Monkey business baseball heads to San Jose

The wild and wacky Savannah Bananas will play just one night in Excite Ballpark

BY JASON MASTRODONATO

Turkey Mike’s has been the star at San Jose’s 82-year-old ballpark on the corner of East Alma and Senter Road for years. But for one night this summer, it’ll be all about the Bananas instead of the barbecue.

A batter on stilts — who also plays first base. Back-flipping outfielders. Yellow baseballs. Flaming baseballs … and bats. Twerking umpires. And a 76-year-old relief pitcher who isn’t opposed to chugging a beer in the stands before reaching the mound.

The Savannah Bananas are coming to San Jose. And it happens to be the toughest ticket to score in baseball this summer.

The Bananas have been playing their unique — and wildly entertaining — version of the national pastime for several years, but primarily in the Georgia area.

Now, “Banana Ball” is going on the road this summer for 33 games, including six on the West Coast.

Tickets for the July 25 game at San Jose’s Excite Ballpark won’t go on sale until May, but by mid-February, there already were tens of thousands of fans on a waiting list.

“Let me tell you, we are feeling the fact that we are the smallest stadium the Bananas are coming to,” said San Jose Giants general manager Ben Taylor. “The

Savannah Banana’s

Malachi Mitchell flips in the air, as the team cheers before the start of a banana ball game against the Kansas City Monarchs at Legends Field in May of 2022 in Kansas City, Kansas.

KENT NISHIMURA/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS