If you’re looking for a baseball team to follow, the Savannah Bananas might be the one.
Yep, the Savannah Bananas of the Coastal Plain League might just put on the best show in the business.
The recently had the pleasure of Red Sox Hall of Famer, Bill Lee on hand at the ol’ ballpark, but if you thought he was there to just drink some beer and take in the game… guess again.
The 75-year-old proved he still has some gas left in the tank last Thursday, when the Savannah Bananas pulled him out of the stands to pitch one at-bat.
Now for those who aren’t too familiar, the Savannah Bananas are basically the Harlem Globetrotters of minor league baseball, with even more theatrics.
I’m not gonna get into all the rules and antics because there’s too many to count, but just imagine a circus and pro baseball coming together, but either way, it’s a lot of fun.
Hell, the fact they pulled a 75-year-old out of the stands to throw an at bat speaks for itself.
Anyways, when Lee’s number was called he strutted down the steps, hyping up the crowd with a half full cup of beer in his hand.
He proceeded to walk up to the mound, probably half in the bag, and delivered his signature eephus pitch for the strikeout.
Incredible…
There’s one thing for certain about Bill Lee…
The dude was an absolute badass back in his playing days, and definitely one of the strangest dudes in the league. Equal parts hippie, and athlete, he was always good for a bizarre quote.
Nicknamed the Spaceman, one of his best was when he was asked about mandatory drug testing when he was playing for the Red Sox, and he responded:
“I’ve tried just about all of them, but I wouldn’t want to make it mandatory.”
He also had the ultimate baseball philosophy:
“I would change policy, bring back natural grass and nickel beer. Baseball is the belly-button of our society. Straighten out baseball, and you straighten out the rest of the world.”
And finally, he wasn’t afraid to talk some shit:
“Hell, if KY jelly went off the market, the whole California Angels pitching staff would be out of baseball.”
LEGEND.
Warren Zevon also wrote a song about him:
