2010 Hot Dog Eating Contest: No Kobayashi, Chestnut Favored

Takeru Kobayashi will not be competing in the 2010 Hot Dog Eating contest because of negotiation issues with the International Competition of Eating Federation.  

But reigning champ Joey Chestnut will be shoving them down.  

In 2006, Chestnut ended Kobayashi's six consecutive winning streak and has retained the title ever since.  

With Kobayashi out, Joey Chestnut  is favored by -300 percent (which means if you bet on him and he wins, you'll only get one-third of your cash back), according to BetUS.com.

So, with no Kobayashi, is the hot dog contest the same?

I mean, don't get me wrong, it'll still be my favorite part of July 4, but I don't want any speculation that my boy Joey isn't the best damn hot dog eater in the world.  

See, on July 4, 2007, Mr. Chestnut became an American hero when he brought down Kobayashi and took the title back to the US.  

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Joey Chestnut.  

I was just listing my favorite Patriots.  

The pig intestines version of David vs. Goliath will not repeat itself this year and that makes me disappointed.  

With no Goliath, there is no great story.  Just like if Batman caught the Joker, well, Batman wouldn't be a good show anymore.

My point is that without the guy, whose name actually sounds like a Polish sausage, the eating contest won't have that constant struggle between the two top dog eaters. 

And I think that absolutely takes a bite out of the contest.  

We've watched Kobayashi almost choke himself for nine years.  

But, then again, I don't need the British quartering troop in my home to know that America would win again.