Photography by Scott Rovak
Outside of St. Louis and Boston, casual baseball fans might not be as invested in this year's World Series, kicking off tonight. Woe to those burgs that don’t get to enjoy the Fall Classic every other year. (We're talking to you, Wrigleyville.)
Fortunately, there exists a time-honored tradition that allows people everywhere to get into the game: gambling.
Vegas has the Boston Red Sox as the favorites over the St. Louis Cardinals. But hardcore gamblers can place their bets on any number of the games' facets, far beyond which team will win and by how much.
Among a few of the possible prop bets:
• Which squad will have the lead after a single inning. (The Redbirds have a narrow advantage, according to oddsmakers.)
• Who will have the most RBIs. (Most of these odds are dead even, with Matt Carpenter and Yadier Molina narrowly edging out the competition.)
• Who will be crowned MVP. (Boston outfielder Dustin Pedroia narrowly edges out the Cardinals' Carlos Beltran, at 8/1 and 9/1, respectively.)
Lately, though, all sorts of people are placing their bets—and sometimes with more than just money.
Last week, Nelly made a bet with Arsenio Hall about the National League Championship Series. After the Los Angeles Dodgers lost, Hall made good on his wager, performing "Country Grammar" in an Ozzie Smith jersey on Hall's late-night talk show. (And yes, in case you're wondering, this did happen in 2013.)
State officials are also getting in on the action. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon recently made a friendly wager with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick about the World Series. Among the items at stake for Nixon: a four-pack of Fitz’s Cardinal Cream Soda, a box of Bissinger’s chocolates, and baked goods from Missouri Baking Company. Patrick, on the other hand, is staking Legal Sea Foods' New England clam chowder, Polar Beverages seltzers, and baked goods from Dancing Deer Baking Co.
Of course, civic leaders wagering local delicacies isn’t a new exploit. Earlier this year, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper forked over a dozen of the state’s prized lamb chops to Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley after the Baltimore Ravens' exciting playoff win over the Denver Broncos.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, however, will not be betting this time around. Earlier this week, he indicated on Twitter that he wouldn't be wagering with Boston Mayor Tom Menino. (After recently trash-talking about the "fried raviolos" that were on the line during an earlier bet, Menino accidentally told reporters Tuesday morning that he hoped the Red Sox win the "World Series Cup"—perhaps a sign that Slay's potential competition has been watching the wrong sport.)
The St. Louis Science Center, on the other hand, is upping the ante—in a big way. Today, it sent out a press release that "Mr. T. Rex has accepted a World Series wager from Cliff the Triceratops at the Museum of Science in Boston. The dinosaurs are betting bragging rights, plus the losing dinosaur will wear the jersey of the World Series champion team!" To show his support, Fredbird stopped by the museum for a small pep rally.
Even holy rollers are placing their bets on the World Series, albeit for a higher cause. St. Louis' Christ Church Cathedral and Boston's Cathedral Church of St. Paul are collecting donations online until the first pitch tonight, with proceeds going to a nonprofit that helps victims of sex trafficking in the winning city. (The beneficiary here is Magdalene St. Louis.) And St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson and Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley have agreed that the winning city's Catholic Charities will receive $100 from the losing archbishop.
And though it might not be an official bet, the brass sections of the St. Louis Symphony and Boston Symphony Orchestra talked some friendly smack and played “Anything You Can Do” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” for an online video in the spirit of the World Series rivalry.
