Why Shaw Skipped the Sunday Game
On a chilly Sunday night in Cincinnati, the Cubs fell 1‑0 to the Reds—a result that mattered a lot for the wild‑card scramble. While most teammates were on the field, rookie third baseman Matt Shaw was on a plane bound for Glendale, Arizona. He was there for the memorial of Charlie Kirk, a right‑wing media personality who had become a close friend during Shaw’s off‑season stay in the desert.
Kirk and Shaw shared a two‑bedroom apartment complex in Phoenix while Shaw worked out his offseason routine. Their bond grew around church services, late‑night chats about baseball, and Kirk’s habit of firing off supportive texts after every Cubs game. When Kirk passed away unexpectedly, his widow Erika sent Shaw a direct text asking him to be present at the service held at State Farm Stadium.
Shaw didn’t keep the request to himself. He went straight to the Cubs’ front office, received formal permission, and made the trip. "I have no regrets," he later told reporters, adding that the decision was guided by his faith, not by strategy. "Whatever backlash comes is okay—my belief tells me this was meant to happen."
Not everyone bought it. During the next day’s matchup against the Mets, broadcaster Gary Cohen labeled the move "weird," arguing that only a family emergency justifies leaving a team in the middle of a playoff race. Co‑host Todd Zeile went further, calling the absence "unprecedented" and pointing out how the team’s initial statement only mentioned a "funeral for a friend" without naming Kirk.
Back on the Field: A Statement in the Box
When the Cubs traveled to New York for a crucial wild‑card battle, Shaw stepped into the lineup with a clear purpose: let his bat do the talking. The 23‑year‑old went 3‑for‑4, struck a solo home run in the third inning, and crossed the plate twice more, helping Chicago post a 10‑3 rout.
The win didn’t just boost the Cubs’ own standing; it pushed the Mets into a tighter spot. New York held a one‑game edge over Cincinnati for the final playoff slot, and Shaw’s performance narrowed that cushion.
After the game, Shaw declined the post‑game interview, saying he preferred to let his performance speak for itself. Manager Craig Counsell, who had earlier explained Shaw’s Sunday absence as a "funeral for a friend," now had a tangible answer: a night of offense that reminded critics that personal convictions sometimes translate into on‑field results.
In a later press briefing, Shaw doubled down on his earlier remarks. He spoke about the blessings he feels from his faith and the people who have supported him since he entered the big leagues. "Without my faith and the many blessings I've been given, I wouldn't be here," he said, adding that he felt "really blessed" to have a platform to help his team chase championships.
- Shaw missed a 1‑0 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday.
- He attended Charlie Kirk’s memorial after a personal invitation from Kirk’s widow.
- Mets broadcasters criticized the decision, calling it "weird" and "unprecedented."
- Shaw rebounded with a 3‑for‑4 night, solo homer, and three runs in a 10‑3 win over New York.
- The performance kept the Cubs in the wild‑card hunt while the Mets fell a game behind Cincinnati.
The episode adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about player autonomy, personal beliefs, and team obligations. While some fans and analysts will continue to debate whether Shaw made the right call, the numbers from Tuesday’s game provide a concrete answer for one question: can you honor a friend and still help your team win? In this case, the answer was a resounding yes.
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