https://notthebee.com/article/45-years-ago-today-this-happened-back-when-pro-sports-and-pro-athletes-loved-americaI don't know what I was thinking," said Monday, who had spent six years in the Marine Corp reserve. "But I knew what they were doing was wrong."
The pair was attempting to set fire to an American flag after dousing it with lighter fluid. But the matches kept blowing out in the breeze, giving Monday a chance to sprint and snatch the cloth. Monday handed the flag to Dodger pitcher Doug Rau, who was not in the game.
"If you're going to burn the flag, don't do it around me," Monday said after the game, won by the Dodgers 5–4 in 10 innings. "I've been to too many veterans' hospitals and seen too many broken bodies of guys who tried to protect it."