Tags
Baltimore Orioles, baseball, Dilemmas, Las Vegas Bets, Red Sox, Washington Nationals, World Series
(Not shown: Multiple Red Sox tickets to win the 2014 Pennant & World Series.)
Dilemma #1:
The Facts: The Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles secured playoff positions last night in their respective MLB Divisions (NL East and AL East). Thus both have a shot at winning the 2014 World Series. I have been a Nats’ fan (a distant second, of course, to being a Red Sox fan) since they arrived in DC. I have rooted against the O’s for years, except when they play the Yankees. I hold two Las Vegas $10 bets. One for the Nats (payoff $110) and one for the O’s (payoff $260).
The Dilemma: Whom do I cheer for to win the World Series?
(Note: I also hold three $10 tickets for the Nats to win the 2014 Pennant. Total payoff for the three tickets, $145.)
Dilemma #2:
The Facts: On my Orioles’ WS ticket, I have written the name “Nelson” in the upper right hand corner of the ticket. Nelson is a friend who roots for the O’s and rubs it in when they beat the Sox. Nelson does not know I bought this ticket with him in mind.
The Dilemma: Do I inform Nelson I have the ticket, and do I give it to him?
Dilemma #3:
The Facts: I also bought a bunch (I’m embarrassed to say how many) of Sox tickets for them to win the 2014 Pennant and World Series. (If either the Nats’ or the O’s win the World Series, I can recoup the cost of most of my foolish Sox bets.)
The Dilemma: What do I do with all my useless Sox 2014 tickets.
Please advise.
Nancy Cedar Wilson said:
Dilemma #1–Ya gotta stick with the Home Team! & what a miracle it would be! For a Washington Team to win?!
Dilemma #2–Sure, you’re a good sport and great friend–give it to him!
Dilemma #3–Put them in a scrapbook that, hopefully, celebrates the Nat’s ultimate Championship!
Rob Higdon said:
#1- Root for both to get there, and then root for the Nats AND
#2- then tell Nelson you have the ticket, and the Nats ticket. Give him the O’s ticket, and watch all the games together.
#3- Do you really want those useless pieces of paper? burn them or trash them.
Carrie said:
All I know about baseball is Ya!!! Nats!!!
dave said:
Support the Pittsburgh P”s
Brian Steinbach said:
1. Root for the Nats, of course, knowing you bought an insurance policy. (Of course, you have to root for both teams to get to the WS first.) While I have nothing against the O’s and by default rooted for them back in the Edward Bennett Williams days, Washington’s WS victory drought (1924) is almost as long as the Sox’s was.
2. Why does the fact your wrote Nelson’s name on the ticket mean you should give him the proceeds? You bought in his honor, not his name. Otherwise you would have given him the ticket. And if you traditionally root against the O’s, then why give him the opportunity to lord an O’s victory over you? You owe him nothing. (I am sure the NYT ethicist would agree with me.)
3. I like the scrapbook idea. They should be kept as a reminder about the folly of gambling and in particular gambling with your heart not your mind. (I won the first NCAA tournament pool I ever entered because I did not pick UVa to go beyond the first round as did most of my law school classmates (recognizing their top player Wally Walker was injured).)
Land Wayland said:
What to do with your useless bets. Hmmm. Well, if you never want to see them again and mystify your children when they open the scrap-book in 22 years as to why you kept losing tickets, that is where they should go. That is what I do with all of my losing lottery tickets. Otherwise get some value from them and treat them as a “found object de art” and mount them in a handsome frame and hang them where you will see them at least once a week.
david elvove said:
1. – having had a potential similar dilemma for 10 years now , throughout the existence of the PARKWAY SERIES (popularly, it is known as the “beltway series” – a misnomer if you think about it,) i have unabashedly rooted for the nationals. money should not enter into the decision.
2. – if you bought it for nelson, it’s his. if you wrote “nelson” on the bet because you were so excited that nelson ccccrrrruuuuuuuuuuuuuuzzzzz was going to lead the major league in home runs as an oriole and there was not enough room to write his entire last name, then it’s a non issue.
3. – you might consider putting them on ebay. in 2012, i sold tickets to the championship and world series games that were not played. seriously.
Chris B said:
#1. As a Red Sox fan you’ve already likely satisfied the first criteria of World Series goals, that being, if our guys don’t win it just don’t let it be the Yankees (I sort of feel the same about the Dodgers). Nat’s vs O’s would be refreshing (the “Summit Series?).
#2. If the O’s make the WS take Nelson out for drinks during Game #1 as a nice gesture/good luck charm.
#3. Carefully erase the ‘4’ in 2014 on your Red Sox and replace it with a ‘3’. Leave it in the player’s parking lot at Fenway (along with a 2015 ticket, please!).
Elizabeth said:
1. Nats. Duh.
2. Give them to Nelson. Friendships trump baseball allegiances. He’s a real fan, he deserves them!
3. Give them to Eli. Explain to him what it means to have a losing season.
Richard said:
How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a wise child.
EllnMllr said:
+1 to Elizabeth’s comments!