Food, beer, clothing on the line in Pens-Flyers wagering

By RAMESH SANTANAM

- Associated Press Writer

PITTSBURGH — The mayors are doing it. So are congressmen. Even the zoos have gotten into it.

The bets are on as the rivalry between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia intensifies going into the Penguins-Flyers playoff series, the first time in 41 years that the Pennsylvania teams are going at each other for a trip to the Stanley Cup finals.

"We have the namesake animals for our team, the Penguins, and we are sure that any team with the name Flyers certainly cannot prevail," Pittsburgh Zoo CEO Barbara Baker said in a statement.

"It's fun that we can have friendly wagers like this," Philadelphia Zoo spokesman Bill Larson said.

Friendly, they may be, but they might give cardiologists cause for concern.

If the Penguins win, the Philadelphia Zoo will send 12 Philadelphia cheesesteaks, pretzels and Hires root beer. If the Flyers win, Philadelphia gets Iron City beer and food from Pittsburgh's Primanti Brothers, renowned for six-inch thick sandwiches featuring handfuls of cole slaw and french fries atop grilled deli meat on inch-thick Italian bread. Also, Baker has been offered "grill time" at Rick's Original Philly Steaks at the Reading Terminal Market.

Primanti sandwiches and Philly cheesesteaks are also on the line in a bet between Democratic U.S. Reps. Mike Doyle of Pittsburgh and Bob Brady of Philadelphia. The loser also has to wear the opposing team's jersey for a full day while the House is in session.

A bet among the cities' leaders calls for the loser to fly the winning team's banner at city hall. And, if the hockey team agrees, the losing mayor will travel to the winning city next season to drop the ceremonial puck wearing the winner's jersey.

Some politicians have opted to remain neutral. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, for example, says he is happy that Pennsylvania will be represented in the finals. That hasn't stopped Casey's staff in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh from entering into a friendly wager involving products from their cities.

But there's little doubt about the animosity between the two teams - or their fans.

"I think Philly wants to be more New York-style, while we're more blue-collar," said Jonathon Lloyd, 40, of Mount Lebanon. "Style over substance, there's no doubt that's Philly."

Local sportscaster Paul Alexander was even more blunt.

"I absolutely despise everything from Philadelphia," he told Penguins fans at a rally Friday.

Fans wore Penguins jerseys - some over their work suits - at the event in a downtown Pittsburgh square. They waved "Bring Back the Cup" signs and Penguins towels, while vendors walked around selling T-shirts, caps and towels.

Still, it was a far cry from the raucous fans who packed the city's streets for pre-Super Bowl rallies for the Steelers in 2006.

The Penguins and Flyers joined the NHL in 1967, but this is the first time they have played for a place in the finals. The Flyers won the three previous playoff rounds against the Penguins in 1989, 1997 and 2000.

Computer programmer and lifelong Penguins fan, Wes Penrod, 33, predicted a tough, physical series with the Penguins winning in six games.

"The excitement these young kids are bringing to the town is amazing," he said.

He, too, has a wager with his brothers-in-law in Philadelphia. It involves cheesesteaks, beer and other food.