that's a great personal story as well!

Thanks for sharing it!

detroitfan2

Thanks for sharing, this is a cool story. I had forgotten about the flag incident. The poster looks sweet.

-Tom

P.S. Rick had some incredible lamb chops back in '73.

lawnmowerman

Thanks!

I have never even heard of that.

If it was me I would have laid those two guys out then I would have picked up the flag waving it as I ran around the field.

matt

magellan

Great story David.........Bless Rick Monday & our Veterans.