2007 College World Series Wager: To the Loser Go the Spoils?

We're just getting caught up with the Friendly Political Wager over the College World Series that took place this summer. Oregon State was going for a repeat against last year's second place finishers, the North Carolina Tarheels. As expected, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley make a friendly political wager on the outcome of the championship series.

Governor Easley wagered one pound of barbecue, one bottle of barbecue sauce and one pint of slaw from both Wilber’s Barbecue of Goldsboro and the Barbecue Center Inc. of Lexington and a case of Cheerwine if the Beavers win. Governor Kulongoski wagered a basket of products made in Oregon including a sampling of Pacific seafood, local cheeses, craft beer and hazelnuts – perfect snack foods for an afternoon of baseball.

In the end, the Oregon State Beavers came out on top and Easley will have to pay up. Suprinsingly, some members of the agriculture community in Oregon have urged the winner - Governor Easley - to send his ante anyway:

There's some tasty North Carolina barbecue grub coming out West, thanks to the Oregon State Beavers' repeat drubbing of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels for the NCAA baseball championship.

Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley make a friendly wager on the outcome of the championship series late last week.

But, perhaps Kulongoski ought to send the package he wagered anyway. Those folks in Carolina have seen what Oregon has to offer on the baseball diamond in the College World Series for two consecutive years now. Maybe they should also get a taste of the agriculture and food products we have out West too.

That's a novel approach. Win and send it anyway. I'm not sure it's one that will catch on, but it's a nice thought from the folks up in Oregon. Governor Kulongoski will certainly enjoy the BBQ, I bet. To the victor go the spoils.

Link: Blogriculture: Beavers serve up tasty win for Oregon's governor