Savannah Bananas Owner Keeps Something Every Hater Has Sent Him

The Savannah Bananas have taken baseball by storm, selling out ballparks across the country with their high-energy “Banana Ball” twist on America’s pastime. But for team owner Jesse Cole, the journey hasn’t been without its critics — and some of that skepticism gets personal.

Cole says that while the Bananas are now a nationwide sensation, the criticism still stings. “It hurts,” he admitted. “Emily and I, and our entire organization, care so much about the fans. The truth is, we still care what people think.”

Over the years, Cole has seen it all — from memes putting him “behind bars” to online jabs declaring that Banana Ball is a joke. Most of that pushback, he says, comes from baseball purists who haven’t actually experienced a game in person. But instead of brushing it off, he uses it as fuel.

Jesse Cole Uses Critics as Motivation

Cole keeps a personal collection of the harshest comments. “I save every one that says, ‘This will be gone in a few years’ or ‘This is a fad,’” he explained. “The only way you become a fad is if you keep doing the same things over and over again, you don’t improve, and you don’t care about the fans. That’s not us.”