The St. Louis Cardinals face a wave of trade rumors ahead of the July 30th deadline, prompting tough decisions amid their recent performance uptick. Initially speculated to be sellers, the team’s turnaround suggests they may now lean towards buying.
First baseman Paul Goldschmidt’s future seemed uncertain earlier this season, but The Athletic’s Katie Woo predicts there won’t be a trade involving him this summer, stating, “I can’t see any scenario in which the Cardinals trade Goldschmidt.” Despite a challenging season, Goldschmidt’s clubhouse influence remains invaluable, solidifying the Cardinals’ commitment to contend.
While not unexpected, this reaffirmation is reassuring amidst previous trade speculations, signaling Goldschmidt’s likely presence as the Cardinals push for a postseason return.
Patrick Bertoletti clinches his inaugural men’s title at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, while defending champion Miki Sudo secures victory in the women’s division.
Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago devoured 58 hot dogs to secure his inaugural men’s title at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in New York on Thursday.
In a tightly contested 10-minute race, the 39-year-old Bertoletti emerged victorious over 13 competitors from across the globe, showcasing his ability to consume the most hot dogs in the allotted time.
“I wasn’t going to stop eating until the job was done,” Bertoletti remarked after the competition.
Bertoletti surpassed his previous record of 55 hot dogs at the event, a longstanding tradition held every Independence Day at New York’s Coney Island.
Notably absent from this year’s event was Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, the reigning men’s champion, who skipped the competition due to a sponsorship disagreement. Instead, Chestnut opted to challenge soldiers at a U.S. Army base in El Paso later in the day, where he has a history of participating in patriotic eating challenges.
With Chestnut absent, Bertoletti seized the opportunity after months of intensive preparation, which included weight loss and dedicated practice sessions.
“With Joey not here, I knew I had a shot,” Bertoletti acknowledged. “I was able to unlock something that I don’t know where it came from. But I’m not complaining.”
Earlier in the day, Miki Sudo of Florida claimed her 10th title in the women’s division by consuming 51 hot dogs, setting a new world record for women in the process.
“I’m just happy to call this mine for another year,” Sudo said, reflecting on her achievement and the enduring competitiveness of the annual event.
The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest draws thousands of enthusiastic fans to Coney Island each year, celebrating the summer tradition with an array of competitors from around the globe vying for the coveted title and a $10,000 prize.
Despite the absence of Chestnut, whose record-setting performances have defined recent competitions, this year’s event showcased Bertoletti and Sudo as formidable champions in their own right, capturing the spirit and spectacle of competitive eating.