HARRISBURG -- Well, the people of Pennsylvania can be thankful about one thing -- they won't have to look at Gov. Ed Rendell wearing a New York Yankees skirt.

Mr. Rendell today announced the terms of one of those goofy sports bets that politicians make over sporting events, the World Series in this case.

If the Phillies win -- which Mr. Rendell said is a virtual lock -- two Philly fans will take a train to New York City for a four-day, three-night trip, with expenses paid for by Amtrak and Philadelphia marketing officials. If the Yankees win -- very unlikely, Mr. Rendell claimed -- two Yankee fans will visit the City of Brotherly Love, where Mr. Rendell was mayor in the 1990s. The winning couple also will eat lunch with the governor of the losing state during their visit.

The baseball bet is just like the bet Mr. Rendell made with the governor of Arizona in February when the Steelers beat the Cardinals in the Super Bowl. Two Steeler fans traveled to Arizona for a visit.

Mr. Rendell said that if the Phils win, a writing contest will be held on "why I love the Phillies, in 250 words or less." The person with the best submission will travel to New York with a friend. Four other contestants will get lesser prizes.

Mr. Rendell said that New York Gov. David Paterson has agreed to be seen wearing a Phillies skirt if the Phils win, but that he himself won't do the same. The idea for the skirt came from the back cover of today's New York Post, which showed a doctored photo of Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino wearing a skirt. The Philadelphia team was derided as the "Frillies."

Mr. Rendell said there are some things people just shouldn't see, such as him wearing a skirt that showed his legs.

"There are certain things a politician shouldn't do. Politicians shouldn't make a complete fool of themselves," he said. "The people of Pennsylvania aren't ready to see my legs in a skirt."

He said a former Philadelphia mayor once appeared in Mickey Mouse ears for a Disney-related event, and when Mr. Rendell saw that, "I vowed I would never be pictured in something completely stupid."

He also predicted the Phillies will win the Series in six games.

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