April 25, 1976

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of one of baseball’s most patriotic acts that still receives deserved recognition.

Rick Monday, then an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs, was warming up between innings at Dodger Stadium on April 25, 1976. Two men jumped out of the left field stands and ran to centerfield (apparently, security wasn’t quite so quick to respond as they are today). Monday noticed they weren’t the usual drunken fan streaking the field; rather, they seemed purposed as they were carrying things with them.

It wasn’t long before their intentions were clear. They unfurled an American Flag on the center field grass and proceeded to douse it with lighter fluid. This was all Monday needed to see, as he quickly sprinted towards the men. Before they could get a match lit and ignite the flag, Monday swooped in and snatched Old Glory from the men and high-tailed it to the dugout (he stated afterwards he was unsure if the flag was on fire or not).

Monday was eventually presented that very flag as a gift of appreciation for his efforts of patriotism, and it hangs in his home to this day. Though he didn’t make it big as a ballplayer, Monday left a unforgettable mark on the game that day. His act was less a political statement, as the men who attempted to burn the symbol of America, and more a message of respect that applies even today. In fact, Monday still receives letters from people thanking him for his heroic actions that fateful day.

Hats off to you, Monday. May we all continue to learn from your example.

It was a horrid weekend in Canada, where the Sox dropped two of three to the Blue Jays, including a gut-wrenching 11-inning loss on Friday with Beckett on the mound. Cruising with a 6-2 lead, Beckett plunks Aaron Hill to lead off the eighth inning, most like retaliation from an earlier beaning of Sox shortstop Alex Gonzalez, and promptly gives up a two-run blast to the next batter, cutting the lead to 6-4. Vernon Wells steps up and delivers another long ball, and now the Sox lead is down to one. Enter the usually reliable Mike Timlin. Usually. Troy Glaus takes him deep to tie the game. Four runs for the Jays in the bottom of the eighth inning, costing Beckett his win, and eventually the game for the Sox.

Some people will blame Beckett for the collapse, saying there was no reason to retaliate by plunking the Toronto batter. It didn’t appear as though Gonzalez was hit intentionally, especially not to load the bases with Youkilis on deck. Besides, a weak hitter like Gonzalez is exactly who you want to pitch to in that situation, beings as close to an automatic out as you can get in the Sox lineup.

Perhaps Beckett just wanted to show his team he’s not afraid to stand up for them, to fight back when provoked. He was sitting on a nice cushion of a four-run lead at that point, so what not a better time to give the Jays a little shove back into their place? I have to chalk it up to simple bad luck that it fell apart like it did after that play, hardly the fault of the young ace. I love Beckett’s fire and passion on the hill, and hope he keeps that drive with him throughout the season.

Now the Sox are in Cleveland, taking on a pesky Indians squad. I’m saddened that Coco Crisp is still on the DL with his fractured finger (until May 15 now) and unable to take the field against his former team. Indians fans seem like a good bunch, and I’m sure he would have received a well-deserved ovation for the time he spent there.

Manny announced his presence to his former team with authority in the Sox win last night, going 3-for-4 with a decisive 3-run homer in the eighth that put the Sox up for good. Manny is starting to rip the ball lately, driving three home runs and raising his once-anemic average to a more suitable .300. That sound you hear is a collective sigh of relief from the Red Sox Nation. Manny had a sluggish start last year, and never fully recovered at the plate. Let’s hope his current trend of being patient, getting good swings and hitting the snot out of the ball continues.

Has Charlie Sheen joined the Red Sox? Nah, that’s just Jonathan Papelbon showing off his new ‘do. Boston’s new ace closer was sporting a Wild Thing-meets-Taxi Driver hairstyle in Toronto over the weekend, and had all of the Red Sox Nation in stitches over the apparent rookie hazing.

However, turns out the new style was the result of a bet with teammate Kevin Youkilis. The weird part is that Papelbon WON the bet, and still walked away with the funny new fro. Beings that Youkilis has been shaving his head for the past couple years, I really don’t want to imagine what he had to shave for the bet.

The Red Sox have a new “sideline reporter” for their home games this season. Tina Cervasio can been seen throughout NESN broadcasts of Sox games in Fenway, giving quick stand-ups from the stands inbetween innings and pitches, as well as post-game interviews with players and coaches. I was lucky enough to attend college with Mrs. Cervasio, and can attest that she is just as energetic and eager as she appears on television. She always had a broad, bright smile for people when we shared a classroom, and that trait seems to have carried over wonderfully to her broadcasting career.

Unfortunately, Tina has been getting ripped by some Sox fans for her performance so far this season. Statheads on sonsofsamhorn.com, who can be rather snobbish about their fanboy stances at times, have taken to discussing her efforts on their message boards, relentlessly bashing her for asking less-than-insightful questions and stumbling through her stand-ups. Even ESPN’s Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, took a moment in a recent article to hurl some insults her way (which were kinda funny, I have to admit).

My message: cut her some slack. The sideline reporter at a baseball game is useless enough as is, adding little to the game besides irritating breaks in the action that force viewers to watch a small split-screen of the game when the reporter is going through their stand-up. Cervasio isn’t the first reporter to fill that role for the Sox, and she won’t be the last. She’s just doing the job she was given, and doing it to the best of her ability. She may have some moments when she stumbles, but who doesn’t? Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy, Sox television announcers, have tripped and laughed their way through broadcasts more than once, in their time. It’s not such a big deal if the new reporter does it, too.

Good luck to ya, Tina. Boston’s a tough nut to crack, but keep beaming that grin and we’ll all come around.