If you’ve watched a Mets game on SNY over the last few years, you might have noticed something. Maybe it was during a post-game interview or a tight camera angle in the booth. There’s a visible swelling on the left side of Gary Cohen’s jaw.
It’s the kind of thing that makes you do a double-take. Naturally, the internet did what the internet does. Fans on Reddit and Twitter started speculating wildly. Is he okay? Is it a "chew" habit? Is it something more serious?
Honestly, the "Gary Cohen jaw tumor" searches spike every single time the Mets have a big series. People care. Gary is the voice of summer for millions of fans, and when something looks "off" with a person who feels like family, the concern is real.
The Reality Behind the Gary Cohen Jaw Tumor Rumors
Let’s get the facts straight. Gary Cohen has never released a formal, televised medical bulletin about his jaw. Why would he? He’s a play-by-play announcer, not a politician. However, the visible lump in his parotid gland area (the salivary gland near the ear and jaw) has been present for a significant amount of time.
Common medical consensus among observers—and supported by the lack of any leave of absence—is that this is a benign parotid tumor. Specifically, many suspect a pleomorphic adenoma. These are slow-growing, non-cancerous tumors.
Here is the kicker: they aren't usually life-threatening, but they are incredibly tricky.
The parotid gland is basically a minefield. The facial nerve, which controls everything from your ability to smile to how you move your lips while speaking, runs right through the middle of it. For a man whose entire livelihood depends on the precision of his speech, surgery is a terrifying prospect.
Why Doesn't He Just Get It Removed?
You’ve probably wondered why someone with his resources wouldn't just "fix it."
Basically, it comes down to risk vs. reward. If Gary goes under the knife to remove a benign growth, there is a non-zero chance of facial nerve palsy.
Imagine Gary Cohen without that perfect, rhythmic "It's outta here!" because his lip won't move correctly.
It would be a tragedy for baseball.
Many people living with these types of benign growths choose "watchful waiting." If it isn't causing pain and isn't malignant, the risk of surgery damaging the nerves that allow him to broadcast is likely too high. He’s chosen to keep bringing us Mets baseball instead of risking his voice for a cosmetic fix. That's a veteran move.
✨ Don't miss: Start Sit Week 1 2025: Why Your Draft Position Doesn't Matter Right Now
Navigating Health Scares in the Mets Booth
Gary isn't the only one in that booth who has dealt with the "C" word or major health scares. We've seen this crew go through the wringer.
- Ron Darling: In 2019, Ron had a massive scare with a mass in his chest that turned out to be thyroid cancer. He had surgery, beat it, and came back.
- Keith Hernandez: From shoulder surgeries to various ailments, Keith has been open about the physical toll of a long career.
- The "Other" Gary Cohen: It’s worth noting that a different Gary Cohen (a health policy expert) has been vocal about his battle with multiple myeloma. This often confuses people searching for the Mets announcer. Our Gary—the SNY legend—has not reported a similar diagnosis.
Acknowledging the Speculation
We have to be careful here. Without a HIPAA-violating leak, we are looking at a man who is clearly dealing with a physical change but continues to perform at a Hall of Fame level.
The swelling has appeared to grow slightly over the years. Some fans have noted it seems more prominent in 2024 and 2025 than it did back in 2018. That’s typical for these types of salivary gland issues. They don't just disappear.
But let’s look at the evidence of his health:
His voice is as sharp as ever.
His energy is through the roof.
His recall of 1970s Mets bench players remains terrifyingly accurate.
If he were in significant pain or dealing with a malignant situation, it’s unlikely he’d be traveling to West Coast road trips and pulling three-hour shifts in the heat of August.
What You Should Take Away From This
Seeing a change in someone we admire is jarring. But the Gary Cohen jaw tumor "mystery" is likely just a man making a very personal, very calculated decision about his body and his career.
He’s prioritizing his craft over aesthetics.
If you’re worried, the best thing you can do is keep tuning in. Ratings and support keep the "GKR" booth together. Gary is a professional who has earned the right to keep his medical business private while he continues to be the best in the business.
How to support the booth:
- Don’t spread misinformation: If you see someone saying he’s "dying," politely point out that he hasn't missed a beat in years.
- Focus on the call: Appreciate the fact that we still have the best broadcast team in sports.
- Respect the privacy: He knows it's there. He doesn't need 10,000 tweets a day about his cheek.
Gary Cohen remains a titan of the industry. Whether his jaw is perfectly symmetrical or not doesn't change the fact that a Mets win doesn't feel real until he’s the one describing the final out.
Next Steps:
If you're interested in the health of the Mets broadcast team, you might want to look into Ron Darling’s foundation work or check out Gary’s recent induction into the Mets Hall of Fame, where he spoke extensively about his love for the game without letting physical distractions get in the way.