by Tom Gallagher
According to the St. Louis archdiocese newspaper, St. Louis Review:
"Archbishop Robert J. Carlson (of St. Louis archdiocese) has prompted a World Series wager with former Cardinals fan, Bishop Kevin W. Vann from the Diocese of Fort Worth, TX, official home diocese of the Texas Rangers.
"Bishop Vann has strong ties to the St. Louis area. He is a Springfield, Illinois native and grew up watching the Springfield Cardinals, then farm team for the St. Louis Cardinals. He studied at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary and graduated in 1981. As a former Cardinals fan, Bishop Vann has agreed to a friendly wager on the series with Archbishop Carlson.
"If the Cardinals win, Bishop Vann will send a taste of authentic Texas BBQ along with a Stetson cowboy hat. If the Rangers take the title, Archbishop Carlson will send a taste of local St. Louis favorites, including toasted ravioli from The Hill, Gus's pretzels, locally-brewed Schlafly Beer and Fitz's Root Beer, along with a Cardinals baseball cap to replace the caps Bishop Vann discarded when he moved to Texas.
"Adding to the bet and further supporting the charitable mission of the Catholic Church, the winner will also receive a donation for the local Catholic Charities in the amount of $10 for every run scored throughout the series."
