Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Harris County (Texas) Judge Lina Hidalgo have placed a friendly wager, as the New York Yankees get set to take on the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball’s (MLB) American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Borough President Diaz Jr., a Bronxite who grew up emulating former New York Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles, has offered up food from Empanology, a “Ruben Diaz Jr.” sandwich” from Mike’s Deli, cannolis from Geno’s Pastry Shop & Café, beverages from the Bronx Brewery, and clothing from Bronx Native, should the Yankees lose to the Astros.
Judge Hidalgo has wagered barbecue (including brisket) from Gatlin’s Barbecue, drinks from Saint Arnolds Brewery, and tamales from Texas Tamale Company.
“As a lifelong Yankees fan who is from the home of The Bronx Bombers, and the highest-ranking New York City elected official that grew up watching our team set an unsurpassed standard of excellence in sports, I look forward to feasting on great Texas barbeque as we mosey on past the Astros and win our 41st American League pennant,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“We’re really looking forward to enjoying some of the Bronx’s best local cuisine when the Astros win,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. “As we’ve seen all year, the Astros have what it takes to bring back home what is rightfully ours: The American League pennant. The Yankees are merely a subway stop on our way to the World Series.”
The Astros finished the MLB season with the best record in baseball – with 107 wins and 55 losses, and feature a trio of pitching aces in former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, and all-star Gerrit Cole.
The Yankees ran away with the American League East division, with 103 wins and 59 losses, despite numerous injuries to the roster, and have a stacked batting lineup that includes Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres, and DJ LeMahieu; that should pose a problem for Houston’s vaunted pitching staff.
The ALCS begins Saturday, October 12, 8 PM at Minute Maid Park.
Judge Hidalgo is the first woman and the first Latina to be elected to the position of Harris County Judge, a nonjudicial position that functions as the County’s Chief Executive and oversees a budget of over $5 billion alongside four County Precinct Commissioners, that funds services and institutions for the third-largest county in the nation. Harris County is home to the Houston Astros.
Borough President Díaz, who was elected to the New York State Assembly at 23-years-old, the youngest person elected to the legislative body since Theodore Roosevelt, and was elected Bronx Borough President in April 2009 and reelected in 2013 and 2017. As Borough President, Diaz Jr. has led the implementation of a robust agenda—on economic development, housing, education, and public safety—in every corner of the borough.
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