Jan
4
2012

From Left Field: Do You Bleed Orange And Blue?

An article by Jim Mancari

Our site moderator Joe D. informed us a few days ago of a blood drive that the Mets are hosting Thursday, Jan. 5 at Citi Field.

The team is offering a voucher for free tickets to a select game in April for anyone that donates.

It got me thinking, how many fans would be willing to bleed for their team?

OK, so it’s only a pint of blood, but there are many people out there who are afraid of needles or don’t like the sight of their own or someone else’s blood.

If I were around, I’d be the first in line to donate Thursday. I donated last year at a local mall in which the prize was a pair Mets tickets.

I’m a regular blood donator, so the chance to get Mets tickets would merely be an added bonus to something that I would do any way.

But I’m curious, how many people who are not regular donators will be going out of their way on Thursday just to score free tickets to see the Mets?

It’s not like Mets tickets are so impossible to get because the team has been great for the last few years. In fact, this, like the team’s coat drive, is an “excuse” to give away tickets. I say “excuse” because both are really for great causes and should be thought about even without the prize of free tickets.

Giving a coat is one thing, but enduring the pain of a needle for someone not accustomed to it can be a traumatic experience.

Not to mention that the game the team is offering is in April, which will likely be a freezing cold early season night in Flushing.

But again, we’ll find out who truly “bleeds” orange and blue. Hopefully, the blood drive has a great turnout and those fans show up in full force to Citi Field.

So back to the previous question: Are there any fans out there who aren’t regular donators that are willing to sacrifice in order to see their favorite team live and for free?

About the Author: Jim Mancari

Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.

5 Comments + Add Comment

saltygary January 4, 2012 at 7:18 pm

I bleed Sandy Alderson
Trade Wright for Nolan Arenado January 4, 2012 at 7:59 pm

Off topic (from this wildly entertaining article *sigh*)…Marlins just got Zambrano from the Cubs. Once again, I would have mentioned this in the shoutbox, but it’s gone.
srt January 4, 2012 at 8:05 pm

My thoughts are more along the lines of why would any need an incentive to donate a pint of blood that could potentially help save a life?

I used to give regularly at work in my younger years until a chronic health problem ended that. Had a Co work who started donating just to get past the fear of needles. I’d have to say if having to face a needle to give blood is the worst thing you ever have to face health-wise, you’re way ahead of the game.

And yeah, I’d take those free tickets. Bad baseball or not, it’s still my NY Mets.
Lorenzo January 4, 2012 at 10:53 pm

I’ll be there with my wife and brother in law. We’re not more than 20 minutes away, we love the team and it’s a nice thing to do.
Kay January 5, 2012 at 7:48 am

Giving blood, imo, is one of the most important and selfless things you can do. If I was closer I’d do it. There are plenty of blood drives going on for the LI Fireman that was hurt in Crown Heights recently, I will try and get to one of those.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	24	18	.571	-
Nationals	23	20	.535	1.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.5
Mets	16	24	.400	7.0
Marlins	11	32	.256	13.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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