SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
Kudos again to Joey (Jaws) Chestnut for stuffing down another record hot dogs and buns at Sunday’s annual Nathans Fourth of July contest with one change, instead of it taking its usual place outside of Nathans Famous in Coney Island, it was moved across the street to the ballpark where the Brooklyn Cyclones play.
It was good weather with morning sun and not too high temperatures, and brought the usual crowd who roared when Chestnut was first announced, and continued to cheer as master of ceremonies George Shea went on to call out all of Chestnut’s accomplishments that took a while.
He was now seeking his 14th-straight title in his 17th appearance, the first coming when he flew in from his home in San Diego, Calif., on a challenge from family and friends.
He finished fourth then, but continued to enter. Two years later, he finally won by putting away 64 hot dogs and buns. Since then, he has broken his record every year, and this time it stood at 76.
At 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, the 37-year-old Chestnut has loved the role he created. He’s become like the Nathans Famous spokesman and has the personality that is very helpful to a place like Nathans that has sites all over the country.
Nathans original owner was Nathan Frankfooter, but he decided to call them hot dogs when he first opening in 1931. He also discovered that mustard on the franks were a great idea. Next came sauerkraut. He had no idea that his Nathans would become so successful, it was worth a fortune, but it occurred after he passed away in 1945 on the day that Japan surrendered in World War II.
The popular contest had been going on before the days of Chestnut, but he has selling points and the personality that makes it even bigger, especially when he enters every year.
After the cheering introduction for Chestnut, Shea helped escort the field of 21 to the starting points close-by the ballpark and its crowd of about 5,000, plus there were other cheery spectators that made for a happy turnout.
Then Shea asked, New York City, are you ready, and the 10 minute of gulping down hot dogs with some mustard and with the buns.
Chestnut got away to his usual quick start that puts him in front from start to finish. After the first minute, he downed a dozen, After two, he had stuffed down 22, after three, he was up to 31, and then he reached 40 in the fourth minute, and with five minutes remaining, he had 48.
Then the time ticked down and Chestnut had increased his pace, upping his total to 56. Three minutes to go, he had reached 63, then 68, and with a minute left, he was at 70. Down they went, 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2and one as the final second was at 0:0, after he forced the last one and the crowd responded.
“I had a good time,” he said, “and as they always do, the crowd kept me going and I thank them for that. It was also a nice day, not much sweat until we began eating, and I’m always happy to break my records.”
Geoffrey Esper from Long Island finished second by downing a personal-best 50, and third went to Nick Wehry of Massachusetts who stuffed down 41.
Said Esper: “This is not easy, but Joey is the best, number one on the planet, and kudos to him once again, he just makes it easier.”
Chestnut’s accomplishments have zoomed to the top of the heap, landing on top of an exclusive list.
Remember, he has won his Nathans event 14 times.
Well, Tennis Hall of Famer Rafael Nadel has won the French Open 12 times, Another former tennis star, Margaret Court, has won 11 Australian Open championships, NBA Hall of Famer Bill Russell, has won 11 titles with the Boston Celtics.
Ice hockey Hall of Famer, Henri Richard, has won 11 Stanley Cups, and Sam Jones, another Hall of Famer who played in the NBA with the Celtics and won 10, one less than former teammate Russell did.
Jody Beliveau of the NHL has won 10 Stanley Cups and Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra won 10 World Series.
With the possible exception of Nadel who is still playing, none of the others can add to their totals, only Chestnut can.
