Great Patriotic Moments in Dodgers History

As we celebrate Independence Day in America, the Fourth of July presents to us with an opportunity to reminisce about some of the great Patriotic Moments in Dodgers History.

July 4th put us in the spirit where we are going to highlight five of these moments.  Starting with number five, the most recent:

5. DODGERS WEARING THESE STARS & STRIPES CAPS & JERSEYS (July 4, 2016)

Per Eric Stephen with SB Nation’s True Blue LA blog:

“Another holiday weekend is upon us, with July 4 coming on Monday. With that comes special event caps and jerseys, with proceeds from all cap and jersey sales this time around donated to Welcome Back Veterans.

The designs to be worn on Monday feature a very aggressive integration of the stars and stripes into both the caps …

… and jerseys.

The Dodgers play the Orioles on Monday at 6:10 p.m. PT.

Major league teams aren’t alone on July 4. Minor league teams are in on the act as well. Here is the Oklahoma City cap, for instance:

4. A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON & VARIOUS RENDITIONS OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM (“The Star Spangled Banner”) SUNG/PLAYED AT DODGER STADIUM

Per the Smithsonian website:

“[The author of the “Star Spangled Banner”] Francis Scott Key was a gifted amateur poet. Inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry the morning after the bombardment, he scribbled the initial verse of his song on the back of a letter. Back in Baltimore, he completed the four verses (PDF) and copied them onto a sheet of paper, probably making more than one copy. A local printer issued the new song as a broadside. Shortly afterward, two Baltimore newspapers published it, and by mid-October it had appeared in at least seventeen other papers in cities up and down the East Coast.

This 19th century version (MP3) of the Star-Spangled Banner was performed on original instruments from the National Museum of American History’s collection. Arranged by G. W. E. Friederich, the music is played as it would have been heard in 1854.”

History.com also provides us with “9 Things You May Not Know About “The Star-Spangled Banner,”” which you can read about here. Number “5” on the list you may find interesting:

“It did not become the national anthem until more than a century after it was written. 
Along with “Hail Columbia” and “Yankee Doodle,” “The Star-Spangled Banner” was among the prevalent patriotic airs in the aftermath of the War of 1812. During the Civil War, “The Star-Spangled Banner” was an anthem for Union troops, and the song increased in popularity in the ensuing decades, which led to President Woodrow Wilson signing an executive order in 1916 designating it as “the national anthem of the United States” for all military ceremonies. On March 3, 1931, after 40 previous attempts failed, a measure passed Congress and was signed into law that formally designated “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem of the United States.”

Now enjoy some of the select renditions performed at Dodger Stadium, with a bonus feature:

–Nancy Bea Hefley, Dodgers’ organist for 28 years, retired after the 2015 season

–Sabrina Carpenter sings great National Anthem

–Roxy Darr sings National Anthem

–Nicole Scherzinger sings National Anthem

And finally, on April 7, 1977, Frank Sinatra sang the National Anthem…

Honorable mention: Ray Charles sings “America the Beautiful” prior to game two of the 2001 World Series, a little more than a month after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

3. VIN SCULLY NARRATES A FEW STORIES FOR US ABOUT AMERICA LIKE ONLY HE CAN (Various dates):

–On baseball and the Fourth of July

–On President Ronald Reagan, a dear friend of Vin’s

–Vin Scully and President Ronald Reagan call an inning of the 1989 All-Star Game

–Vin Scully’s tells amazing stories about the American Flag

Vin Scully is truly is our National Treasure. We are blessed to have him with us.

2. JACKIE ROBINSON, FERNANDO VALENZUELA, HIDEO NOMO . . .

Actor and comedian Bill Murray said it best in the 1981 movie “Stripes,” paraphrasing, we are Americans, a bunch of mutts, kicked out of every decent country on the planet, see here for some truth in laughing.

We previously wrote about the Dodgers rich history of changing the game and doing what American’s do best, leading the way and providing freedom to many. Our country, despite its issues and problems over the years, still provides the best place on earth to pursue your dreams.  Jackie Robinson, Fernando Valenzuela, Hideo Nomo, Yasiel Puig, and many more to wear a Dodgers uniform are examples of that dream fulfilled.

1. RICK MONDAY SAVES AMERICAN FLAG (April 25, 1976)

Per the Discover Los Angeles blog:

“On April 25, 1976, two protesters ran onto the Dodger Stadium outfield and tried to set fire to an American flag. Chicago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday ran over and grabbed the flag to thunderous applause from the fans. Monday handed the flag to Dodgers pitcher Doug Rau, and the ballpark police officers arrested the two protesters. When Monday came to bat in the next half-inning, he received a standing ovation from the crowd, and the message board flashed, “RICK MONDAY… YOU MADE A GREAT PLAY…” At the end of the season, the Cubs traded Monday to the Dodgers in a five-player deal. The trade marked a homecoming for Monday, who was born and raised in Santa Monica. After retiring, Monday began his broadcasting career as a sports anchor on KTTV in Los Angeles in 1985. Monday joined the Dodgers’ broadcast team in 1993, and earned an Emmy Award for Live Sports Coverage in 2001. Monday currently serves as an analyst for all 162 games alongside play-by-play announcer Charley Steiner. In 2005, USA Today ranked the Dodgers’ radio broadcast team, featuring Vin Scully, Monday and Steiner, as the best in Major League Baseball.”

Here Vin Scully discussed the importance of the moment.

Here Vin Scully calls the play and Rick Monday discusses why he acted as he did.

Happy Fourth of July to you and yours, while wishing you a wonderful Independence Day, a day of remembrance for the sacrifices made for freedom and celebration of that freedom, so precious indeed.