The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants met in the postseason last year for the first time in their storied history as the long-time rivals squared off in the National League Division Series.
A native of San Francisco, California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared that he was cheering for the Giants, while U.S. Senator Alex Padilla — an L.A. native — voiced his support for the Dodgers to advance. It led to the two politicians making a friendly wager on the NLDS, with the loser agreeing to donate memorabilia to the winner’s charity of choice and then join the winning team’s grounds crew.
The Dodgers, of course, went on to eliminate the Giants with a 2-1 victory at Oracle Park in Game 5 of the NLDS.
.@GavinNewsom lost his bet with @SenAlexPadilla when the @Dodgers beat the @SFGiants in the playoffs last year.
Before opening day, Governor Newsom bled blue to get the field ready.
Whether you’re rooting for the Dodgers or the Giants (like the Governor is), go California! pic.twitter.com/BeplHZzApD
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) June 10, 2022
The governor joined the Dodgers’ crew prior to Dodger Stadium home opener against the Cincinnati Reds on April 14 to help drag the field and rake the mound.
Newsom also received a video message shown on DodgerVision from Padilla telling him to make sure he does an extra good job at first base where a lot of attention will be with Freddie Freeman joining the club.
As for the charity, Padilla chose the L.A. Regional Food Bank, which the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Jaime & Blanca Jarrín Foundation have donated to in the past.
Mayor Eric Garcetti placed bet with San Francisco mayor London Breed
Newsom and Padilla weren’t the only California politicians to make a friendly bet on the 2021 NLDS. Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti also made a wager with San Francisco mayor London Breed on the outcome of the series.
With the Dodgers eliminating the Giants, Breed made good on her bet by gifting Garcetti a piece of suspension wire from the Golden Gate Bridge.
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