This is a rather long grab from another site, but given the message Paul Lukas is sharing and my e-relationship with Paul I don’t think he will mind. Via the great Uni Watch which I hope you read every day. If you don’t, but you come here every day, I am sure you will like Paul’s site.
Anyways, although some think Mets Police is a bitch-fest, we do try to change things for the better, which is why this excerpt stuck with me. So with apologies and respect to Paul…
A day late, but hopefully not a pint short: Yesterday was Sept. 11, so MLB teams wore American flags on their caps. As I mentioned in yesterday’s entry (and have mentioned many other times over the years), I think this is lazy pandering on the part of MLB and an inappropriate gesture on a day of mourning. Several of you sent me emails taking issue with that point. For the most part, we agreed to disagree, but one reader, who prefers to remain anonymous, said, “Instead of criticizing MLB, why not suggest something constructive for 9/11?”
Excellent point. So here’s a story: After the towers fell 12 years ago yesterday, there was a big call for blood donors. I’d never donated blood before, but it seemed like a good idea, so I did it. It felt good to be helping out, even if only by sitting there with a needle in my arm. As it turned out, they didn’t need extra blood after all, because there were no survivors at the towers — only victims. But the hospital system always needs blood anyway, and I was surprised by how good it felt to donate, so I went back and did it again two months later (the minimum time they allow between donations). On that second visit, they had me fill out the paperwork to get a donor’s card, which you see above.
With a couple of exceptions, I’ve continued to give blood every two months for the past dozen years. Every single time, I’ve thought about Sept. 11, and how if my blood ends up helping even one person, then at least a little good will have come out of the tragedy. And if what I’ve written here persuades any of you to donate blood as well, then so much the better.
I should have posted this yesterday, not today. Thanks for your patience, and doubleplusthanks to the reader who suggested the more proactive approach.
Perhaps the Mets could be inspired by this as they approach 9-11-14. I’m sure we will wind up doing another cycle of Wear The Caps, but maybe a blood drive at Citi with guys like Franco, Piazza and yes you Bobby Valentine would be more productive.
Great point by Uniwatch. The caps are symbolic. The main issue is the Mets don’t do anything outside of wearing the American flag caps. This is not enough consudering where the attacks occurred and how the Mets were a visible part of the ensuing days.
OK here’s my take on this… As I believe I read on other sites, MLB has a contract with New Era in regards to the caps. Completely understandable that they don’t want to be in breech of contract or anything like that (even though they did it in the past and just had to pay a small fine). But what if MLB and the Mets were able to work out a deal with New Era and all the first responder units to make special hats that only the Mets (and I guess Yankees too) could wear and have 100% of the profits go to either a 9/11 fund or charity.
Also to go along with Paul’s story. After 9/11, once I was able to (I turned 18 in Nov of 2001) I’ve been giving blood every time I can. I gave every year in college, every time my job had a blood drive and even after Sandy hit the city, I not only donated blood but also 200 bucks of Birthday money to the Sandy relief fun at the American Red Cross.
I’m not from the city, I’m from upstate NY near Albany and even though the only connections I have to the city are Sports teams and people I know from college, I still feel like every little bit I do like donating blood or donating money helps out in some way/shape/ or form.