How do you like your pizza? Do you prefer New York style or Chicago deep dish style? It is a war that will wage on for years with both sides of the argument declaring victory, so how about settling the score on the baseball field? Minor league baseball teams will do just that when the Brooklyn Cyclones, an affiliate of the New York Mets, and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in a one-night promotion in each team’s home stadiums.
The Cyclones will change their name to the Brooklyn Slices for their home game on August 4. The first 2,000 fans will receive complimentary caps with the one-night team name and logo. Hopefully, the Cyclones will hire the Pizza Rat for one night to serve as the mascot. You may remember last year when another minor league baseball team almost became the Pizza Rats.
Meanwhile, down in Myrtle Beach, the Pelicans are changing their names to “The Deep Dishers.” During the games in both cities, promotions and games involving players and fans and more will help to determine a true victor between the two pizza styles.
“Much has been made about the pizza in both Chicago and New York, and we’re always appreciative of a crisp, Brooklyn slice,” said Pelicans president/general manager Andy Milovich. “However, Myrtle Beach is independent of each city, and I can confidently say this area has been shown the light on deep dish pizza by our friends in the Midwest. The Chicago artisans have truly perfected the pizza pie.”
Ooh, them’s fighting words. Your response, Brooklyn?
“Pizza in Brooklyn is more than just food, it’s a religion,” said Cyclones Vice President Steve Cohen. “Everyone has their favorite spot to grab a slice and even if you move away from Brooklyn, you are always willing to make a pilgrimage to that special place and grab a slice of cheese covered perfection. If you ask 10 people in Brooklyn who makes the best pizza, you’ll probably get 10 different answers. But they’ll all agree that Chicago-style pizza has nothing on Brooklyn pizza.”
And the batting gloves have officially been dropped.
I know I’ll side with the New York style pizza over the deep dish stuff you have to eat with a fork. It’s a pizza, Chicago, not lasagna. But maybe I’m just a coastal elitist when it comes to pizza? It’s a good thing we have this one-night, two-city minor league baseball promotion to settle this debate once and for all. Or until next season.
