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July 05, 2007
Joey Chestnut
If you didn't feel patriotic enough hearing Congressman Wally Herger, Assemblymember Rick Keene, Supervisor Jane Dolan, and Chico Mayor Andy Holcombe give speeches at yesterday's annual "Let Freedom Ring" event, then you need to watch this video to restore your sense of American pride.
It's news like this - "S.J. student beats hot dog eating champ" - that makes me proud to be an American - and even prouder to be a Californian. The SF Chronicle reported:
"Joey Chestnut's hot dog dreams have come true. The 24-year-old from San Jose wolfed down 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes this morning in Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y., stealing the chomping crown from six-time winner Takeru Kobayashi."
I ate two hot dogs yesterday and regretted eating them - enough to feel motivated to go for a long bike ride afterwards. But imagine eating 52 hot dogs, then crying about it. That's what Chestnut did last year:
"Last Fourth of July, after training in his San Jose apartment for months, Chestnut ate a personal best of 52 hot dogs and buns on Coney Island -- but still lost to Kobayashi by just under two wieners. Chestnut wept afterward and vowed to train even harder."
This 4th of July Chestnut probably wept too, but tears of joy instead of disappointment. Chestnut won $20,000. I'm sure that will help pay for future medical expenses. Here's the AP article too.
Please do not watch this video before eating or you will lose your appetite. At the very least, watch the video till minute 1.18 when one of the ESPN announcers deadpans: "The entire world..the entire free world, is focused on these two men."
President George W. Bush likes to cite that 25 million Iraqis now live in freedom. I wonder how many Iraqis watched this hot dog eating contest?
But the incredible play-by-play announcements continue. At minute 2.37, the announcer says the competition is an "absolute dog fight." I love it. He didn't even say, "no pun intended" after that brilliant statement.
At minute 4:27, the announcer, who apparently doesn't watch other sports, said about Chestnut's upset win: "This will be the greatest moment in the history of American sports."
And after the eating is over, Chestnut is hailed a "true American hero" by the announcers, which made me wonder how our men and women serving in the military must think.
Then one announcer starts bumbling about George Washington crossing a river nearby...blah blah blah - as if the hot dog eating contest needs a historical context to the founding of this country.
Since I laughed so hard, I can only conclude that some of the greatest comedy writing talent is behind the play-by-play script for the ESPN hot dog eating contest announcers.
After watching the contest, I couldn't help but wonder why the Madison Bear Garden or Burger Hut doesn't host a local burger eating contest. Or perhaps Masie Jane's can host a nut eating contest. And maybe La Comida can host a tostada contest.
And now that San Jose state student Chestnut is the world champion, I wonder if Chico State can recruit him to transfer to our university so we can add Chestnut to the distinguished list of alumni.
Someone offer this "true American hero" an athletic scholarship to Chico State!
Today's Scrabble word is paca, a large rodent.
Posted by dan_nt at July 5, 2007 12:00 AM
Comments
Dan,
If you think this feat wasn't heroic, I double dog dare you to eat 60 hot dogs in one week. I'm betting after ten you'd get sick of them.
I actually watched this on TV too, and I noticed there were crowds of hundreds of people there. I have to admit to some national pride that an American is the world champ. Not quite as big a deal as Lance Armstrong kicking the frenchies butts, but we'll take our victories where we can get them.
Dane
Posted by: dane langston at July 5, 2007 09:28 AM
Dane,
Why don't you start eating first? I'll see you at the hospital.
If a hot dog eating contest gives you a sense of national pride, that's fine with me.
Don't get me wrong. I think eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes is impressive in a sick and twisted way.
And the ESPN play-by-play announcements create a hilarious sense of excitement by capturing "the greatest moment in the history of American sports." Uh huh.
Posted by: dan_nt at July 5, 2007 10:12 AM
The NY Times estimates that 150 million hot dogs were consumed in the US yesterday.
Randy
Posted by: randy at July 5, 2007 11:19 AM
Randy,
Wow. That's a heroic amount!
Posted by: dan_nt at July 5, 2007 11:29 AM
The video clip reminded me of Monty Python's Mr. Creosote sketch, which I thought was more watchable than the hot dog eating race. At least I can take comfort in knowing that Mr. Creosote is fictional. The real-life hot dog wolfers are grosser and harder to watch.
Why didn't ESPN offer the winner a "whaffer thin mint?"
Posted by: Chuckles at July 5, 2007 12:03 PM