BREAKING: An Open Letter From Jesse Cole to Emily Cole, Fans, and the Entire Savannah Community
In an emotional and heartfelt message that has reverberated across the city of Savannah and beyond, Jesse Cole — the vibrant owner and visionary behind the Savannah Bananas — has released an open letter addressed to his wife and co-owner, Emily Cole, the loyal Bananas fans, and the broader Savannah community. The letter, which was posted to the team’s official channels late Sunday night, is being hailed as one of the most personal and vulnerable statements Jesse has ever made.
Known worldwide for his yellow tuxedo, relentless energy, and commitment to turning baseball into “the most fun game on Earth,” Jesse has rarely stepped back from his role as a high-octane showman. But in this letter, readers saw something different: a reflective leader pausing to acknowledge the love, sacrifice, and community that built the Bananas into a cultural phenomenon.
To Emily: The Quiet Force Behind the Yellow Tux
Jesse began his letter by speaking directly to Emily, the co-owner who has often chosen to stay away from the spotlight.
“You have been the foundation of every crazy idea we’ve dared to chase,” Jesse wrote. “While I’ve been the face in the yellow tux, you’ve been the strength behind the scenes, ensuring that what we dream can actually be built. The Bananas exist because of your courage to say ‘yes’ when the world thought we were out of our minds.”
He credited Emily with keeping the organization grounded while allowing him to take the big risks — transforming not only the team, but also the culture of baseball itself. His tribute to her was a reminder that the Savannah Bananas’ success is a two-person story, not a one-man show.
To the Fans: Co-Creators of the Bananas
Next, Jesse turned to the fans who have transformed Grayson Stadium into one of the most unique sporting venues in the world.
“You are not spectators. You are family. You are co-authors of this story,” he wrote. “Every time you dance in the stands, every time you sing with us, every time you bring your kids to the ballpark and show them that baseball can be joy — you make this more than a game.”
He acknowledged that the Bananas’ meteoric rise — from a local independent team to a nationally recognized entertainment brand with sold-out tours — could never have happened without their unwavering support. “You turned a struggling team into a movement,” Jesse added, noting that fans’ willingness to embrace the “Banana Ball” experiment proved that baseball could be fun, fast, and fan-centered.
To Savannah: A City That Believed
Perhaps the most poignant part of Jesse’s letter was his message to the city of Savannah itself. He spoke of arriving in 2016 when the Bananas were little more than an idea, and how the city wrapped its arms around a team that painted itself yellow, danced on dugouts, and dared to reimagine America’s pastime.
“Savannah, you gave us permission to be different,” Jesse wrote. “You let us fail, you let us grow, and you stood by us even when our ideas seemed too outrageous to succeed. You are the heartbeat of this journey.”
He went on to highlight the pride the Bananas feel in representing Savannah on a global stage. With the team’s tours selling out across the country and their videos viewed by millions online, Jesse emphasized that the Bananas’ story is inseparable from Savannah’s identity. “When people chant for the Bananas, they are chanting for Savannah,” he wrote.
A Hint Toward the Future
While much of the letter looked back with gratitude, Jesse also hinted at the future — though without making any concrete announcements.
“We’ve only just begun,” he wrote. “The world is watching, and what we do next must continue to reflect the love, laughter, and community that made us who we are. Whatever comes next, Savannah will always be our home, our inspiration, and our compass.”
Fans are already speculating that this could signal larger tours, expanded ventures in entertainment, or even new community initiatives. Some also wonder whether Jesse is preparing for a major announcement regarding the Bananas’ long-term role in professional or exhibition sports.
Community Response
The response to the letter was immediate and emotional. Fans flooded the team’s social media pages with messages of gratitude, calling the open letter “beautiful,” “humbling,” and “a love story to Savannah itself.” Local leaders echoed the sentiment, noting how much the Bananas have contributed to Savannah’s cultural and economic landscape.
Emily Cole, usually reserved on public platforms, responded with her own short statement on Instagram: “Savannah, you are our heart. Thank you for letting us be part of your story.”
More Than Baseball
Ultimately, Jesse’s open letter underscored what has made the Savannah Bananas phenomenon resonate so deeply: it has never been only about baseball. It has been about relationships, creativity, and daring to reimagine what a sport can be.
By writing directly to Emily, the fans, and the community that made it all possible, Jesse stripped away the yellow tuxedo for a moment and revealed the human heartbeat underneath the spectacle.
“Together,” he concluded, “we have proven that love, joy, and belonging can change everything. This is only the beginning — and I am forever grateful that we get to do it together.”
In a city where history and tradition run deep, Jesse’s words were more than a thank-you. They were a promise: that the Savannah Bananas will continue to carry the spirit of Savannah onto the world stage — with joy, with gratitude, and always, with a little bit of yellow.
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