John Cena makes good on his bet.
In early-2017 John Cena made a bet with minor league pitcher Logan Allen that he wouldn't make it to The Show. It was a motivational tactic by Cena, who was impressed with Allen's story after talking with him at a steakhouse in Tampa. Allen managed to cash in on Tuesday night when he took the hill for the San Diego Padres.
Cena was in attendance for Allen's MLB debut against the Milwaukee Brewers, watching as Allen pitched seven innings, striking out five and earning his first career victory. On Wednesday, Cena paid up, writing "Logan, I was wrong. — John Cena" on a crisp one dollar bill.
Tonight, @Logan__Allen earns his dollar from @JohnCena as he makes his Major League debut.
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 18, 2019
Tomorrow, the dollar gets paid in person. #onedollarbet pic.twitter.com/HKecAkSuS4
Never underestimate the value of a dollar. Tomorrow I will gladly pay what is owed. Tonight is something special. #OneDollarBet ---- https://t.co/k0oh9KWZIG
— John Cena (@JohnCena) June 18, 2019
Speaking to The Athletic, Cena discussed the 2017 conversation with Allen and how he knew he would eventually have to pay up.
“Just knowing his character, hearing about his family background — and at such a young age, he kind of is a support system for his family — super impressive,” Cena told The Athletic. He gestured toward the field, where Allen was in the midst of a perfect inning. “I am less impressed by this. I am more impressed by that. Because that right there shows you that he won’t quit. I kind of knew this day would come. But I just wanted to add some spice to it. There’s nothing else I could’ve done to motivate the kid. So I figured, ‘Why not maybe put a false chip on his shoulder, just so he could, like, stick it to the man?’ It’s going to be awesome paying the bet tomorrow. I’m so much more attached to the human being and the emotional satisfaction of the moment. Admittedly, I’m not a baseball junkie. I’m just super proud of a wonderful young man being able to live his dream.”
Cena went on to say that he's happy more people will know about Logan's story through this bet.
