Turner on ALCS wager with Arlington counterpart: 'The losing mayor would wear the winning team's jersey'

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross have made a friendly wager on the upcoming American League Championship Series (ALCS) between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers.

"I spoke with @CityOfArlington's Mayor Jim Ross," Turner said in an October 12th post on X. "We congratulated each of our respective teams for making it to the ALCS. He issued a friendly wager. The losing mayor would wear the winning team's jersey. I accepted his wager."

Turner, whose nearly eight years in Houston’s highest office paralleled the Astros’ long streak of ALCS appearances, added he’s looking to raise the wager.

The all-Texas best-of-seven penultimate round before the World Series marks the first time Houston and Texas face off in the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason. The Texas Rangers secured their spot in the ALCS by completing a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles, while the Astros advanced after defeating the Minnesota Twins, Houston Daily previously reported.

According to the publication, while the two Texas ballclubs have a rivalry not as intense as the historic feud between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox, there have been instances of tension between them dating back to when the Astros joined the American League over a decade ago.

The ALCS will commence on October 15th, with the Astros hosting Games 1 and 2 in Houston. Despite struggling at home during the regular season, the Astros hope to secure victories in both matchups before heading to Arlington for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, Games 5, 6, and 7 will also be played.