Meat vs. lobstah: Wagering pols talkin' trash

Alan Gathright, Rocky Mountain News

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A host of elected leaders in Colorado and Massachusetts exchanged friendly jibes and wagers of lobster and buffalo steaks today over the World Series outcome between Colorado Rockies and the Boston Red Sox.

"Listen, I like you and I like Denver, but you're going down," Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick told Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter during an afternoon teleconference.

Ritter laughed heartily, then said: "I'm not a person who is real talky about these things. I just let the Colorado Rockies do what they've done — 21 out of the last 22 games," he added, referring to the Rockies' winning streak.

"They're a team on fire and it's making its way right through the big Green Monster," Ritter said of the series that debuts Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

Ritter's friendly bet was a box of organic beef steaks from state Rep. Kathleen Curry's Tomichi Creek Ranch in Gunnison and a box of organic buffalo steaks from the family-owned Maverick Ranch.

Said Patrick: "I'm putting on the table some of our famous eats, like some lobster and clam chowder from Legal Seafoods and some special flavors of ice creams from Brigham's."

But, he stressed: "I look forward to the steaks and sharing them with the thousands of members of the press who are now in my office."

Ritter shot back: "I'd like those lobsters delivered to Colorado live by the way, Duval."

Meanwhile, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino exchanged wagers of favorite home-town foods that will go to charity.

"When the Rockies win the World Series, Boston will send 100 cups of Legal Seafood Clam Chowder, 100 cups of Dunkin' Donuts coffee, 100 Boston Crème donuts from Dunkin' Donuts and 100 Curse Reversed ice cream sandwiches from Brigham's Ice Cream for Mayor Hickenlooper to serve at a charity of his choice," the mayor's office said in a statement.

"Should the unthinkable occur and the Red Sox win the World Series, Denver will send Boston 100 Quiznos sandwiches, 100 cups of Celestial Seasonings teas, 100 servings of Great Western Tortilla Chips and Epic Valley Salsa and 100 scoops of Liks Rocky Road ice cream for Mayor Menino to serve at a charity of his choice," the statement said.

Forget about the 2008 presidential race or fixing that health care crisis.

The hottest debate in the U.S. Senate today is whether the upstart Rockies will spank the storied Red Sex in the World Series.

In a bipartisan bet, Colorado's Ken Salazar and Wayne Allard are putting some Colorado-raised beef on the line with Massachusetts' Edward M. Kennedy and John Kerry.

If the Rockies win, Kennedy and Kerry will ship New England clam chowder and lobster rolls to a Centennial State charity chosen by the Colorado senators.

If Boston wins, Salazar and Allard will bankroll the beef bound for a Bay State beneficiary chosen by their Massachusetts colleagues.

"This is sure to be a great series, between one of baseball's most historic teams and one of baseball's rising stars," Salazar said. "I have faith the Rockies will win and be the ones making history."

"It's Rocktober!" declared Allard.

"Does anyone doubt that Rockies will write a new chapter of disappointment for Red Sox fans?" Allard asked. "I'm just so proud to see our team deliver a dream season for the fans and I certainly hope to do some good natured ribbing of my friends from Massachusetts when the Rox bring home the World Series trophy."

Countered Kennedy: "Red Sox Nation is ready for this series, and we look forward to some great games with the Rockies. We're confident in our team, we believe in them, and we'll be cheering them on."

Kerry kicked up the pre-series rhetoric.

"The only thing I love more than watching the Sox beat the Yankees, will be watching them beat the Rockies to win their second World Series in four years," said the 2004 presidential candidate.

"The Sox are the comeback kids. They've managed another outstanding finish, fighting their way into the World Series in typical Boston fashion by leaving us all on the edge of our seats. Now it's time to win four more games and bring the trophy back home to Boston. We STILL believe! Go Sox!"

gathrighta@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5486