Forget the Beer, Mayors Offer Public Service for World Series Wager

The mayors of New York and Philadelphia are carrying on an annual tradition by placing a friendly wager on the World Series -- but this time the prize is public service rather than a case of local brew and a ball cap.

The Mayors Mike (New York's Bloomberg and Philly's Nutter) are forgoing the much-hyped "Cheesecake vs. Cheesesteak" bet and choosing to showcase volunteerism.

The mayor of the losing city will travel to the other city to join the winning mayor in a volunteer service project, while wearing a jersey from the winning team. In addition, the losing mayor will cater lunch from a local eatery for the volunteers working with the winning mayor.

"The Yanks will be bringing the World Series title back to where it belongs -- New York City," said Bloomberg. "Baseball rivalries aside, helping empower at-risk students to create change in their school environment is important service. And I think Mayor Nutter is going to look great in pinstripes."

If the Yankees win, Nutter will join Bloomberg and the group Publicolor to work with students painting open spaces at the Albert Einstein School in the Bronx.

If the Phillies win, Bloomberg will head to Philly to help Nutter and the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program paint a mural on the side of a recreation center.

"The real winner of this friendly wager is the Philadelphia community that stands by our teams," said Nutter. "We will reward their dedication with this public arts project that focuses on our children. The only thing more certain for Philadelphia than a repeat is a mural for the community to enjoy."

According to officials, regardless of who wins, the respective city's mayor has committed to his hometown's project.

Major League Baseball is dedicating the first four games of the World Series to community service as a continuation of its "Going Beyond" initiative, which supports programs for veterans, cancer research and youth development.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden's wife, are attending Game 1 at Yankee Stadium to pay tribute to veterans and their families. They are promoting Welcome Back Veterans, an MLB Charities initiative for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families.

Ahead of the game, the First lady, Dr. Biden, Major League Baseball officials, and members of the Yankees are set to visit patients at the James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx.

• PUBLICOLOR
  
• MURAL ARTS PROGRAM
• WELCOME BACK VETERANS
• MLB GO BEYOND