In a clash of values that’s got baseball fans buzzing, New York Mets broadcasters have aimed at Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw for missing a game to attend a friend’s memorial service.
Fox News reported that Shaw skipped a tight 1-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds to honor his late friend Charlie Kirk, only to face sharp criticism from Mets commentators during a later broadcast.
The story begins with a tragic event: Charlie Kirk, a native of Arlington Heights near Chicago, was assassinated during a speaking event at Utah Valley University, a loss that shook many, including Shaw.
Shaw, who befriended Kirk while living in the same Arizona apartment complex during the offseason, was visibly rattled by the news, even being pulled from the Cubs’ lineup against the Atlanta Braves that same night.
Their bond, rooted in a shared Christian faith, was no small matter to Shaw, who kept in close contact with Kirk throughout the MLB season.
When Kirk’s widow personally requested Shaw’s presence at the memorial in Glendale, he didn’t hesitate, discussing the decision with Cubs manager Craig Counsell and teammates, who reportedly supported him.
Fast forward to the Cubs facing the Mets, and Shaw found himself in the crosshairs of Mets broadcasters Gary Cohen and Todd Zeile while batting in the fourth inning.
Cohen didn’t mince words, saying, “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.” Well, Gary, perhaps loyalty to a fallen friend isn’t as weird as prioritizing a single game over a profound personal loss.
Zeile piled on, calling the absence “unusual” and even “unprecedented” in his experience, noting the surprise when Shaw wasn’t in the dugout as expected. One wonders if Zeile ever considered that grief doesn’t punch a timecard or wait for a convenient off-day.
Shaw, for his part, addressed the media before the Mets series opener, standing unapologetically by his choice.
“My connection with Charlie was through our faith,” Shaw explained. “And that’s something that drives me every day, the reason why I’m able to do what I do every day, and that’s something I’m extremely thankful for.”
His words cut through the noise of modern sports culture, where personal convictions often take a backseat to team optics—a refreshing reminder that some values still matter more than a box score.
Meanwhile, Cohen and Zeile caught flak on social media for their on-air critique, with fans and commentators alike questioning if they overstepped by judging a player’s personal mourning.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell kept it simple, confirming to reporters that Shaw was absent for a friend’s funeral, while the Cubs organization itself paid tribute to Kirk, condemning political violence in a broader statement.
In a world obsessed with woke posturing, it’s telling that Shaw’s quiet act of honoring a friend—and the Cubs’ call for peace—feels more grounded than the broadcasters’ need to editorialize from the booth. Maybe it’s time we let athletes grieve without turning their pain into a hot take.
