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  6. article_body => "<p>The Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A&nbsp;affiliate of the Washington Nationals, apologized on Monday after a Memorial Day video played between double-header games that&nbsp;appeared to compare New York congresswoman&nbsp;Alexandria&nbsp;Ocasio-Cortez to Cuba's Fidel Castro and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\"A pre-produced video from outside our front office was selected,\" the team said in a statement. \"Unfortunately what was supposed to be a moving tribute ended with some misleading and offensive editing, which made a statement that was not our intent and certainly not our opinion.<\/p>\n<p>\"We're embarrassed we allowed this video to play without seeing it in its entirety first. We unconditionally apologize to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in addition to our fans, community and those we hurt. It was a mistake and we will ensure that nothing like it ever happens again.\"<\/p>\n<p>The video&nbsp;was the sound of a Memorial Day speech from Ronald Reagan. During his quote&nbsp;\u201cAs for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it. We will not surrender for it, now or ever,\" a photo of Ocasio-Cortez appeared in between Castro and the North Korean leader.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/mlb\/minors\/2019\/05\/28\/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-fresno-grizzlies-apologize-memorial-day-video\/1256080001\/\">According to reports<\/a>, the scoreboard video was selected from YouTube by an unidentified employee who is \"remorseful.\"<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson told the USA TODAY&nbsp;that the club would not broadcast videos taken from the internet on its scoreboard&nbsp;in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">What people don\u2019t (maybe do) realize is when orgs air these hateful messages, my life changes bc of the flood of death threats they inspire.<br><br>I\u2018ve had mornings where I wake up &amp; the 1st thing I do w\/ my coffee is review photos of the men (it\u2019s always men) who want to kill me. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hiYbPghad7\">https:\/\/t.co\/hiYbPghad7<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AOC\/status\/1133493345819484161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 28, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n \n<p><strong><em>MORE NATIONALS NEWS:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Back on Track?:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/winning-weekend-produces-temporary-relief-nationals\">Nationals have successful series against Marlins<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Make-a-Wish:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/make-wish-mid-atlantic-and-nationals-grant-boys-wish-be-player-day\">10-year-old becomes Nationals player for the day<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Soto out of slump: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/washington\/nationals\/heres-how-nationals-star-juan-soto-snapped-out-his-early-season-slump\">Here's out he did it<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n"
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Nationals

Nationals

The Fresno Grizzlies, the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, apologized on Monday after a Memorial Day video played between double-header games that appeared to compare New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Cuba's Fidel Castro and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. 

"A pre-produced video from outside our front office was selected," the team said in a statement. "Unfortunately what was supposed to be a moving tribute ended with some misleading and offensive editing, which made a statement that was not our intent and certainly not our opinion.

"We're embarrassed we allowed this video to play without seeing it in its entirety first. We unconditionally apologize to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in addition to our fans, community and those we hurt. It was a mistake and we will ensure that nothing like it ever happens again."

The video was the sound of a Memorial Day speech from Ronald Reagan. During his quote “As for the enemies of freedom, those who are potential adversaries, they will be reminded that peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it. We will not surrender for it, now or ever," a photo of Ocasio-Cortez appeared in between Castro and the North Korean leader.

According to reports, the scoreboard video was selected from YouTube by an unidentified employee who is "remorseful."

A spokesperson told the USA TODAY that the club would not broadcast videos taken from the internet on its scoreboard in the future. 

 

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