The energy at Great American Ballpark felt more like a block party than a ballgame. Between banana suits and backflips, a hometown favorite made a return to the spotlight by surprise. Cheers came after every move—until something went terribly wrong. In the middle of all the fun, a painful moment left the stadium in stunned silence after Sean Casey faced an unexpected setback.

The Reds Hall of Famer and fan-favorite was a marquee star at the Savannah Bananas’ stop. At 51, Casey was not there to dominate. He was there just to connect with fans and could put a fun swing on the night, and for a brief moment, the veteran star did exactly that.

It was the bottom of the seventh, and the energy at Great American Ballpark was still buzzing when Casey stepped into the batter’s box. The pitch darted away from the catcher, and Casey, never one to pass up a chance, dashed toward first. However, as he rounded first and midway between first and second, he reached for his leg and pulled up, grimacing in pain. At first, the fans thought Casey was hamming it up for laughs. However, it quickly became clear, this was not part of the show. He had unfortunately torn his hamstring, completely off the bone.

Jim Day, during the Reds-Tigers broadcast, broke the news and said Casey would need surgery. “It is real when you are running and you are 51 years of age,” Day said. “I thought he was just playing to the crowd… Turns out he completely tore his hamstring. He took one for the team.”

The Bananas’ dugout quickly sent out a pinch-runner, and Casey, ever the professional, made his way off the field to a wave of supportive applause. Yet, even as pain threatened to overshadow the moment, Casey’s spirit shone through. Later, he took to social media, sharing with fans just how much it meant to have one more at-bat in Cincinnati. And in classic Casey’s style, he wrote: “What a moment to have one more AB in front of the greatest fans in the world last night in Cincinnati!! Thx to @TheSavBananas n @YellowTuxJesse for the opportunity! Banana Ball is so fun, what an experience! I was hoping for one more double in the gap, but I’ll take the walk…”

While his night ended in unexpected pain, the rest of the show carried on, true to the spirit of Banana Ball. Interestingly, for another legend of the Reds, the evening unfolded as a welcome home celebration done right.

Todd Frazier’s triumphant return highlights other side of Banana Ball, following Sean Casey’s injury

Though the night ended unfortunately for Casey, there was another former Reds star, whose return to Great American Ball Park was pure joy and a celebration of everything he meant to the Reds. The two-time All-Star, Todd Frazier, stepped on the diamond once again, as part of the Savannah Bananas’ traveling circus of baseball entertainment. The fans greeted the veteran with a roar that only a hometown hero can earn.

The familiar strains of Frank Sinatra, his iconic walk-up tune, filled the air as the crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating the 2015 Home Run Derby champion. Taking a moment to soak in the electric atmosphere, Frazier acknowledged the fans with a warm wave before facing the pitcher.

During his glory days, Frazier slashed .257/.321/.463 with 234 extra-base hits across five seasons with the team—data that is still remembered by the walls of GABP and the fans. He is a fan favorite through and through, and he was also an NL All-Star in 2014 and 2015. However, after that, he was traded to the White Sox in a three-team deal. Despite moving on to play for five other teams, Frazier’s connection to the Reds never faded.

On Friday night, with banana-themed chaos all around, Frazier was not just reminiscing—he was owning the moment. His return was proof that some legacies do not retire; they just take a victory lap. As Banana Ball continues mixing tradition with spectacle, fans need to celebrate such moments—and the veterans behind them—while they still can.