The Texas Rangers found a colorful way to promote a stadium blood drive being held on Friday in Arlington.
All fans attending the series opener against the Kansas City Royals at Globe Life Field will receive a “Nolan Ryan Bloody Lip” jersey.
The unique promotional item “replicates the stain” that was created when a comebacker off the bat of Royals outfielder Bo Jackson struck Hall of Fame pitcher Ryan in the face on Sept. 8, 1990 at Arlington Stadium.
“Despite suffering a blood-gushing wound on his bottom lip, which stained his jersey, Ryan remained in the game and went on to fire (seven) innings of one-run ball as part of a 2-1 Texas victory,” the Rangers said in a news release on Wednesday.
The Rangers also are encouraging fans to don bloody lip makeup for a chance to appear on the “Bloody Lip Cam” on the jumbotron during the game.
Carter BloodCare will host a blood drive outside the stadium beginning at 3:30 p.m. CT on Friday.
In addition to the promotional jerseys, a pregame happy hour at the ballpark will offer red-dyed beers for $4.49 “as a nod to Ryan’s grit” from the time the gates open at 5 p.m. CT until the first pitch.
