Cubs Player Criticized for Missing Game

During a recent New York Mets broadcast, announcer Gary Cohen expressed his disapproval of Chicago Cubs player Matt Shaw missing a game to attend Charlie Kirk’s funeral. This comment came during a Tuesday night matchup between the Mets and Cubs.

Cohen stated, “I don’t want to talk about any of the politics of it, but the thought of leaving your team in the middle of a race for any reason other than a family emergency really strikes me as weird.”

Another Mets broadcaster, Todd Zeile, weighed in, noting that Shaw’s absence was surprising. He said it was unprecedented in his experience and pointed out that the situation was made more unusual by the fact that Shaw had not informed anyone until the issue arose, leading to speculation about his presence in the dugout.

In response, Shaw addressed the matter on Tuesday, sharing that he was invited to the funeral by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. “My connection with Charlie was through our faith,” Shaw explained. “That’s something that drives me every day.” He expressed gratitude for the ability to help his team compete, saying he is prepared for any criticism that might come his way.

Chicago outfielder Ian Happ also commented on Shaw’s decision, saying he respected Shaw’s choice to attend the funeral, recognizing the human emotions involved. He added that while baseball demands a lot of their lives, personal relationships are significant too.

The comments from Cohen didn’t sit well with some fans online, who criticized him for his remarks. One user remarked that it was “an incredibly stupid thing to say” considering the nature of Shaw’s commitment. Another emphasized that Cohen should focus on his own team rather than commenting on players from opposing teams.

Overall, the incident has sparked debate, bringing attention to the balance between professional obligations and personal relationships. Shaw’s choice, while met with criticism, also showed a commitment to friendship and support during a difficult time.