Mayor Charles Meeker made a bet involving beer, barbeque, ham, cheese and potatoes this afternoon with a man 29 years his junior.

And it was all in the name of civic pride.

Meeker and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl spoke today on a conference call and confirmed that a friendly wager between the two cities has been agreed to.

If the Penguins defeat the Hurricanes, Meeker, 58, will send 10 pounds of the The Pit’s chopped barbeque and a case of Big Boss beer to Ravenstahl, the 29-year-old mayor who was first elected in 2006 after his predecessor died in office.

Rumors that Meeker would also agree to change his name to Charles Malkin in the event the Penguins win turned out to be false.

If the Canes dump the Penguins, Ravenstahl will send Meeker five pounds of Isaly’s chipped chopped ham, three dozen pierogies, a case of Iron City beer and a defibulator. Okay, the last item isn't really part of the bet. But for those people worried about the rail-thin Meeker's heath should the Canes prevail, rest easy. Meeker promised to auction off this gut bomb or donate it to a food bank.

The Hurricanes and Penguins begin their best-of-seven series tonight in Pittsburgh. The winning mayor advances to the Stanley Cup Finals where he will be allowed to make another bet with a legendary pol or a former NBA great.

The two Democratic mayors traded some friendly banter this afternoon on their brief phone call.

Noting that the Steelers won the Super Bowl earlier this year, Meeker asked Ravenstahl how the Pittsburgh Pirates were doing and whether the city has any chance of corralling three major sports titles at once.

Ravenstahl said turning the moribund Pirates franchise around is a tall task.

“If you could help be get that done I’d be re-elected for life,” Ravenstahl said.

Ravenstahl undoubtedly has other things besides hockey on his mind these days. Pittsburgh holds its Democratic mayoral primary tomorrow, and two challengers are attempting to unseat Ravenstahl.