I did Citi Field's 999 Challenge — and it felt a lot like watching the Mets
Share this @internewscast.com

Attempting this “challenge” was a real letdown.

Citi Field attempted to capitalize on the popular “999 Challenge,” where baseball enthusiasts consume nine hot dogs and nine beers over nine innings. However, my experience on Opening Day ended up as a letdown typical of many Mets fans’ experiences — lacking in both excitement and beverages.

In the spirit of journalism, I took on this food-focused trial. Yet, the minuscule 2.5-ounce beers and petite hot dogs left me mostly feeling bloated and parched, with only a minimal buzz to show for my efforts.

Initially, I anticipated that this stomach-stretching endeavor might require a dose of Pepto Bismol and possibly a doctor on standby, so I sought advice from Geoffrey Esper, the world’s third-ranked competitive eater.

He recommended skipping breakfast and varying hot dog toppings to avoid “flavor fatigue” and channel my inner Joey Chestnut.

However, after shelling out $60 for the “999 Challenge” tray that included nine 3.5-inch hot dogs and a solitary 24-ounce can of Coors (Heineken was also an option), it became clear that all my preparation was in vain.

The tall boy was meant to be divided into nine barely-there glasses and sipped at a snail’s pace of one 2.5-ounce cup per each of the game’s innings. That’s only about the size of a double shot glass.

Lame.

“Not full glizzies?!” one fellow disappointed fan moaned at the slider-sized franks, using the slang term for hot dog.

“Those hot dogs look so sad,” another said.

The first two mini hot dogs went down easy, and I knocked back my tiny beer in just a couple sips. The little glasses are plastic souvenirs decorated with the Mets logo, which explained the price of the tray.

As I ate wiener after wiener — each served on a cracked and stale bun — I was dying for more to drink.

The booze-to-hot-dog ratio was not a winner. I needed more beer.

But my “cold one” had heated up to the temperature of lukewarm tea by the end of the sunny, three-hour affair.

By the third inning, I’d kissed the possibility of a buzz goodbye.

I managed to get the ultra-dry dogs — which didn’t actually taste that bad — down with the help of ketchup and mustard. It only took three bites per dog — but I still got uncomfortably full by the fourth inning. 

My stomach was protruding, and it got so hot, and my fingers started swelling. I was over it.

The giant tray set up on my lap also made it hard to stand up to cheer as the Mets dominated over the Pirates, ultimately winning 7 to 11.

In the end, I drank all 24 ounces of the beer and managed to choke down 6.5 of the dogs before growing wildly bloated and giving up.

I left feeling hot, tired and grumpy.

Now, I need a real drink.

— Additional reporting by Natalie O’Neill

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Elite Wall Street Law Firm Sullivan & Cromwell Apologizes to Federal Judge for AI Hallucinations in Court Filing

Wall Street Legal Giant Sullivan & Cromwell Issues Apology for AI-Generated Errors in Court Filing

A partner at the esteemed Wall Street law firm Sullivan & Cromwell…
Wind fuels brush fire in OC, closing roads and forcing evacuation warnings

Strong Winds Ignite Brush Fire in Orange County, Prompting Road Closures and Evacuation Alerts

In the hills near Brea, a vegetation fire has expanded to 200…
Antioch cop and suspect end up in same car as life-or-death struggle is caught on camera

Antioch Officer and Suspect Engage in Dramatic Car Struggle Captured on Camera

This week, intense body-camera footage surfaced, revealing a harrowing encounter inside the…
South Carolina murderer Timothy Jones Jr's father recalls knowing son killed his five children

Father of South Carolina’s Timothy Jones Jr. Shares Heartbreaking Moment He Discovered Son’s Crime

When Timothy Jones Sr. discovered his grandchildren were missing, a profound and…
Chilling video shows aftermath ancient Mexican pyramid shooting

Shocking Footage Reveals Aftermath of Shooting at Historic Mexican Pyramid: A Deep Dive into the Incident

A heart-stopping video has surfaced, capturing the dramatic efforts of tourists striving…
Melania Trump has stunned reaction as gunfire erupts at White House Correspondents' Dinner

Melania Trump’s Surprising Response to Unexpected Gunfire at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

An image capturing First Lady Melania Trump’s shocked expression as gunfire erupted…
Horrifying super drug 100 times stronger than fentanyl claims first Bay Area victim

Potent new drug, 100 times stronger than fentanyl, linked to first fatality in Bay Area

San Francisco health officials have issued an urgent alert following the detection…
'Freaking hate cops': Mamdani's photography director has long history of anti-NYPD rants

Controversial Rants Uncovered: Mamdani’s Photography Director’s Anti-NYPD Stance Sparks Debate

Her perspective on law enforcement is anything but flattering. Kara McCurdy, who…
You really can't make it up!

Unbelievable Yet True: Astonishing Event Captivates the World

A California Democrat, recently convicted of drunk driving, has become an internet…
California gov candidate shares vile antisemitic Charlie Kirk conspiracies

California Gubernatorial Candidate Sparks Outrage with Antisemitic Conspiracy Theories Linked to Charlie Kirk

A candidate notorious for his antisemitic conspiracy theories has managed to have…
Mamdani releases propaganda video promoting Soviet-style city-run grocery stores

Inside Mamdani’s Controversial Push for Soviet-Inspired City Grocery Stores

New York City’s Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a promotional video on Saturday,…
Torrance, California man Cole Allen identified as suspect in shooting outside White House Correspondents' Dinner

Torrance Resident Cole Allen Named Suspect in Incident Near White House Correspondents’ Dinner

A man from Southern California has been identified as the suspect who…