BOSTON—The first brushback pitch of the World Series came not from Josh Beckett or Jeff Francis, but from Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
“I like you and I like Denver, but you’re going down, you do know that don’t you?” Patrick told Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Tuesday, during a conference call to set the traditional World Series wager between governors.
Patrick is putting up lobsters vs. beef from Ritter. The Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox open the Series Wednesday at Fenway Park.
“I’m not a person who is real, like cocky about these things. I just let the Colorado Rockies do what they’ve done, (winning) 21 out of the last 22 games,” Ritter said.
Patrick then joked that Ritter was “reading from a cheat sheet.” Ritter replied: “The press is here, they know I’m not.”
Patrick and Ritter aren’t the only ones betting on their home teams.
U.S. Sens. Wayne Allard and Ken Salazar of Colorado are wagering Colorado-raised beef, while Massachusetts Sens. Edward Kennedy and John Kerry are countering with New England clam chowder and lobster rolls.
The senators who lose the bet will donate the grub to a charity chosen by the senators who win.
Reps. Mark Udall, Diana DeGette and John Salazar of Colorado have their own bet against Reps. Edward Markey, Stephen Lynch and Michael Capuano of Massachusetts.
If the Red Sox win, the Colorado representatives treat their counterparts to a meal of steaks and chili. If the Rockies win, the Massachusetts trio foots the bill for chowder and lobster.
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper wagered sub sandwiches, herbal tea, tortilla chips, salsa and ice cream against Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s clam chowder, coffee, doughnuts and ice cream sandwiches. The winning mayor will serve the treats at a charity of his choice.
