American Hero Rick Monday Appreciation Blog

I had never heard of the name Rick Monday before first moving to Chicago. He was referred to and spoken about this time every spring like Paul Bunyan, this larger than life, mythical figure that guys would cheers to and clink their High Life bottles together. 

For a while I thought it was one of those real Chicagoan things that I would just never get or be allowed to say. Like ordering an "orange whip." 

When I finally discovered Rick Monday was not only a real person, but a freaking American Hero it blew my socks off. Ever since then, I've done my best to celebrate April 25th as Rick Monday Day, along with all red-blooded American and Cubs fans. 

For those who don't know, Rick Monday was born in smalltown Batesville, Arkansas, with a baseball glove in one hand and an 18 inch johnson in the other. Over a  6-year stint in the US Marine Corp Reserves, and a 19-year Major League career that saw him wear the jerseys of the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday became a mainstay. . But not just for swinging bats and catching fly balls. He's the guy who turned a regular game day into an episode of "National Treasure."

Bettmann. Getty Images.

On a sunny 25th of April 1976, while the Cubs faced off against the Dodgers, Rick spotted a couple of would-be flag burners trying to light up the old stars and stripes right there in the outfield. With cat-like reflexes, Monday dashed across the field and scooped up the flag before it could catch fire. The crowd went wild, and suddenly, Monday wasn't just a baseball player; he was Captain America

That iconic flag save didn't just make headlines, it became the stuff of legend, the kind of story you tell at a barbecue to impress your friends. Rick's act of patriotism was a home run in the middle of a cultural storm, reminding everyone that sometimes, heroes don't wear capes, they wear ballcaps. 

Something very apropos today. 

After hanging up his spikes in 1984, Monday didn't just disappear into the annals of sports history. He traded his bat for a mic, becoming the voice that brought Dodgers games to life for listeners, sharing his insights and probably a few stories about outfield shenanigans. Off the air, he’s been as busy as a retired superhero can be, championing veterans' causes and helping out in the community. 

Celebrating Rick Monday means tipping our caps to a man who not only played baseball but also played a pivotal role in a moment of national significance. It's acknowledging that while his stats can be measured with runs, hits, and home runs, his real impact might just be measured in stars and stripes. 

So cheers to and tip one out tonight to Rick Monday.

God Bless America!