Savannah Bananas Celebrate Chicago Success With Bill Veeck Tribute

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 6:26 PM ET

When the Savannah Bananas brought their one-of-a-kind Banana Ball to Chicago for two sold-out nights, owner Jesse Cole couldn’t help but think about one man.

Bill Veeck.

Veeck, the Hall of Fame baseball maverick who twice owned the Chicago White Sox, spent his life redefining what it meant to put fans first. And for Cole, who has built Banana Nation into one of the most innovative entertainment acts in sports, honoring Veeck in the city he loved was deeply personal.

“Being in Chicago for two sold-out nights was special for many reasons, but for me, it was all about making one of the greatest owners of all time proud,” Cole said. “Bill, I hope you were looking down smiling. We wouldn’t be doing what we are doing without your inspiration to always put the fans first.”

Veeck’s legacy looms large in Cole’s world. In his office hangs a massive poster that simply says “innovation,” a constant reminder of Veeck’s trailblazing spirit. Known for stunts ranging from the whimsical—sending 3-foot-7 Eddie Gaedel to the plate in 1951—to the revolutionary, like integrating the American League with Larry Doby in 1947, Veeck reshaped the sport on multiple levels.

The owner of @TheSavBananas Jesse Cole invokes the name of his (and my own) inspiration, the legendary Bill Veeck, after a couple of HUGELY successful ballgames on the South Side.@YellowTuxJesse #FunIsGood pic.twitter.com/yqO7WkJOTW
— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) August 17, 2025

He was the first to put names on jerseys, introduced the exploding scoreboard, and turned seventh-inning stretches into sing-alongs. His giveaways ranged from silver dollars frozen in blocks of ice to breakfasts served in pajamas at ballparks.

But it wasn’t just showmanship—Veeck also stood up for fairness, famously testifying in support of Curt Flood’s battle against the reserve clause, a stance that helped pave the way for free agency.

Cole sees a direct through-line from Veeck’s innovations to the Bananas’ success today.

“Bill Veeck did experiment, innovate, and try new things to get fans excited,” Cole said. “He was a champion for the little guy. A lot of purists gave him criticism, but what he did was show there could be a way of fun, of excitement. I have so much respect, so much admiration.”

For two nights in Chicago, Cole and the Bananas tried to channel that spirit. Fans danced, cheered, and laughed in a ballpark Veeck himself once turned into a playground of imagination.

“It’s unbelievable,” Cole said. “Banana Nation is truly special. Sold-out crowds. And without Bill Veeck, none of this happens. He showed us all what baseball could be.”

More than three decades after his passing, Veeck’s fingerprints remain all over the sport. And in Chicago this weekend, Jesse Cole made sure his mentor’s influence was felt in every inning.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: