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Rep. Linda Sánchez, Democrat of Calif. he says it wasn’t Republican lawmakers who did it “an offensive and misogynistic comment” during Thursday night’s Congressional baseball game that prompted her to flip the bird to her dugout, but rather a fan in the stands.
said Sanchez NBC News’ Frank Thorp that the alleged comment came from a “hateful fan” who has previously yelled similar comments at him in the past.
Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., takes the field during the congressional baseball game at Nationals Park on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Republicans outscored Democrats by a score of 10-0. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“It wasn’t the team. It was a nasty fan who calls me misogynistic crap every year.”
Earlier Friday, Sanchez said in a statement to Fox News Digital that the comment came “from the Republican side.”
2022 CONGRESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME: REP. DEMOCRATIC LINDA SÁNCHEZ SHUTS OFF REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS
“The Congressional Baseball Game is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s a great cause and it brings both sides of the aisle together for a night free from partisan politics. That’s why it really caught my attention when I heard an offensive and misogynistic message. a comment from the Republican side on my way back to the dugout,” his statement read.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, left, and Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, stand in the chamber before the congressional baseball game against congressional Democrats, Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Washington . The annual baseball game between congressional Republicans and Democrats raises money for charity. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
“In the heat of the moment, I reacted. I have no tolerance for men who make women feel unimportant or that they don’t belong, especially on the field. I will always stand against that kind of bigotry.”
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At the time, his office did not respond to a follow-up request for comment about what the comment was or who made it.
She declined to elaborate on the comment to NBC News.
“I’m not going to dignify it with an answer because it’s nasty and it’s crude, and it has no place at a charity baseball game.”
Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) and Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) celebrate after the Congressional Charity Baseball Game at Nationals Park on July 28, 2022 at Nationals Park in Washington, DC. The annual bipartisan game was first played in 1909. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Sánchez also targeted Republican lawmakers for “crossing her” over her response.
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“If the Republican women would have stood up and said this is not acceptable instead of, you know, tearing me apart for my response, then we could have a place where there’s no misogyny that’s tolerated anywhere.”
The Ultimately, the Republicans won the party 10-0, snapping back-to-back wins and improving their record in the classic game, first played in 1909, to 44-42-1.
Paulina Dedaj is a digital reporter for Fox News and Fox Business. Follow Paulina Dedaj on Twitter at @PaulinaDedaj. If you have a tip, you can email Paulina at Paulina.Dedaj@fox.com