The 2012 National League Championship Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants got underway yesterday with the visiting Cardinals taking the first game 6-4.
Both franchises have a history of winning with the Giants having six world championships to their name (one as SF Giants, five as NY Giants) and the Cardinals boasting eleven.
Speaking of boasting, that’s what the respective mayors of each city have been doing recently. Mayor Edwin M. Lee from San Francisco and St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay have been trading friendly jabs back and forth regarding the series and have decided upon a wager on the outcome, as detailed by SanFranciscoSentinel.com.
The Mayor of the losing city will change his Twitter profile picture to the logo of the winning team for a day. Also, the losing Mayor will send food and beverages traditionally associated with the respective cities so the winning Mayor can invite the community into City Hall for a party to celebrate. Mayor Lee will send dim sum and Anchor Steam Beer. Mayor Slay will send St. Louis barbecue, toasted ravioli and a court of St. Louis brews, led by the King of Beers.
“I originally wanted to bet the Golden Gate Bridge for the St. Louis Arch, that’s how confident I am that the Giants are going to beat the Cardinals and advance to the World Series,” said Mayor Lee. “But having Mayor Slay change his Twitter avatar for a day and receiving St. Louis is a better, more appropriate bet, I’d say.”
“I appreciate Mayor Lee’s tough talk,” said Mayor Slay. “We’re a little more modest because we are so used to winning. The last five playoff series all started the same way: tough talk from opposing mayors. They also ended the same way: A St. Louis Cardinals victory, and the people of St. Louis enjoying some very good food.”
I’m all for a little friendly trash talking, especially when good food and beer is involved (LTSB reminds you to please drink responsibly).
On the diamond it’s tough to bet against Mike Matheny’s Cardinals right now with the momentum they carried into the NLCS from their stunning come-from-behind win in game 5 of their division series with the Washington Nationals. On the other hand Bruce Bochy’s Giants, facing elimination, reeled off three consecutive victories to advance from their series with the NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds and won’t be easily disposed of.
Game two is later this evening at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Both mayors will be anxiously awaiting the outcome.
