Payton Tolle regaled the Boston Red Sox in a special presentation on the United States before the World Baseball Classic. The rookie pitcher received an assist from Joey Chestnut, but not everybody responded to his invitation.
Tolle recalled contacting Chestnut about recording a video for the Red Sox locker room on Underdog’s “Section 10” podcast. Hearing back from the renowned competitive eater motivated the 23-year-old to ask other big names.
“He was actually the first person that I did reach out to, and he responded that night,” Tolle said of Chestnut. “So I was like, well this is easy. Let’s see who else we can get. So I DM’ed Stone Cold Steve Austin, Dale Earnhardt Jr. John Cena was in there. But those guys are just kind of turned off.
“I was shooting my shot. It had zero chance in the first place, but Joey came through, and it hit the spot. It did exactly what it needed to do.”
Tolle also named Austin, Colonel Sanders, Mark Wahlberg, Abraham Lincoln and Ben Franklin among his dream guests, dead or alive, to celebrate the U.S. However, the top prospect didn’t contact Wahlberg.
Although Tolle didn’t get an answer from the iconic wrestlers or NASCAR driver, Chestnut recorded a video message encouraging the team to “convince yourself that winning is the only option.” Tolle’s only regret was that he inadvertently led his teammates to believe the 17-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion was about to enter the clubhouse for an in-person appearance.
“I had everybody thinking he was too, and that was probably the most disappointing thing of it all,” Tolle said. “I think, if for some reason (Alex) Cora tells me to do it again next year, that’s the only way I step it up is to have him walk in.”
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