This episode of Difference Makers is brought to you by the Georgia Southern Extra podcast. Click the link to listen to episode one.

After a fireworks proposal and clandestine visit to Savannah, Jesse and Emily Cole returned to the Hostess City after the previous team inhabiting Grayson Stadium, known by the Coles as "the other team," left for Colombia. Three years later and the Savannah Bananas are thriving more than one could ever imagine and the couple attributes that to dedication, a driven group of staff members and a focus on creating a fans first experience. In the episode, Jesse and Emily discuss how they met, why they chose Savannah as the site of a new team, creating the culture with their staff and what plans they have for the future.

(1:53): How Jesse and Emily met — and how baseball played a role

(5:43): Making the move to Savannah

(8:07): The challenges facing them when they arrived at Grayson Stadium and their new living space

(12:35) Creating a fans first mentality for the Bananas

• Juggling Act: Savannah Bananas co-owner 'putting everything' into entertaining fans (SMN, Jun. 1, 2016)
• Business as Unusual: Owner Jesse Cole thanks Savannah for going Bananas (SMN, Jul. 28, 2018)

(15:58): Establishing the culture of the Bananas and how the staff responds to their work environment

(20:52): How did Jesse and Emily get the players to buy into the Bananas way?

• Savannah Bananas host Fan Fest before 2018 season begins (SMN, May 28, 2018)

(28:05): Naming their team as the Bananas

• Savannah's new baseball team: the Bananas (SMN, Feb. 25, 2016)

(30:11): Grayson Stadium and why the Coles love the history of "their home"

• PHOTOS: Grayson Stadium, baseball history in Savannah (SMN, Aug. 7, 2014)

(31:47) What is in store for the future of the Savannah Bananas?

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