Like a Turkey on Thanksgiving, hot dogs are the quintessential summer ballpark food, and the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) estimates that baseball fans will consume more than 18.5 million hot dogs and nearly 4.2 million sausages during the 2015 Major League season.  The combined hot dog and sausage total could stretch from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to Chase Field in Phoenix.  The hot dog total alone would reach as high as 7,827 Empire State Buildings.       

“It’s no surprise that hot dogs and sausages continue to hit a home run with fans,” said Eric Mittenthal, NHDSC vice president of public affairs. “Hot dogs remain the number one concession at ballparks, as teams offer innovative creations along with classic favorites to appeal to all tastes.”  

The Los Angeles Dodgers can relish in victory as the team’s fans are once again projected to consume the most hot dogs, totaling more than 2.5 million.  That is enough to round the bases at Dodger Stadium 3,551 times, and based on last year’s attendance, means that 66 percent of fans at Dodger home games will eat a hot dog.         

The New York Yankees have come from behind to reclaim the second spot, as fans are expected to consume more than 1.5 million hot dogs.  Batting third are the Cleveland Indians at 1,252,463 hot dogs, followed closely behind by the Texas Rangers with 1,024,559 anticipated hot dog sales.  The Chicago Cubs round out the lineup of top hitters, with fans expected to consume more than 855,000 hot dogs, representing a 21 percent increase over last year.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Brewers have reclaimed the top spot as sausage champions, expected to sell 480,000 this season, which is enough to run the team’s famous Klement’s Sausage Race 380 times. The Brewers are the only team in baseball expected to sell more sausages than hot dogs. The reigning major league champs, the San Francisco Giants, nearly clinched the top position, but came up short with 450,000 projected sausage sales.  The Boston Red Sox pitched a curve ball, as last year’s sausage champ fell to third place.  Despite the drop, Fenway Fans are still expected to eat 327,500 sausages this year. 

Hot Dog Rookies
While perennial hot dog favorites remain staples at ballparks across America, teams are launching new creations that are sure to be all-stars, including:   

• Chips and Dip Dog:This natural casing dog topped with French onion dip, potato chips and chopped green onions is sure to please any Detroit Tigers fan.   
• Mac and Cheetos Dog:Cubs fans can enjoy this innovative creation with mac and cheese and Cheetos atop a Vienna hot dog.  
• The Thomenator: The Indians are paying homage to Jim Thome with a 10-inch, all-beef hot dog topped with diced onions, Sauerkraut and three Pierogies
• South Philly Dog:  The Phillies are bringing together classic Philadelphia flavors with a hot dog topped with roasted red peppers, sharp provolone and broccoli rabe
• Cuban Pretzel Dog:  Pittsburgh Pirate fans should come hungry to eat this foot-long, all-beef hot dog that features slices of ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard and pickles, all wrapped in pretzel hoagie roll. 

Hot Dog Lovers Choose Classic Indians Sugardale Dog as Best in Baseball
Following more than two weeks of spirited competition, the Cleveland Indians’ Sugardale Dog has been crowned America’s baseball hot dog champion, according to results from the NHDSC’s MLB Madness Bracket contest.  Classic and unique hot dogs squared off in the contest, and fans voted for their favorite dog in polls on the NHDSC Facebook page.

Despite claiming victory in the unique dog half of the bracket, the Texas Rangers’ Boomstick struck out in the bottom of the ninth to earn second place.  The Atlanta Braves’ Dixie Dog and the Detroit Tigers’ Coney Dog rounded out the final four.

Indians fans clearly love their hot dog as they turned out in droves to vote,” said Mittenthal. “It’s not only a classic dog, but the Indians also offer the local Bertman’s mustard to top it with, making for a perfect ballpark experience.”

Fans who voted in all 15 matchups won a free NHDSC t-shirt, while the participant who shared the polls with the most people on Facebook received a gift card for their favorite hot dogs or sausage.   

For more on annual consumption data, hot dog and sausage facts, culture and more visit www.hot-dog.org.

Source: National Hot Dog & Sausage Council