Excited fans rejoice as Savannah Bananas play at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
Standing on their feet, fans took in the excitement as Citizens Bank Park played host to the popular exhibition baseball team known for their unique and entertaining style of play.
"It's electric, I mean, the way everybody came out, we're having a blast, the kids are just over the moon, they got autographs, what a night, what a night," said Sean Zaks, who was with his family.
Playing in front of some 45,000 fans, the Bananas took on the Texas Tailgaters, one of three other exhibition teams.
Corey Kennedy and her family were lucky to score last-minute tickets.
"We love baseball, but this is so much more than baseball; this is like for everybody. There's dancing and singing ... it doesn't matter your age, I feel like there's something for everybody," Kennedy said.
Fans also showed some love for the "Flyin' Hawaiian," giving him a standing ovation. Former Phillies World Series champ Shane Victorino suited up in yellow for one at-bat, and he reached first base.
"I got to play in some great cities; Boston was a great one, but nothing like Philadelphia. When this place gets going, it's a pretty exciting place," Victorino said.
The Bananas are in Philly as part of their ongoing Banana Ball World Tour.
The team has millions of followers on social media. They're famous for their blend of baseball, dancing, back flips and what the team calls "The Greatest Show in Sports."
"Just such a great environment, love the music, love the players, the energy, so this is our second time coming," said Alex Hammond.
For John Sperone, it was a surreal moment. He sat in the stands and watched his son, Joe Sperone, pitch in the sixth inning for the Tailgaters. The 23-year-old grew up in Broomall and always dreamed of playing in front of a sold-out stadium. It may not be the Phillies, but it's the next best thing.
"We've been to many Phillies games, Eagles games, Flyers games, Sixers games, but this is his dream to keep playing baseball, and we support his dream 100%," said John Sperone.
After the game, fans enjoyed a block party and got to meet some of the players.
The Bananas beat the Tailgaters 5-1. They will play again at the Bank on Sunday in front of another sold-out crowd.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
City of Newark Launches 'Experience Newark: Local Festivals and Flavors' Initiative Alongside Summer Festivals
Experience Newark aims to drive foot traffic to local restaurants, highlight city culture and connect visitors to Newark's dining and entertainment scene NEWARK, N.J., July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Newark Alliance, Invest Newark and the City of Newark's Arts and Education District today announced the launch of Experience Newark: Festivals & Flavors, a season-long initiative designed to connect the energy of major cultural events and festivals, including Prudential North to Shore Festival, to the city's thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. The strategic campaign features themed itineraries pairing performances and events with nearby dining options and specials, encouraging visitors and residents to have a well-rounded experience as they visit downtown for events. "Experience Newark is an opportunity for our city to showcase its vibe and vibrance – all the more brilliant under the stage lights of this summer's most exciting festivals including Prudential North to Shore Festival," said Mayor Baraka. "Those who travel here to see the headliners will be just as awed by our world-class venues and diverse global cuisine. Our retail landscape features treasures from every continent, and our residents welcome you with open arms. Come enjoy Newark, and make connections and memories to last a lifetime." Experience Newark includes a mobile digital passport, available all season long, featuring local bars and restaurants offering exclusive deals, discounts and rewards for users who check in to establishments and purchase. The digital pass, accessible on the Newark Happening website ( and via QR code citywide, guides visitors through downtown Newark's culinary districts — from the Arts and Education District and the Halsey Street corridor to the Ironbound — highlighting the best in cult coffee spots, upscale dining, craft cocktails and international cuisine. "Experience Newark is part of our broader effort to build long-term visibility for Newark as a dynamic, must-visit city," said Ashley Mays, chief marketing officer of Newark Alliance and president of Newark Happening. "By linking our hospitality assets with major cultural moments, we're creating value for residents, local businesses and visitors while supporting economic growth in the process." Over 20 businesses are participating in Experience Newark, including The Yard, Black Swan Espresso, CoolVines Newark, Five Corners, Sihana Bistro, Taste of the Caribbean Restaurant & Catering, Sweet Jeans, Sabor Unido, Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea, Newark Local Beer, Krug's, La Cocina, Roberts Pizzeria, Just Delicious, Ramen Gami, Cornbread Newark, Konoz Restaurant, McGoverns Tavern, Casa d'Paco, TOSSSED NJ, The Good Eats Experience, Tainos Kitchen, Darios Tex Mex, Fruit House, A&J Caribbean Taste and Vivo Tapas Kitchen. Businesses span a variety of cuisines and styles, including local staples and newer venues eager to capture the attention of visitors arriving for concerts, festivals and performances throughout the summer. Most of these are proudly owned by Newark-based entrepreneurs, demonstrating the city's growing base of locally owned restaurants and venues. "This initiative pairs visitors and residents attending events with restaurants and businesses they may want to visit," said Marcus Randolph, CEO of Invest Newark. "By activating our districts during high-profile events, we create opportunities for entrepreneurs to shine and for visitors to truly experience what makes Newark unique." "Our goal is to activate the whole city through events like Prudential North to Shore Festival," said John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC, the anchor cultural institution for the City of Newark. "We aim to give those coming to town for a performance a great reason to explore Newark's neighborhoods, its galleries and restaurants, and to get a feel for the spirit of our incredible hometown." Additional components of Experience Newark include on-the-ground ambassadors stationed at major events and near key venues such as Prudential Center, providing information, tips and recommendations and guided walking tours connecting