“We did an awful lot to really reach out and be a good steward of the franchise for the fans. And, you know, I’m sorry that it hasn’t worked out.”[1]
John Fisher, August 23, 2023
John J. Fisher. The illegitimate owner of the Oakland A’s. The man who bought the franchise in 2005 even though the Dolich group posted the asking price in 1999. The man who Bud Selig certified to destroy Oakland baseball.
For the past 20 years, Fisher has squatted on the A’s franchise, failing to invest in baseball’s favorite oddball brand. In the past three years, he has unleashed the full fury of his stinginess on the fan base—discarding all-star players, slicing payroll, and charging unconscionably high prices for hard-on-the-eyes baseball. Heroic maneuvers in the eyes of baseball’s deadbeat owners, but rather deplorable acts in most circles. Despite his failure to invest in and promote his baseball business, the franchise has appreciated by a billion dollars during his reign. Not a bad return on the investment of sitting on his ass for 20 years.
John J. Fisher. A cheap bastard. Fisher isn’t simply cheap, he’s a trailblazer in cheapness. During the onset of Covid-19, he was the only owner to halt stipend payments to his minor league players.[2] Thankfully, the rest of the owners did not go along with his groundbreaking cheapness. Imagine running a business and it having to be pointed out to you that the employees are an integral part of it. And what was the deal with those cheese, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches he was serving to his minor leaguers?[3] Does iceberg lettuce have protein?
Rob Manfred points out the fantastic sum Fisher spent on his decades-long quest for a Bay Area ballpark—as if it were a badge of honor.[4] Evidently, it’s a badge of incompetence. Forgive us for our reluctance to bestow a participation award on a billionaire who stacked ballpark failures like cord wood. Mr. Bastard, with all due respect, you didn’t get the job done.
Manfred also points out the success the A’s have had on the playing field under Fisher—which includes 7 postseason appearances in 20 seasons.[5] He fails to point out that this success is not because of Fisher but in spite of him. Fisher didn’t build the front office apparatus. He didn’t discover Billy Beane and David Forst. Just as he inherited his fortune, he inherited the A’s front office staff, the heroes who have somehow made the A’s palatable on a shoestring.
John J. Fisher. The man who would rather have the trappings of success than the battle scars won in creating it. The accomplishments of the Oakland A’s aren’t Fisher accomplishments. In 13 seasons in Oakland, Charlie Finley won three World Series. In 15 seasons in Oakland, Walter Haas won three pennants and one World Series. In 20 seasons in Oakland, Fisher has yet to make a World Series appearance. He can boast two seasons of 100+ losses—and the worst season in the history of the Oakland A’s. He has had no role whatsoever in Oakland’s championship heritage. But don’t expect him to donate the four World Series trophies to the Oakland Museum as he heads out of town. He specializes in acquiring the masterpieces of others—be they paintings or championship seasons.
John J. Fisher. The walking embodiment of the phrase “You can’t buy class.”
[1] NBC Bay Area staff, “The John Fisher interview: Oakland owner talks Vegas, backlash and future plans” nbcbayarea.com, 23 August 2023, Oakland A’s owner John Fisher goes on record in rare interview – NBC Bay Area.
[2] Susan Slusser, “A’s owner John Fisher reverses course, apologizes: Team will pay minor-leaguers,” sfchronicle.com, 5 June 2020, A’s owner John Fisher reverses course, apologizes: Team will pay minor-leaguers (sfchronicle.com).
[3] Matt Kawahara, “A’s promise changes for minor leaguers after sandwich snafu,” sfchronicle.com, 2 June 2021, A’s promise changes for minor leaguers after sandwich snafu (sfchronicle.com).
[4] Dayn Perry, “Rob Manfred ‘sorry’ for A’s fans, but says ‘attendance has never been outstanding’ in defense of possible move,” cbssports.com, 24 April 2023, Rob Manfred ‘sorry’ for A’s fans, but says ‘attendance has never been outstanding’ in defense of possible move – CBSSports.com.
[5] “Manfred praises Athletics’ Fisher, says owner had ‘sub-standard’ support in Oakland,” November 16, 2023, sportsnet.ca video, 1:20, Manfred praises Athletics’ Fisher, says owner had ‘sub-standard’ support in Oakland (sportsnet.ca).