Baseball's Best Moments - Blue Monday (1981 NLCS)

[@Oobaglunk]

I was in junior high school in L.A. and our teacher let us watch the end of the game on a school television. Nearly 40 years ago, yet I remember it so vividly.

[@jacktalavera8158]

same!

[@em23]

I was in the 5th grade, our teacher mr. cohen was a dodgers fan and we watched this on tv in the classroom.

[@stevep8445]

Was in 9th grade, my buddy and I found an empty classroom and were watching. Principal noticed us, and opened the door. Saw we were watching the game and not doing anything bad and left.

[@chesterwarfield5791]

I was in elementary school and we listened to it on the radio with some of teachers. When Monday hit that homerun the playground went crazy.

[@jonnydanger7181]

I was jr high our science teacher sat there watching a small tv by herself.

[@captaindeluxe7328]

As an Expo fan, this literally broke my heart. I can recall getting up from my chair and racing to the TV to turn it off to spare me the pain of watching Tommy Lasorda come waddling out of the Dodger dugout.

[@eugenepanneton6505]

I am 57 years old … and to this day … i am still hurting !! I don’t know anybody who were an expos fan who does not still feel nostalgia … as you know, this is an emotional portion of the history of our culture … Quebec !! If we could turn back time !!

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

Especially knowing that 1981 Yankees team was beatable…

[@timothyasofran]

Rick Monday was my favorite player growing up as a Cubs fan. In my opinion he was very underrated. One of my most fond memories was while attending a Cubs game in the 70's Rick Monday led off in the 1st inning and smacked a Home Run onto the green tarp in center field! Thanks Rick for the memories!

[@thomasreithmeier5405]

First ever player to be drafted in the history of the MLB draft

[@Ports2]

Watched the end of that game in the mailroom at work. I learned one lesson. Never bring a starter in to close out a game in cold weather. If they’re not loose and give up a solo HR in the first inning nobody cares but in the 9th or extras, they’re the goat.

[@marknicholas4647]

i grew up in San José, CA as an SF Giants fan; however, this is one of the greatest homeruns in MLB history. whenever i am feeling "blue", i watch the fantastic Blue Monday blast.

[@jacktalavera8158]

Rick Monday's a class act

[@shanedawson-xt3wt]

He totally deserved it for what he did in 1976 saving the American flag!!!!!!

[@kev6141]

I was and still am a diehard Dodger fan in Colorado.. my 5th grade PE teacher pulled me out of class to watch the game that day in the library because he knew what it meant to me.. I can still see Mondays home run.. thanks Mister Conti

[@cuznvinnie818]

Bill "Spaceman" Lee said he would've struck out Rick Monday had he been sent in to pitch and Montreal would have gone to the World Series. I guess we'll never know. Thank you Jim Fanning, from a Dodgers fan.

[@jacktalavera8158]

I watched this game from my high school "home room" in Whittier, Ca. in '81 , from a little black and white tv. For me, that was my Kirk Gibson homerun in Dodger history....Rick Monday's 9th inning HR. in Montreal...Dodgers win the WS in '81.

[@idansolon4715]

Your teacher let you watch a game?

[@Lacheyenona72]

Yes sir For me, its Cody Bellingers' go ahead homerun in 2020 NLCS Gm7

[@bubhub64]

Yep for me, it was our principle turning on the speakers to all the classrooms, listening to the Dodgers playoffs in 77 when the Dodgers scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth in game three of the 77 NL division series to overtake the Phillies. You can hear the cheers from all the classes in the school when the Dodgers won. This was back in the days when the playoffs were on during school hours. Man those were the days in baseball.

[@stephenkammerling9479]

I recall that game, but I'm pretty sure it was in Philadelphia. The Dodgers held the lead to win game,then won National League pennant the next night.

[@arturoalvarado4030]

I was a high school senior. I wasn’t about to miss this game. I told my mom I wasn’t feeling well. She let me stay home. I jumped as high as I could from the sofa when the ball cleared the fence. Great memories! Clutch performance by Fernando as well!

[@MikerodRod]

Haha.. my ,oldest brother and I played hookie that day just to watch that game! What memories!!!

[@danielkelegian5306]

70's, 80's Dodger's. Those were great teams.

[@jonrobles1468]

I was going home from school and heard Vin Scully's call on the radio. I was all excited! It was in the mid-30's in Montreal when Monday hit that HR on a Monday!

[@Henry-jr1lj]

I was an Expos fanatic at the time and that one pitch literally broke my heart. Rick Monday's homer happened on a Monday afternoon. I will never forget it!

