Controversy Around Cubs Player’s Absence for Memorial

Gary Cohen, a New York Mets announcer, expressed disapproval over Chicago Cubs player Matt Shaw missing a game to attend a memorial for Charlie Kirk, who was killed on September 10th. Shaw skipped the September 21st match against the Cincinnati Reds to be at the memorial service held in Glendale, Arizona.

During a discussion with reporters, Shaw explained that he was invited to the service by Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk. He mentioned that he consulted with about a dozen teammates and went through the necessary channels, including the legal team and management, to secure approval.

Despite this, Cohen criticized Shaw’s choice, noting the Cubs lost the game 1-0 and felt Shaw’s absence keenly. He remarked that while he didn’t want to delve into the politics of the situation, he found it “really weird” for a player to leave the team during a critical season for non-family reasons.

As Cohen’s remarks gained traction online, some fans pointed out a perceived hypocrisy in his comments. They recalled that he himself missed a game in April after his dog passed away, with a colleague stepping in for him. He had expressed gratitude for the support he received then.

Other fans contrasted Cohen’s stance with his previous reactions when players protested during games. For instance, in 2020, he had no qualms when a Mets player donned a “Black Lives Matter” shirt and made a statement on Jackie Robinson Day.

Baseball analyst Gary Sheffield Jr. weighed in, suggesting that Cohen’s views seemed inconsistent, especially when it comes to showing respect for lives lost. He noted that it’s a complicated matter, dependent on one’s political stance.

Additionally, Keith Hernandez, a former MLB player and Cohen’s broadcast partner, echoed the sentiment that missing a game for such a reason was unusual, at least from his own experience as a player.