sports
The Savannah Bananas Bring Back a Negro Leagues Team
The organization is best known for its dance numbers and trick plays. Now it’s reviving one of the most entertaining—and controversial—franchises in baseball history.
TL;DR
- Kobe Robinson, named after NBA stars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, pursued a baseball career but faced injuries after being drafted by the San Diego Padres.
- Robinson was released by the Padres and struggled to find a path back into professional baseball, working odd jobs.
- He discovered an opportunity with the Savannah Bananas, a team that plays 'Banana Ball,' a highly entertaining and fast-paced version of baseball.
- The Bananas have become a cultural phenomenon, selling millions of tickets and drawing comparisons to the Harlem Globetrotters, though they do not script game outcomes.
- Robinson successfully auditioned for the Bananas, impressing scouts with his pitching and willingness to embrace the team's unique style, even dressing as Frozone from The Incredibles.
- He was drafted by the Indianapolis Clowns, an expansion team making its Banana Ball debut in 2026, marking a new chapter in his baseball journey.
- The article notes the significant decline in Black athletes in Major League Baseball since the mid-1980s, with multiple contributing factors cited.