Food fight: Catholic leaders in LA and New York make friendly bets on the outcome of the World Series

The New York vs. Los Angeles, Yankees vs. Dodgers, Judge vs. Ohtani rivalry brought a new element on Friday.

Hours before the opening game of the World Series, Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez and New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan – head of the country's two largest Roman Catholic archdioceses – placed their own bi-coastal bet on the outcome of the Fall Classic.

Gomez chose Randy's Donuts as his prize to give if the Yankees beat the Dodgers, while Dolan said he would deliver New York-style bagels if Los Angeles wins.

The bet is also intended to raise awareness of a fundraiser for schools in both archdioceses. The winning team secures 60% of the cake, with the remaining 40% going to the runner-up.

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The L.A.-based alms would go to the Catholic Education Foundation in Los Angeles, while New York dollars would go to the John Cardinal O'Connor School in Irvington, NY

For more information about donating, visit baseballunites.com.

“This will be a great World Series,” Gomez said in a statement. “Baseball truly unites us as a country, but in every competition there must be a winner and that will be the Dodgers!”

Gomez's office said his choice of Randy's, known for its famous 32-foot-tall steel donut sign that can be seen on the 405 Freeway, was a nod to its local cultural status.

“It is a Los Angeles institution modeled on Pink's, Philippe's and Porto's that reflects a great history of the city,” said Carolina Guevara, archdiocesan spokeswoman. “Randy’s is not to be missed and is something that is easy to enjoy.”

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While Gomez said he was a Randy's fan, he also said it was too difficult to choose his favorite candy.

Dolan's office said the cardinal was “pretty traditional” and enjoyed a sesame bagel with cream cheese.

“I am grateful to my brother, Archbishop Gomez, for agreeing to this friendly bet,” Dolan said in a statement. “I'm looking forward to three things: 1. A great World Series with the Yankees winning their 28th championship; 2. Enjoy Randy's Donuts; 3. Raise awareness and support for the John Cardinal O'Connor School and the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles.”

While Dolan's office said New York is “blessed with the greatest bagel shops in the world,” the cardinal waffled when announcing which store he would purchase the goods from.

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Gomez agreed to a similar bet with Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr over the outcome of Super Bowl LVI. The Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 and secured 60% of donations worth $22,000 for LA. Gomez also personally accepted a case of Graeter's Ice Cream from Cincinnati. He had bet Porto's pastries.

“I know my friend Cardinal Dolan is a good sport and I will enjoy the New York bagels he will send me,” Gomez said. “I am also grateful for this opportunity to highlight the great work of our Catholic schools in LA and New York and across the country.”

Friendly sports betting between cities isn't just reserved for clergy, as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and New York Mayor Eric Adams also agreed to a bet, although terms weren't clear as of Friday.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also agreed to a bet on Friday. The loser decorates their respective office with the colors and paraphernalia of the opposing team.

In 2014, then-Mayor Eric Garcetti bet with his New York counterpart Bill de Blasio for the Stanley Cup between the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Rangers.

The Kings won and De Blasio had to sing Randy Newman's “I Love LA” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” If Garcetti had lost, he would have sung Frank Sinatra's classic “New York, New York.”

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.