http://cache.deadspin.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/deadspin.com.png http://deadspin.com/tag/hot dogs http://deadspin.com/tag/hot dogs

America smells heavily of sweat. Sweat and old takeout—a lingering, clotted odor, a hybrid of a gas leak and authentic home cooking. This is my first time smelling or seeing the country. I arrived three days ago, Heathrow to JFK, having never crossed the Atlantic before. Now after a long and hot subway ride, I'm at Coney Island, where the Deadspin editors have arranged for me to pick up credentials for the Nathan's hot dog contest, July 4, this nation's birthday. Deep breath in. Here goes. More »
]]> Laura Profumo]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5818337&view=rss&microfeed=true

You know, Sluggerrr is quite terrifying when you really look at him. But no one has more to fear from the Royals mascot than John Coomer, who testified this week that he suffered a severe eye injury when he was the target of a thrown hot dog in 2009. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5780102&view=rss&microfeed=true

Perhaps we know why the Royals need a new Sluggerrr. The last one nearly blinded a guy with a hot dog and got the team sued. He'd get more damages if he'd actually seen the Royals play. [TMZ; photo via] More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5478304&view=rss&microfeed=true

Depending on how you feel about professional eating, this could be somewhat amusing for those of you who love the sport, but unfortunately have a stomach the size of a fieldmouse. A California-based video gaming company is trying to put together a "virtual" professional eating game and went as far as to by a license from Major League Eating ( and expects have it up and running by the time the next Coney Island Hot Dog competition comes around. More »
]]> http://deadspin.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=354646&view=rss&microfeed=true