Brighten Your Day

He Was Just A “Rental Player.” Now He’s A Star Seen By Millions

May 13, 2025

When Bill Leroy first heard about the Savannah Bananas, he had no idea he was about to step into a dream he didn’t even know he had.

He was just a college sophomore at the University of North Georgia, spending his summers like many others—cutting grass in his hometown and scraping together a few bucks.

That summer, his coach mentioned a quirky baseball team in Savannah that could use an extra player—for a week.

@bill_leroy

"We have a temporary contract you'll be there for a week," he recalled them telling him. "On the way down they said 'Hey man we got some guys showing up early, earlier than expected... we don't know how long we'll actually need you, you'll probably only be around for the first couple of days'."

He was a rental player. A placeholder until the “real” players arrived.

He could’ve easily said no. Turned the car around.

But he didn’t.

He said yes.

And that single yes changed the course of his life.

When he got to Savannah, he quickly realized this wasn’t your average baseball team. There was dancing. Crazy videos. Wild energy.

“Might as well have fun with it while we’re here,” he told his roommate. So he did. He danced. He joked. He gave it everything he had—not just on the field, but in the atmosphere.

Credit: @bill_leroy

And then, something amazing happened.

He played in the first game. Got two hits. Then he played the next. And the next.

Suddenly, he wasn’t just a fill-in. He was part of the team.

That summer, he earned a full contract. Then came the next summer. And the one after that. Four summers with the Bananas when they were just a summer league team. And now, eight years later, he’s still with them as a pro.

Bill Leroy has become a beloved face of the Savannah Bananas—known for his cheetah-print catcher’s gear, jaw-dropping trick plays, and electrifying personality. He’s played in front of over 2 million fans. He’s gone viral more times than he can count. He’s even shared the field with MLB legends.

All because he said yes to an opportunity that didn’t seem like much at the time.

The lesson?

Don’t wait until the conditions are perfect. Don’t wait until you’re guaranteed a spot. Show up. Give it your all. Be the kind of person who brings energy and heart—even when you’re just the “rental.” Because you never know where that yes might take you.