Dodgers Honor Rick Monday’s 1976 Flag Rescue with Special Tribute

On the 50th anniversary of a wild moment in baseball history, the Los Angeles Dodgers honored Rick Monday—the guy who rescued an American flag from being burned during a 1976 game. This post looks back at that dramatic day at Dodger Stadium, Monday’s impact on the sport, and the legacy that still lingers, from roaring ovations to a future Cooperstown exhibit.

The Moment That Defined Rick Monday

Rick Monday was the Chicago Cubs’ center fielder when, on April 25, 1976, two guys ran onto the field, laid a flag on the grass, and splashed it with lighter fluid. Monday didn’t hesitate—he dashed over, grabbed the flag with his right hand, and bolted away, handing it off to Dodgers pitcher Doug Rau to keep it safe.

The crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. The scoreboard flashed: “Rick Monday…You made a great play.”

Monday had spent six years in the Marine Corps reserves, and that day, his actions shot way past baseball. Later, Marines surprised him with a bronze sculpture showing him sprinting with the flag.

The next year, Monday joined the Dodgers. That move tied him even closer to the franchise and made his story a lasting part of American sports history.

Picture the scene: Dodger Stadium, tension in the air, a sudden field invasion turning into an act of protection. The crowd connected with something deeper than a game—a public stand for principle.

Monday’s path kept crossing with the Dodgers. He helped them win the 1981 World Series, and by 1985, he was in the broadcast booth, shaping how fans remembered not just one play, but a whole career lived in the spotlight.

A National Moment Revisited: The 50th Anniversary Ceremony

In 2026, the Dodgers marked the 50th anniversary of that rescue with a ceremony that really drove home how much the moment still matters. Rick Monday and his wife, Barbaralee, lifted the preserved flag on the field, and the crowd stood in respect, just like they did back then.

Players from both the Cubs and Dodgers lined the baselines for the anthem, sung by Phantom of the Opera’s Davis Gaines. It was one of those moments where sports and national memory just merge.

The Marines presented Monday with a bronze sculpture honoring his bravery—a solid reminder of a day when sports and civic values collided. The flag stays with Monday for now, but its story keeps unfolding in baseball’s bigger picture.

Monday’s Enduring Baseball Footprint

Rick Monday’s baseball story doesn’t stop at 1976. He joined the Dodgers in 1977, right after the flag incident, and became part of their championship 1981 team.

Later, he moved to the broadcast booth, starting in 1985. Monday brought firsthand insight and a steady voice to the Dodgers’ culture and the game’s changes.

Looking back on all this, you can’t help but see more than just a single play. Monday’s name sticks to both that dramatic moment and a long, steady career that bridged playing and broadcasting.

He’s still anchored in the memory of fans who watched it all unfold under those bright Dodger Stadium lights. And honestly, who could forget?

From Field to Hall: The Flag’s New Home

The rescued flag will soon find a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Starting Memorial Day weekend, Cooperstown will display the flag, thanks to Rick Monday’s loan.

I think it’s fitting—this new home for such a powerful symbol. It’s a reminder that sometimes, sports moments turn into national artifacts, holding onto ideals that last far beyond a single game.

• April 25, 1976: The flag incident at Dodger Stadium that defined a moment of courage.
• Rick Monday’s journey from Cubs star to Dodgers legend and broadcaster.
• The flag’s exhibit in Cooperstown, keeping the legacy alive for future generations.

 
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