Mayors Bet on Community Service, World Series

However, this World Series bet isn't about dungeness crabs, sourdough bread, or whatever food or beverage items that are usually mayoral bets. This one is something that will benefit children in both cities.

The mayors went so far as a press release about their World Series bet. In fact, it doesn't matter who wins the World Series, either the New York Yankees or the Philadelphia Phillis. Both Mayors will host public arts projects, in any case. Mayor Nutter will join Mural Arts to paint a mural on the side of a Recreation Center. Mayor Bloomberg will partner with Public Color to paint the interior of a school.

Ah, but there are consequences to a World Series victory by "the other team." If the Philadelphia Phillies win the series, Mayor Bloomberg will travel to Philadelphia to take part in the day of service while wearing a Phillies jersey.

Meanwhile, if the New York Yankees win the series, Mayor Nutter will travel to New York to take part in the day of service while wearing a Yankees jersey. The Mayor of the losing city will also buy the Mayor of the winning city and his fellow volunteers lunch (all right, there is a measure of food in this bet, after all).

Still, it is a different type of World Series bet altogether. Baseball Commissioner "Bud" Selig noted, “It is gratifying to see Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Nutter join Major League Baseball in dedicating this year’s World Series to community service. Mayor Bloomberg and Mayor Nutter have taken the traditional World Series bet between Mayors and turned it into an opportunity to give back to the community and enrich the lives of others.”

Selig is speaking of the fact, that for the first time ever, Major League Baseball has dedicated the first four games of the World Series to community service as a continuation of its “Going Beyond” initiative. That initiative supports programs for veterans, cancer research and youth development.