Who is the man: Rick Monday was entering what would be his sixth and final season with the Athletics. He would be traded at the end of 1971 to the Cubs for pitcher Ken Holtzman.
Can ya dig it: This is one of the first 1971 Topps cards I owned, as you can tell by the beaten corners.
Right on: A terrific "at the batting cage" shot. I don't think I've appreciated how great this photo is.
You see this cat Monday is a bad mother: There has never been anything more bad-ass than Monday running to snatch the American flag from two protesters in the outfield of Dodgers Stadium while a member of the Cubs in 1976. In a true bad-ass statement, Monday said, "If you're going to burn the flag, don't do it around me. I've been to too many veterans' hospitals and seen too many broken bodies of guys who tried to protect it."
Shut your mouth: Monday works Dodger games on the radio with Charley Steiner. I wonder if he's ever said this to Charley?
No one understands him but his woman: Monday can forever say he was the first player ever selected in a Major League Baseball amateur draft. He was the initial choice in the inaugural draft in 1965.
(A word about the back): Topps' arbitrary capitalization of all its letters, which it doesn't do anymore, was something frowned on by my journalism teacher. If the letters aren't initials for anything, then it doesn't get capitalized.
As I have recounted many times on many blogs, Monday was one of the classiest, nicest guys I have ever met and interviewed. I will never forget talking to him in the runway at Dodger Stadium. I still get chills.
ReplyDeleteThe footage of Monday saving the flag brings tears to my eyes. What he said about why he did it was so elegant and in my mind, ledgendary.
ReplyDeleteI like the card too. For me it's something about the lighting and the mysterious smile.
ReplyDeleteI not only was at the flag saving game, but those two idiots were about 3 rows in front of me. Monday was certainly bad ass that day.
ReplyDeleteWhile I respect someone's right to burn the American flag, I certainly also respect someone's right to be offended by it and do something about it, especially when that flag burning is done in an inappropriate place. Rick Monday is freedom.
ReplyDeleteOh, and you will get to the first 1971 card *I* ever owned in 30 spots. I still remember where I got it, how much I paid for it (a dime) and yes, I still have it.
He looks more like a celebrity than a ballplayer there, but I deeply respect his actions against those dimwits (no offense Sam!)
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