Get ready for some Banana Ball madness, Philadelphia! The Savannah Bananas are bringing their unique brand of baseball to Citizens Bank Park today and Saturday, and both games are completely sold out. This isn't your typical baseball game; think Harlem Globetrotters meets America's pastime.
Delco Native Returns to His Home Turf
But the story gets even better. For Joe Sperone, a Delco native and member of the Banana Ball squad, this weekend is extra special. He'll be playing in the very ballpark where he grew up cheering for his favorite team.
Just last year, Sperone was working a 9-to-5 job at a mortgage brokerage. His baseball dreams seemed to be behind him. Then, the Savannah Bananas called. They were looking for players and saw something in Sperone.
From Mortgage Broker to Major League Dreams
He took a leap of faith, quitting his job and joining the Tailgaters, one of the teams that compete against the Bananas. Suddenly, he found himself playing in front of massive crowds in major league stadiums. This was the opportunity he'd always wanted.
Sperone's journey is especially poignant because of his father, John, who was diagnosed with Stage Four cancer in 2024. John has always been Joe's biggest supporter, pushing him to pursue his baseball dreams. Even when it looked like those dreams were fading, John encouraged him to keep going.
Tonight, John will be in the stands at Citizens Bank Park, surrounded by his wife and over a hundred family and friends, to watch his son play. "This is why I did it," Joe Sperone said. "This is why I wanted to do this. For them to see me live out my dream."
Luzardo's Struggles Continue
In other baseball news, Jesús Luzardo had a rough outing on Wednesday. After a strong start, he struggled with control, issuing four walks and giving up a grand slam. He's been inconsistent this season, and needs to find a way to regain his form.