Will it be cheesesteaks or cheesecakes in the World Series?
Hungry senators are putting the cheese on the line as the Phillies take on the Yankees in the World Series.
U.S. senators representing Pennsylvania and New York are betting local delicacies in a friendly wager over the World Series.
If the Yankees win, Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand would get a supply of Philadelphia cheesesteaks. It wasn't immediately clear which cheesesteak place would supply the goods if needed.
If the Philadelphia Phillies win, Sens. Arlen Specter and Robert Casey would get to chow down on some cheesecakes from Junior's.
The Senators made sure to make some jovial jabs at their counterparts.
“I give Senators Specter and Casey credit for sticking with their team but I can already taste those delicious Philly cheesesteaks,” Schumer said. “And even though the Phillies won the World Series last year, there’s no comparing the Yankees’ 26 World Series victories to the Phillies two. When the dust settles, I am confident that the Yankees will be victorious and Senator Gillibrand and I will be enjoying our Philly cheesesteaks.”
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“It’s great to see the Bronx Bombers back in the World Series with so many familiar faces from their storied run in the 1990’s,” Specter said. “Unfortunately for the Yankees, tradition alone will do them little good against Charlie Manuel’s fearsome lineup. I look forward to enjoying the New York cheesecakes, although nothing will be as sweet as the Phillies’ back-to-back titles.”
“I look forward to a great World Series... I give the edge to the Bronx Bombers. The last team to win back-to-back World Series championships was our Yankees -- that record will hold strong this year," said Gillibrand. "Their lineup and pitching is superb and New York does have the best fans in the world. Go Yankees!"
"If the Phillies keep up their extraordinary efforts at the plate, on the mound and in the field, it is only a matter of time until Senator Specter and I are able to enjoy some delicious cheesecake," said Senator Casey.
Local businesses in each city were also swept up into betting on the World Series with a good cause in mind and much higher stakes than a measly couple of morsels of local cuisine.
If the Yankees lose, New York City's Hunts Point Terminal Market will donate a truckload of local produce to a Philadelphia food bank. If the Phillies lose, the Philadelphia Regional Produce Market will send food to a New York City food bank.
Things will of course get settled on the field. The World Series showdown starts on Wednesday night in New York.
