A's coach apologizes for 'unintentionally' making Nazi salute

Oakland Athletics bench coach Ryan Christenson is under fire for a gesture used during Thursday night's win over the Texas Rangers. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland A's bench coach apologizes for 'unintentionally' making Nazi salute

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 8/7/20

An Oakland Athletics bench coach is under fire for a gesture used during Thursday night's win over the Texas Rangers.

Ryan Christenson appeared to have made a gesture resembling the Nazi salute, and now he claims it was "unintentional" and apologized for doing it.

Christenson was seen on camera extending his right arm in the air as the team made their way to the dugout.

"What I did is unacceptable and I deeply apologize," Christenson said in a statement released by the team.

We take this time to introduce you to Oakland A’s bench coach Ryan Christenson ... who likely saw his last day on an MLB field

W ... T ... F?!?! (@1053TheFan @1053SS @RJChoppy) pic.twitter.com/RlNbeRgjeo
— T̷R̷O̷Y̷ ̷H̷U̷G̷H̷E̷S̷ (@TommySledge) August 7, 2020

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— Oakland A's (@Athletics) August 7, 2020

A's closer Liam Hendricks corrected Christenson's gesture, and the bench coach claims he was trying to adapt the elbow bump that teams now do in place of high fives due to coronavirus concerns.

With the movement surrounding racial equality in today's society, Christenson's gesture was that much more distasteful.

While the A's apologized, it appears Christenson won't be facing supplemental discipline from the organization or MLB.

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