Tough news out of Los Angeles: Angels Minor League outfielder Rio Foster was involved in a serious car accident early Friday and is currently in critical condition, the team announced. Foster, 22, was a 16th-round pick out of Florence-Darlington Technical College in South Carolina. He spent this season with the Tri-City Dust Devils, the Angels’ High-A affiliate in the Northwest League.

Notably, he put together a strong year, hitting .267 with 10 homers across 93 games. Especially in August, he earned Northwest League Player of the Month honors after batting .333 with 7 HRs in just 26 games. But unfortunately, as per the latest updates, he has suffered a brain hemorrhage and remains in critical condition. According to his mother, Foster “suffers from a traumatic brain injury along with skull and facial fractures and remains in critical condition.”

And he needs help, something that triggered the fans to call out the Angels. “I asked the Angels if team management is planning to cover Rio’s medical costs. They said they’d like to keep what they’re doing private. Angels players/staff like Kikuchi, Adell, Moore, Kochanowicz, Teodosio, Campero — and many MiLB players in multiple orgs — have donated,” MLB insider Sam Blum shared.

Naturally, fans are wondering who’s covering the costs of Rio Foster’s brain surgery. And when Blum raised the question, the team declined to comment, citing privacy reasons. That silence has only fueled speculation that the organization isn’t stepping up to support its young outfielder.

Adding to that perception, a GoFundMe campaign was launched by insider Jeff Fletcher to help Foster’s family. This further led many fans to see it as proof that the Angels aren’t assisting. Frustration has grown, especially with owner Arte Moreno’s net worth estimated at around $5 billion.

On the players’ side, there has been a show of support.

Reportedly, Angels pitcher Yusei Kikuchi donated $10,000 to the campaign, while outfielder Jo Adell added another $5,500. Still, fans argue it’s not nearly enough and are putting pressure on the Angels organization itself, saying the responsibility falls on the club to take care of Foster in such a difficult time.

The Angels’ front office gets called out by the fans

Fans are wondering if citing privacy reasons by the Angels is not to give in to PR activity. Or if the organization is hiding its gaps. “Thanks for asking about this. I really hope privacy isn’t avoidance; a statement from the organization would be nice even if it doesn’t speak to dollars and cents,” one fan remarked. Makes sense because privacy is one part of the story, while accountability and transparency should be the other.

“Please keep asking about this. I can’t fathom them not doing anything, and if they’re trying to hide behind “privacy,” it’s completely unacceptable,” another user applauded Blum for holding the Angels responsible.

Now, the big question is: If the Angels are asking for privacy, why are fans still so doubtful? The answer might trace back to perception. Reportedly, in 2020, Forbes put together a philanthropy score, ranking 400 billionaires on their charitable giving. The top score was a 5, and Moreno, the Angels’ owner, was given just a 1. That history of limited public giving is likely why fans remain skeptical about whether the team is actually stepping up to help Foster and his family. “Arte can’t spare a few bucks; he is only worth $5 billion,” one fan remarked with a sarcastic jab.

But there is a possibility that the team is actually assisting Foster’s family. And just that they do not want to use it as a PR activity. “Please, if they say they did, and how much, someone… Not pointing fingers ..will criticize. It won’t be enough for some people. Some will say it’s just a pr move. Granted, the owner has earned criticism, but not for everything,” another user shared a similar emotion.

But despite the Angels’ front office’s unwilling response, a few names have already contributed, and fans gave the credit where it’s due. “Yusei donated 10k, Jo 5k, Bryce 1k, along with others. So I applaud them for helping. Hopefully, the organization is stepping up and covering needed costs, and the family can talk about it so the org doesn’t,” one shared. Yes, all these names deserve applause for standing up for their minor colleague. And even if the Angels are not willing to take the credit for their contribution, Foster’s family can come forward.

But now, the only thing we hope and pray for is that the GoFundMe campaign will be enough to meet the surgery expenses, and Foster will be back in the batter’s box again.