Stuart Scott's Eye: Clash of the Titans?

In sports history there have been many great personal rivalries. Ali vs Frazer, Wilt vs Russell, Magic vs. Bird and Kobayashi vs Chestnut?

As many of you know, every 4th of July at Nathan's hot dogs on Coney Island is the annual hot dog eating contest were freaks of nature shove hot dogs down their gullet for a shot at hot dog supremacy. For the last six years this contest has been ruled with the iron fist of the Japanese Buzzsaw that is Takeru Kobayashi. This small Japanese man has beaten the competition into submission with his unrivaled skill in the world of competitive eating. That is, until a rival to the throne emerged in Joey Chestnut, who recently shattered Kobayashi's previous record of 53 3/4 hot dogs with a record of 59.5 hot dogs.

To add to the "drama", during training for this event, Kobayashi hurt his jaw and can only open his mouth the width of two fingers. Chestnut has since said this injury is a ploy and that he's faking the injury. Now with all of the hype surrounding this spectacle, I had no choice but to do a running diary and post it on here for all of you.

11.44 a.m.- I just settled in front of the tv and I'm still laughing at the fact they actually had a weigh in for this event. Why the hell should this matter? Everyone's coming out at least five pounds heavier than they started.

11:48 a.m..- The "Who's Now?" segment is running on Sportscenter and I'd just like to say that Keyshawn Johnson sure knows how to class it up with the sneakers and jeans. I'm surprised that he didn't compare every athlete to himself like he did during the 2007 NFL Draft. Very classy Key, reallllllllllll classy.

12:00 p.m- They called Kobayashi's ailment "jaw-ritis", I kid you not.

12:01 p.m.- "Forecast- Indigestion". "ESPN: "The Worldwide Leader in Stupidity"

12:02 p.m.- They have a man in the "spray zone", I bet that's as disgusting as it sounds.

12:06 p.m.- The rules state that the winner gets a year's supply of hot dogs. If I ever did this contest, the last thing I'd want to see after would be another hot dog.

12:06 p.m.- Everyone else showed up to the event in a bus, Kobayashi, however, showed up in a limo. Wow.

12:07 p.m.- A lovely shot of Kobayashi holding up his Wisdom Tooth.

12:08 p.m.- They mention how the crowd wants to see Chestnut bring the belt back to America. See, this isn't just about the dogs man, its about pride, its about American pride. We need this for the Stars and Stripes. I think this is the biggest event for national pride since Balboa vs. Drago.

12:14 p.m.- I can't tell you how many people are here to see this. They are pouring out into every nearby intersection.

12:16 p.m.- Tim Janus a.k.a. "Eater X". Easily my favorite eater if I had to pick one. I mean c'mon, he paints his face like the Ultimate Warrior.

12:19 p.m.- I wish I had that three minutes of my life back from watching that enthralling piece on the Coney Island sideshow.

12:23 p.m.- Chestnut remarked in a pre-taped piece that these guys are in pretty good shape. That is until these guys die from a massive coronary.

12:26 p.m- Well if hot dog eating contests don't amuse you you could always tune into Saturday's Rock, Paper, Scissors contest.

12:28 p.m.- I just heard Kobayashi's name mentioned with Curt Schilling and Willis Reed in the same sentence as athletes who performed with injury. I'm going to take a cold shower.

12:30 p.m- The intros have started and with each passing contender they become bigger and bigger freaks.

12:33 p.m- Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas. Dear. God.

12:34 p.m- I believe in one foul swoop Eater X just made me laugh and ruined the new Harry Potter book. He held up a sign that said "And on the 7th Day, God created Hartford" and on the other side it said "Hermione Dies".

12:36 p.m- There he is. The Man, The Myth, The Legend. Takeru Kobayashi.

12:40 p.m- They called it "The fastest 12 minutes in sports" but this has been the longest 40 minutes of my life.

12:41 p.m- Let the madness begin.

12:42 p.m- Kobayashi is downing them pretty quick but Chestnut has a 9-7 lead.

12:43 p.m.- Chestnut 20, Kobayashi 18 with 10 minutes to go. Chestnut always looks like he wants to vomit.

12:45 p.m.- Chestnut 34, Kobayashi 30 with 8 minutes to go. You can see that some of these guys just can't take it anymore. Sort of sad really.

12:46 p.m.- Kobayashi is closing fast, down 3

12:47 p.m.- Chestnut 43, Kobayashi 41 with 6 minutes to go.

12:47 p.m.- This jackass comentator said that if Chestnut were to win that if you Google'd "American Hero" you'd find Lincoln, Neil Armstrong, and Joey Chestnut. What a joke.

12:49 p.m.- Chestnut 51, Kobayashi 49, 4 minutes to go.

12:50 p.m.- Kobayashi down 1 and a new record will be set as Chestnut hits 54

12:51 p.m.- Tied at 57 with two minutes to go.

12:51 p.m.- Chestnut takes a one dog lead with a minute and change to go.

12:52 p.m.-1 minute and its tied at 60.

12:52 p.m.- 30 seconds and tied at 61

12:52 p.m.- Tied at 62

12:53 p.m.- Chestnut apparently DQ'd himself according to the jackass even though the scoreboard says 63-62 Chestnut. But backtracking a bit. The one jackass commentator said that if Chestnut would win it would be the best moment in American sports history, yeah forget the Miracle on Ice.

12:54 p.m.- Kobayashi is down on his knees on the stage trying to get the last of the dogs down. He's hurting and hurting bad.

12:56 p.m.- The unofficial stats say Chestnut 66 Kobayashi 63.

12:57 p.m.- Kobayashi is announced as second and the crowd goes wild. Joey Chestnut is the new Nathan's champion.

12:59 p.m.- "Great day for America." What a jackass. If I watch this next year and I hear his voice, I'm turning it right off.

Final Thoughts: Well this sure lived up to all of the hype. Both broke any previous record and it went down to the wire. Although I'm not sure how Chestnut ended up with 66, something doesn't seem right to me but what do I know? All in all, I'm not sure if I wanna see another hot dog today. Ahh what the hell, toss one my way! But to everyone out there, enjoy your 4th, and I'll see ya when I see ya...peace!

The thrill of victory.....