Two of DC Sports’ most beloved stars helped Nationals Park go bananas on Saturday night.
The Washington Nationals’ home venue hosted the first-ever Banana Bowl where the Texas Tailgaters defeated the Savannah Bananas 2-1 after a sudden-death Showdown to become the first-ever Banana Bowl champions.
Former Washington Capitals forward TJ Oshie made a surprise appearance during the game, coming out of the dugout and walking through a Savanah Bananas player tunnel before shortstop Ryan “The Glove Magician” Cox ambled out for his at-bat. Nationals Park blasted Take Me Home, Country Roads, Oshie’s goal song with the Capitals, after the 2018 Stanley Cup champion’s on-field appearance.
TJ Oshie guest appearance (via @rashelle_wilcox)
Oshie was joined at game by the greatest Nationals player in franchise history, 2019 World Series champion Ryan Zimmerman, who suited up for the Bananas as a guest batter. Former Nationals pitcher Jordan Zimmermann also made an appearance for the Tailgaters, setting up a surprise showdown between the two “Zimms,” separated by just one extra “n” in their last names.
Battle of the Zimms (via @BananaBall_)
Zimmerman (the hitter) ultimately drove a pitch deep to left field. It stayed in the park for a flyout, but the ball was deep enough to bring home a run.
The trio took a photo together in the luxury suites.
Not only was the Banana Bowl graced by the former DC athletes, but the first ball was delivered by WWE 17-time champion John Cena, who pulled up in a Humvee with a police escort.
John Cena delivers game ball (via @TheSavBananas)
Other notable appearances included Pentatonix singing the national anthem, a ninth inning performance by the Jonas Brothers, O.A.R. performing This Town, Andy Grammar singing a player up for his at-bat, and the cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast making an on-field performance
Beyond the celebrity cameos, the game was entertaining as well. Despite being no-hit through seven innings, the second-seeded Tailgaters tied the game 1-1 on a Kyle Martin solo home run in the eighth inning.
The Banana Bowl then went to a Showdown after the teams finished nine innings tied at one point apiece. Texas struck first when Nick Lopez scored against Savannah pitcher Danny Hosley.
Tailgaters reliever Chris Clarke then struck out Dan Oberst to record the decisive out and give Texas a 2-1 victory, making them the league’s first Banana Bowl champions.
According to the Banana Ball X account, 41,000 fans attended the Banana Bowl. Nationals Park was the 76th stadium Banana Ball was played in this season.
