APRIL 25, 1976

On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, Chicago Cub center fielder Rick Monday got a standing ovation that, to many, is still being heard.

Twenty-three years ago today, Monday and 25,167 spectators were startled to see two men run onto the left-field area just before the Dodgers came to bat in the fourth inning carrying an American flag, then kneel down.

One man started pouring lighter fluid on the flag.

Seeing that, Monday ran to them, grabbed the flag away from them and ran away, the man throwing his lighter fluid can at Monday.

“I could tell he wasn’t throwing holy water on it,” Monday said afterward.

“If he’s going to burn a flag, he better do it front of somebody who doesn’t appreciate it. I’ve visited enough veterans’ hospitals and seen enough guys with their legs blown off defending that flag.”

Of the ovation that lasted for several minutes, Monday added: “The way people reacted was terrific, but I felt they were cheering for what the flag meant.”

The man, identified as William Errol Thomas, 37, was arrested and sentenced to pay a $60 fine or spend three days in jail. The young man with him was his son, police said.

Later, in Chicago, Mayor Richard J. Daley named Monday grand marshal of the Chicago Salute to the American Flag Parade.

Also on this date: In 1939, the Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio announced his engagement to actress Dorothy Arnold. . . . In 1958, before 60,635--largest crowd at the time to see a National League night game--Stan Musial, 37, went four for five but the Dodgers beat St. Louis, 5-3. . . . In 1971, Jack Nicklaus won the Tournament of Champions at La Costa by eight strokes. . . . In 1964, Al Oerter, before winning a third straight Olympic gold medal in the discus, broke his world record with a throw of 206-5 3/4 at the Mt. San Antonio College Relays.