Cyclones Watch the World Series of Competitive Eating

Every Fourth of July, the corners of Surf and Stillwell become the center of the universe as competitive eaters convene for one of the most American events: the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

A handful of Cyclones made the trek to Coney Island to witness the festivities today, where Joey Chestnut secured his 12th title by downing 71 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

“It’s an American tradition,” outfielder Jake Mangum, who was one of the players in attendance, said. “It’s one of those things, like, ‘How often are you going to be in Brooklyn on July 4th?’ It was a great experience. I loved it.”

Mangum was joined by teammates Antoine Duplantis, Zach Ashford, Gavin Garay, Branden Fryman, and Jake Ortega. The group woke up early enough to get a good vantage point to watch the spectacle.

“We were on the left side of the stage. There were a whole bunch of people so it was really crowded, but you could see through to all the contestants eating,” Ashford said. “It was a pretty good view, and there was a big TV right behind us, too.”

For some of the Cyclones, the view may have been too good.

“It’s incredible that they can eat that many hot dogs, but it’s pretty disgusting at the same time,” Garay, a native of Dutchess County, said. “I mean, 71 hot dogs in, what, 10 minutes? I can’t even imagine that. I don’t even know if I could eat three in that amount of time.”

The players weren’t the only ones there. Brooklyn’s hitting coach, Delwyn Young, got behind-the-scenes access to the spectacle, posing with Chestnut minutes before his successful title defense.

Though he did have a hot dog before contest began, Young says he couldn’t finish more than seven frankfurters in 10 minutes.

That’s still better than some of his players. Ashford insists he would only eat one because “it just grosses [him] out.”

“I’m going to put ketchup, mustard, probably some onions, probably even get some chili because I’m trying not to taste the hot dog,” Ashford said. “I’ve got to put as many things on it as I can.”

After watching competitive eaters polish off enough hot dogs to feed a jam-packed MCU Park, the Cyclones will stay in the frankfurter spirit tonight, taking the field as the Coney Island Franks at 6 p.m. for the first of a three-game series against the Aberdeen IronBirds.

With baseball and hot dogs combining for the biggest attractions on Coney Island’s grandest day of the year, the Cyclones tried to put Joey Chestnut’s latest accomplishment into baseball terms.

“He’s like Bryce Harper. He’s the new face of hot dog eating,” Mangum said. “I think Kobayashi was originally the best. So, you know, [Chestnut] is not the day-one best, but he’s now the best and has been for a long time.”

“[Chestnut is like] Mike Trout. Because Trout is probably the best player in the game right now,” Garay added. “If he keeps on the pace that he’s at, he’ll probably go down as one of the best to ever do it. And Joey Chestnut is the best hot dog eater ever. He’s got the world record, so you could say that he’s the G.O.A.T of hot dog eating.”

— Dom

Today’s Game: Brooklyn vs. Aberdeen, 6 p.m.
MCU Park, Coney Island, NY
Probables: RHP Garrison Bryant (1–1, 6.92) vs. RHP Leonardo Rodriguez (0–1, 3.00)
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