Savannah Bananas’ Owner Jesse Cole's Advice to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred: Embrace Player Celebrations, Connect with Fans

During an interview on the "Dan Patrick Show" on July 18th, Jesse Cole, owner of the Savannah Bananas, talked about his vision to make Major League Baseball more fun and interesting to attract a younger audience. When asked about what advice he would give MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Cole said:

"Encourage all the celebrating by the players. Break down the barriers between the players and the fans."

Cole reflected on the past eras of baseball, particularly the 1960s and 1980s, when fan-player interactions were more common and players seemed to enjoy the game more. Cole believes that promoting a more relaxed and fun atmosphere at all levels of baseball could help bring back that joy. According to him, kids are more drawn to the entertainment aspect of sports, and continued:

"Think about football and the touchdown celebrations. ... Seeing these guys that are at a highest level celebrating and really enjoying it. I think they are getting better at the speed of the game but encourage guys after a home run, after a big strike out."

Cole also suggested incorporating props and dances to make baseball more interesting to newer audiences.

---

The Savannah Bananas have garnered a lot of fan appeal due to their fun approach to baseball.

The Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team from Savannah, Georgia, are a living testament to how Jesse Cole’s ideas look in practice. The Bananas were first formed in 2016 as a collegiate summer baseball team in the Coastal Plain League’s West Division, winning three Pettit Cup titles.

However, their "Banana Ball" style gained popularity, leading the team to transition completely to barnstorming shows against teams like the Party Animals and the Firefighters, similar to the Harlem Globetrotters in basketball.

The Savannah Bananas have gained a lot of attention and social media following for their fun approach to baseball. (Image credit: Imagn)

The approach taken by the Savannah Bananas combines athletic skill with entertainment, earning them a huge social media following and media attention from major news outlets. Their style, which is very appealing to a younger audience, shows how Cole’s advice for evolution within MLB’s player interactions could shift the direction of baseball in the United States.