[@MG-dj7jv]

Rumor has it that you can still see that ball making it to the Outfield in Montreal

[@fabio40]

I was at this game. I remember it was really cold and damp, and I had a really bad cold at the time. By the time the 8th inning came around I was so sick I begged my dad to leave. As a result we missed the home run. LoL.

[@stephenkammerling9479]

According to Lasorda, the Expos were yapping about what an advantage the cold weather was for them. He supposedly gathered team together and read off the home towns of the Expo's players. Most were from warm climates in US or from Latin America. Lasorda was telling them the Expo players didn't like the cold weather anymore than the LOS ANGELES Dodger s did.

[@snake9911]

I remember that. I was only 18 years old at the time. I remember that cost the Montreal Expos a trip to the world series. Seeing this clip reminds me of Gary Carter. I was very sad when Gary Carter passed away.

[@mr.hanger]

Me too, Buddy. Me too.

[@snake9911]

@@mr.hanger It's hard to believe that in October, (2021). That will be 40 years ago, when that happened. Where has the time gone?

[@mr.hanger]

@@snake9911 I was 16 yr old kid with nothing but baseball and girls on my brain. His death came as a reality check for me. These guys were my idols, but they're not immortal. Good talkin' to ya, friend!

[@snake9911]

@@mr.hanger I always thought that Gary Carter was one of the greatest catchers in baseball. It was very sad that he passed away. Just think, you are on 2 years younger than me. I am glad that Gary Carter made it to the Hall of Fame, also. Thanks 👍.

[@fernandoguevara8258]

I was not a Dodger fan, I was not an Expos fan. I was a Mets fan at the time. But, it's moments like these that no one forgets!

[@Jiltedin2007]

I was at College at the time, and I brought A Transistor Radio to class with me listening to Ross Porter call this Home Run by Monday.

[@jacktalavera8158]

love Ross!

[@vincentlopez8883]

Robert James Monday, Jr. Great utility player. Started many game with the A's, Cubs and Dodgers. Excellent pitch hitter. Great glove in the outfield. Like the 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers year when they also won the World Series..the year of the improbable...The Impossible has happened!- Vin Scully

[@thedanholmes]

He was the #1 pick in the draft and was an All-Star several times. He was not a utility player.

[@vincentlopez8883]

Do you know how to read...at one point Monday in his later years became a utility player...I did mention that he started many games for the respected clubs that he play for. Whether it's Facebook or KZbin...we always have to have a A-Hole in the post.

[@Chris-hp2gg]

The Expos were up 2-1 in that best of five series. Let it get away. I was on the bus coming home from Richelieu Valley High School when I heard the home run call on the bus radio. Crushing.😢

[@82ghall]

was at work as a 21 year old . found the game on the radio

[@edwardanthony7283]

Rick played for well over 15 years for a couple of different teams.. Got it done.

[@fredbobberts5753]

Two fun teams for sure

[@jacktalavera8158]

Rick Monday..the Dodgers savior!

[@danswanson5546]

I was a sophomore in high school that year. I stayed home to watch the game. Mom didn’t like that too much. 😅

[@mr.hanger]

I'm a cardies fan, but Rick Monday is hands down one of the greatest ever. (I hope Yadier Molina doesn't read this!)

[@dirknowitzki3891]

Yadier Molina wouldn't do anything. He's passive aggressive. At the most he'd belly bump you.

[@roberthuot7887]

Was bummed the expos couldn't be there. But the dodgers took care of them no good yanks,,,,, ooohh ya!

[@acesnoopy]

Great video

[@streetcarjay]

Even until today. Rick Moday is still the most hated man in Montreal. You mention his name anywhere in the city, and you get killed.

[@fatfreddyscat5767]

Is that really true? Monday still broadcasts Dodgers games. Good thing for him Montreal no longer In league.

[@daboys1215]

@@fatfreddyscat5767 No. It's not. For awhile though he couldn't eat at restaurants here because the other customers would make such a fuss that owners would have to ask him to leave. He was not liked around here for a long time. That day will always be known as "Blue Monday" here.

[@mrtee83]

Monday hit that homerun and later wasn't welcomed to a Montréal restaurant. That's crazy!!!

[@jonnydanger7181]

Didn’t they just get on the plane back to la?

[@kevinpayton2664]

He told that story on the documentary about the Expos on MLB Network. Rick and Steve Yeager were having dinner at a Montreal restaurant years later and were told to leave. I guess whoever it was who wanted Rick to leave was still upset about the home run.

[@Burton_aka]

Sounds like they weren't deserving of a team to begin with. They were typical satellites, with their pocket firmly immersed in the Carribbean.

[@luiseduardoalcantara8332]

Gracias a este home run, los Dodgers pudieron acceder a la serie mundial de 1981, que después ganarían de manera fantástica a los Yanquis de Nueva York, con la consagración de un pitcher jovencito que apenas debutaba en la gran carpa: Fernando Valenzuela. Emoción!!!

