Alan Hahn wants baseball to loosen up it’s presentation of the MLB All Star Game. The ESPN New York host floated a Savannah Bananas-inspired fix for the All-Star Game.
What We Know: Hahn raised the idea Wednesday on ESPN New York’s Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg. MLB has reworked its Midsummer Classic repeatedly over the decades, adding and later dropping the “this one counts” World Series stakes gimmick among other ideas. Ratings have struggled in recent years, fueling debate over how to modernize the event. Hahn argued the game should prioritize entertainment over strict competition taking a page from the success of the Savannah Bananas.
What They Said: (All quotes via Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg on ESPN New York)
Alan Hahn on how to create more entertainment with the MLB All Star Game: “The Savannah Bananas, they do a lot of weird, funny, entertaining stuff with their game. If you’re a baseball purist, it probably is not something you enjoy. But is the All Star Game for baseball purists, or is it a moment to entertain?”
Alan Hahn on why inserting entertainment could work for the MLB All Star Game: “The one thing that I used to like about the All Star game in the NBA back in the ’80s and ’90s. The players understood that while most of this game we’re going to play and compete, there’s going to be moments where we’re going to let players show off their incredible skill… That’s all the stuff that I thought was supposed to be part of the game. Where it’s 80% the game is being played, and about 20% stuff we would never do in a real game, but we here to entertain. A little Harlem Globetrotters thrown in. Savannah Bananas aren’t they a baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters?”
Alan Hahn suggests baseball look into items that the Bananas do to inject more interest in the MLB All Star Game: “You don’t have to bring in the Savannah Bananas. But what if you borrowed from what they do? The game has a little more of like the quirkiness too it. Fan catches a foul ball. If you catch it clean, it’s an out. I find that to be hilarious, and now fans would be involved in it. The baseball purists will hate this, but how many people would watch it because it’s kind of funny?”
What Remains Unclear: MLB has not announced any further changes to the MLB All Star Game format.
What It Means: Hahn’s comments reflect a growing appetite for shaking up a struggling exhibition. Other leagues have leaned into showmanship to attract casual fans, and MLB faces similar pressure. While the game has a long history, long time fans would be the ones providing the most pushback. Despite the success of the Bananas product nationwide, purists will likely push back against any quirky additions to the Midsummer Classic. Still, the conversation signals real momentum toward rethinking the All-Star Game’s identity.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.