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Past footage supports Ryan Christenson's 'karate chop' defense of Nazi salute

Oakland Athletics' bench coach Ryan Christenson delivered the latest controversy of the MLB season in giving an apparent Nazi salute following his team's 6-4 victory over the Texas Rangers on Thursday.

Christenson had his arm locked in the known pose while greeting closer Liam Hendriks, who immediately grabbed Christenson's arm and broke the gesture, only for Christenson to turn and point at Hendriks before briefly putting the salute up again.

Many social media users were outraged, and after the game, Christenson told The Chronicle's Susan Slusser the gesture was unintentional, stating he was trying to do a "karate chop" with Hendriks.