New York Mets fans are reportedly boycotting the team, but the rumors are only true to a certain degree. The controversy began when longtime announcer Gary Cohen commented on Chicago Cubs player Matt Shaw, missing a game to attend a memorial service for slain activist Charlie Kirk.
Despite the loud complaints on social media, there is very little evidence that a large number of fans are actually participating in a boycott. On social media, many Mets supporters have called the boycott story “fake news,” suggesting it’s an overreaction from a small but vocal group.
During the Cubs’ game against the Mets on Tuesday night, Cohen claimed Shaw’s lack of presence was felt after the team suffered a massive 1-0 loss. He further slammed the player for leaving the team to attend Charlie Kirk’s funeral. Shaw was personally invited to the event by Kirk’s widow.
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“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,” Cohen said.
Cohen Criticized Cubs Rookie Matt Shaw For Missing A Game To Attend Charlie Kirk’s Memorial
New York Mets announcer Gary Cohen sparked massive controversy when he criticized Chicago Cubs rookie Matt Shaw on a live Cubs game. Shaw had missed a game against the Mets to travel to Colorado for the memorial service of his former youth baseball coach, Charlie Kirk, who was a well-known activist.
During the broadcast of the Cubs game, Cohen stated he found it “a little weird” for a player to leave his team in the middle of a season for a memorial that wasn’t for a family member. He acknowledged that he didn’t know the specifics of Shaw’s relationship with Kirk but expressed his personal opinion that a player’s commitment should be to their team, especially during the team’s race to the top.
Cohen’s comments were not met with positive reactions online and became a major topic of debate. Many people criticized him, stating that his remarks were insensitive and that a player has the right to mourn someone important to them. However, some of them did defend Cohen, agreeing that a professional athlete’s primary responsibility is to their team. The on-air drama led to a significant amount of backlash and discussion among sports fans and media.
Some Fans Say They’re Refunding Tickets, But The Boycott Claims Remain Hard To Prove
Despite claims of a fan boycott and ticket refunds circulating on social media, there is currently no verifiable evidence to suggest a widespread movement among New York Mets supporters.
Cohen’s comments led to immediate and vocal backlash online, with some fans declaring they would no longer watch games and were seeking refunds for their tickets. These posts gained some views, fueling reports of a fan “boycott” against the team and its broadcaster.
However, these individual claims have been difficult to find as they are likely small groups rather than a field of fans. The New York Mets organization and major ticketing platforms have not reported any unusual or significant increase in refund requests or cancellations that would indicate an organized boycott. New York radio host Craig Carton publicly stated that no fans were actually refunding their tickets. The boycott seems to be more of a ‘flavour of the month’ type thing. The Mets stay focused on improving their game and return with a stronger performance.
Published: Sep 26, 2025 12:45 pm