Christenson apologizes for apparent postgame Nazi salute

A’s bench coach Ryan Christenson found himself embroiled in controversy Thursday after making what appeared to be a Nazi salute while celebrating the team’s victory over the Texas Rangers.

In video captured from the NBC Sports Bay Area telecast, Christenson is seen standing in the handshake line outside the dugout with his right arm extended directly outward, palm down, as the A’s players come off the field. Relief pitcher Liam Hendricks briefly stops to say something to Christenson, who then lowers his arm before turning and raising it again momentarily.

The video clip erupted on social media, many calling for Christenson’s immediate dismissal. The A’s have yet to make a public statement, but Christenson said he received a call at home from A’s GM David Forst and knew why instantly. Hendricks’ brief stop in the handshake line had been a wake-up call.

“Obviously I wasn’t doing that intentionally,” Christenson said of the gesture in an interview with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I just blacked out, my mind wasn’t there and I spaced out. I’m sure it looks terrible. I did it, but it was not intentional. I don’t know what more to say . ... I’m sorry for everything.”

With handshakes and highfives ruled out during the pandemic, teams across baseball are finding other ways to celebrate. For the A’s, one of those ways has been a karate-chop forearm bash, which is what Christenson was preparing to receive when Hendricks stopped. In Christenson’s account to the Chronicle, which was backed up Hendricks, the relief pitcher stops briefly in the line to say something to Christenson.

“No straight arm,” he said. “You have to bend your arm.”

Christenson acknowledges Hendricks, then turns and raises his arm again.

“Oh, I see what you mean,” Christenson says. “Oh, no, it’s like ‘Heil Hitler.’”