Video: When you want to be the Savannah Bananas but work a 9-5
The Savannah Bananas are in Cincinnati this weekend! Enquirer staffers think they deserve spots on the team.
The thrilling and unconventional play of the Savannah Bananas makes its debut at the home of the Cincinnati Reds from June 13-14.
The famed exhibition baseball team dubbed the “greatest show in sports” by ESPN will treat Great American Ball Park to two nights of antics in games versus the Texas Tailgaters. The group, which was created in 2016 with a home base at Grayson Stadium in Savannah, Georgia, is currently on its Banana Ball World Tour, which consists of 48 games across 25 states.
Over the years, the Bananas have hosted several MLB legends, such as two-time World Series champion and two-time All-Star Johnny Damon and Reds legend Johnny Bench. The Hall of Famer and former Big Red Machine great appeared as the first-base coach at the Bananas’ game at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida, in April 2022.
So will any current or former Reds players appear at the Bananas’ upcoming sold-out shows at Great American Ball Park?
Here’s what we know.
Will any Cincinnati Reds players appear at the Savannah Bananas’ games?
The Reds nor the Bananas could not confirm nor deny that current or former players will appear during the Bananas’ stint at Great American Ball Park. Although, current players are unlikely, since the team plays in Detroit from June 13-15.
Aaron Eisel, the Reds’ senior vice president of revenue, told The Enquirer that the Bananas asked for contact information of a “long list of players associated with the Reds,” but what the Bananas will do with that information remains to be seen.
“We don’t know what they’ve agreed to … it’s between (the Bananas) and the players,” Eisel said. “It’s a surprise for all of us.”
The Bananas’ head of media relations Sam Bauman wrote in an email to The Enquirer, “As for special guests, unfortunately, that’s a surprise we can’t give away, you’ll just have to wait and see!”
Two former MLB players appeared in the team’s recent games at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, with former Los Angeles Angels Troy Glaus and John Lackey pitching in the Bananas’ May 30-31 games.
Plus, former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton recently appeared in a dodgeball contest at a Savannah Bananas game at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. And former Reds’ third baseman Mike Moustakas made his Bananas debut at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City in May.
The Enquirer reached out the Bengals to inquire about any potential Bengals-Bananas collaborations for the Cincinnati shows but have yet to receive a response.
How did the Cincinnati Reds book the Savannah Bananas?
The Reds are to thank for locking the Bananas down for a summer 2025 appearance in the Queen City.
The Cincinnati team reached out to the Bananas in 2024 after seeing the success of the organization, Eisel said.
“They made baseball so fun and got many people engaged with the sport,” Eisel said. “These guys have found a way to make it so entertaining for a broad range of fans.”
He gave extra props to Visit Cincy and The Banks for helping make the Bananas’ Cincinnati debut possible. For 2026 dates, Eisel said, the Bananas will implement a more standardized process and use formal bids for organizations like the Reds to complete in regards to hosting.
Eisel said the Reds would definitely host the Bananas again if they “have the opportunity to get them back.”
When do Savannah Bananas play in Cincinnati at Great American Ball Park?
The Savannah Bananas visit Great American Ball Park for a two-night stint on Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14.
What time do the Savannah Bananas play at Great American Ball Park?
On both Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, gates at Great American Ball Park open at 4:30 p.m. and the show kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
Where to buy Savannah Bananas tickets
Tickets for the June 13-14 games at Great American Ball Park are sold out, but some are available for resale starting at $150 and go up to over $3,000 on sites like Vivid Seats and StubHub.