DC2012-mlb-playoffsVideost. louis cardinals

D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay Have Flag Wager Over Nationals-Cardinals Series Win

Mayor Gray Has Bet With St. Louis Mayor
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District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray speaks to the media about an unconfirmed terror threat to the city, in Washington, on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2011. Law enforcement officials in say they are working to corroborate a terrorism threat against the city after government officials said they were investigating a detailed al-Qaida car bomb plot aimed at bridges or tunnels in New York or Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

WASHINGTON -- District of Columbia voting rights advocates have a small stake in the Nationals beating the St. Louis Cardinals in the current National League division series. If the Nationals win, St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay will fly D.C.'s "Taxation Without Representation" flag over his city hall.

If the Cardinals win, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray will fly the St. Louis "Three Rivers" flag over the John A. Wilson Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, the seat of the D.C. government.

"The Cardinals entered the playoffs as a wild-card team last year," Slay said in a statement released by Gray's office Tuesday morning. "And that led to the organization's 11th World Series victory. We're no stranger to postseason play in St. Louis. So, we're thrilled to show the upstarts how to do it right. I look forward to our City's flag flying proudly over the John A. Wilson Building when our boys wrap this thing up."

Gray said in the statement: "The Nationals' storybook season and our first Major League Baseball postseason play in nearly 80 years mark a momentous time for the District of Columbia, and I'm proud to be playing a great and historic team from wonderful sports city like St. Louis. I look forward to the citizens of the City of St. Louis getting a lesson not only on the baseball diamond when the Nats take the series, but also in the uniquely unjust situation in which the District's 618,000-plus residents find ourselves -- denied voting representation in Congress and ultimate authority over our own budget and affairs -- when our flag flies over Market Street in downtown St. Louis!"

The Nationals lost to the Cardinals in St. Louis on Monday night after a win on Sunday. The tied National League division series resumes Wednesday at Nationals Park.

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Before You Go

Mayor Vincent C. Gray
(01 of19)
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Presumptive mayor-elect Vince Gray rallys fellow Democrats during a 'get out the vote' campaign event at the First Trinity Lutheran Church Oct. 14, 2010, in Washington, D.C. (credit:Getty)
(02 of19)
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Newly elected Mayor Gray delivers the winning speech of the election in front of his supporters at Love Nightclub on Nov. 2, 2010. (credit:Getty)
Mayor Gray(03 of19)
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Mayor Gray and Debra Lee speak during the 4th annual BET Honors at the Warner Theatre on January 15, 2011. (credit:Getty)
Vincent Gray(04 of19)
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Gray with members of the Urban Land Institute, celebrating the group's 75th anniversary on Dec. 14, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(05 of19)
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Breaking ground at Cardozo Senior High School, Nov. 11, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(06 of19)
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Gray with former Office of Aging Director Veronica E. Pace at the opening of the new Office of Aging Headquarters on Oct. 27, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(07 of19)
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The mayor bagging groceries at Safeway during a breast cancer fundraiser on Oct. 25, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(08 of19)
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Mayor Gray at DCOA's Senior Citizen Holiday Celebration on December 8, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(09 of19)
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Celebrating Nordic Food Day with students at Miner Elementary School, Oct. 26, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(10 of19)
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Gray marching at the D.C. Full Freedom Rally on Oct. 15, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(11 of19)
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Gray meeting with Mohammad Iqbal Aziz, governor of Laghman Province in Afghanistan, on Nov. 2, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(12 of19)
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Gray at a pizza party honoring local youth football players on Dec. 13, 2011. (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
Vincent Gray(13 of19)
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The mayor addresses an audience at the Cadillac display at the 2011 Washington Auto Show Jan. 27, 2011 at the Washington Convention Center. (credit:Getty)
Vincent Gray(14 of19)
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Gray with Planters mascot Mr. Peanut at The Corps Network 'Plant' New Urban Park on July 12, 2011. (credit:Getty)
Vincent Gray(15 of19)
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District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray takes questions as he testifies in support of a House resolution expressing support for admitting the District of Columbia as the 51st state., Jan. 27, 2012, in Concord, N.H. (credit:AP)
Vincent Gray(16 of19)
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Gray chats with President Obama following his annual back-to-school address at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School Sept. 28, 2011. (credit:Getty)
Vincent Gray And Cathy Lanier(17 of19)
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Mayor Gray and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier during a news conference on April 10, 2012, to announce initiatives to combat the growing robbery rate targeting smartphones and other cell phones. (credit:Getty)
Vincent Gray(18 of19)
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Gray arrives at the opening gala of the historic Howard Theater in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2012. (credit:Getty)
Vincent Gray With Mary Cheh(19 of19)
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The mayor showcasing the city's newly-purchased snowplows on Dec. 14, 2011, with D.C. Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3). (credit:DC Mayor's Office/Facebook)
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