Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced a “friendly wager” on the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox American League Championship Series.  The series gets underway at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx at 8:00 pm on Wednesday night.

“I share a bond with Yankees past and present who have left Boston to find success in the greatest city in the world, which will make me especially proud to watch the Bombers send the boys from Beantown home empty-handed,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “Because New York’s generosity is matched only by its confidence, I am pleased to offer a veritable feast of New York cuisine that the people of Boston will never get to eat:

• A quart of Manhattan clam chowder from Lundy Brothers in Sheepshead Bay; 
  
• A large pizza from Denino’s in Port Richmond;
  
• A dozen dumplings from Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown;
  
• A dozen bagels from Slim’s in Bayside;
  
• An order of Bistec Encebollado (steak with onions) from Jimmy’s Bronx Café.

“And just to remind you of whence your troubles began, a dozen ‘Baby Ruth’ bars to commemorate the curse of the Bambino,” said Mayor Bloomberg.

“This year, and particularly, this past week, the Red Sox have given the fans of Boston and New England hours of excitement and drama,” said Mayor Menino. “Tomorrow, a new day dawns as the likes of Ramirez, Ortiz, Millar, Mueller, and Nomar slug their way to our inevitable victory.  If the Super Bowl celebration of 2002 was a tremendous memory, just wait as Martinez, Lowe and Wakefield bring a World Series championship to Boston.

“I'm offering Boston’s best to Mayor Bloomberg in the knowledge that as the victor, we'll take the spoils (what, no brisket?).  We're putting a Legal Seafoods clambake for four on the table with lobster, steamers, linguica and REAL clam chowder.  And after the Red Sox win it all, Mayor Bloomberg will have a standing invitation to come home to Boston, the Hub of the universe, and enjoy our legendary hospitality,” concluded Mayor Menino.