Press Release: Rick Monday to be Honored at July 25 Awards Presentation in Cooperstown

-- Historic Flag Saved at Dodger Stadium 50 Years ago on Exhibit as Part of Museum’s Celebration of United States’ 250th Birthday -- (COOPERSTOWN, NY) – Fifty years later, fans are still marveling at Rick Monday’s great grab at Dodger Stadium.   This summer in Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will pay tribute at the annual Awards Presentation in Cooperstown.   On April 25, 1976, in Los Angeles, Monday was playing center field for the Chicago Cubs in a game against the Dodgers. During the fourth inning, two fans entered the field, spread the flag on the left-center field grass and doused it with lighter fluid.   Monday, a veteran of the Marine Corps reserves who was in his 11th big league season, dashed over from his post, grabbed the flag with his right hand and sprinted away before handing it to Dodgers pitcher Doug Rau. The Sunday afternoon crowd of 25,167 fans responded with a standing ovation, and when Monday came to bat an inning later, the Dodger Stadium message board said: “Rick Monday…You made a great play.”   As part of the Museum’s celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the flag Monday rescued will be on exhibit at the Hall of Fame beginning Memorial Day Weekend when Monday will participate in the Hall of Fame Military Classic through Labor Day Weekend. The flag, which Monday has preserved since saving it and is loaning to the Museum for the summer, has never previously been exhibited in one public location like this.   California-based artist Dave Hobrecht will recreate Monday’s famous flag rescue by live painting the iconic scene for visitors while at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during Friday and Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend.   Special merchandise commemorating the 50th anniversary of Monday’s great save will be available at the brand new Hall of Fame Museum Store in Cooperstown and online at shop.baseballhall.org, including:  Limited-Edition Autographed Bats. Crafted from premium ash hardwood, these full-size collectible bats feature a special engraved image commemorating Rick Monday’s iconic rescue of the American flag. Limited to just 50 pieces, each bat is personally hand-signed by Rick Monday, individually serial numbered on the handle and manufactured in Cooperstown by the Cooperstown Bat Company. Limited-Edition Photo Mint. Measuring 13 inches by 16 inches, this framed photo mint features a memorable image of Rick Monday saving the American flag, double matted beneath acrylic glass alongside a minted 39mm Chicago Cubs logo coin. Limited to just 50 pieces. Limited-Edition Collectible Pin. This colorful, highly detailed collectible pin features Rick Monday alongside the American flag. Each cloisonné enamel pin is limited to just 1,976 pieces and comes complete with a display case. Image T-Shirt. This commemorative t-shirt featuring Rick Monday rescuing the American flag is made from soft tri-blend fabric, delivering lasting comfort, durability and everyday style. Proceeds from these sales will benefit the Museum’s nonprofit mission to preserve history, honor excellence and connect generations.   Monday will be honored at the July 25 Awards Presentation at the Alice Busch Opera Theater at the Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown along with Ford C. Frick Award winner Joe Buck, Baseball Writers’ Association of America Career Excellence Award winner Paul Hoynes and Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bill White. The Awards Presentation takes place during Hall of Fame Weekend, July 24-27, when Class of 2026 members Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones and Jeff Kent will be inducted.   Monday will also be in Cooperstown on May 23 for the Hall of Fame Military Classic, a seven-inning legends game that will highlight the America 250 events in the Museum throughout the year. Tickets for the Hall of Fame Military Classic are on sale now online or at 1-888-325-0470 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.   The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is open seven days a week year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. From Labor Day through the start of Memorial Day Weekend, the Museum observes daily regular hours of 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 for adults (13 and over), $29 for seniors (65 and over) and $26 for juniors (ages 7-12) and $25 for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations. Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children 6 years of age or younger. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. For more information, visit our website at baseballhall.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.