A New York baseball fan made internet history a year ago when he took a hot dog, carved it out to make a straw and put it into a beer glass to sip his brew.
Some considered it an error. Others considered it a grand slam. The Aug. 22, 2022 incident became a viral hit, racking up more than nine billion views on TikTok after an Instagram post from the account of @newyorknico, which has gotten more than 430,000 plays.
Of course, some company was going to see an opportunity. Oscar Mayer — the hot dog brand which sports a Frankmobile, formerly known as a Weinermobile — has stepped up to the plate.
To commemorate the hot dog straw that shook the world, Oscar Mayer has released its own version.
The Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Straw, available while supplies last, looks like a cooked hot dog but it's made of "food-safe soft silicone to replicate the feel of a real Oscar Mayer hot dog," the company said in a press release Tuesday.
The Hot Dog Straw is available for pre-order nationwide. Word had spread quickly and the allotment for Tuesday had already been snatched up.
"Please come back and try again tomorrow," the site said.
The site says that the hot dog straws are not dishwasher safe but should be washed thoroughly with warm water and soap before they're used. The straws also are not microwavable or intended to be used with hot beverages.
“While the viral ‘Hot Dog Straw’ divided the internet, we salute the brave man who paved the way to enjoy his hot dog as he wishes,” said Oscar Mayer associate director Kelsey Rice in the announcement. “Taking inspiration from a classic Oscar Mayer dog, the silicone Hot Dog Straw is designed for optimal sipping, and we hope it brings a friendly reminder that we don’t need to take enjoying a delicious hot dog seriously. Some things are just meant to be fun.”
Oscar Mayer also posted about the giveaway on Instagram, where the whole phenomenon took off. In the video on Instagram, a baseball fan who looks just like the unnamed man from the original, unveils a Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Straw and puts it to use.
"One year ago today, a legend made a hot dog into a straw at a baseball game. Today, @newyorknico helped us bring Oscar Mayer Hot Dog Straws to the world," the post says.
There's been some discussion about the veracity of the hot dog straw man, who hasn't officially come forward to claim his legendary status.
The Instagram account of @newyorknico claims to be “the unofficial talent scout of New York City” and "posted funny and disgusting ballpark food videos in the past," noted sports blog SB Nation's Ricky O'Donnell. "The video also starts at the perfect time. People are just asking questions!"
"Why did he have a straw? Have you ever seen someone drink beer through a straw? That blue straw is a red flag. It seems like a prop. It suggests this is a ruse," wrote Toronto Star entertainment columnist Vinay Menon.
Why was the media so "quick to believe this story?" he wrote. "Because deep down, 'the media' knows Yankees fans are bonkers."
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider &mikegsnider.
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