It's been damn near impossible, these last couple weeks, to go more than two minutes without hearing mention of the annual Nathan's Hotdog Eating Contest, held every 4th of July. And that's just the way it should be, damn it! Any time you get the King Kong and Godzilla of a respective field going one-on-one, you pay attention. Or else, they'll eat you! Because they can. That's what they do.

Yesterday, all the hype surrounding the event came to a head as six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi and American power Joey Chestnut squared off on competitive eating's grandest stage to prove, once and for all, who is the most voracious eater of them all. Chestnut is all, "Yo, I'm gonna be the guy that finally knocks off Kobayashi." And Kobayashi is all, "Say what? Sore jaw be damned, I'm bringing it!"

Coney Island was witness to one of the most impressive feats in our lifetime: Chesnut slamming 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes. Yes, that is a record. And his prize? Aside from a pile of cash, a year's supply of Nathan's hotdogs! Oh the gluttony!

As this video proves, you're not a champion unless you're throwing up all over yourself. This video is comedy, this video is intensity, the throngs of fans in attendance are rabid. This is the footage other videos aspire to. Bonus points, Joey, for draping yourself in the flag on this, our Independance Day.

What could be worth the price that not even Johnny Damon was to the managers of Red Sox Nation? Apparently there's something worth even more, and it's rough translation is called the Demon Sphere Gyro Ball.

The man who throws it: Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The men who created it: Japanese Scientists.

What it is: I'm not quite sure, but it's supposed to be awesome.

Apparently, the handball was designed by a Japanese computer-scientist, Ryutaro Himeno, to be the ultimate pitch. Using a "live long and prosper" grip, the outward pitching motion helps facilitates what the Star Trek hand-symbol intended. By cutting down stress on the pitcher, Himeno’s Demon ball helps facilitate more innings pitched.

Some claim that the fancy finger through is nothing more than a glorified slider, but others, including the Red Sox and Yankees see more to it. The Red Sox, in particular, have paid $51.1 million (¥6 Billion) just to negotiate with the prized pitcher.

It's important to keep in mind-- $51 mil gives no guarantee that Matsuzaka will be wearing a B on his hat come April. The pay out only means that Boston general manager Theo Epstein will have a chance to practice his Japanese for the next month.

That said, as a Dodger fan who lived next to Fenway during the Red Sox championship run, I never thought I'd say this. But, the Red Sox have officially passed the Yankees as the most obnoxious checkbook in the Major Leagues.

Hopefully, the BoSox will prevent a second-straight year with no post-season and have something to show for it.