In an exciting twist of faith and sportsmanship, more than $20,000 has been raised for Catholic schools through a friendly wager between two prominent church leaders during the recent World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the New York Yankees, and Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York made a spirited bet that would ultimately benefit education in their communities.
The wager was designed not just to add some friendly rivalry to the baseball championship but also to encourage Catholics and all people of goodwill to support Catholic education. The initiative, known as the Baseball Unites campaign, invited donations to the John Cardinal O’Connor School in New York City and the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles. The agreement stipulated that the archdiocese of the winning team would receive 60% of the funds raised, while the other would take home 40%.
As the World Series unfolded, both Gomez and Dolan kept the spirit of their wager alive, with playful stakes involved. If the Yankees emerged victorious, Dolan would indulge in baked goods from the famous Randy’s Donuts in Los Angeles. Conversely, if the Dodgers won, Gomez would be treated to some classic New York bagels.
Ultimately, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the championship title, and with that victory, $20,098 was raised through the campaign. This means that the Catholic Education Foundation of Los Angeles will receive $12,058.80, while the John Cardinal O’Connor School will benefit from $8,039.20.
Following the Dodgers’ win, Cardinal Dolan graciously congratulated the Dodgers and Archbishop Gomez. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated in the Baseball Unites campaign, stating, “That makes us all winners, especially our kids.” Dolan humorously added, “I hope he enjoys his bagels!”
Archbishop Gomez echoed Dolan’s sentiments, celebrating not only the Dodgers’ victory but also the spirit of camaraderie and support for Catholic education. “What a great World Series, not only because the Dodgers won. Certainly, that was great. But it was also just fun to watch, both teams played such good baseball every night,” he said, looking forward to the promised New York bagels.
This friendly wager is not a first for Archbishop Gomez, who previously engaged in a similar bet during the Super Bowl in 2022. At that time, he wagered with Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis Schurr, where the winning team would again receive 60% of the funds raised for their respective Catholic Education Foundations. The Rams won that game, leading to a successful campaign that benefited Los Angeles schools.
Such initiatives not only promote community spirit but also highlight the importance of supporting education in the Catholic tradition. With the funds raised from the Baseball Unites campaign, both archdioceses can continue to invest in the future of their students and uphold the values of faith and education.
In a world where sports and faith can sometimes feel worlds apart, this wager serves as a reminder of how they can beautifully intertwine, bringing communities together for a common good. Whether it’s through a friendly wager or community outreach, the focus remains on supporting the next generation of leaders and thinkers within the Catholic faith.