[@josedelcarmenocanahernande5993]

Hoy 8 de nov de 2022 me puse a ver este video, y es increíble que ese partido lo ví en una televisión blanco y negro....y Vi ese Home run ....y efectivamente el Dodgers fue campeón....mi papá es y sigue siendo un fanático del béisbol...que tiempos aquellos..jamás volveran

[@daboys1215]

I will never forgive Jim Fanning for that Steve Rogers stunt.

[@josedelcarmenocanahernande5993]

Tenía yo 12 años cuando ese partido se dió.....y me acuerdo perfectamente....yo jugaba el béisbol en una ranchería y toda esa comunidad veía el béisbol ...hoy a mis 53 solo los recuerdos de esa serie mundial tan épica que jamás se volvió a repetir

[@jonnydanger7181]

That World Series with Jerry Ruess winning game 5 in LA I always remember 👍

[@sean9448]

Is it just me or did the Expos logo look like the letters elb? Always confused me.

[@danielwarren3138]

Yeah I've always thought the same - I've read somewhere that could stand for Expos Les Baseball or Expos League Baseball but that all sounds like codswallop to me.

[@janicelake6600]

Enjoyed this!

[@xevierred6330]

I watched this as an 11 year old kid. It was incredible. But in 82 it was Joe Morgan in the same fashion that put the Dodgers out. It was horrible.

[@davanmani556]

And Rick Monday watched that ball go over his head.

[@ab8588]

@@davanmani556 after the Padres had beaten the Braves on the last game of the season

[@Jiltedin2007]

Montreal Ace Steve Rogers pitching to Rick Monday.

[@ronscott7]

I was in the 5th grade and we were watching in the cafeteria!!

[@demetriusrobinson6944]

I was a freshman at Ramona High School i remover Mr Brock who was really straight laced let us listen to the game on the radio in algebra class

[@joejordan1259]

We love you Rick.

[@Buddycoop1]

Strange he named all former Cubs. Monday, Dawson, Scott, Burris, Lopes.

[@spacerazer]

Another result of the long delay in installing the tower and the roof.

[@rollo131]

Kind of looked like he hit it off the end of the bat, I’m surprised it carried that far.

[@allanvaillancourt5896]

Broke my heart

[@jonnydanger7181]

The Cincinnati Reds had the best record in baseball that year and did not make the playoffs.

[@kevinpayton2664]

That was an odd setup for the playoffs that season and that's because of the strike.

[@jasonleetaiwan]

The Dodgers made it the first round, so naturally they didn't try as hard the second round. It was not a good set up. Should have just made it cumulative like it always is.

[@jonnydanger7181]

@@jasonleetaiwan yes I agree. Terribly set up and to this day it still makes no sense why they did that.

[@thomasjuhl9197]

Howie Kendrick just got revenge!

[@Mitch-wi3ec]

You damn right -fan from Montréal

[@darrenmoran3539]

Wasn't freezing rain and snow

[@gary5782]

Looks like he missed the first base bag. Let’s throw over and ask the ump.

[@claudiolazzerini867]

Rogers a lancé une balle en plein centre et haute qu'elle erreur au lieu d envoyer le joueur au 1 er but à 3 Ball 1 prise.

[@AlainSylvestre]

here a fan expos. It was a sad moment. A that moment the expos was doom after that.

[@diamonddog13]

I call BS on that. Many teams suffer bad beats and go on to success afterward. (Remember Aaron Boone against the Red Sox in 2003?) What doomed the Expos was poor management that made the team worse each succeeding year after 1981 instead of improving it.

[@ronniewoodinsteadofmt2615]

All these great high school memories if we you were.?? Today the high school kids don’t even know baseball. Nor would the liberal teachers put it on for kids. Sad

[@alexp7185]

Almost had a stroke trynna read this😂 stay classy, boomer

[@ronniewoodinsteadofmt2615]

@@alexp7185Lol Alex . Damn you nailed me .!! Lol 😂 Good GOD are you on top of it . I’m 61 and right now feeling about as sharp as a bowling ball.!! But you ? Sharp as a razor in a tuxedo.!! I had to show my wife what you wrote . Lol 😂 classic . Have a good rest of the year Sir Alex . Sign Joey - Y Town Ohio.

[@ronniewoodinsteadofmt2615]

@@alexp7185 One more thing . Based on my Rolling Stones handle you know I loved Tommy Lasorda too.!! Later !

[@fourniey]

Quelle mauvais décision de Jim Fanning; tous savaient que Rogers n'avait jamais une bonne première manche.

[@mikeharris6722]

expos were robbed