While you’ve likely heard lots of stories about the superstars of this year’s World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Yankees – plus the fact that these two teams have met 11 previous times in the fall classic – have you also heard about the fun wagers?
As a Los Angeles native, I’ve heard about them and would like to share, especially since all have a marketing impact on tourism, commerce, personal branding, or brand identity (or a combination).
MAYORS
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a challenge, “My good friend, Mayor Bass, I am challenging you. If we win, you have to wear the New York Yankees jersey around City Hall in Los Angeles. If we lose, which we won't, I will wear the Dodgers jersey around City Hall here in New York. Looking forward to this great rivalry for many years, and I am waiting to see you wear New York Yankees pinstripes in City Hall in Los Angeles.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass responded, “Alright Mayor Adams, you're on. I can't wait to see you wear the Dodgers jersey in City Hall and all around New York City. Go Dodgers!”
GOVERNORS
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a challenge, “Here's my wager to you, Governor. If it turns out that I win, and I will, I'll be requiring that you display in your office some Yankees memorabilia. If the opposite occurs, we'll talk about that then, but I would have to do the same for you. So that's my wager to you, Governor Newsom, you'll have to show some of our great Yankees swag, our memorabilia, right in your office and show a lot of visitors once we win this series, so let's play ball.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded, “Hochul, game on. When the Dodgers take home the trophy, I expect to see Dodger blue not in the corner, but proudly displayed all over your office. Look, I recognize for the first time in 40 years, we've got the Dodgers and the Yankees squaring off in the World Series. Mad respect. And mad respect for the Yankees proud past, your history. But as we say in California, we're in the future business. California knows not only how to win championships, but to mint them."
SHERIFFS
Errol D. Toulon, Jr., New York’s Suffolk County Sheriff, challenged Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna to a bet: the Sheriff from the losing team’s city should wear the other team’s hat. Toulon is a former bad boy for the Yankees and said on Instagram, “When we beat the Dodgers, I would expect Sheriff Luna to wear a Yankee hat for the entire day. And if for some reason the Dodgers should win, I will wear a Dodgers hat for a day." Sheriff Luna responded by accepting the challenge.
ARCHBISHOP OF LOS ANGELES AND NEW YORK CARDINAL
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez and New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan announced a friendly wager: If the Dodgers win the World Series, Cardinal Dolan must send Archbishop Gomez a box of New York-style bagels. If the Yankees win, Archbishop Gomez must send Cardinal Dolan a box of Randy’s Donuts.
According to OSV News, in addition, “Both prelates will be directing their respective followers to take part in the rivalry by making donations to baseballunites.com, a site that will direct funds to both the New York-based John Cardinal O’Connor School and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Catholic Education Foundation. Whichever team wins the World Series will earn their region’s educational institution 60 percent of what’s raised; the losing region will get 40 percent.”
According to Archbishop Gomez. “Baseball truly unites us as a country, but in every contest there has to be a winner, and that will be the Dodgers! I know my friend Cardinal Dolan is a good sport, and I’m going to enjoy the New York bagels that he will be sending me. I’m also grateful for this chance to highlight the great work of our Catholic schools in LA and New York and across the country. Go Blue!”
According to Carinal Dolan, “I’m grateful to my brother Archbishop Gomez for agreeing to this friendly wager. I’m looking forward to three things: 1. A great World Series with the Yankees winning their 28th Championship; 2. Enjoying Randy’s Donuts; 3. Raising awareness of and support for the John Cardinal O’Connor School and the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles.”
PINK’S HOT DOGS AND GRAY’S PAPAYA
Pink’s Hot Dogs unveiled a temporary makeover by becoming Dodger blue to celebrate the team in the World Series. According to co-owner, Richard Pink, "We painted the front, we painted the floors, we painted everything to recognize that the Dodgers made it to the World Series. We are so proud to support the Dodgers. This is the fourth time in Pink's 85-year history that we have turned blue, Dodger Blue. We did it in 2017, 2018, and 2020."
Pink’s also added a special promotion to its menu: a Blues Dog, a bacon chili cheese dog that costs $7.17. The $7 commemorates the seven times the Dodgers have won the World Series, and the 17 cents represents the number on Shohei Ohtani’s uniform. Proceeds from the Blues Dog will go to the LA Dodgers Foundation, which aims to “improve education, health care, homelessness, and social justice for all Angelenos.”
Pink’s also challenged Gray’s Papaya, a New York hot dog restaurant, to a World Series bet, with the loser promising to donate $1,000 to a charity of its choice.
OTHER BLUE FOOD PROMOTIONS
And lastly, two other restaurants are supporting the Dodgers with limited-time deals:
Randy’s Donuts is selling its Dodgers Blue doughnut with Bavarian cream filling for $3.40.
Panda Express is offering its rewards members a $5 Panda Plate with one side and two entrées with any Dodgers home game win. Naturally, the code is DODGERSWIN.
Did you CATCH other exciting news to add to this list? Chime in and share.
Image Credit: Pink’s aka Dodger Blue’s via KNX News.
Read my similar post entitled FUN STORIES SURROUNDING SUPER BOWL 56:
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/02/fun-stories-surrounding-super-bowl-56.html
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