As the New York Mets prepare to face off against the Kansas City Royals for the first game of the World Series Tuesday night in Missouri, the senior senators from both states engaged in a contest of their own.  

New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer and Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill announced a “friendly wager” on the outcome of the annual series, joining the tradition of politicians betting against each other on sports.  While Schumer pledged to tweet a photo of himself wearing a Royals T-shirt while riding a bike through the Big Apple if the Royals win, McCaskill promised to tweet a photo of a Mets flag flying outside her home if the Metropolitans prevail.  

Along with the Twitter stunts, the two said they would donate $100 to a charity in their opponent’s hometown. In Kansas City, Schumer chose the MLB Urban Youth Academy, and in Queens, McCaskill chose the Our Lady of Sorrows Church, which burned down in January.  

“For the second year in a row, the Kansas City Royals are showing the country that when it comes to baseball, we are not flyover country,” said McCaskill, a die-hard fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, who also touted the Royals’ second consecutive World Series appearance. “This year we need to finish the job, with our never-give-up, never-say-die determination, I’m confident that Senator Schumer will be wearing Royal blue in the Big Apple soon.”  

A World Series victory for the Mets, meanwhile, has been three decades in the making, Schumer noted.  

“I am confident this team has the talent to bring the World Series back to Queens,” he’s said. “I cannot wait to see Claire’s house decked out in orange and blue.”  

Last week, a more embarrassing scene unfolded in the wake of a wager on the National League playoffs. Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., paid up to fellow Democratic Rep. Steve Israel for the loss of the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Mets by singing “Meet the Mets” on the House floor.  

Related:

Adam Schiff Sings ‘Meet the Mets’ (Video)


Politicians Opt to Swap Sweets, Brews and ‘Cue in World Series Bets


Football Breeds Bipartisanship, Betting


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