Copyright Athlon Sports
The night at Plainsman Park was anything but ordinary. The Auburn Tigers hosted the nationally renowned Savannah Bananas “Banana Ball All-Stars,” bringing one of baseball’s most entertaining and unconventional shows to the heart of the SEC. According to information from the Auburn Plainsman (link), the Tigers fell in a 4–3 decision after two dramatic “showdowns” decided the game. Still, the atmosphere around Plainsman Park was electric from the moment the gates opened. South Donahue Drive was transformed into a street festival, complete with live performances and Bananas-themed fanfare before first pitch. The show began with a familiar Auburn face — former MLB All-Star pitcher Tim Hudson — throwing the ceremonial first pitch for the Banana Ball All-Stars. It counted as an official strike, setting the tone for a night that blended entertainment with real competition. Auburn’s Mason McCraine gave the home crowd an early thrill with a three-run homer, and the Tigers even flashed some flair of their own with trick catches and between-the-legs grabs. But the moment that stole the spotlight came when a former Auburn star — and ex-Angels draft pick — stepped out of the coaching box, grabbed a bat, and reminded everyone why he’s still one of the most beloved hitters in program history. Big Moment in the Game Came From Sonny DiChiara Sonny DiChiara’s baseball journey already reads like a picturesque plotline. Diagnosed in his youth with a Chiari malformation — a neurological condition in which parts of the brain push into the spinal canal — he endured multiple surgeries and setbacks, including a cracked back in high school and Tommy John surgery. Yet he persevered, becoming one of college baseball’s most feared hitters. He began his collegiate career at Samford, earning Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors before transferring to Auburn. In his lone season with the Tigers in 2022, DiChiara led the SEC in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging, sharing SEC Player of the Year honors with LSU’s Dylan Crews. Selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft, DiChiara climbed through the Angels minor league system. He played across affiliates from Double-A to Triple-A, flashing his signature power — notably during Arizona Fall League play — before being released in June 2025. By September, he had returned to his collegiate roots, joining Auburn’s staff as a student assistant coach. His night against the Savannah Bananas, though, blurred the line between coach and player in spectacular fashion. The Night in Banana Ball: Coach Becomes Hero Saturday night’s matchup pitted the Savannah Bananas All-Star squad against the Auburn Tigers — a rare interlude in the Bananas high-energy exhibition schedule. The Bananas, whose novelty-driven games thrive on theatrics and crowd engagement, had already faced Clemson baseball on Thursday night. Auburn became the latest high-profile college program to get the full “Banana Ball” experience. Midway through the game, in what looked like a scripted stunt, Auburn’s first base coach, Sonny DiChiara, discarded his jacket, grabbed a helmet, and stepped into the on-deck circle. As he walked toward the plate, the crowd’s anticipation grew. Then came the swing. DiChiara launched a deep ball to right-center field — gone. The crowd erupted as he rounded the bases, arms raised, slamming his helmet in pure emotion at third base before crossing home to be mobbed by teammates. Even the Bananas players stood in awe, hands on their heads, smiling in disbelief. It was a moment that captured everything the Bananas represent — energy, joy, and pure love of the game — and everything Auburn fans remember about Sonny DiChiara: power, presence, and passion. It was the kind of moment that lives in highlight reels, the kind of moment the Bananas likely dreamed of when scheduling a game versus Auburn.
