Is there any combo that is more American than these two? Not for me, as I am a lover of hot dogs and a baseball junkie and I always have been. However, I got my love for hot dogs when my grandfather took me to a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball game at Ebbetts Field in 1944. I can still savor the odor that came from the steam box the vendor carried with those ‘red hots” waiting to be sold. A little mustard and then that first bite and this nine year old was in heaven. It had a taste unlike anything I’d tasted before and I couldn’t finish it fast enough. My grandfather just looked at me, smiled and patted me on the head. I think I had two or three more before the game ended. But that experience was the beginning of my love affair with hot dogs and it continues to this day. My love for baseball, thanks again to my grandfather, came along at about the same time. So hotdogs, baseball and I have been together and had quite a love affair for a very, very long time.

That love for hot dogs has given me the chance to try all kinds of hot dogs in a wide variety of places around the country in my travels. But my real first love for the hot dog besides Ebbetts Fierld came in 1945 when my family like many, moved from the city to the “suburbs”. For us it was a move from Jersey City out to East Paterson (now Elmwood Park) and where I would grow up. My folks discovered a place called Rutt’s Hut in Clifton just a few miles away and that place, which has been going since the 1920’s became a twice a month refuge for the best hot dogs anywhere, as well as other treats. Now here we are all these years later and I have had all kinds of hot dogs from the real Nathan’s on Coney Island to the Dodger Dog in L.A. and almost everything in between. So do I have a favorite? Yep, and it is a place in St. Pete, The Coney Island Grill on MLK. It has been there since 1927 and when you walk in you are taken back in time, but the Coney Island hot dogs are the best on the planet. Everything about this place is centered around very good food, a small menu, small prices and big portions. If you like chili dogs, burgers, chili and great milk shakes this is the only place to go. In addition I have come to really like the Kayem hot dogs they  sell at the Trop. They are rich, full of flavor and have just the right amount of ‘zing” to them. Unfortunately they are only sold at Publix, where I refuse to shop at for my own personal reasons. But Kayem is an excellent choice. So when it comes to buying hot dogs I always get Nathan’s because of the spices used they come close to the old days and the “rippers” from Rutt’s Hut.

Now as for baseball, it has been a four month struggle but the season will get underway tomorrow. The big question is…..will they actually finish the 60 game schedule and post season and World Series? Given all the new rules, safety protocols for players and staff, no fans in the stands and the COVID-19 numbers still spiking, I would say it’s a 50/50 chance right now. Still, I am looking forward to this “sprint” of 60 games with our Tampa Bay Rays making an excellent showing and getting in to the post season.

The Rays with the 30 man roster every team will have the first two weeks, are stacked top to bottom. There will be a few surprise additions to the roster and once again the Rays pitching will be the dominant factor. With Morton, Snell, Glasnow, Yarbrough, Chirinos, then Richards and McKay as spot starters, that is very strong. While the loss of Colin Poche will hurt, the Rays bullpen is extremely deep and won’t miss a beat. From an offensive standpoint I expect Austin Meadows, when he returns, to pick up where he left off in 2019. I look for a healthy Brandon Lowe to come back strong, a complete breakout year from Willy Adames, our Japanese import Yoshi will be a big factor and the Ji Man will keep us entertained with his smile and his offense. Add in some other good parts. Plus all the versatility and this Rays team cannot be taken lightly. One more thing, and don’t laugh…….I am looking for Mike Zunino to come back strong with power and more consistency.

It is going to be interesting to see how all the teams are going to react to empty stadiums, pre recorded crowd noise and all the new safety protocols. You have to believe that while these are pro athletes, they are also human beings and just how it will all play emotionally no one knows. Then add in the fact that the Toronto Blue Jays are the Pittsburgh Blue Jays for now and it is just another little extra added situation to a crazy 2020 season. With the teams broken into three divisions and NL and AL playing one another, travel will be less, but the games will have a lot of meaning. With just 60 games to play getting off to a slow start for any team will not be a good thing, so they all will be coming out of the gate and ready to get this unique season going.

I am pumped up for the season to start and you can bet that while we have to be content with watching on TV, I will have those Nathan’s hot dogs cooking, some cole slaw, potato chips and a nice cold drink ready to accompany me as I watch the Rays –Jays opener from the Trop on Friday as the Rays get ready to head to the 2020 World Series ( if the season gets that far!)

Enjoy your hot dogs and baseball, it is the American way!!

 Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN