Mets fan Councilmember Gentile makes friendly bet with Chicago pol

It’s the Big Apple against the Windy City.

Whether it’s which city offers the best pizza and hot dogs, has the better high-rise buildings, or Jordan versus the Knicks, New York City and Chicago have had plenty of battles, including this year, for the first time in MLB history, the New York Mets taking on the lovable losers, the Chicago Cubs, in a playoff series. The winner of this year’s unlikely National League Championship Series will represent the National League in the 2015 World Series.

Right after the Mets’ Game 5 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, lifelong Mets fan, Councilmember Vincent Gentile challenged Chicago Councilmember Alderman James Cappleman of the 46th Ward, a passionate Cubs fan, to a friendly wager.

Photo courtesy of Councilmember Vincent Gentile
Photo courtesy of Councilmember Vincent Gentile

If the Mets best the Cubs, Cappleman will send Gentile a Chicago-style hot dog and will also take a picture of himself wearing a Mets t-shirt and post it on his Twitter account.

However, if the Cubs win, Gentile will send Cappleman a Junior’s Cheesecake and will don a Cubs t-shirt and post a picture of himself wearing it on Twitter. As of this writing, Gentile has the edge, with the Mets taking the first two games of the series at Citi Field.

It’s been a quick turnaround for two teams that have been in rebuilding mode the past few seasons. In 2014, the Cubs finished in last place in the N.L. Central, winning only 73 games. The Mets didn’t fare much better, with a 79-83 record in the N.L. East, for their sixth straight losing season. Due to the Mets’ young and elite pitching and the Cubs’ powerful offense, the series is expected to be competitive and compelling

“The Big Apple will rise to the occasion and the Metropolitans will defeat the Chicago Cubs in seven games. No goats needed,” Gentile told Cappleman on the phone

“I’m looking forward to showing New York that the Second City is going to come out on top,” Cappleman countered.

One of the last times the Cubs and Mets were involved in a battle of significance was in 1969. With one month to go, the Cubs had seven more wins than the Amazin’s with a World Series trip on the line. The Mets then went on a surge, while Chicago faltered. The Mets went on to win the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

The elected officials are happy to represent their iconic cities, and their district and ward respectively. The Mets currently lead the NLCS 2-0. Game 3 will be held on Tuesday, October 20 at Chicago’s historic Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 8:07 p.m.

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