Overview

• Cohen made no apology or reference to his earlier on-air criticism during Thursday’s SNY broadcast, even as Shaw batted three times.
• Cohen had called leaving a team for anything other than a family emergency “weird,” and Mets analyst Todd Zeile labeled Shaw’s absence “unprecedented.”
• Shaw missed Sunday’s 1–0 loss to the Reds to attend the memorial in Glendale, Arizona, with manager Craig Counsell describing it as a funeral for a friend.
• Online backlash followed, including calls for a Mets boycott, but a viral claim of widespread ticket refunds remains unverified and was questioned by subsequent reporting.
• Shaw says his connection to Kirk was rooted in their Christian faith, was reportedly invited by Erika Kirk, accepts any backlash, and later homered in a 10–3 win over the Mets.