Mets announcer’s remarks about Cubs player attending memorial draw backlash

Mikey McCoy, who previously served as Charlie Kirk’s chief of staff, fired back at New York Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen over remarks about Chicago Cubs rookie Matt Shaw attending Kirk’s memorial service. McCoy posted a clip of Kirk walking onto Wrigley Field in August and wrote that it was a dream come true for the activist, who was a longtime Cubs fan; he added that a backlash later targeted Shaw for attending the memorial. The online exchange underscored how sports, politics and personal faith intersect in contemporary athlete coverage, particularly when a player attends a public memorial tied to a political figure.

Cohen’s remarks came during Tuesday night’s game between the Mets and Cubs on SNY. Referring to Shaw’s absence from the Cubs’ lineup, Cohen said he did not want to discuss politics, but that the idea of leaving a team in the middle of a pennant race for reasons other than a family emergency “really strikes me as weird.” Fellow Mets broadcaster Todd Zeile also weighed in, describing Shaw’s absence as “unprecedented” from a player of his role and noting the timing amid a race for position in the standings. The comments drew swift backlash from Kirk’s supporters and others who argued the memorial held personal significance for Shaw and that players must balance faith, teammates and public expectations in complex ways.

Shaw addressed the situation on Tuesday, explaining why he chose to attend Kirk’s memorial despite the Cubs’ schedule. He told the Chicago Sun-Times that his connection to Kirk was rooted in their Christian faith, and that faith continues to motivate him daily. “My connection with Charlie was through our [Christian] faith,” Shaw said. “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. So whatever backlash comes is OK. I feel strong about my faith and that what was meant to be happened.” Shaw’s comments reflected a broader pattern in which players publicly discuss the role of faith, community and personal values in professional sports, sometimes inviting public scrutiny of their decisions about attendance at memorials or other events.

The Cubs and Shaw faced additional attention as Shaw continued to navigate questions about balancing his commitments with team responsibilities. He emphasized that his faith provides perspective on circumstances that might otherwise provoke disagreement from fans or media. While some observers argued the memorial attendance could complicate team dynamics, Shaw reiterated that his faith and personal convictions guide his choices and that he would accept whatever reaction followed.

In game terms, Shaw’s approach appeared to be affirmed on the field. In the Cubs’ 10-3 victory over the Mets, Shaw went 3-for-4 with a home run, turning the focus of the night back to performance on the field. The performance underscored the ongoing tension between personal faith and professional duties in baseball, a tension that has played out in public discussions about players attending family events, memorials or other personal commitments during the season.

As the season progresses, fans and commentators will continue to watch how teams and players manage the overlap of sport, faith and politics. The exchange around Shaw’s memorial attendance and Cohen’s remarks illustrates a broader cultural moment in which athletes are increasingly scrutinized for the personal choices they make off the field, even as they compete at a high level on it. The Cubs’ win offered a reminder of why players remain in the spotlight beyond their in-season performances, as every decision—however personal—can become part of a larger narrative that fans follow closely.