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ttp://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/tampa-clearwater-mayors-make-world-series-wager/1047288?postCode=1

this story really makes me angry.

The Tampa Bay Rays didn't make the World Series this year, but two local mayors aren't letting that stop them from betting on the outcome.

Since Clearwater and Tampa are the spring training homes of the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, Clearwater's mayor has made a wager with Tampa's mayor.

If the Phillies win the series, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio and her leadership team will have to attend a Phillies' spring training game in Phillies gear and will bring Cuban sandwiches and deviled crabs for Clearwater Mayor Frank Hibbard and his leadership team.

If the Yankees win, Hibbard's group will attend a Tampa spring training game in Yankees gear and will ante up some grouper sandwiches and conch fritters.

"I am anticipating savoring that Cuban, along with her wearing a Phillies jersey," Hibbard said Tuesday.

"I never pass up a good winnable bet," Iorio retorted.

The series starts Wednesday in New York. Clearwater has been the Phillies' spring training home since 1947. Tampa has been the Yankees' spring training home since 1996.

[Last modified: Oct 27, 2009 03:08 PM]

Eh, to me it seems harmless. The Rays aren't competing right now, so what's the big deal. I'm sure it would be a different story if the Rays were still playing.

I just think its another reason people don't take our area seriously. You would never see this type of stuff in New York or Boston or any other established baseball city. I just felt embarassed as a rays fan reading the story.

Well you won't see it in any other area because Florida is unique when it comes to baseball. We have long time spring training homes across the bay area and, sadly, a lot of transplant fans from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. I see nothing wrong with rooting for two teams when there's no conflict between rooting for said teams.

I recommend contacting your mayor via phone call or email as I did first thing the morning this happened. Tampa, and Clearwater residents should not be happy about this and let their voices be heard, as I did!

I think this entire thread is silly. Who cares if the mayors of Tampa and Clearwater, the spring training homes of the two teams in the series, are making a bet? They do have something of a vested interest, but I fail to see why Rays fans should care.

However, an outrage has been lodged over less, so go for it. Write your respective mayors, voice your opinion in a letter to the editor, buy a billboard. All of these steps will be more effective than writing it on this message board. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!

Now I understand why Pam Iorio has stated publically she could care less where the Rays play. I thought it was because she just wasn't a baseball fan, or that she thought baseball brings nothing of value to an area. I'm starting to come up with other ideas...