Yankees vs. Phillies, Bagels vs. Tastykakes

Great Game 1 of the World Series for those who 1) Hate the Yankees, 2) Love the pure, unadulterated National League version of baseball or 3) Are such miserable, humiliated Mets fans that they actually root for Philadelphia just so the other New York baseball fans can suffer. (Full disclosure: Well, guess...)

What seems something less than worthy of the Fall Classic thus far, however, is the wager placed on the Series between Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia and Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York, as per a joint press release:

"These two long-time friends spoke on Tuesday evening to settle the terms of the bet. If the Phillies win, Archbishop Dolan will ship a dozen bagels to the City of Brotherly Love; if the Yankees prevail, Cardinal Rigali will send a box of Tastykakes to the Big Apple."

The churchmen exchanged the usual jocularities, with Rigali expressing "great esteem for Archbishop Dolan" but adding: "We have the cream cheese ready for the bagels that I know will be arriving shortly after the Repeat in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly love."

("Sisterly" love? An oddly inclusive usage coming from Rigali, a member of the Catholic committee charged with producing new and literal -- and decidedly non-PC -- Mass translations that will arrive soon to a parish near you.)

Dolan in turn called Rigali "one of my closest and dearest friends" but then adding: "I know he has exquisite taste in most matters. I just wish he had better taste in baseball teams."

Frankly, he may also wish for better taste in bets. Tastykakes? Sure, they are a Philly tradition. But how about a "Cheesesteak versus Cheesecake" wager? Or if the Yanks lose, Dolan might at least throw in some lox with those bagels (and hopefully he gets them from H&H).

Dolan certainly seems like a cheesesteak kinda guy. He has expressed a great fondness for fish frys and cigars (hey, he always has something to give up at Lent) and confesses that "God made me with a particular soft spot in my heart for a martini."

His first pastoral letter as archbishop of New York, he says, "is gonna be a condemnation of light beer and instant mashed potatoes -- I hate those two things." (He was joking; he's like that.)

Better yet, neither man really needs the extra calories (as they themselves have conceded). So why not emulate their respective mayors, Michael Bloomberg of New York and Michael Nutter of Philadelphia? As the Daily News reports, the two syndics wagered community service -- if the Yanks win, Nutter will don pinstripes, head up the Turnpike and help out with a community project in the Big Apple. If the Phillies prevail, Mayor Mike will put on a red jersey and do the same in the City of Brotherly -- and Political -- Love.