Rick Perry’s World Series wager: BBQ, of course

Rick Perry can shake off Tuesday’s tough Republican debate by watching the Texas Rangers open up the 2011 World Series on Wednesday night. And if all goes according to plan, he’ll have a six-pack of Budweiser to celebrate a championship in about a week.

Governors and mayors often make friendly wagers on major sporting events. The second straight World Series appearance from the Texas Rangers means the Texas governor is again taking part in that ritual.

If the Rangers beat the St. Louis Cardinals, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, has to send Perry quite a spread: toasted ravioli, gourmet prosciutto salami and other meats, frozen custard, and, yes, a six-pack of Bud.

If the Cardinals triumph, Perry has to send Nixon some barbecue from the famous Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas, along with some Dr Pepper.

“The Cardinals have had a great run, but this is about the here and now, and as Gov. Nixon and his fellow Missourians are about to discover, you simply can’t mess with Texas,” Perry said in a statement.

“I appreciate Gov. Perry’s willingness to take on this wager, and I look forward to watching the Show-Me State win another historic series,” Nixon countered.

In 2010 when the Rangers faced off against the San Francisco Giants in the World Series, Perry wagered not with then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, but Republican gubernatorial nominee Meg Whitman. Perry at the time was vice chairman of the Republican Governors Assn.; he had to send Whitman some cowboy boots when the Giants won.

The annual Fall Classic will feature some other notable dignitaries. First Lady Michelle Obama is attending the first game along with Dr. Jill Biden to participate in a special pre-game ceremony with veterans and military families.

Former President George W. Bush, a former Rangers owner, will likely be again seated in his front-row box at the Ballpark in Arlington when the Series returns to Texas this weekend. Last year, he threw out a ceremonial first pitch.