Texas Rangers announcer Dave Raymond added a dose of dry humor—and a sharp dig—during Tuesday night’s broadcast when he took aim at the Oakland Athletics’ ongoing struggles and uncertain future. While calling the fourth inning of the Rangers-A’s game, Raymond referred to the team as the “itinerant Athletics,” a pointed remark that quickly caught the attention of fans online.
Raymond’s quip came during a commentary on the A’s poor offensive performance with runners in scoring position during Monday night’s game, where the team went just 1-for-16. With his trademark blend of wit and subtle sarcasm, Raymond delivered the line:
“Last night, Oak — Oakland — last night the Athletics, itinerant Athletics, 1-for-16 with runners on base.”
The remark wasn’t just about the stats. By calling the A’s “itinerant,” Raymond invoked a word that literally means “traveling from place to place”—a not-so-subtle nod to the franchise’s current state of flux. The Athletics have been in the spotlight all season for off-the-field reasons, particularly their impending move to Las Vegas and the awkward transitional period they now find themselves in. With no permanent home and an uncertain timeline for their new stadium, the term “itinerant” struck a chord with many viewers as both an accurate and amusing descriptor.
This isn’t Raymond’s first time using humor to color his commentary, nor is he the first announcer to vent frustration over broadcasting A’s games this season. Oakland’s struggles on the field—compounded by a fractured fan base and stadium woes—have made them a difficult team to cover, especially in a year where they’ve often appeared to be going through the motions.
The clip of Raymond’s remark was quickly picked up and shared on social media by the fan account Last Dive Bar, which also included a definition of “itinerant” for context. It didn’t take long for the post to gain traction among fans of both teams, with many praising the cleverness of the comment, while others used it as another opportunity to criticize the A’s front office and ownership for their handling of the relocation.
Raymond’s commentary may have been brief, but it packed a punch—capturing in one word the essence of what many baseball fans feel about the state of the Oakland franchise in 2025: a team adrift, waiting for a permanent home, and struggling to find solid ground both on and off the field.
As the A’s continue their winding journey toward Las Vegas, expect more comments like this to surface—not just from rival broadcasters, but from a baseball world grappling with the unusual and unprecedented path of one of MLB’s most storied yet embattled franchises.
