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New York Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen has come under intense scrutiny after making what many are calling “callous” remarks about Chicago Cubs infielder Matt Shaw missing a game to attend conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. While Cohen stopped short of weighing in on politics, his suggestion that skipping the matchup was inappropriate has sparked outrage, not just among Cubs fans, but across social media, where critics are demanding accountability.
The controversy began during a recent Mets broadcast, when Cohen called attention to Shaw’s absence from the Cubs’ game against the Cincinnati Reds. “Shaw had Cubs world in a tizzy this weekend when he was not here for the Cubs game with the Reds, and they lost one-nothing, and his lack of presence was felt,” Cohen said.
“It was later revealed that he had been given permission to attend Charlie Kirk’s funeral. And I don’t want to talk about any of the politics of it,” Cohen continued. “But the thought of leaving a team in the middle of a race for any reason other than a family emergency really strikes me as weird.” Former Mets first baseman Todd Zeile, who was also in the booth, appeared to agree, calling the move “unusual” and “unprecedented.”
Gary Cohen Called Out for Hypocrisy After Criticizing Matt Shaw’s Absence
The clip quickly spread on X (formerly Twitter), where many users accused Cohen of hypocrisy. Several pointed out that Cohen himself had taken time off from calling a game after the death of a family pet. A viral post claimed, “Mets fans are boycotting the team and refunding tickets until announcer Gary Cohen publicly apologizes for criticizing Cubs player Matt Shaw for missing a game to attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial, pointing out Cohen himself skipped a game after the death of a pet.”
While the boycott claims appear exaggerated, the criticism has been relentless. Many felt that Cohen unfairly minimized both the significance of a memorial service and the importance of personal choice in moments of grief.
Analysts Dismiss Viral ‘Boycott’ Claims as Misleading and Impossible
Not everyone bought into the narrative. Sports commentator John Saponaro slammed the reports as “intentional misleading,” noting that the Mets have no remaining home games this season and therefore fans can’t exactly “refund tickets” in protest. Craig Carton echoed that sentiment, writing that while Cohen should apologize for his remarks, “NO Mets fans are refunding tickets or boycotting the team. They are on the road the rest of the season.” Other users called the viral boycott posts “100% bullsh-t” and demanded proof. Still, the idea gained traction because of the wider outrage over Cohen’s remarks.
Shaw, one of the Cubs’ young stars, has been an important part of the team’s push for a playoff spot. With the regular season winding down, every game carries weight. That made his absence, and Cohen’s pointed critique, especially newsworthy. But critics argue that framing Shaw’s decision as “weird” dismisses the human element of loss and remembrance.
