Tampa, Clearwater mayors make World Series wager

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.