Archbishops of New York and Los Angeles place World Series bet in favor of Catholic schools

CNA Staff, October 28, 2024 / 14:10

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are currently competing in this year’s World Series. The last time these two popular teams faced each other on baseball’s biggest stage was in 1981.

While baseball fans across the country watch the events unfold, Archbishop José Gómez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York also take part in the excitement, cheering on their home team.

On October 25, two Catholic prelates announced a friendly bet of sending New York-style bagels to Gómez if the Dodgers win, and sending Randy’s donuts to Dolan if the Yankees win.

Additionally, they encourage their followers to take part in donating to the cause Baseball unitessite that will provide funds to both the John Cardinal O’Connor School in New York and the Catholic Education Foundation of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Whichever team wins the World Series will earn its Catholic educational institution 60% of the amount raised, and the losing team will receive 40%.

“I am grateful to my brother, Archbishop Gómez, for agreeing to this friendly bet,” Dolan said in a speech press release. “I’m looking forward to three things: 1. A great World Series where the Yankees will win their 28th championship; 2. Enjoying Randy’s donuts; 3. Raising awareness and support for the John Cardinal O’Connor School and the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles.”

“It’s going to be a great World Series,” Gómez said. “Baseball truly unites us as a country, but in every contest there must be a winner and that will be the Dodgers!”

“I know my friend Cardinal Dolan is a good sport, and I intend to enjoy the New York bagels he sends me,” the archbishop continued. “I am also grateful for this opportunity to highlight the great work of our Catholic schools in Los Angeles and New York and across the country. I have already made a donation and encourage everyone to enjoy the series and support the great mission of Catholic education. Go blue!”

John Cardinal O’Connor School was founded to provide an affordable, Christ-centered, language-based academic program for children in grades two through eight with learning disabilities, speech or language disorders, or learning differences.

The Catholic Education Foundation of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was established in 1987 and provides academic assistance to needy students attending Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the archdiocese. Since its inception, it has provided more than 230,000 scholarships amounting to more than $264 million.

Gomez did similar bet with Archbishop of Cincinnati in 2022 when the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

The Los Angeles Dodgers currently have a best-of-three World Series lead, 2-0.

Francesca is the social media manager at Catholic News Agency. She earned a degree in communications with an emphasis in digital media from the University of Colorado at Denver.