A Boston Red Sox fan, a New York Mets fan, and New York Yankees fan were all in Saudi Arabia performing military duty for the U.S. Army. While off base, they were caught sharing a smuggled case of booze. All of a sudden Saudi police rushed in and arrested them. The mere possession of alcohol is a severe offense in Saudi Arabia punishable by death!

With the help of good lawyers, they were able to successfully appeal their sentence down to life imprisonment. By a stroke of luck, a benevolent Sheik decided that they could be released after receiving just 20 lashes of the whip. As they were preparing for their punishment, the Sheik said, "It's my wife's birthday today, and she has asked me to allow each one of you one wish before your whipping."

The Mets fan was first in line (he had drunk the least), so he thought about this for a while and then said, "Please tie a pillow to my back."

This was done, but the pillow only lasted 10 lashes before the whip went through. The Mets fan was carried away bleeding and crying.

The Yankees fan was up next (he had almost finished an entire fifth of alcohol by himself), and after watching the scene, said "Okay, please affix 2 pillows to my back."

But even 2 pillows could only take 15 lashes before the whip went through again, sending the Yankee fan crying unbelievably.

The Red Sox fan was the last up (he had finished off the crate), but before he could say anything, the Sheik turned to him and said "you support the greatest baseball team in the world. Your supporters are the best and most loyal fans in all the world. For this you may have TWO wishes'"

"Thanks, your most royal highness" the Red Sox fan replied." In recognition of your kindness, my first wish is that you give me not 20, but 100 lashes."

"Not only are you an honorable, powerful man, you are also very brave," said the Sheik. "If 100 lashes is what you desire, then so be it. And your second wish. What is it to be?" the Sheik asks.

"Tie the Yankees fan to my back."