Savannah Bananas Light Up Busch Stadium as SIUE Alumni Join the Fun
The Savannah Bananas brought their world-famous baseball entertainment to St. Louis for the first time, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville fans of Banana Ball were right in the middle of the action. With two sold-out nights at Busch Stadium and more than 90,000 fans in attendance, the SIUE Alumni Association hosted a memorable gathering for hundreds of alumni to celebrate the occasion and support fellow Cougar, Matt Graifer (’10), who now serves as Cast Director and Chief Potassium Enthusiast for the Bananas.
Graifer, whose high-energy role helps lead the on-field experience, was thrilled to welcome so many familiar faces.
“Shoutout to the SIUE Alumni Association for coordinating this event and making it possible for so many of my fellow alums to come out here and enjoy the show that we’re putting on,” said Graifer.
The evening kicked off with “Before the Peel” pre-game festivities at Ballpark Village, including live music and entertainment for fans of all ages. Once the gates were opened, SIUE alumni enjoyed a dedicated suite hosted by Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, providing an ideal space to reconnect and soak in the festivities.
One of the night’s highlights came during the Bananas’ version of a ceremonial first pitch called the “Golden Banana.” SIUE Men’s Basketball Coach Brian Barone took the field blindfolded to search for a banana placed somewhere between the pitcher’s mound and home plate. After crawling on his hands and knees and finally finding the fruit, Barone tossed it to the catcher to officially kick off the game.
Also in attendance was SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and former MLB pitcher Spencer Patton (’21). Patton, who pitched for the Rangers, A’s, and Cubs across six seasons, reflected on the lasting memories from his college days.
“My time at SIUE was very memorable, I made a lot of close friends,” said Patton. “SIUE does a great job getting their alumni back together, especially at cool events like this. Who wouldn’t want to come watch the Savannah Bananas? I was honored to be invited.”
Patton also shared his reaction on the Bananas’ unique approach to baseball.
“It’s wild. It’s definitely a different form of baseball than what I’m used to, but it’s very cool how they get the kids involved while making it fun and family-friendly. It’s really enjoyable to watch, and I’m glad I got to bring my kids to experience it.”
When asked about his recent Hall of Fame recognition, Patton added, “I’m honored to be recognized in the SIUE Athletics Hall of Fame. SIUE is a beautiful campus. People always say to me, ‘My kid is thinking about going to SIUE,’ and my immediate response is ‘Go there.’ There are a lot of awesome people who work there, great programs, and SIUE is trending in the right direction. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Overall, The Savannah Bananas, known for their viral antics and high-energy take on baseball, delivered exactly what fans came to see from dances to surprise guest appearances including former Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright returning to the Busch Stadium mound for the first time since his 2023 retirement.
And in Banana Ball fashion, the game with a two-hour time limit ended in a 4-2 victory for the Bananas against friendly--and just as wacky—rivals, The Party Animals.
To see the energy and excitement for yourself, check out video footage from the event:
From start to finish, SIUE Alumni and Friends night with Banana Ball was filled with laughs, cheers, Cougar pride and a truly unforgettable experience for the SIUE community.
PHOTO: Scenes from SIUE Alumni and Friends at Banana Ball on July 18, Busch Stadium
