Mets Broadcaster Slams Cubs Rookie for Attending Charlie Kirk Memorial, Sparks Social Media Firestorm

Background and the controversy

When the Chicago Cubs were locked in a tight race for a postseason spot, rookie outfielder Matt Shaw chose to sit out a game against the Cincinnati Reds. The reason? He wanted to be at the memorial service for Charlie Kirk, a well‑known political activist who had become a close friend through their shared Christian faith.

During a live broadcast, New York Mets commentator Gary Cohen didn’t hold back. He labeled Shaw’s absence as "weird" and questioned the player’s priorities, noting that the Cubs lost the 1‑0 game without him. Co‑host former MLB player Todd Zeile chimed in, calling the decision “unusual” and “unprecedented” in his two‑decade career.

Fans of both teams quickly took to the social platform X, demanding an apology from Cohen and calling for a boycott of Mets broadcasts. The uproar grew when Mikey McCoy, who served as Charlie Kirk’s chief of staff, posted a pointed rebuttal. McCoy reminded everyone that Kirk and Shaw had shared a meaningful bond and that the young player had received permission from the Cubs organization to attend the service.

Shaw later explained his motivations to the Chicago Sun‑Times. He said his connection with Kirk was rooted in their Christian faith, a relationship that fuels his daily grind on the diamond. “Without my faith and the blessings I’ve received, I wouldn’t be here,” he wrote, adding that any backlash he faces is secondary to his belief system.

Reactions and wider implications

The incident threw a spotlight on the clash between professional responsibilities and personal convictions, especially during a season’s most critical stretch. Here are some of the main threads that emerged:

• Team dynamics: Cubs management reportedly stood by Shaw, emphasizing that players are allowed to handle personal matters with the organization’s knowledge.
• Media ethics: Critics argued that Cohen’s on‑air commentary crossed a line by injecting personal judgment into a sports broadcast.
• Fan sentiment: While a segment of the baseball community backed Shaw’s right to mourn a friend, another group felt that any non‑emergency absence jeopardizes a playoff push.
• Faith in the locker room: Shaw’s openness about his Christianity sparked discussions about the role of religion in professional sports, a topic that rarely surfaces in mainstream coverage.

Social media users also pointed out that Charlie Kirk, a founder of a prominent conservative group, had recently visited Wrigley Field and even witnessed Shaw hit a home run. That memory, according to McCoy, made the memorial especially personal for the rookie.

In the days that followed, the Cubs managed to stay within striking distance of a playoff berth, while the Mets continued to dominate their own division. Whether the controversy will have a lasting impact on Shaw’s career or Cohen’s reputation remains to be seen, but the episode has already added a new layer to the ongoing conversation about where the line should be drawn between personal life and professional duty in today’s high‑stakes sports environment.