On Friday, the New York vs. Los Angeles, Yankees vs. Dodgers, Judge vs. Ohtani rivalries were heated up with new elements.
Hours before the first pitch of the World Series, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez and New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan — leaders of the nation’s two largest Roman Catholic archdioceses — announced on both coasts the results of the Fall Classic. I made my own bet.
Gomez chose Randy’s Donuts as his prize if the Yankees beat the Dodgers, and Dolan said he would deliver New York-style bagels if Los Angeles won.
The bet also aims to raise awareness of fundraising efforts for schools in both archdioceses. The winning team secures 60% of the pie, with the remaining 40% going to the runner-up team.
Los Angeles-based donations will go to the Catholic Educational Foundation in Los Angeles, while New York dollars will go to the John Cardinal O’Connor School in Irvington, New York.
For more information on donating, visit baseballunites.com.
“This is going to be a great World Series,” Gomez said in a statement. “Baseball truly unites us as a nation, but there needs to be a winner in every game, and it’s the Dodgers!”
Gomez’s office said the choice by Lundy’s, known for its giant 32-foot-tall steel donut sign visible from along the 405 Freeway, was a nod to the local cultural status.
“It’s a Los Angeles institution, along with the Pink Church, the Church of Philippe and the Church of Porto, and reflects the city’s great history,” archdiocese spokeswoman Carolina Guevara said in a statement. “Randy’s is not to be missed and it’s easy to enjoy.”
Although Gomez is a fan of Randy’s, she said it’s too difficult to choose her favorite type of sweet treat.
Cardinal Dolan’s office said the cardinal is “quite traditional” and enjoys sesame bagels with cream cheese.
“I am grateful to my brother Archbishop Gomez for agreeing to this friendly bet,” Dolan said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to three things: 1. A great World Series with the Yankees winning their 28th championship. 2. Enjoying Randy’s Donuts; 3. Giving to Cardinal John O’Connor School and the Los Angeles Catholic Education Foundation Raise awareness and support.”
Cardinal Dolan’s office said New York is “blessed with some of the best bagel stores in the world,” but the cardinal was at a loss as to which store to buy from.
Gomez agreed to a similar bet with Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr on the outcome of Super Bowl LVI. The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20, securing 60% of Los Gomez’s $22,000 donation. He also personally brought claims in the Greater’s Ice Cream case in Cincinnati. He was betting on Porto pastries.
“I know my friend Cardinal Dolan is good at sports, so I’m going to enjoy the New York bagels he’s sending me,” Gomez said. “We also appreciate this opportunity to highlight the great work of Catholic schools in Los Angeles and New York, and across the country.”
Friendly sports betting between cities is not limited to the clergy. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and New York Mayor Eric Adams also agreed to the bet, but the terms were not yet clear as of Friday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also agreed to the bet on Friday. The losers decorate their offices with the colors and props of the opposing team.
In 2014, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti bet New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio on the Stanley Cup between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers.
The Kings won, and de Blasio ended up belting out Randy Newman’s “I Love LA” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” If Garcetti had lost, he would have sang the Frank Sinatra classic “New York, New York.”