restaurants, bars and cultural landmarks, which included a "Don't Leave" activation for the Tyler, The Creator tour at Prudential Center on Sunday, July 27th in partnership with newly opened Just Delicious restaurant on Market Street. "Experience Newark will enable people to truly connect with our city," said Evan Weiss, CEO of Newark Alliance. "Whether you're here for a show or just exploring, we want every experience to be authentic and memorable." For more information and to access the mobile passport, visit ABOUT NEWARK For more information on the City of Newark, please visit ABOUT NEWARK ALLIANCEThe Newark Alliance, through the combined strength and collaboration of its members, drives inclusive economic growth for all of Newark, N.J. Our members comprise Newark's premier businesses, anchor institutions, and community partners, including Fortune 100 and 500 companies and several of the country's top universities, developers, hospitals, and arts institutions. United by a shared vision, the Alliance and its Members work collaboratively to cement Newark's status as one of America's most diverse, prosperous, exciting, and equitable cities. Visit us at and ABOUT INVEST NEWARK Invest Newark, the city's Economic Development Corporation, propels economic growth by championing small businesses, improving internet access and facilitating real estate development. These endeavors lead to job creation and wealth generation, enhancing the overall welfare of Newark's residents. Distinguished by our unwavering dedication to equity and sustainability, Invest Newark stands apart as a forward-thinking development agency. Stay up to date on Invest Newark's latest news by following us on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn, or visit us at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Newark Alliance Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chicago Bears to honor Virginia McCaskey, Steve McMichael in 2025
The Chicago Bears will honor matriarch Virginia Halas McCaskey and Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael with jersey patches during the 2025 season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Bears chairman George McCaskey told the Sun-Times that the Bears will wear a football-shaped patch with Virginia McCaskey's initials inside for every game this season, starting with next week's preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins. Virginia McCaskey passed away on Feb. 6 at the age of 102. The patch will be placed on player's jerseys above their hearts. The football is orange with navy stitches and a white outline. The navy 'M' is outlined in white and larger than the other two letters — V to the player's right, and H, for Halas, to the left. It's a nod to Virginia's father, George S. Halas, who died on Oct. 31, 1983. The Bears wore a similar patch for the remainder of the season, and it soon became permanent with the "GSH" on the left jersey sleeve which remains to this day. 'We thought it'd be appropriate to have a patch that mirrored her dad's after he passed away,' McCaskey told the Sun-Times. 'It came out great. We like the look of it.' The Bears also will not be wearing an alternate or throwback uniform this season as they remember Virginia McCaskey. The Bears will also honor McMichael, who passed away in April after a battle with ALS, with a decal on the back of their helmets. It will feature a navy football outlined in orange with white laces and his No. 76 in the middle. That same logo will be featured on Soldier Field grass on game day. McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August 2024, less than a year before his death. The Bears have found a way to honor two important figures in their storied history who passed away this season, and fans will get their first glimpse on Aug. 10 when Chicago hosts the Dolphins for their first preseason game. This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears to honor Virginia McCaskey, Steve McMichael in 2025
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Pirates at Giants prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for July 30
Its Wednesday, July 30 and the Pirates (46-62) are in San Francisco looking to sweep their three-game series against the Giants (54-54). Mike Burrows is slated to take the mound for Pittsburgh against Logan Webb for San Francisco. Pittsburgh won last night, 3-1. It was the Bucs' fourth straight win and seventh in their last eight games. Tyler Rogers allowed two runs in the eighth and took the loss for the Giants who have now lost five in a row. Lets dive into today's matchup and find a sweat or two. We've got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts. Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long. Game details & how to watch Pirates at Giants Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Time: 3:45PM EST Site: Oracle Park City: San Francisco, CA Network/Streaming: SNP, NBCSBA Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out. Odds for the Pirates at the Giants The latest odds as of Wednesday: Moneyline: Pirates (+177), Giants (-214) Spread: Giants -1.5 Total: 7.0 runs Probable starting pitchers for Pirates at Giants Pitching matchup for July 30, 2025: Mike Burrows vs. Logan Webb Pirates: Mike Burrows (1-3, 4.15 ERA)Last outing: July 25 vs. Arizona - 0.00 ERA, 0 Earned Runs Allowed, 3 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 5 Strikeouts Giants: Logan Webb (9-8, 3.38 ERA)Last outing: July 25 vs. Mets - 13.50 ERA, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 8 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 4 Strikeouts Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type! Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Pirates at Giants The Pirates have won their last three road games, while the Giants have lost eight of their last nine at home The Over has cashed in the Giants' last three games with Logan Webb on the bump The Pirates have covered the Run Line in seven of their last nine road games against the Giants Rafael Devers is 0-11 over his last three games If you're looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports! Expert picks & predictions for today's game between the Pirates and the Giants Rotoworld Best Bet Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts. Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Pirates and the Giants: Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline. Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Pittsburgh Pirates at +1.5. Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0. Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)
