MILWAUKEE — As the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, both host cities are challenging the other in friendly ways that benefit both communities.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch took to social media for their wager:
If the Brewers win, Mayor Welch will ride his 2022 Harley-Davidson Road King Special motorcyle through St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay wearing a Brewers jersey.
If the Rays win, Mayor Johnson will wear a Tampa Bay Rays jersey along the riverwalk in downtown Milwaukee and will light up the Hoan Bridge in the Rays’ team colors of navy blue, light blue, and yellow.
They would also swap some of the best products from both cities, with items from Harley-Davidson, Molson Coors, and Johnsonville heading to Florida, and a box of “Sunshine City surprises” coming to Milwaukee.
Both mayors are also challenging their local communities to get in on the wager by benefitting their neighborhoods with donations to the United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County and the St. Pete Free Clinic.
Local religious leaders are also getting into the fun.
Milwaukee Archbishop Jeffrey Grob has a friendly wager with the Bishop Gregory Parkes of St. Petersburg.
If the Rays win, Archbishop Grob will send brats from Bunzel’s Meat Market to Florida along with a donation to Catholic Charities of Saint Petersburg.
If the Brewers win, Bishop Parkes will make a donation to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and will send a box of his hand-rolled, episcopal cigars, which are a Tampa Bay specialty.
“It’s not uncommon for bishops and archbishops to make friendly wagers when their cities’ teams face off in a Super Bowl, World Series or NHL final. I thought it would be fun to do the same with Archbishop Grob of Milwaukee,” said Bishop Parkes. “We wanted to make the wager not only fun, but meaningful, by including a donation to Catholic Charities. I’m very pleased that Archbishop Grob agreed, and I’m looking forward to a little friendly competition!”
“There’s nothing like the excitement of the World Series to bring our two dioceses together in a spirit of friendly competition,” said Archbishop Grob. “While we’re each cheering for our team to win, the real victory will be helping those in need through our Catholic Charities. May this friendly wager remind us that, win or lose, we can all make a difference when we come together in service to others.”
