The mayor of Dallas, Texas is so confident the Rangers are going to redeem themselves against the Blue Jays, he is willing to part ways with delicious barbecue
"I'd put some brisket against some beer," mayor Mike Rawlings told NEWSTALK 1010's Moore in the Morning Thursday.
For the second time in as many seasons the Jays are facing the Rangers in an American League Division series. Last time around, the Jays bested the Rangers in the five-game series that ended with a thriller in which Jose Bautista hit a now legendary three-run homer and flipped his bat.
But Rawlings is putting Toronto on notice.
"I think we've got a much better team this year. We're much deeper, we're hitting the ball better and we're pitching better. So we're excited about this and I think it just makes it more fun."
To add to the fun, Rawlings is willing to send some Texas brisket John Tory's way if the Jays pull off a repeat. And not just any brisket. Brisket from barbeque joint Pecan Lodge, where diners line up as early as 8 a.m. to make sure they can get their hands on some smoky meat before it runs out.
If the Rangers win, Rawlings would like to crack open some brewed-in-Canada beer.
"Obviously Canadian beer is the best," Rawlings said.
NEWSTALK 1010 has reached out to mayor Tory's office to find out if he's game.
Bautista is being painted as villain as the ALDS gets underway. Many Rangers and their fans were angered by his 2015 bat flip. Months later, tensions exploded into a dugout-clearing brawl in which Bautista was punched in the face by Texas second baseman Rougned Odor.
But from Rawlings anyway there are no hard feelings. Asked if he would rather share a beer with Joey Bats or Kim Kardashian, he didn't hesitate.
"I'd love to have a couple pops with Jose and see what goes from there."