Trent Lott: “the baseball field has been the setting for some of the most meaningful moments in American history. It was on a…”

“the baseball field has been the setting for some of the most meaningful moments in American history. It was on a baseball field that the great slugger Lou Gehrig, shortly after learning he was suffering from a fatal disease, delivered his poignantly stirring farewell speech, in which he declared himself to be ``the luckiest man on the face of the earth.'' It was on a baseball field that Jackie Robinson broke the color line that had prevented African Americans from competing in the Major Leagues, thus triggering not only integration in professional baseball but the removal of racial barriers throughout American society as well. And it was on a baseball field 30 years ago that another significant moment took place, one that continues to resonate in the minds of millions of Americans. On April 25, 1976, the Chicago Cubs were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in an afternoon game at Dodger Stadium. It was early in the season; thus, not much was riding on the game's outcome. Both teams were under .500 at the time. So for the fans in attendance, there was little reason to believe at the outset that the game ultimately would be anything more than pleasantly forgettable. That all changed during the bottom of the game's fourth inning. The Dodgers were at bat when two protestors ran out onto the outfield grass carrying an American flag. These two proceeded to spread the flag on the ground, douse it with lighter fluid, and pull out some matches.…”