Cardinal Justin Rigali / Archbishop Timothy Dolan

CNA STAFF, Oct 28, 2009 / 05:28 pm (CNA).- The Archbishops of New York and Philadelphia have made a “friendly wager” on the outcome of the 2009 World Series, promising to send the other a batch of their own city’s specialty food if their home team loses.

A joint press release from the Archdioceses of New York and Philadelphia reports that Archbishop Timothy Dolan will send Archbishop of Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali a dozen bagels if the Philadelphia Phillies win. If the New York Yankees win, Cardinal Rigali will send a box of Tastykake pastries to New York.

“Cardinal Rigali is one of my closest and dearest friends; for several years he even served as my Archbishop so I feel a particular loyalty to him,” Archbishop Dolan said. “I know he has exquisite taste in most matters. I just wish he had better taste in baseball teams.”

Cardinal Rigali returned the compliment and then let loose a zinger of his own:

“I have great esteem for Archbishop Dolan. He is a gifted spiritual leader who has been a true friend for many years. That is why I am so sorry he will be disappointed when the Phillies successfully defend their World Championship. We have the cream cheese ready for the bagels that I know will be arriving shortly after the Repeat in the City of Brotherly and Sisterly love.”

Archbishop Dolan expanded on his history as a baseball fan in a Tuesday post on his blog “Living the Gospel in the Digital Age.”

“Rooting for the Yankees has been a very natural thing for me, as I have been a Yankee fan since 1961 when, as an 11 year old in Saint Louis, I closely followed the Maris/Mantle home run race,” he wrote, adding that being a Cardinals fan is part of his DNA.

He also addressed fans of New York City’s other Major League Baseball team, the struggling Mets. “Please remember that October 28, the first day of the World Series, is also the Feast of Saint Jude, the Patron Saint of Impossible Cases.”

The World Series is scheduled to begin at Yankees Stadium in New York City on Wednesday night.

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