Rick Monday Saves Flag From Burning, 40 Years Ago Today

CHICAGO (CBS) -- It has been called the greatest non-baseball play on a baseball field.

Forty years ago today, Cubs' outfielder Rick Monday stopped two men from burning the American flag in Los Angeles.

As Monday recalled in an old video posted on You Tube marking the 30th anniversary, he was running toward the two men when the wind blew out the flame from the first match.

That gave him enough time to sweep in from behind at fetch the flag.

"You could smell the lighter fluid," Monday said. "It was soaking wet."

As the scoreboard displayed the message, "Rick Monday, You Made A Great Play," the fans rose and sang, "God, Bless America."