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Yankees broadcast unloads on John Fisher and Oakland A’s

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 21: Managing Partner John Fisher and President David Kaval of the Oakland Athletics talk in the stands during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on April 21, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 3-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 21: Managing Partner John Fisher and President David Kaval of the Oakland Athletics talk in the stands during the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Alameda Coliseum on April 21, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Mariners 3-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /
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One could understand if Yankees fans were a bit confused by the team the Oakland A’s put on the diamond on Monday. After all, when last the Yankees faced off against the A’s, Oakland had a team that was capable of contending for a playoff berth and plenty of star power. And then, they saw a team that ranks last in the American League in every triple slash line category and Seth Brown is their best hitter.

The Yankees broadcast made certain to explain what happened. They took owner John Fisher to task during the game, with their screen graphic detailing his crimes against baseball in general and the A’s in particular.

Yankees broadcast points fingers at John Fisher for Oakland A’s plight

That graphic could have gone even further. It did not detail how Elvis Andrus and Stephen Piscotty make up $21.83 million of their payroll, and are only on the roster because literally no one wants their contracts. It also did not detail how Fisher pocketed the revenue sharing money that the team is receiving. That contract to Eric Chavez? It was given out in 2004, long before Fisher was involved.

It is rare that broadcasts call out another team’s owner in that manner. Details may be given, and a list of the players that had been traded away as part of the latest fire sale, but other teams are not taken to task in such a manner.

However, other teams also have not infuriated other owners in the league the way Fisher has. While some teams may not spend on players and do everything possible to keep their costs down, there is a line that they do not cross. Fisher crossed that line when he decided to pocket the revenue sharing money.

Maybe this is how those owners are going to vent their frustration and annoyance. Other teams may also post similar graphics, pointing the finger directly at Fisher for the A’s struggles and fire sale. And, if they do, they would be correct in determining where the blame lies.

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The Yankees broadcast took shots at Oakland A’s owner John Fisher in a screen graphic. They could have gone even further in depth.