Ellison, Serrano duel over Twins, Yankees series

U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, DFL-Minneapolis, and Rep. José E. Serrano, D-Bronx, have a friendly wager going over which team will win the American League Division Series between the Twins and the Yankees. If the Yankees lose, Serrano has to praise the Twins from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. If the Yankees win, Ellison must do the same for them.

In a lighthearted press release this afternoon, the two took jabs at each other over the chances their respective teams would win.

“I remember the 2003 and 2004 ALDS, but I think my friend Keith Ellison has forgotten those magnificent series,” said Rep. Serrano. “Luckily I went ahead and reminded him that both times my Yankees beat the Twins in four games. I feel confident that the Yankees will continue the streak, since they already swept the season series against the Twins. Congressman Ellison had better bone up on his Yankees knowledge, because it’s practically inevitable that he will end up on the House floor giving a speech about the greatest franchise in sports history. I look forward to the series, and the speech.”

Ellison’s retort:

“Here’s a history lesson for my friend José Serrano: The Twins played their very first game on April 11, 1961 and beat the Yankees 6-0. Victory this week will be just as sweet in their final season playing in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome,” said Congressman Ellison. “Today the Yankees may have more trophies and money than the Twins, but none of those things are tools for winning a game. My friend likes to talk about inevitability, but I rather like the proverb: the bigger they come, the harder they fall.”