The record and the bet, by Jeffrey Veen

The record and the bet

It was nearly six years ago, in a bar in the Mission district of San Francisco. I was having a drink with friends and we were talking about baseball - home runs, in fact. It felt like just about anyone could put one over the fence - Sosa, McGuire, and Bonds were competing for single-season records and someone even suggested that Hank Aaron's all-time mark could fall.

Mike Monteiro, one of the founders of Mule Design, was there that night. "Bonds will do it," he said. "I have no doubt in my mind."

"Bonds?" I said. "You've got to be kidding. He's old, injured, and taking so much junk - he won't even last the next season."

"You have no faith."

"You're blinded by hero worship."

And on it went. Eventually, we found ourselves at an impasse. And, as guys do when they argue about sports, we decided to make it interesting.

"Alright. A hundred dollars says he does it," Mike said.

"Don't be so minor league. Five hundred," I countered.

"Oh yeah? Loser buys a luxury box at a game."

I paused. Clearly, this wasn't about money. It was about pride. I had to go after his. "We have to make this count. This has to be something really meaningful."

"What do you have in mind?" he asked.

"Loser wears a dress to a game."

We shook hands.

Last night, Bonds put one into the centerfield bleachers. There were fireworks, speeches, and tributes. My IM client popped up a few minutes later with a message from Mike:

http://www.chadwicks.com/Department.aspx?DeptId=8295

See you at the game...

I am a man of my word. Later this season, I will uphold my end of the wager. There is already talk of reserving the centerfield bleachers and getting a little something up on the Jumbotron. I'm considering my wardrobe; elegant and tasteful while still fun and flattering. Your suggestions would be most appreciated in the comments.

My only consolation? I'll be a 6'6" guy with a goatee wearing a dress in San Francisco. Nobody will blink an eye...

This entry was written by Jeffrey Veen and posted 8 August 2007 at 9:21 AM. It was filed under Personal. | View blog reactions

Comments

1. On 8 August 2007 at 9:49 AM Julie Hamwood wrote:

Legs, baby. I want to see lots of leg.
And tight.
Work it!

2. On 8 August 2007 at 10:00 AM Margaret Stewart wrote:

Remember, Jeff, you're a summer. So stick with the pastels......but a little black dress is always classic!

3. On 8 August 2007 at 10:01 AM Margaret Stewart wrote:

Remember, Jeff, you're a summer. So stick with the pastels......but a little black dress is always classic!

4. On 8 August 2007 at 10:04 AM Andrew Crow wrote:

A photo of you at the urinal, holding your beer cup in your teeth, among the other black and orange wearing guys would be awesome.

5. On 8 August 2007 at 10:08 AM jkottke wrote:

Bless you crazy kids. You've cheered up my otherwise not-so-cheery day.

6. On 8 August 2007 at 10:10 AM Mike D. wrote:

I think the only way you can maintain semi-respectability is to perhaps talk your friend into letting you wear something kilt-like. I'm thinking maybe a Catholic schoolgirl skirt...

7. On 8 August 2007 at 10:39 AM M Doeff wrote:

I think a tasteful sundress should do the trick.

8. On 8 August 2007 at 10:56 AM Mike Monteiro wrote:

I appreciate you being a man of your word.

It's touching and inspiring to the children who might be reading this blog in the hope of one day being designers themselves.

9. On 8 August 2007 at 11:17 AM Dan Harrelson wrote:

Pick the female celebrity who you best identify with and buy their dress: http://www.edressme.com/hollywooddress.html

10. On 8 August 2007 at 11:41 AM Terry Bleizeffer wrote:

The moral of the story? Avoid making late night bets at a bar unless you are absolutely confident that your buddy is too drunk to remember it.

As for the dress, I strongly suggest something Amish.

11. On 8 August 2007 at 1:17 PM Mike Papageorge wrote:

As an avid road cyclist, I guess it won't feel weird shavin' the legs for the dress. Another added bonus.

12. On 8 August 2007 at 2:26 PM Joshua Allen [msft] wrote:

Black leather mini with fishnet stockings. And lots of lipstick. Don't shave.

13. On 8 August 2007 at 2:39 PM melinda wrote:

go for the utilikilt. it's manly and cute all at the same time.

http://www.utilikilts.com/

14. On 8 August 2007 at 2:50 PM aubs wrote:

Oh, I'm there. (I've got a great guy to get ya tickets too AND get you on the Jumbotron. Lemme know if you want his deets).

I've also got a closet full of dresses; I suggest one of my southern ball gowns if you want to borrow. I'd be honored.

15. On 8 August 2007 at 3:34 PM Amy wrote:

Brilliant. I guess friends really DO let friends bet drunk. Love this!

I'm with Julie--you should totally show leg.

16. On 8 August 2007 at 4:31 PM Grant Todge wrote:

Are you actually gay? Wearing a dress is very bad news for a man. Best of luck on the night!

17. On 8 August 2007 at 5:13 PM Dorothy Nelson wrote:

Nice -- a gentleman always honors his marker. Good show, man, I am honestly impressed with your integrity. :-)

Do NOT wuss out and wear a Utilikilt. However, I think you will be forgiven if you don't wear the standard women's foot torture (heels), as the bet specified no accessories.

Don't listen to the barbarians howling for you to show leg. Don't they know how cold it gets in SF? Go for something tasteful in black. Stay away from synthetics. That stuff doesn't breathe. With the guy shoulders, try sleeveless, and get a wrap.

Apart from this I have no advice to give, being of large size myself and possessing little sartorial knowledge save that of female friends who bully me into shopping with them.

HTH!!!

18. On 8 August 2007 at 7:20 PM Nate Bolt wrote:

Great drinking betters must face great challenges. You have clearly rose to the challenge. And besides, guys in dresses drink for free in frisco. I mean, that's what I've heard.

19. On 8 August 2007 at 9:23 PM richard wrote:

I was all ready to post a link to an Alyssa Milano dress, sanctioned by MLB, but they don't have any Giants ones. So much for that option. Go with vintage couture and do it right.

20. On 8 August 2007 at 9:23 PM richard wrote:

I was all ready to post a link to an Alyssa Milano dress, sanctioned by MLB, but they don't have any Giants ones. So much for that option. Go with vintage couture and do it right.

21. On 8 August 2007 at 9:46 PM Ms. Jen wrote:

I vote for watered silk in a summer print, show off your curves and legs!

;o)

22. On 9 August 2007 at 12:41 PM Brendan Gramer wrote:

Can't wait for the photos!

23. On 9 August 2007 at 1:11 PM Brendan Gramer wrote:

Can't wait for the photos!

24. On 9 August 2007 at 11:30 PM Micki Krimmel wrote:

I'm not much of a sports fan. But now, for some reason, Barry Bonds beating the home run record has become the happiest moment of my life.

25. On 10 August 2007 at 6:01 AM tom sakell wrote:

I'm certain you won't be the only man that night wearing a dress at the ballpark -- either in the bleachers or the men's room. Just make sure you're the most memorable.

26. On 13 August 2007 at 7:40 AM Jeff Hartman wrote:

80's prom dress...in 4 sizes too small.

27. On 21 September 2007 at 4:26 PM Pete wrote:

Veen Wang, I mean, Vera Wang would be nice.