Cubs’ Matt Shaw Explains Decision to Attend Funeral During Playoff Push
Chicago Cubs rookie Matt Shaw defended his choice to attend the funeral of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk‘s mother while missing his team’s game against the New York Mets on Tuesday, stating he felt “strongly in his faith that was meant to be.” The decision drew criticism, including comments from Mets announcer Gary Cohen, but shaw maintained he had the support of his teammates and manager.
Shaw’s absence came during a crucial stretch of the season as the Cubs compete for a National League Wild Card spot. The 22-year-old infielder, selected 13th overall in the 2023 MLB draft, explained he felt a personal obligation to attend the funeral after being invited by Kirk’s widow, Erika. Shaw and Kirk had developed a bond through thier shared Christian faith while living in the same Arizona apartment complex.
The Cubs were unable to add a replacement player to their roster due to Shaw’s ineligibility for the bereavement list, which is reserved for losses of immediate family members. Shaw confirmed he discussed his decision with the team beforehand,ensuring they understood his motivations. “I made sure everybody I talked to I had their support, that they knew why I was going, that I wasn’t leaving just to leave, that it was something that was really significant to my faith,” he told the Chicago Tribune.
Mets play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen expressed his surprise on the SNY broadcast, stating, “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 [wildcard] race for any reason other then a family emergency, really strikes me as weird.”
Shaw, batting .223 with 12 home runs and a .678 OPS in his rookie season, returned to the Cubs lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Mets.
