Who says there’s nothing to do on a Thursday in January? Three things you the Mets fan should know about:
1) Blood drive [1] at Citi Field (I swear I was gonna say “at Shea”) between 10 and 5. Good cause, of course, and a bonus show of appreciation from your New York Metropolitans in the way of two tickets for a game in April when you roll up your sleeve and give; a discount at the team store is part of the bargain, too. The donations will be, shall we say, collected in Caesars Club — no fancy seats required, just a vein. Enter Hodges gate on the first base side. Park in Lot G if your mode of transportation involves parking.
2) As noted in the previously posted consideration of George Vecsey [2], the columnist who covered Casey Stengel and the ’62 Mets will be taking part in the Varsity Letters [3] series of sports literature reading, 7:30, the Gallery at LPR [4] on Bleecker between Sullivan and Thompson [5], an establishment accessible via multiple subway lines. Joining George (who recently published a biography of early Met-killer Stan Musial [6]) will be Mark Ribowsky, author of a new bio of the first Mets radio pre- and postgame host [7], otherwise known as Howard Cosell [8]. Dave Zirin, who has lately written about John Carlos and the 1968 Olympics [9], will round out a formidable trio of writers for your listening/q&a pleasure.
3) If you’re intent on sticking to your couch Thursday night, SNY has at 7:30 a…wait for it…new Mets Classic! The network delves deep into its vaults and fishes out from July 3, 2011, the Subway Series game that made Jason Bay seem like a bargain [10]. (Gosh, I can remember it like it took place six months ago.) No, it’s not some incredible video find from 1973 or even the pre-SNY 2000s, but as we often say of our Bayloved left fielder, it’s better than nothing.