Chicago Cubs centerfielder Rick Monday knew something was amiss during the Cubs game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 25, 1976 when he smelled lighter fluid and saw a man and a child huddled in the outfield with an American flag. Monday, a six-year United States Marine Corps reservist, said the duo “gave off a vibe” and rushed towards the duo and snatched the flag before they could strike a match to set it on fire in protest. As Monday ran from the would-be protestors who hurled the can of lighter fluid unsuccessfully at Monday, who returned the fluid-soaked flag to Dodgers pitcher Doug Rau. When Monday appeared at-bat during the fifth inning the scoreboard flashed “Rick Monday-You Made A Great Play!” to great applause. The Dodgers would defeat the Cubs 5-4. A grainy photo shot by James Roark was published in newspapers throughout the country. A country divided during its bicentennial, the moment offered a brief glimpse of the patriotism tarnished by Watergate and the loss of the Vietnam War. Wilson was presented in 2008 with an American flag flown in his honor that was flown over Valley Forge National Park in honor of his rescue.

Presented here are a program and ticket stub from the April 25, 1976 game between the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles where Rick Monday saved the American flag from desecration. The 8 x 10 ¾ -inch program features an image of Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Ron Cey making a throw with an umpire in the background. The top of the program is labeled “DODGERS” in white cursive with a paraph across the top. “’76 SCORECARD” appears below “DODGERS” in red and white. The cost of the program? 35 cents. A 4 x 2-inch ticket stub is stapled to the top of the program and is labeled “LA DODGERS in blue on white background with an image of Dodger stadium, the “LA” logo, and a “NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTENNIAL 1876-1976” logo. The midsection of the ticket stub is labeled “GAME 6 LA DODGERS vs. CUBS SUNDAY, APRIL 25 1976 1:00 P.M.” The bottom of the ticket is labeled “SEASON BOX” and “ADMIT ONE”. The seating information is located at the bottom of the ticket and is labeled “AISLE 123 BOX K SEAT 4” in red. “LOGE BOX” and the price of “$4.50” appear on the bottom of the ticket. The program features elements of edging and cornering and the ticket is torn at the top.

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