Mayors wager chili cook-off to benefit winning city's youth

Cincinnati - Mayor Mark Mallory and San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee today agreed to a friendly mayoral wager on the outcome of the Reds-Giants National League Division Series matchup. Game 1 begins this Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9:37 p.m. at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Cincinnati and San Francisco both love their chili - particularly when the brave men and women of the Cincinnati and San Francisco fire departments are cooking it up – so mayors Mallory and Lee have decided to go toe-to-toe in a friendly wager. The city's team that loses in the playoffs will host a chili cook-off fundraiser at a local firehouse with the proceeds benefiting the winning city's youth programs.

"The Reds have thrilled us all summer with a magical season, and now, Cincinnati is fired up for postseason baseball," Mayor Mallory said. "I sure hope San Francisco chili is as good as Mayor Lee says it is, that way it raises lots of money for Cincinnati's youth, after the Reds send the Giants packing in the first round."

San Francisco isn’t going to concede easily, though.

"San Francisco is lit up in Giants orange again and the entire city stands behind our Giants as they make another exciting run for the title," said Mayor Lee. "While I enjoy the chili dished up at our fire houses, I'll instead be seeing the fine firefighters of Cincinnati serving it up to support our city's youth and recreational programs!"

The Reds finished the regular season with a 97-65 record, capturing the National League Central title. The first-round, best-of-five playoff series begins in San Francisco with games on Oct. 6 and Oct. 7. The series then moves to Cincinnati for Game 3 on Oct. 9. Games 4 and 5 would be played on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 if necessary.

Mayor Mallory is also urging all Cincinnatians and local businesses to show their pride in the National League Central champions by wearing red and/or displaying signs, flags or other shows of support for the hometown team.