DAILY DIRT: For $23, that hot dog better be mighty special

I have to admit, that double MitchWich sounds intriguing, too  … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 920 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Yes, baseball is back.

And with it has come some impressive new concession items at MLB parks.

Here’s the Daily Dirt’s medal-worthy reaction to what we feel are the most impressive of these new culinary items at various ball parks:

Gold medal: The Warehouse Dog. Baltimore’s Oriole Park at Camden Yards is home to this $23 foot-long extravaganza. The fully-loaded 12-incher on a pretzel bun includes horseradish-infused brick sauce, pit beef queso fundido, pickled pico and onions.

Silver medal: The Double MitchWich. The Seattle Mariners are offering a new food item this season called “The Double MitchWich,” which features two different halves inspired by players Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver. The Haniger half contains grilled chicken breast, marinated tomatoes, bacon, Havarti cheese and a fried avocado wedge, while the Garver side has pulled pork, sliced black forest ham, Swiss cheese, dijonnaise and sliced pickles. No suggested price was available for the Mitchfest.
Bronze medal:Rainbow Cookie Egg Roll.The New York Mets now have a $8.89 rainbow cookie egg roll as a new food item at Citi Field. It contains rainbow cookie, raspberry jam and chocolate syrup rolled in an egg-roll wrapper.

2. Speaking of MLB concession prices, here are a few other items you might find interesting as the 2024 season unfolds.

The following numbers were pulled from webstaurantstore.com:

Hot dog prices

Most expensive: San Diego $7.75, Baltimore $7.50, Washington $7, Colorado $7, Texas $7.

Cheapest: Arizona $2.99, New York (Yankee Stadium) $3, Miami $3, Minnesota $3.99, Atlanta $3.99

Beer prices

Most expensive: Washington $14.99, Baltimore $10.99, Chicago (White Sox) $10.50, Boston $10.50, Chicago *Cubs) $10.49

Cheapest: Colorado $3, Toronto $4.44, California $4.58, Arizona $4.99, Minnesota $4.99.

Average ticket prices

Most expensive: Los Angeles (Dodgers) $115, New York (Yankees) $98, San Francisco $89, Philadelphia $87, Chicago (Cubs) $79.

Cheapest: Kansas City $42, Cleveland $50, Cincinnati $52, Pittsburgh $55, Texas $57.

3. The greatest American rock bands?

Think about that for a minute, and remember such a list would NOT include European groups like the Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

Here’s one guy’s thought on an all-U.S.A. top 10:

1. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: This is truly the All-American band, spanning a wide variety of genres from garage rock to songs about true hardships and unreachable dreams. Favorite song: “Out In The Street” (although, to be truthful, this changes almost daily).

2. Heart: The Wilson sisters (Ann and Nancy) have reinvented themselves at least three times since the mid-1970s, and with each of those eras came a new wave of popularity. It’s also good to hear the two sisters are again working together (well, at least speaking) following a nasty family spat. Favorite song: “Alone”.

3. Blondie: Debby Harry’s electrifying presence as a lead singer was always the key here. Favorite song: “The Tide Is High”.

4. Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: Seger, who is still going strong at age 78, may be the most underrated male rock star of this or any other generation. Few could/can interpret a song in the fashion he does. His reputation as the “king of heartland rock” is well deserved. Favorite song: “Still The Same”.

5. Beach Boys: The Boys’ influence numerous levels of the rock industry has always been underappreciated. Favorite song: “Wild Honey”.

6. Aerosmith: Steven Tyler, 76, and this group have enjoyed success in six different decades. Six!

7. KISS: The group every teenager’s parents simply detested in the 1970s … and the 1980s … and the 1990s … Favorite song (tie): “”Rock and Roll All Night” and “Beth”.

8. Doors: How big would this band have become if Jim Morrison had not died at such a young age (27)? Favorite song: “Lover Her Madly”.

9. Doobie Brothers: No other group on this list could ever match the Doobies’ harmonies. Favorite song: “Listen to the Music”.

10. Bon Jovi: It’s hard to believe this bunch has been around 41 years. Favorite song: “Living On A Prayer”.

Honorable mention: Eagles. I know, most of you would likely have this group higher, so I apologize. But for me, their music has been mostly … well, boring. Favorite song: “Peaceful Easy Feeling”. 

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is possibly the worst list Steve has ever compiled. JRG

Steve Thought O’ The Day

I came across this insult the other day. If it’s not the best I’ve ever heard, it’s mighty close: “I’m not saying he’s stupid, but if you gave him a penny for his thoughts’ you’d get change back.”

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He writes more about hot dogs than Joey Chestnut.