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It was always going to be a spectacle. But even Pat McAfee and his crew didn’t expect this much moxie.
On a night that brought 81,000 fans to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium—also known as Death Valley—the Savannah Bananas delivered what many are calling the biggest show in Banana Ball history. From acrobatic catches and hat tricks in the outfield to choreographed skits and crowd-pleasing showmanship, the Bananas proved again that their brand of baseball is more than just a viral gimmick.
“Think about the moxie on that showman,” McAfee said after watching an outfielder catch a ball in his hat and flip it seamlessly back into play. “Dead impressive. Absolute showman.”
Pat McAfee hosts the ESPN College GameDay show before the first round of the College Football Playoff © MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The first inning alone had the McAfee Show in awe, as a ball hit nearly the length of the football field was caught mid-sun in dramatic fashion. “Drop the sunglasses. Who cares? Get the ball out of here,” one host joked. “Cape guy hit a bomb earlier in the game, too.”
Critics within the baseball world have long dismissed the Bananas for not playing “real” baseball. But as McAfee pointed out: “If anybody inside of the baseball industry is hating on the Savannah Bananas, they’re wrong… They’re not packing stadiums if it’s not fun and if people don’t love it.”
And love it, they did. From Dabo Swinney leading the Bananas down the hill to Clemson legend C.J. Spiller dancing on the field, the night was packed with unforgettable moments. One fan on social media summed it up: “81,000 people are starting to make me think the Savannah Bananas aren’t just a gimmick.”
The game marked the Bananas’ largest crowd ever—and the second football stadium they’ve sold out this year. Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff told Sports Business Journal that the school expects to gross between $400,000 and $600,000 from the event. After expenses, Clemson is likely to net around $250,000.
Neff called the game a “big step” toward bringing more non-sporting events back to Memorial Stadium, reminiscent of what the university did in the 1990s.
Whether you’re a baseball purist or a first-time fan, it’s hard to argue with 81,000 people showing up for a baseball game in a football cathedral. Banana Ball might just be the future—and it’s already rewriting the rules of what a sporting event can be.
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On a night that brought 81,000 fans to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium—also known as Death Valley—the Savannah Bananas delivered what many are calling the biggest show in Banana Ball history. From acrobatic catches and hat tricks in the outfield to choreographed skits and crowd-pleasing showmanship, the Bananas proved again that their brand of baseball is more than just a viral gimmick.
“Think about the moxie on that showman,” McAfee said after watching an outfielder catch a ball in his hat and flip it seamlessly back into play. “Dead impressive. Absolute showman.”
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Pat McAfee hosts the ESPN College GameDay show before the first round of the College Football Playoff © MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The first inning alone had the McAfee Show in awe, as a ball hit nearly the length of the football field was caught mid-sun in dramatic fashion. “Drop the sunglasses. Who cares? Get the ball out of here,” one host joked. “Cape guy hit a bomb earlier in the game, too.”
Critics within the baseball world have long dismissed the Bananas for not playing “real” baseball. But as McAfee pointed out: “If anybody inside of the baseball industry is hating on the Savannah Bananas, they’re wrong… They’re not packing stadiums if it’s not fun and if people don’t love it.”
And love it, they did. From Dabo Swinney leading the Bananas down the hill to Clemson legend C.J. Spiller dancing on the field, the night was packed with unforgettable moments. One fan on social media summed it up: “81,000 people are starting to make me think the Savannah Bananas aren’t just a gimmick.”
The game marked the Bananas’ largest crowd ever—and the second football stadium they’ve sold out this year. Clemson Athletic Director Graham Neff told Sports Business Journal that the school expects to gross between $400,000 and $600,000 from the event. After expenses, Clemson is likely to net around $250,000.
Neff called the game a “big step” toward bringing more non-sporting events back to Memorial Stadium, reminiscent of what the university did in the 1990s.
Whether you’re a baseball purist or a first-time fan, it’s hard to argue with 81,000 people showing up for a baseball game in a football cathedral. Banana Ball might just be the future—and it’s already rewriting the rules of what a sporting event can be.
Related: Dabo Swinney Steals the Spotlight at Sold-Out Savannah Bananas Game in Death Valley
Related: From Clemson Rejection to Banana Ball Greatness Jake Skole’s Story
Related: DeAndre Hopkins Gets Hall of Fame News Ahead of Crucial NFL Season
Related: From Clemson Rejection to Banana Ball Greatness Jake Skole’s Story
Related: DeAndre Hopkins Gets Hall of Fame News Ahead of Crucial NFL Season
Continue reading...
